These are a thickening of the skin, like a callus, on the point of the elbow or point of hock. They’re most commonly caused by repeated contact with a shoe when the horse lies down. Shoes with caulks may be more likely to cause trouble than a standard shoe, but Read more…
Windpuffs. Also known as road puffs, these soft, fluid-filled swellings appear toward the back of the fetlock joint and may occur on all four legs or only on the hind legs. They’re the result of inflammation of the digital flexor tendon sheaths. What are the bumps on my horses legs? Read more…
Blood pressure can be measured indirectly by Doppler ultrasound, oscillometric monitoring, or by using an inflatable cuff on the base of the tail (much like a human BP cuff), all which are not terribly accurate; invasive direct monitoring using a catheter is the most accurate method. How do you check Read more…
To measure invasive blood pressure in adult horses, we place an invasive blood pressure line into the arterial lumen of the patient. This is either done in the facial (most often), metatarsal, or tail artery depending on the location of the surgery being performed. What is the most accurate way Read more…
A horseshoe is a fabricated product designed to protect a horse hoof from wear. Shoes are attached on the palmar surface (ground side) of the hooves, usually nailed through the insensitive hoof wall that is anatomically akin to the human toenail, although much larger and thicker. What is the thing Read more…
Fetlock boots, also called brushing boots or ankle boots, are worn on a horse’s hind legs. They are designed to protect the inside of a horse’s legs from injuries caused by the opposite hock striking the lower leg and fetlock. Do fetlock boots go on the back legs? Fetlock boots Read more…
The equine hamstring consists of 3 main muscles; the Biceps Femoris, Semitendinosus and Semimembranosus. These muscles are located down the back of the hind limb. They are responsible for a range of movements such as kicking, rearing and forward movements. What good is a hamstrung horse? They could be used Read more…
All horses paw the ground at some time or another for various reasons because it is a normal behavior in equines. However, when a horse paws the ground continuously, it can be bad for the stable flooring and your horse’s hooves and legs. What is a horses paw called? A Read more…
A There is no effective treatment for the problem. The disease probably overwinters on fallen leaves, so clearing these away may help reduce future attacks, though spores can easily blow in from other areas. Q Are there any horse chestnut varieties resistant to guinardia leaf blotch? What causes brown spots Read more…
Horsehoes & Hand Grenades — Horseshoes & Hand Grenades. What is the saying horseshoes and handgrenades? Few people remember that it was Robinson who first said, “Close don’t count in baseball. Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.” The quote appeared in Time magazine (July 31, 1973). Where does Read more…