The 2024 AAEP Preview is here! Our advertising partners showcase some of the products that will be on display at the 2024 AAEP Convention trade show. Download your free copy of the Product Spotlight to learn more!

People often say it’s not buying a horse that’s expensive—it’s everything that comes after. From building fences to selecting a truck and trailer, horse ownership is a lifestyle choice for many of us. Estimating an average cost for that lifestyle is a bit tricky, because pricing for major horse care items (such as hay and feed) varies by region. Use this chart to create your own budget.

Read more about the current costs of horse ownership in this interactive feature.

Although it might seem like a simple, mundane task, the way you clean your horse’s stall can have a lasting impact on his or her health. A dirty stall can harbor bacteria and ammonia, putting your horse at increased risk of disease and respiratory problems. Choosing the right bedding for your horse and your management system and understanding how to thoroughly and effectively clean your horse’s stall can help you minimize this risk.

Download this free guide to learn more!

Our advertising partners showcase some of the products that will be on display at the 2023 AAEP Convention trade show. Download your free copy of the Product Spotlight to learn more!

As many as one-quarter of all horses 15 years of age or older are affected by pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), formerly known as equine Cushing’s disease. This condition results in the overproduction of stress hormones, which can have many negative effects on a horse’s body.

A pot-bellied, sway-backed, hairy horse suffering from chronic laminitis is the poster child for severe PPID. Up to 69.9% of horses with PPID show signs of hypertrichosis—excessive hair growth and abnormal shedding. Other signs of PPID include:

• Epaxial muscle wasting, other muscle mass loss, and general weight loss.
• Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) and anhidrosis (inability to sweat).
• Excessive drinking and urination.
• Lethargy and exercise intolerance.
• Abnormal fat depositions.
• Infertility.
• Suspensory ligament breakdown.
• Behavior changes.
• Recurrent skin infections and other signs of immune dysfunction.

Despite these seemingly obvious signs, early PPID can be easily missed, meaning many affected horses go untreated.

Learn more about diagnosing, treating, and managing horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) in this free fact sheet.

Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, or EPM, in horses was first recognized in the mid- to late-1960s as a “segmental myelitis.” It wasn’t until 1974 that scientists identified a single-celled parasite that prompted the name change to equine protozoal myeloencephalitis. Veterinarians now know two parasites, Sarcocystis neurona or Neospora hughesi, can cause EPM, but most cases are caused by S. neurona.

Opossums are the definitive hosts for S. neurona. They become infected by scavenging on intermediate hosts (skunks, cats, raccoons, armadillos) with S. neurona sarcocysts—walled-off “pockets” containing the infectious form of the parasite, which has reproduced here asexually—in their muscles. Once ingested, mature sarcocysts release bradyzoites, which transform and reproduce sexually in the small intestine, producing oocytes. The opossum sheds fully sporulated oocysts or sporocysts in its feces. They contaminate the environment and infect intermediate hosts when consumed.

Horses are incidental hosts that become infected by consuming the sporocysts in the environment. Unlike intermediate hosts, horses—as incidental or aberrant intermediate hosts—do not serve as reservoirs for infecting opossums (i.e., sarcocysts do not form that opossums later consume) and do not spread S. neurona directly to other horses.

Horses with EPM typically show signs consistent with spinal cord injury, such as ataxia (incoordination), gait abnormalities that can mimic lameness, and
muscle weakness and/or atrophy. Less commonly, they exhibit cranial nerve deficits manifesting as dysphagia (difficulty swallowing, abnormal airway function) or abnormal behavior and state of consciousness or even seizures. Affected horses typically experience asymmetric neurologic deficits and focal muscle atrophy. Signs can come on acutely or have an insidious onset.

Learn more helpful, research-supported information about equine protozoal myeloencephalitis in horses in this fact sheet.

Your show horse is a marvel of athleticism, bred and trained to perform incredible feats. But like any athlete, his joints and soft tissues sustain wear and tear with use, especially if you don’t care for them properly. Routine preventive care is the best medicine for extending the life span of your horse’s moving parts. From dental and hoof care, vaccination, and deworming to comprehensive joint therapy and pre- and post-exercise stretching, being deliberate about preventing problems ultimately enhances your horses’ well-being, long-term health, and performance.

One organ system that is particularly sensitive to the trials of competition is the gastrointestinal tract. Here are three aspects of the GI tract that can negatively affect a show horse’s performance and quality of life if not managed appropriately.

Click the link above to download your free copy of this special report.

Allergen Avoidance Key to Controlling Allergies, but What Else Can Help?

Like people, horses can develop allergies to pollens/trees/plants, dust components and mites, molds, medications, shampoos, and food.¹ Typical reactions to allergen exposure include severe itching (pruritus) and the development of hives (urticaria). Veterinary intervention, particularly in chronic cases, is directed at controlling the itch, treating the secondary dermatitis and trauma caused by the horse’s scratching and rubbing, and discussing allergen avoidance.

Download this free fact sheet to learn more.

The sudden appearance of multiple raised eruptions on a horse’s skin with no apparent underlying cause can be alarming for owners. That distress often leads to disappointment and frustration when owners learn many cases of hives (aka urticaria or wheals) become chronic in nature and challenging and expensive to treat.

Hives can develop on any part of the body but mainly occur on the horse’s back, flanks, neck, eyelids, and legs. In some advanced cases they might develop on the gums, nose, around the eyes (conjunctiva), rectum, and vulva. Often the hair stands up over these swellings and they become itchy, causing the horse to scratch his body and damage the skin. Horses might also become excited or restless when the lesions appear.

Click the link above to download your free copy of this fact sheet.

The reason we vaccinate our horses is simple: We want to minimize their risk of contracting a life-threatening and/or infectious disease. With that said, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) has designated certain vaccines as “core vaccines” all horses should receive annually, regardless of age, use, or location. Use this AAEP Vaccination Guidelines-based “cheat sheet” and work with your vet to devise an immunization program that’s right for your horse.

Don’t let 2022 come to a close without stocking up on all your veterinary necessities. Receive end-of-year specials on tried-and-true items, catch the year’s best product launches, and learn about exciting supplies and equipment to come from these companies. Download your free copy using the link above!

Will you be attending the 2022 AAEP Convention? ADM Equine and ConturaVet have teamed up with The Horse and EquiManagement to bring you this easy-to-use Vet’s Guide to San Antonio.

Access the guide through your mobile device or download the interactive PDF to discover exciting and fun spots to eat, drink, and enjoy while you are in Alamo City!

Don’t let 2022 come to a close without stocking up on all your veterinary necessities. Receive end-of-year specials on tried-and-true items, catch the year’s best product launches, and learn about exciting supplies and equipment to come from these companies. Download your free copy using the link above!

Joint issues often contribute to attrition and performance and welfare issues in athletic horses. Even when horses recover from joint trauma such as infection or fracture, osteoarthritis (OA) most assuredly follows.

In this special report we’ll describe common joint issues that can negatively affect a horse’s musculoskeletal health, ultimately leading to OA. We’ll also share ways to prevent these conditions and minimize horses’ risk of lifelong joint swelling, pain, decreased range of motion, and loss of function, focusing on those backed by scientific data.

Click the link above to download your free copy!

Historically, navicular disease, defined as degeneration of the navicular bone and its associated structures, was assumed to be pain localized to a horse’s foot.¹^,² Now, veterinarians know navicular disease is more accurately referred to as podotrochlosis because it involves not only the navicular bone but also a large number of structures that make up the podotrochlear apparatus. Throughout this fact sheet, however, we’ll use the more commonly accepted term, navicular disease, in reference to the condition.

Allergen Avoidance Key to Controlling Allergies, but What Else Can Help?

Like people, horses can develop allergies to pollens/trees/plants, dust components and mites, molds, medications, shampoos, and food.¹ Typical reactions to allergen exposure include severe itching (pruritus) and the development of hives (urticaria). Veterinary intervention, particularly in chronic cases, is directed at controlling the itch, treating the secondary dermatitis and trauma caused by the horse’s scratching and rubbing, and discussing allergen avoidance.

Download this free fact sheet to learn more.

How shock wave therapy, mesotherapy, and ongoing maintenance helped a young event horse return to performance.

The team of performance horse practitioners at Virginia Equine Imaging, in The Plains, sees more than their fair share of back pain cases. Practice owner Kent Allen, DVM, Cert. ISELP, estimates one-third of his cases are horses with back problems coming in for second opinions.

“These cases can be difficult,” he says. “They’ll come in some- times with a history of bucking their riders off or having significant performance and avoidance issues.”

A textbook example of one of these patients arrived at the clinic in July 2020. The 5-year-old gelding’s rider, who was preparing him for an eventing career, reported he’d recently become back sore under saddle.

Don’t let 2021 come to a close without stocking up on all your veterinary necessities. Receive end-of-year specials on tried-and-true items, catch the year’s best product launches, and learn about exciting supplies and equipment to come from these companies.

Don’t let 2021 come to a close without stocking up on all your veterinary necessities. Receive end-of-year specials on tried-and-true items, catch the year’s best product launches, and learn about exciting supplies and equipment to come from these companies. Download your free copy now.

What does your multimodal treatment plan for OA look like?

While once considered a disease of articular cartilage, we now know osteoarthritis (OA) is a “whole joint” disease. It affects the articular cartilage lining the edges of bones within the synovial fluid-filled joint, the subchondral bone lying directly under the cartilage, the joint capsule/membrane (wall/lining), and the supporting soft tissues (e.g., muscle, connective tissues, tendons, ligaments, menisci).¹ Musculoskeletal trauma from natural, repetitive concussion of the lower limbs or sport-related injuries commonly contribute to OA development.

Current estimates indicate one in five horses has this painful, degenerative, and progressive condition.1-3 Therefore, OA is one of the most common joint disorders of horses and a leading cause of disability.4 While any horse is at risk of developing OA, aging, nutrition, obesity, joint injury, and genetics are specific risk factors that increase the chances of disease.¹

Learn from real equestrians how you can save time, space, and money in your horse-keeping endeavors. 

Whether you run a large facility for many horses or provide a home for one or two, we’ve compiled information geared toward helping improve your day-to-day barn life and operations.

Three horsewomen with a range of experience—stable manager Lindsey Holmgren; horse owner and former 4-H leader Elizabeth Clark; and former boarding facility owner Holli McMahon—share tips and tricks with us for maximizing time, space, and money around the barn. Download your free copy of this special report.

Practical adaptations and alternatives to traditional stabling methods

As a horse owner, if you find yourself wondering about your stabled companion’s happiness, you’re not alone. In recent years scientists have likewise pondered and investigated domestic horses’ physical and mental welfare. New research highlighting the benefits of accommodating horses’ genetically ingrained needs is booming, and we are listening. Equestrians are opening their minds, some even their stall doors, leaving behind traditional single-horse stabling in favor of more natural options such as group housing and track paddocks.

At first glance, the equine digestive system looks similar to that of other animals, including humans. Horses have all the same major structures, such as the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines. As you will see, however, important differences in structure and function of most elements of the gastrointestinal tract exist between humans and horses, the major ones being the cecum and large intestine. Because horses are herbivorous, nonruminant hindgut fermenters, their cecum and large intestine are far more voluminous and intricate, playing a much more prominent and integral role in processing feeds compared to a human’s large intestine.

Download your free copy of this fact sheet to learn more about key anatomic features of the equine digestive tract.

Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is an allergic reaction to the saliva of biting insects such as Culicoides (aka “no-see-ums,” midges, gnats), mosquitoes, black flies, and horn flies. The bites elicit an allergic response from sensitive horses, resulting in hives (urticaria) and/or crusty patches of bumps. Download this free guide to learn how to help your itchy horse!

Keep your horse comfortable when buzzing, biting bugs abound

Tail swishing. Foot stomping. Skin twitching and head throwing. No, these aren’t new dance moves; they’re avoidance behaviors your horse exhibits when he’s trying to rid himself of pesky flies and other annoying insects that swell to annoying levels with the coming of warmer weather.

But insects don’t just harass your horse—their bites can cause welts and rashes, lead to insect bite hypersensitivity, and even transmit diseases such as Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis, equine infectious anemia, vesicular stomatitis, and West Nile virus.

Insects can also affect your horse’s weight and hoof condition. “If you have a horse in turnout, particularly if he’s on the thin side and you’re trying to put weight on him, you don’t want him expending calories from constantly pacing and swatting,” says Krishona Martinson, PhD, equine extension specialist and co-author on a recent University of Minnesota (UMN) study of fly-fighting methods. “Likewise, if you’re trying to rehab a damaged hoof, the last thing you want is for your horse to be constantly stomping.

“You have to consider each horse’s needs when strategizing his care,” she adds. “In cases such as these, you might want to buy all the fly gear—fly sheets, masks with ears, leggings, leg bands, and fly spray—to keep insects at bay.”

Download this free report to learn more about smart insect control strategies.

Barn etiquette and smart horse and human health practices to follow during a pandemic

Horse owners will remember 2020 as the year of canceled shows, postponed clinics, and the rise of virtual symposiums. It has been nearly one year since the novel coronavirus was discovered and started its deadly spread across the globe, and the COVID-19 pandemic has affected every part of our daily lives, from the way we work and vacation to the way we travel and gather (if we do the latter at all).

In the U.S., individual states, counties, and cities imposed varying degrees of regulations on businesses, often including equine facilities. During the early days of the pandemic, government mandates forced some training and boarding facilities to close completely, leaving owners unable to visit their horses. Barns that remained open often implemented restrictions on who could enter the property and when.

As we enter 2021, the question remains, what will barn life look like in the future? How do we stay healthy so we can be available to care for our horses? The answer starts with what scientists already know about SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Bisphosphonates inhibit bone breakdown/resorption, making them useful for treating bone disorders such as podotrochlosis (navicular syndrome) in horses. In human medicine, patients with various bone fragility disorders, including osteoporosis, reap the rewards of bisphosphonate treatment.

Learn about the pros (and potential cons) of these medications approved to help horses with navicular syndrome and other musculoskeletal disorders in this free fact sheet.

Last chance! Don’t let 2020 come to a close without stocking up on all your equipment and supply needs. Find end-of-year specials on tried-and-true items, catch the year’s best product launches, and learn about exciting things to come from these companies.

Imagine a time in a not-too-distant past when veterinarians couldn’t get a clear picture of the equine navicular bone and its associated structures to diagnose podotrochlosis (navicular syndrome, or caudal heel pain). Then came MRI, and the game changed. Since Washington State University pioneered MRI use in horses in 1996, the technology has become easier to use and more accessible, improving lameness diagnosis and improving veterinarians’ treatment plans for lame horses.

Download a copy of this free guide to learn more.

Don’t let 2020 come to a close without stocking up on all your veterinary necessities. Receive end-of-the-year specials on tried-and-true items, catch the year’s best product launches, and learn about exciting supplies and equipment to come from these companies. Download part one of this free guide.

Horses require regular hoof care to keep them sound and healthy. Veterinarians, farriers, and hoof trimmers recommend keeping the average horse on a four-to-six-week trim and/or shoeing schedule. Horses with certain foot conditions, such as navicular issues or laminitis, might need more frequent hoof care. For more information, visit TheHorse.com/topics/hoof-care.

Your horse is drinking his water, so it must be fine. Right? Don’t bet on it.

Horses need to drink. If their water isn’t sanitary or the right temperature, many will drink it anyway because they have no other choice. Others might refuse it or not drink sufficient quantities. As a result, these horses are at risk of developing a variety of health conditions related to not only unsanitary water consumption but also water deprivation.

To ensure your horse stays hydrated, provide him with fresh, clean, clear water at appropriate drinking temperatures.

Whether building from the ground up or retrofitting existing structures, prioritize your horse’s health and safety

A barn is a wonderful shelter for a horse and makes a nice workplace for people to do horse-related chores. Barns range in shape, size, materials, and age. Some come with a property; some owners build after moving in. Regardless of whether you have an existing structure or are planning a new one, consider equine safety and comfort when retrofitting or designing it. Over decades in equine practice, I have encountered innumerable injuries and health issues, some quite serious, that owners could have avoided with practical design modifications of their stabling and management.

Matthew Johnson, architect and owner of Equine Facility Design, in Portland, Oregon, has devoted his career to designing equestrian facilities and barns with an eye for the details. He offers barn construction suggestions to help optimize horse health and reduce accidents and injury.

Joints are areas where two or more bones meet, and most joints are mobile. Your horse’s joint health is important for his performance potential and his well-being.

As a horse owner, you can help maintain your horse’s joint health by:

• Monitoring his body condition score;
• Facilitating movement through plenty of turnout time and exercise on appropriate surfaces; and
• Keeping your horse’s feed balanced and well trimmed or shod to reduce joint stress.

Plans to make and supplies to gather before committing to self-care

I didn’t really choose to become a self-care boarder. I was happy with the care my Thoroughbred gelding, Dorado, received on full board. After years of having him at home, I enjoyed the extra time I had to check things off my to-do list.

But unexpectedly, Dorado suffered a laminitic episode. The barn staff caught it early, which allowed us to treat him quickly, but I still needed to medicate and check on him at least twice a day for the initial recovery period. I told the barn owner that I’d switch to self-care for the time being because I’d be at the farm so frequently. I never switched back.

Yes, it was a ton of work. And, yes, I spent significantly more time at the barn than when Dorado was on full board. But I found that I loved starting my day with Dorado. I enjoyed unwinding after work by cleaning a stall and going for a ride. And, even though picking up stable essentials meant an extra trip out at night or on weekends, I loved the freedom of selecting my own feed, hay, and bedding. I also believe the extra time spent with Dorado strengthened our relationship.

All that to say: Self-care boarding takes a lot of time and effort, but it can be just what some horse owners need.

Gastric ulcers occur commonly yet present a number of treatment challenges requiring pharmaceutical intervention and intensive lifestyle modifications

Veterinarians have long recognized gastric (stomach) ulcers in horses. These ulcers—painful erosions of the tissue lining the gastrointestinal tract—can occur anywhere from the lower esophagus, throughout the stomach, and into the first part of the small intestine called the duodenum. In 1999 veterinarians adopted the term “equine gastric ulcer syndrome” (EGUS). This terminology recognized two distinct forms of ulcers: those in the squamous or nonglandular part of the stomach (equine squamous gastric disease or ESGD) and those occurring in the glandular region (equine glandular gastric disease or EGGD).

Download this fact sheet to learn more about equine gastric ulcer syndrome.

It’s almost summertime. During barn  chores we pause in the sun, satisfied just to watch our horses graze peacefully in the green grass. What could be better? Well, there is the fly situation; they’re everywhere, buzzing around our faces and pestering the horses, which are constantly shaking their heads, swishing tails, and stomping feet.

Flies on farms and ranches can be extremely annoying for all who encounter them. While it’s not possible to create an entirely fly-free environment, you can take steps to help reduce and manage their numbers.

In this free download we’ll describe a variety of fly control methods targeting different life stages.

Before any kind of trailer travel, it’s important to take steps to ensure the safety of yourself and your horses. Truck and trailer equipment must be in good working order, and the process of checking the equipment can be daunting without a clear, concise checklist.

This one-page fact sheet is a handy reference for safe trailer travel, including an equipment checklist to perform before and after horses are loaded, plus tips for driving while pulling a trailer. Keep copies of this safe-trailering guide in your trailer, tack box or towing vehicle for easy referencing on the road. Ensuring safe truck and trailer equipment before your leave can help minimize or even eliminate problems during your trip.

The 11th NEAEP symposium emphasized farriers and veterinarians working together for the good of the horse. Read our in-depth coverage in this free report.

Stall flooring might not be something we spend much of our horsey time pondering, but it’s crucial to our horses’ health. Like humans, the surface a horse spends hours standing on can affect his comfort, soundness, and quality of movement. Stall flooring also affects how efficiently and thoroughly you can clean the stall—which, in turn, can affect horse health if ammonia accumulates in the airspace or dirt collects on surfaces on which they eat.

Nearly all organisms, including horses, adapt their lifestyles to the timing of sunrise and sunset. From breeding to performance to haircoats—understanding how horses respond to light can help you manage them accordingly.

Stagnant, humid air can be the bane of your barn. Its damage might be obvious in your horse’s chronic cough or the peeling paint on your stall doors. Or it might be insidious, such as rotting wood in hard-to-see places that affects the building’s structural integrity. Fortunately, you can take simple steps to improve the ventilation of your existing barn and consider certain design elements when building a new one.

Download this free report to learn more.

Recently, Texas A&M researchers reviewed the current body of knowledge surrounding bisphosphonates and their use in horses. Their goal, they wrote, was to “discuss the current understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of bisphosphonates in equine veterinary medicine and highlight the future utility of these potentially highly beneficial drugs.”

Download this special report to learn what they’ve found and suggestions for pinpointing optimal use of bisphosphonates in horses going forward.

When you’re constructing a horse farm and have limited land, design and layout are critical to maximizing your time and resources. You might be constrained by existing fencing and buildings. You might have to work around natural obstacles such as streams and hills.

“Often, new horse property owners come from urban settings and are unfamiliar with a rural lifestyle,” says Alayne Blickle, founder of the horse and property management program Horses
for Clean Water, in Nampa, Idaho. “They don’t know that you shouldn’t put your … sacrifice area over your septic system’s drain field,” for instance.

Then there are those who are familiar with living with horses but are, perhaps, getting their first property and have a blank slate and no idea where to start. Either way, here’s how to design a functional farm on what land you have.

Ammonia buildup can affect a horse’s respiratory health and performance, but it is preventable with sound management practices. Download this free report to learn more.

Planning to ride only to get rained out is disappointing. But, before you give up and head inside to binge watch a show on Netflix, we have some suggestions of things you can do with or for your horses despite the wet weather. You already have the time set aside in your busy schedule, so why not give your horse a little extra attention or cross some items off your horse-related to-do list?

Do you have anything to add to our list? Post them in the comments below!