Horse Dental Care: A Comprehensive Guide for Polk County Horse Owners
Just like humans, horses require regular dental care to maintain optimal oral health. Neglecting your horse’s dental needs can lead to a variety of health problems, impacting their comfort, performance, and overall well-being. Read on to learn about the crucial role of regular checkups, potential dental issues to be aware of, and the significant benefits […]
Do You Know the Signs of Equine Gastric Ulcers?
Equine gastric ulcers are a significant concern for horse owners, as they can cause discomfort and affect a horse’s overall health and performance. The equine stomach continually secretes gastric acid, which aids in the digestion of food. However, when the acid production overwhelms the stomach’s protective mechanisms — usually a layer of mucus — ulcers […]
Understanding Equine Navicular Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Management
Equine navicular disease, also known as navicular syndrome, is a common and often challenging problem that affects the feet of horses. It primarily involves the navicular bone (a small, flattened bone located within the hoof) and the surrounding structures. The navicular bone acts as a shock absorber and helps distribute the weight of the horse’s […]
Guidelines to Keep Your Horse Safe While Trailering
One crucial aspect of equine care that often goes unnoticed is trailer safety. Transporting horses requires meticulous planning and attention to detail to ensure their journey is as safe and stress-free as possible. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or have years under your belt, here are some tips to keep everyone safe on the road. […]
Florida Horse Health Issues
Florida has its unique challenges for horses. A combination of the climate, humidity, wet ground, insects and typical management practices can expose Florida’s horse population to certain diseases and illnesses. These problems include the following list: Insect borne diseases.Mosquitos carry viruses such as West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis and Western Equine Encephalitis. These […]
Your Fall Veterinarian Visit
With the seasons changing and the weather getting cooler, this is the perfect time of year for your horse to have a visit with the vet, especially if traveling for competitions or leisure. Respiratory vaccines and tapeworm treatment are key components of a fall visit. Respiratory infections like equine influenza and herpesvirus are spread by […]
Foot Abscesses
The majority of horse lameness issues are in the foot. The horse will most often have a significant limp or not want to use the limb. There are other possibilities for such a significant lameness such as a fracture, septic joint or tendon injury but unless there is a large wound or significant swelling on […]
Owners Need to Know the Signs of Colic
An attentive horse owner will notice subtle changes in their horses’ behavior. Horses are creatures of habit and routine so these variations may indicate that the horse isn’t feeling well. Signs that may indicate colic are lethargy, lying down more than usual, pawing, decreased appetite, looking at their sides and diarrhea. Signs of colic means […]
West Nile Virus (WNV) in Florida
WNV is a virus spread by mosquitoes and can infect multiple animal species including humans. The virus persists in wild birds, mosquitoes biting the infected birds can transmit the virus to other animals and humans. Humans and horses are considered “dead end hosts”, meaning when a mosquito bites an infected horse they can not pass […]
Equine Lameness Diagnosis
There is a systematic plan for diagnosing a lameness in your horse that includes an exam with potential nerve blocks, radiographs and ultrasound. The first step is always to perform a thorough lameness work-up to determine a baseline lameness and determine which leg is affected. Palpation and a visual exam can help locate an injury […]
