Suspensory ligament desmitis in the horse can take many forms and have a variety of presentations.  In all, if not most, there is a lameness noted by a head-nod or reluctance to stretch out in front.  This can be evident on different levels, dependent upon the degree of damage to ligament and which area is…

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“No Foot, No Horse”.  This is a common saying throughout the years that has stood the test of time and has remained truthful in many regards.  The fact is that the horse is highly dependent upon their feet and thus, the external hoof capsule, for overall soundness and quality of life.  The concept of hoof…

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Vitamin C is a well known nutrient, being found in many fruits, vegetables and from synthetic sources. This nutrient is a potent antioxidant and vital for many cellular functions, including tissue repair and immune health.  Many dog owners likely don’t give vitamin C a second thought, regarding their dog’s health, cancer, or even recovery from…

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The equine digestive or gastrointestinal microbiome is a vast organ system within an organ system, that can greatly impact horse health and soundness.  It is a complex system of hundreds of different microorganisms that not only impact digestion, but overall health and inflammation within the horse. When this system is out of balance, a dysbiosis…

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You are up in the middle of the night.  Your horse is restless and you are endlessly walking him up and down the barn isle way to help soothe his discomfort.  Colic.  Such as simple word, but yet so many different presentations in the horse with some cases resolving easily, while other horses require intensive…

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Lacerations and cuts will happen in almost every horse.  In part one of this article, I discussed key points to evaluate when dealing with a cut or laceration.  After a thorough evaluation, you are often then left with many options regarding how to manage that cut or laceration in your horse.  These options can be…

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Tendon injuries are all too common in the horse and are not just confined to the equine athlete.  Any horse can succumb to a strained tendon, even on pasture, with a wrong step or muddy footing.  Despite the injuries being common, the recovery process can be quite extensive for many, resulting on a significant time…

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Polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) is an increasing diagnosis in the equine community and is linked back to a group of conditions, referred to as ‘myopathies’.  The problem of PSSM is becoming more commonplace, leaving many owners unsure as to what the condition is or how to best manage it. Like many other conditions, PSSM is…

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The Thoroughbred race horse and the racing industry as a whole has been an area of keen interest to me, dating back to my days in veterinary college.  As students, we would see these unique patients on a daily basis and assist in therapy.  I would also spend much of my off-time, at the local race tracks in Ohio, in the backstretch, to get a different view point and learn as much as I could.  Given my current location, we do not have TB racing in our state, but yet, I still work with them on an almost daily basis through rehabilitation and consultations, with a quick trip here and there to tracks outside of my state. Through our research and consultations, along with reading as much as I can my hands on, I begin to make connections to what we are doing now, as compared to 20-30+ years ago.  Could these differences or changes be creating the rise in lameness, poor performance and EIPH (bleeders)?  If so, could management of these factors help us to reduce those problems and maybe enhance performance on a whole new level?

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