In dehydrated horses aldosterone (ALD) and agrinine vasopressin (AVP) are increased. (ALD) promotes K excretion and Na re-absorption in a bid to maintain Na levels, increases blood volume and stimulates thirst. (AVP) promotes water reabsorption in the kidneys. How is thirst regulated in horses? Once combined with another electrically charged Read more…
You can apply hydrocortisone or calamine lotion directly to the bites to help them heal and reduce itching. How do you treat a horsefly bite swelling? How to Treat Horsefly Bites on Humans Avoid the temptation to scratch (scratching the insect bite may increase your risk of bacterial infection) Clean Read more…
When horses’ feet land unevenly, the hooves become misshapen and out of balance — crooked legs, bad joints or upper leg pain can all cause sheared heels. Likewise, hooves that have been neglected or subjected to bad trimming or shoeing are prone to sheared heels. How do you treat sheared Read more…
Contracted heels are characterized by a narrowing of the heel between the two bulbs, the soft fleshy area where the hoof wall, heel, and coronary band come together. When this happens, it is important to provide the proper hoof support in order to manage the condition, improve hoof health, and Read more…
Races are traditionally started with gunshots. At the sound of a bang, sprinters leap off the blocks and accelerate down the track at breathtaking speeds. But the seemingly small duration of time in between the gunshot and the start is actually a sizable gap. What gun do they use to Read more…
Rabies vaccination is extremely effective in horses, producing an excellent immune response even with a single dose. It does not require complex adjuvants that some other vaccines need to stimulate the immune system, which also makes it less likely to cause an abnormal vaccine reaction. Are horses immune to rabies? Read more…
The majority of the states require rabies to be administered by or under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. Unvaccinated adult horses: Administer a single dose and revaccinate annually. Vaccinated adult horses: Revaccinate annually. What does rabies do to horses? Once a horse shows signs of rabies it invariably dies Read more…
Dermatitis may have many signs including any combination of itching, scaling, abnormal redness, thickening, and hair loss. The usual progression of a skin disease involves an underlying trigger that causes boils, scabs, scales, or blisters. Abnormal itching, called pruritus, occurs in many skin diseases. How do you treat dermatitis in Read more…
What size bit does a draft horse need? Most draft horses require an average size of a 6” bit. Some smaller draft horses or draft-crosses can use a 5.5” bit, while others may even need a 6.6”-7” bit. How wide is a standard horse bit? Bit width is the distance Read more…
Most riders agree that bits can cause pain to horses. A too-severe bit in the wrong hands, or even a soft one in rough or inexperienced hands, is a well-known cause of rubs, cuts and soreness in a horse’s mouth. Dr. Cook’s research suggests the damage may go even deeper Read more…