Below, we’ll examine what heat stress looks like, the warning signs, what to do if your horse overheats, and how to prevent dehydration from heat stress.

What Causes Heat Stress in Horses?

Horses primarily create heat while digesting their feed and during any activity that requires their muscles to work. Even light activity in extremely hot, humid weather could cause your horse to overheat.

You may notice that your horse’s blood vessels appear larger and distended when it’s hot outside. This reaction is normal, as it shunts the blood to the skin to rid the body of excess heat; however, this doesn’t provide adequate cooling if the air temperature is warmer than the horse’s body temperature.

Other than humans, horses are the only mammals that sweat. During hotter conditions, they primarily use this mechanism to wet the body and allow cooling via evaporation. The problem occurs when the sweat doesn’t evaporate to allow adequate cooling, potentially leading to heat stress.

“Horses are pretty efficient at dissipating heat compared to species that don’t sweat,” says Kris Hiney, Ph.D., associate professor and Equine Extension Specialist at Oklahoma State University. “But they can still get heat stress [during] prolonged periods of high temperatures or working in high temperatures. Very young or infirm horses are more likely to suffer from heat stress.”

Detecting Heat Stress

Hot skin and profuse sweating or less sweating than expected for the activity could be warning signs of heat stress. Hiney advises looking for high body temperature, an elevated heart rate, and a respiration rate beyond what’s expected for the workload.

“Working in hot temperatures may not be completely avoidable,” she says. “[But] it’s important to recognize the signs that your horse may be overheating.”

Hiney recommends practicing the following techniques ahead of time so both you and your horse will be familiar with them when needed.

◆ Use a rectal thermometer (keep one with you if you’re far from a barn) to monitor heat load. Body temperature will normally increase with exercise, and body temperatures of 104 degrees to 106 degrees Fahrenheit are common for some events.

However, horses with these body temperatures need to be cooled carefully. If a horse’s temperature is over 106 degrees, take immediate action to cool the horse. Temperatures reaching 107 degrees may require veterinary assistance.

◆ Check your horse’s heart rate, either with a stethoscope or manually. When the horse is allowed to rest, his heart rate should noticeably begin to drop. It should return to 40 to 50 beats per minute within 15 minutes. Failure of the heart rate to drop quickly indicates heat stress.

“Flared nostrils and heaving flanks while breathing are not only from work, but also from the increased heat load,” Hiney explains. “Allow the horse to rest and watch carefully for a reduction in breathing rate and intensity.”

◆ Assess the amount and location of sweat. Normal sweating patterns include along the neck, flanks and between the hind legs. With intense exercise or extreme temperatures, the horse may be completely covered in sweat and will need help being cooled.

A horse that has ceased sweating is most likely suffering from heat exhaustion and is in critical need of care.

How to Treat Heat Stress

If you suspect your horse is overheating, it’s vital to stop exercising and move him to a cooler setting right away. You will likely need to help him cool down to prevent heat stress from turning into heat stroke, which can have dire consequences.

“Evaporation through sweat is the major way horses dissipate heat, but high humidity levels will limit the effectiveness of sweating,” says Hiney. “Increase airflow to the skin by removing all tack and equipment and use a sweat scraper to remove excess sweat.

“Cool running water can greatly aid in cooling,” she continues. “Apply water or even ice along major blood vessels like the neck, chest and inside of the legs. Blood will cool as it passes through these areas and then return to the trunk of the body to help dissipate the heat load. Continual application of cool, running water will prevent the warming of the water on the horse’s skin. Otherwise, use a scraper to remove the warm water and increase the rate of cooling. Water left on the skin will warm rapidly and trap heat against the horse’s body.”

Hiney says that you can still help your horse cool down even when you don’t have access to running water by using a sponge to wet the major blood vessels. Again, you should concentrate on the neck and chest. She also suggests adding rubbing alcohol to the water to increase evaporation and aid in cooling.

If you need to cool your horse while riding if you’re not near running water, Hiney suggests using a squirt bottle to apply cool water along the major exposed blood vessels in the neck and chest. You can refill your water bottle from streams, lakes or stock tanks.

“Air movement is another major way that animals lose heat,” she says. “Supplying fans or keeping the horse in a breezy area is ideal. Fans with higher velocities provide more effective cooling. If you have access to electricity, put a fan near the arena to aid in cooling during rest periods. This fan can greatly assist with continuing normal training during the summer. Even so, be sure that the horse’s heart rate and respiration rate have dropped before returning to work.

“Simple strategies like keeping the horse in the shade or riding in shaded areas prevent heat gain directly from the sun,” Hiney adds. “Standing under trees is even more useful, as the horse will radiate heat up to the leaves, which are continually cooled by their own evaporation.”

She warns that heat stress can quickly turn to heat stroke. If you feel this is happening, cease work, strip tack off the horse, and get him into the shade immediately. When facing heat stroke, veterinary care with IV fluids may be necessary.

Heat Index

Through appropriate management, heat stress can be prevented. Start by paying attention to the heat index in your area to understand when it’s dangerous to work your horse. Although different horses may tolerate heat differently, follow general guidelines to ensure you’re not putting your horse in danger.

“Pay attention to heat and humidity,” Hiney advises. “A good rule of thumb is to add the values of the temperature [in degrees Fahrenheit] and humidity [relative percentage] to get the horse’s comfort index. Horses cool themselves normally—unless dehydrated or fatigued—if the combined values are below 130.

“If the combined temperature and humidity is over 150 (such as 90 degrees Fahrenheit with 60 percent humidity), horses will need assistance in cooling,” she continues. “If temperatures and humidity are expected to reach 170, it may be best to plan early morning riding or skip intense work. Even riding in the evening may not see a large drop in temperature until the sun has been down for several hours.”

Dangerous Dehydration

High heat or excessive sweating can cause dehydration in horses. If your horse doesn’t replace the fluid lost during sweating by drinking adequate water, he can become dehydrated, which can be life-threatening.

“Horses can become dehydrated in as little as two to three hours under the right conditions,” says Hiney. “Horses need to be well-hydrated before beginning to work, for example, horses that have come off of a long trailer ride.”

She explains that some warning signs of dehydration include prolonged capillary refill time (checked by pressing your finger into the horse’s gums) and tenting when skin is pulled from the neck or over the eye. The horse may also have a gaunt or tucked-up appearance.

Colic and overheating are possible, but if the horse gets an electrolyte imbalance due to dehydration, tying up and even death could occur.

“The primary mechanism horses use to dissipate heat is through sweating,” says Hiney. “Sweating leads to dehydration if the horse isn’t allowed to replenish, and the rate of sweating can outstrip the ability to keep up.

“Warm body temperatures encourage horses to drink, so allow access to water in the cool-down period,” she continues. “Allow frequent sips of cool water. Saline can also help replenish water and electrolytes, but be sure to have plain water available, too.”

Key Takeaway

Luckily, horses usually bounce back after a bout of heat stress or dehydration without any lasting effects. However, both can become very serious conditions in a relatively short span and, if left untreated, can lead to death.

It’s best for your horse’s health to not allow either to begin with by ensuring he always has access to clean, fresh water and avoiding exercise in extremely hot weather.

Ride in the morning when it’s coolest, and reduce ride time and intensity when it’s hot and humid, or refrain altogether if the temperature and humidity are above safe levels.

This article about heat stress appeared in the July 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Heat Stress in Horses appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

While many experts agree that fleas are an uncommon parasite for horses, ticks can be prevalent and potentially present a danger to your horse’s health.

Ticks are becoming an increasingly significant problem for horse owners in many areas of the country. These parasites can invade your pasture, but they also hang out in places you might routinely ride, such as cool, shady areas near creek beds or among tall grass where they wait to hitch a ride.

Protect your equine by watching for signs of flea or tick problems and treating issues right away or preventing them altogether.

How Common Are Tick Infestations with Horses?

“Horses aren’t the preferred hosts for fleas like dogs, cats and foxes are,” says Laura Stern, DVM, DABVT, director of training and quality assurance for the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. “The reason horses aren’t commonly affected by fleas, but do get ticks, is simple: They’re in places where they commonly encounter ticks, but not fleas. Fleas like dark areas, like dens. Those aren’t the places where horses like to be. However, ticks like long grass and wooded areas—places where horses are commonly found—making them a common target for ticks.”

“Fleas don’t like horses,” agrees Garrett Metcalf, DVM, DACVS-LA, an equine veterinarian at Pine Ridge Equine Hospital in Glenpool, Okla. “Fleas are species-specific, and horses aren’t a suitable host for fleas, so it’s rare to have fleas on horses. Ticks are a common problem and rather good at transmitting diseases to horses.”

Signs of a Tick Problem with Your Horse

Horse owners are very protective of their animals, and typically attuned to changes in their behavior. However, a tick’s small size makes it easier for them to hide, so it’s essential to be aware of signs you might blame on something else that could indicate a tick issue.

The first step is to stay alert and physically look for ticks on your horse’s body while being aware of any potentially serious side effects of a tick bite. Besides the actual tick body, Stern says to look for a raised, hard bump where a tick was feeding. She says you might see your horse rubbing a particular spot where a tick is or was, and experience hair loss due to excessive rubbing.

“If your horse has a severe tick infestation or if he seems weak, wobbly or has pale gums, contact your veterinarian immediately before trying to remove any ticks, as you may cause damage to the skin or stress the horse in his weakened condition,” she cautions.

Metcalf advises looking around the groin, head, and region under the tail where ticks often like to accumulate. He says that you might notice swelling in areas where ticks have bitten a horse and edema around the bite site.

“If a horse is head-shy while haltering, lethargic, or has a fever, and ticks are present on the horse, it would be best to have the horse examined by a veterinarian,” he says. “Ticks are a common [cause of] swelling and pain around the ears, and most tick-borne diseases will cause fever and lethargy as the main clinical signs.”

Health Hazards of Infestation

Ticks infected with serious diseases don’t usually transmit those pathogens immediately. Instead, they usually must feed on the host—namely your horse—for a while before disease transmission occurs. This delay in disease transition makes it extremely important to remove ticks as soon as possible.

While less critical issues such as itchiness, hair loss, poor hair coat and local irritation can occur, Stern stresses that more serious problems such as infection at the site of tick attachment, anemia from blood loss in severe cases, and tick-transmitted disease could occur.

“Ticks can transmit a number of diseases to horses, including Lyme disease, equine granulocytic anaplasmosis and equine piroplasmosis,” says Stern. “Rarely, we may also see tick paralysis. There’s typically a delay of 24 hours between when the ticks attach and when they can transmit diseases, which makes it very important to find them quickly and remove them before they have the chance to transmit any diseases.”

An Ounce of Prevention

Prevention is always preferable to treatment, which is true of fleas and ticks. If you can keep your stable and pasture free of these parasites, you avoid having to remove ticks from your horse and could prevent potentially serious problems.

Metcalf suggests using permethrin-based products, which he says are the best store-bought products to combat fleas or ticks on horses.

“It’s rather difficult to prevent ticks from getting onto horses,” he cautions. “Concentrated, topically applied permethrin products may be the best option at this time. Some of these products need to be applied every three weeks.

“Natural remedies aren’t very effective against reducing ticks on horses,” he continues. “Some essential oil recipes use geranium oil as a possible tick repellent. Physical barriers, such as fly boots, may help reduce ticks from getting onto the limbs of horses.”

Stern also touts various tick repellents and products that kill ticks. She says there are some sprays you can use before a ride and topical spot-on products that work longer for horses more consistently at risk of encountering ticks.

“You can use a repellent to help keep ticks off your horses,” says Stern. “Repellents often contain a pyrethroid insecticide, such as permethrin or cypermethrin. Repellents have the advantage of not requiring the ticks to bite and take a blood meal. Avermectins, such as moxidectin and ivermectin, can also kill ticks, but [the ticks] need to take a blood meal first.”

She cautions the importance of always reading the label of any flea and tick product you use to ensure it’s appropriate for use on horses.

“Some cattle products can cause significant toxicity in horses,” warns Stern. “[And] some products won’t be labeled for use on certain horses, especially foals under 3 months of age. Always apply per the labeled [instructions] to minimize the risk of side effects, as well. Your veterinarian can help you determine what product will be best, based on the risk of exposure to ticks, the risk of ticks carrying disease, and your horse’s lifestyle and health history.”

Other Remedies

Besides treating your horse, you should always pay attention to his surroundings. Stern says ticks are generally more of an issue outside of barns, so you don’t typically need tick control inside your barn.

“If fleas are present in the barn, it’s generally not an issue for horses,” she says. “But you can minimize risk by preventing wildlife from entering the barn and ensuring that cats and dogs who have access to the barn are treated with flea preventatives. Treating the environment may be needed for heavy flea infestations.”

One of the best all-natural ways of minimizing tick exposure is to keep horses out of areas that contain a lot of ticks. Of course, that isn’t always possible.

“Ticks are often found in tall grasses and wooded areas,” says Stern. “They dislike hot, sunny areas with no plant cover. An easy way to minimize the number of ticks your horses are exposed to is by mowing any tall grass, removing weeds, and preventing your horse from entering wooded areas or hanging around the boundaries between woods and pasture. Preventing wildlife, especially deer, from entering pastured areas is another important step you can take to decrease the number of ticks in your pasture.”

Metcalf also suggests using pasture insecticides to help reduce fleas or ticks in your pasture. He cautions that whenever a heavy amount of wildlife traffic is present, there’s more of a reservoir of future ticks or fleas to re-establish residency in the pasture.

Tick Removal Tips

Any time you’ve been out riding—or at least once a day if your horse is on pasture—you should check him for ticks. A visual inspection is an excellent first step, but using your fingers to feel around for small ticks that might not be easy to see is also important.

“Deer ticks that transmit Lyme disease only reach 3mm when fully grown and can be hard to see,” says Stern. “The most important areas to check your horse for ticks are the chest, belly, flanks, mane, tail and ears—places where the skin is thinner and ticks can more easily attach.”

Even if you take precautions such as using tick repellents and keeping your horse out of areas ticks might frequently hang out, your horse will inevitably pick up a tick or several during tick season. Stern cautions that there are a lot of myths about the best way to remove a tick from a horse.

“You don’t want to crush the tick, use a hot match, or apply something like baby oil to try to smother it,” she says. “Instead, put on a pair of gloves and take tweezers and grasp the head of the tick close to the site of attachment to the horse. Then, slowly pull the tick away at a 90-degree angle from the horse. This will allow you to remove the entire tick.

“After you remove the tick, wash the skin in the area where the tick was attached with a mild soap and then wash your hands,” Stern continues. “Ticks should be placed in a jar of isopropyl alcohol, which can be disposed of when full. If you notice that the head of the tick wasn’t removed from the horse, contact your veterinarian, as the site can become infected.”

Metcalf agrees that physically removing ticks from horses with your fingers or a hemostat-like instrument is a safe removal method. However, he says some owners might want to kill the ticks first with a permethrin spray, then use physical removal methods.

“Your veterinarian is your best source of information about preventing or controlling ticks,” adds Stern. “They have knowledge of which products work best in your area and the best control strategy, given your horses and your facility. Having preventative measures in place before you have an issue is best. Scheduling a visit with your vet in the late winter or spring is an ideal time to get a holistic tick-control program set up for your horses, but it’s never too late in the year to reach out and get an expert opinion from your vet.”

Ticks and Horses: Key Takeaway

Because ticks can transmit serious diseases, it’s crucial for horse owners to stay vigilant by regularly checking their horses for ticks and taking preventive measures to reduce exposure. By staying informed and taking action early, you can minimize the risk of tick infestations and ensure your horse remains healthy and comfortable.

This article about ticks with horses appeared in the September 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post The Risk of Ticks with Horses appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

State laws tend to allow riding along roadways, but cities may frown upon riding around town. It’s essential to know the laws in your area. Here, we’ll take a look at the general etiquette for safely sharing the road with motorized vehicles when riding your horse.

Road Rules Vary for Riding

You don’t need a license to ride a horse like you do to drive a car, but in many states, horses are governed by the same traffic laws when riding on public roads as motorized traffic. Some states, however, place horses under non-motorized traffic rules, meaning you must follow the same rules as someone riding a bicycle. The difference in wording may impact more areas than you realize—including simple things, like which side of the road on which to ride.

Kathie Troudt Riley, P.C., operates a solo law practice in Loveland, Colo., with an emphasis on equine and agricultural law. She also teaches in the Equine Sciences program at Colorado State University. Riley owns Paint Horses and Quarter Horses, and is an owner of the Flying R Ranch, where they board and train horses.

“Colorado has a specific statute that pertains to horses on our state highways,” says Riley. “Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) Sections 42-4-109(8) and (10) provide that persons riding or leading horses along any highway in Colorado should do so on the left side of the road, facing traffic.”

However, Riley says there’s an exception if the horses are involved in herding. Coloradans still move cattle, sheep and sometimes horses by driving them on highways.

“If you’re in a horse-drawn conveyance, you use the right side of the road, like a car would,” Riley continues. “The statute states that every person riding or leading a horse or driving a horse-drawn conveyance on a roadway is granted all of the rights of a driver of a motor vehicle and is subject to all of the duties of a driver of a motor vehicle, such as obeying traffic lights and signs, yielding right of way, et cetera. Under our statutes, they’re considered ‘vehicles’ by definition.”

Carina Lyn Roselli, Esq., has been practicing equine law since 2015 and bases her virtual and concierge law firm, CLR Law, PLLC out of Northern Virginia. She specializes in designing comprehensive equine contracts of all varieties, building and developing new equine businesses and nonprofits, and drafting horse trusts that ensure the care and safety of horses in the event of an owner’s incapacity or death.

“Most states allow horses and horse-drawn vehicles on roadways except where signage specifically forbids it,” Roselli says. “People riding horses are generally treated the same under the law as people riding bicycles. So, people riding horses are expected to ride in the same direction as traffic, in almost all states, and as far to the right of the road as possible. Riders must comply with the state’s traffic laws, so the laws for riding on the roadway would only change if the state’s traffic laws changed based on the type of roadway.”

Motorist Responsibilities

Motorists also have a legal responsibility toward horses and riders. While these laws generally involve common sense, many riders can swap stories about misbehavior that could have gotten someone hurt.

Drivers should always slow down and move over when passing riders and not make any sudden noise or movements that might spook the animal. These rules help prevent accidents and protect the rider and mount. Disobeying these rules could result in serious legal consequences.

“Under Colorado’s law, if the driver of a motor vehicle violates the traffic code in any way with respect to a horse, such as unsafe passing, following too closely, failure to yield right of way, et cetera, the driver of the vehicle can be fined,” says Riley. “Under Colorado civil law, a good claim of negligence could be made against the driver of a motor vehicle who harms the rider—or the horse—by a traffic-related action or omission.”

One Oklahoma statute states that vehicles must be equipped with a horn and shall give an audible warning when reasonably necessary. However, it specifically states that drivers shouldn’t “use a horn when passing a person riding a bicycle, equine or animal-drawn vehicle under normal conditions if no imminent danger of a collision exists.”

“[In some states] it’s illegal to honk your horn or make any loud noises, such as spinning your tires or revving your engine, when passing horses on the road, but it isn’t illegal in Virginia,” says Roselli. “However, if a motorist doesn’t follow the law regarding how to pass a horse on the road, they can be fined, or worse. If their actions cause injuries to horse(s) or rider(s), they could be facing a lawsuit.”

She says that most states regulate the way in which motorized vehicles may pass horses or horse-drawn vehicles. Sometimes these laws are detailed in one sense, but not detailed enough in another.

“In Virginia, motorized vehicles must pass at least 3 feet to the left of the horse or horse-drawn vehicle and not proceed back into the lane until ‘safely clear,’ which can be problematic because drivers who aren’t horse enthusiasts may not understand how much space to safely provide for a horse to avoid injury or spooking,” Roselli says.

Don’t Drink and Ride

“Reckless” riding will potentially get you into legal trouble in Nevada, and riding under the influence (RUI) is illegal pretty much everywhere. Like other modes of travel, drinking and riding don’t mix.

Roselli says you can get a DUI on horseback in some states. In others, including Virginia, you can be fined or arrested for public intoxication if you try to ride your horse home from the bar when drunk.

“It’s unlawful to ride a horse on a highway in Colorado if the rider is under the influence of alcohol, any controlled substance or any stupefying drug,” says Riley. “The violation is a Class B traffic infraction, which may result in a fine of up to $100.

“A rather notorious situation [occurred] in 2013 when a man riding a horse drunk was arrested,” she continues. “He was observed riding erratically, slumped on the side and at one time beating the horse. He was charged with animal cruelty along with riding under the influence.”

No matter the laws in your state, don’t forget that horses have a mind of their own and instincts that may cause them to act in unexpected ways. Some horses spook more easily than others, while some could have a cannon shot off next to them and won’t flinch.

In order to avoid a potentially tragic accident, it’s important that you know your horse well before riding him on any road where unpredictable motorists will be present.

This article about safety for riding your horse on the road appeared in the August 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Horse owners often find it challenging to keep up with the latest vaccination recommendations, and some may not grasp their importance in keeping horses healthy and strong. Your horse needs certain “core” vaccines, and may also need non-core vaccines based on his usual activities, geographic location, and other considerations.

Although you might be hesitant to get your horse poked, it’s for his protection, and vaccines are generally safe. They have been well-tested, and many have been used for decades. Vaccination should be routine, so read on for current recommendations, potential side effects, and the overall importance of having your horse vaccinated.

Core Vaccines

One of the best measures to protect your horse’s health is a vaccination program. Core vaccines are often administered in an initial series of two to three shots, and then once or twice a year after that. Skipping core vaccinations could mean sickness or even death among your equine family.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) has established vaccination guidelines for horses. Core vaccinations are those recommended for all horses, regardless of age, sex or region where they live. These include any vaccines required by law and those that protect animals from diseases that are highly infectious, pose a risk of severe illness, are of potential public health significance, or are endemic to a region.

Kris Hiney, Ph.D., is an assistant professor and equine extension specialist for the Oklahoma State University Department of Animal and Food Sciences. She says the five core vaccines are Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis, West Nile virus, tetanus and rabies.

“We consider these ‘core’ due to the risk of fatality associated with these diseases,” she says. “And the human health risk with rabies, of course.”

5 Core Vaccines

The following are recommendations for core vaccines based on the guidelines provided by the American Association of Equine Practitioners. Always work with your veterinarian to develop the ideal vaccination schedule for your horse.

◆ Eastern & Western Equine Encephalomyelitis: EEE and WEE are primarily transmitted by mosquitoes, but they’re also infrequently transmitted by ticks, other insects, or nasal secretions. While EEE has been reported throughout North and South America, WEE is more common in the western United States. Both have a high mortality rate, and vaccinations are recommended for all horses in North America.

◆ Rabies: Rabies is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal, typically wildlife, and is endemic in every state but Hawaii. Although the incidence of rabies in horses is low, it presents a considerable public health risk, and it’s almost always fatal among horses, making it a core annual vaccination to all equines.

◆ Tetanus: Tetanus presents a risk to all horses and is often fatal. Although it isn’t contagious, horses can develop tetanus through a Clostridium tetani infection resulting from its entrance into a wound or from environmental exposure to the toxin—which resides in the soil—if a horse eats contaminated soil or droppings. The vaccines currently available are recommended for all horses.

◆ West Nile Virus: WNV is nearly always transmitted by mosquitoes that have fed on infected birds. It’s been identified throughout the continental United States, Mexico, and most of Canada, and is the leading cause of arbovirus encephalitis in horses. However, it’s not directly contagious from horse to horse or equine to human.

Non-Core Vaccines

One or more non-core vaccines also may be recommended following a risk-benefit analysis. Recommendations of non-core vaccines vary based on region and specific horse populations
within an area.

The risks of horses contracting non-standard diseases aren’t always easy to identify, which is one of the many reasons it’s important to consult a veterinarian. Equine vets understand what’s endemic in an area and which horses may be at higher risk for certain diseases, so they can recommend the appropriate non-core vaccines to add.

“Non-core—flu/rhino, strangles, Potomac—are considered risk-based more on the lifestyle of the horse and if they are endemic,” Hiney explains.

Some non-core vaccinations that may be recommended due to risk-based assessments include:
◆ Anthrax
◆ Botulism
◆ Equine herpesvirus (also called equine rhinopneumonitis, or “rhino”)
◆ Equine influenza (aka “flu”)
◆ Equine viral arteritis
◆ Leptospirosis
◆ Potomac Horse Fever
◆ Rotavirus
◆ Snake bite
◆ Strangles
◆ Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis

Don’t Forget Boosters

Once your horse receives the initial series of a core vaccine, he’ll still require boosters. Many vaccines require an annual booster to maintain immunity, but some diseases may require more frequent action.

“Booster frequency depends on how endemic the disease is and your horse’s level of exposure,” Hiney explains. She says there isn’t a lot of research on how long vaccines last in horses, which is why they recommend annual boosters for all, and even more frequent ones in certain circumstances. She says they have a better idea of the duration of immunity in companion animals.

“To some degree, we’re probably over-vaccinating horses for tetanus,” says Garrett Metcalf, DVM, an equine veterinarian at Pine Ridge Equine Hospital in Glenpool, Okla. “However, horses are rather sensitive to the neurotoxin produced from Clostridium tetani that leads to the clinical signs of tetanus. Infected horses can be treated and saved, but up to 75 percent of them still die. It’s better to just over-vaccinate them, which won’t hurt them.”

Boosters help maintain a good protective level of antibodies, so if you forgo boosters, your horse may no longer be protected when exposed to a disease. If you allow his annual vaccinations to lapse longer than a couple of years, your vet may recommend that the primary series be administered again before recommencing annual boosters.

Injection Site

The best injection site for vaccinations is another area where a veterinarian’s extensive knowledge plays a key role. You must consider the possibility of adverse reactions when choosing injection sites.

For example, it’s not recommended to inject vaccines into the gluteal muscles or hip region of a horse because considerable tissue damage can occur should an abscess develop. If lesions erupt, they could require a long healing time.

“The neck is the usual site, in the ‘triangle,’” says Hiney. “But if a horse has an adverse reaction and his neck is stiff and sore, he may be more reluctant to move.”

Metcalf says that some people still vaccinate their own horses, and some vaccines can be purchased at feed stores. He emphasizes that it’s always better to let your vet administer vaccines, but if he has a client who insists on doing it themselves, he always shows them at least once where to give the shot.

“The ideal spot is [the triangle-shaped area] about the size of your hand right in front of the shoulder blade, in the middle of the neck,” says Metcalf. “Too low and it’s too near the cervical spine. Too high and it’s in the fat within the nuchal ligament instead of the muscle.

“When it’s in the fat, the horse won’t have an immune response,” he continues. “Horses can also get really sore when vaccinated in this spot. They can’t lower their head to eat and can’t move their neck well. Be educated.”

While administering your horse’s vaccines yourself isn’t advisable, working with your vet also has the benefit of ensuring serious side effects can be quickly identified and handled properly. If you insist on administering vaccines yourself, realize that some manufacturers will not reimburse for adverse outcomes.

“The vaccine makers want a vet to administer vaccinations,” Hiney says. “Usually, they only guarantee vaccines administered by a vet and not purchased online or through a feed store.”

Adverse Reactions

Adverse reactions are an inherent risk of vaccination. Horses commonly experience local muscle swelling and soreness at the vaccination site. Transient, self-limiting clinical signs, which last only a short time and resolve without treatment, may include fever, lethargy, and lack of appetite.

Severe reactions at injection sites may require prolonged treatment and convalescence. Allergic-type reactions, such as hives, purpura hemorrhagica colic, or anaphylaxis can also occur and are particularly dangerous. Although unlikely to occur if proper procedure is followed, the potential for severe adverse reactions is one major reason why vaccines should be administered by a veterinarian.

“Some horses will react to the adjuvant, which is the ‘extra’ part that stimulates the horses’ general immune system,” Hiney says. “If that is the case, you may want to switch brands; it can make a difference.”

Metcalf advises horse owners who are concerned about adverse reactions to research the vaccine manufacturer, because the reactions can vary. However, he says usually less than 1% of horses have a severe reaction.

Administering multiple vaccines of both multiple antigens and adjuvants simultaneously may increase a horse’s risk of a reaction. When multiple products are needed, ask if your vet recommends staggering administration by three to four weeks between shots.

“If your horse has reactions, I would not give multiple [vaccines] at once,” Hiney says. “But many manufacturers now bundle vaccines together, sort of a ‘one and done.’”

If your horse has had a reaction in the past, you may need to avoid combo vaccines and stagger his shots.

“But then you have to worry about them developing a fever and other bad responses from having too many injections,” warns Metcalf. “Most companies mix vaccines with five, six or seven types all together to keep injection sites from getting sore. There are actually fewer problems with the mix of vaccines, which we use.”

Best Vaccination Practices

It’s important to develop a comprehensive vaccination program, but a one-size-fits-all version for all horses doesn’t exist.

“Talk to your vet,” Hiney stresses. “Remember biosecurity! Even if you take a vaccinated horse to a show and have others at home, you may be dragging pathogens back with you, so always think about good biosecurity protocols—don’t just rely on vaccines alone.”

This article about horse vaccinations appeared in the March 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Like the VIN on a car, microchipping provides permanent identification for your horse that’s much less painful than branding or tattooing, and it helps link you as his owner if properly registered. Although microchipping got off to a slow start in the equine world, primarily due to miscommunication and technology issues, it offers a wide array of benefits and increases the chance of lost or stolen horses being returned to their rightful owners.

Permanent ID Options

Jean Anne Mayhall, president of Microchip ID Systems, Equine Division, has 30 years of experience in the permanent animal ID industry. She explains there’s only one type of microchip recommended for horses.

“It’s a 15-digit universal chip known as an ISO chip,” says Mayhall. “Several companies make ISO microchips; however, not all chips are created equally, so do your homework! Look for lifetime warranties and a reputable company that understands and caters to the horse industry. A microchip is a one-and-done item that should last for the life of your horse. Make it count.”

Kris Hiney, Ph.D., an assistant professor and extension equine specialist for the Oklahoma State University Department of Animal and Food Sciences, adds that horse owners should also talk to their veterinarian to make sure they’re using a chip that’s compliant with current technology.

Debi Metcalfe, founder of Stolen Horse International/NetPosse.com, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has been an outspoken advocate of all types of equine ID for more than two decades. She suggests that horse owners combine microchipping with a permanent visual ID.

“There’s no such thing as a perfect ID that works in every situation,” warns Metcalfe. “Not even a microchip. Each type of ID has pros and cons. Our preferred ID combo is a microchip that can be checked 24/7 and a visible ID, such as a freeze brand, which can be seen easily. You can visually ID the horse and prove ownership to law enforcement with a stroke of a scanner.”

How Microchips Work

Microchips essentially work the same whether they’re inserted into a dog, cat or horse. For equines, a unique 15-digit number is encoded into an ISO 11784/11785-compliant microchip when it’s manufactured.

This number can’t be altered and is permanently attached to your horse once chip implantation occurs. A chip reader or scanner activates the implanted chip and displays the chip’s number.

“Microchips operate using a radio wave frequency to send a tiny signal to a microchip scanner,” explains Mayhall. “In the past, chips operated at 125 kHz. However, for many years, the only type of chip recommended for horses operates at 134.2 kHz. They are recognized worldwide and can be read by universal scanners across the U.S. and around the world.”

However, it’s important to realize that microchips aren’t GPS tracking devices. These two technologies are very different. GPS devices require batteries and must connect to a satellite-based navigation system, while microchips don’t require batteries and remain inactive until receiving a compatible signal from a nearby microchip reader.

You can scan a microchip an infinite number of times with the same consistent result—your horse’s ID number. The chip won’t wear out and shouldn’t stop working throughout your horse’s lifetime.

Also read – Prepare Your Horse for a Safe Landing

“Construction of the chip is the key to its quality,” Mayhall emphasizes. “Not all microchips are made the same way or with the same care. As with any product, you should choose a chip manufacturer based on your research. Ask questions. Get references from others in the horse industry.”

Inserting the Chip

Microchipping your horse can be done at any age, so the younger you chip, the sooner your equine friend has another layer of identification should he become lost or stolen. The entire insertion process is relatively quick, painless and cost-effective.

Choose from standard microchips or the newer mini microchips. Mini chips are about the size of a grain of rice, allowing for a finer needle and even less discomfort for your horse.

“Inserting a chip is really easy,” says Hiney. “They insert the chip with a needle and syringe into the nuchal ligament [neck] of the horse. It’s very low key, and the process is completely safe. It’s also a very cheap and painless process that gives you security and peace of mind.”

The process is minimally invasive and can be performed in minutes by your veterinarian.

“Once inserted, the microchip can’t easily be altered or removed, making it more permanent than tattoos, brands or other forms of identification,” says Emily Weiss, Ph.D., vice president of ASPCA Equine Welfare. After the chip is placed, you can’t see or feel it.

“Millions of horses are chipped around the world,” says Mayhall. “Microchips for horses are so safe and reliable that equine entities and veterinarians are choosing them as a smart and humane standard of care. If your horse is chipped properly, it’s like any other injection. Most horses don’t even flinch. The key to being sure that the chip can do its job is to register the horse and microchip number—and you—in an equine microchip registry.”

Registering the Chip

Currently, some competitive organizations and breed registries require microchipping to easily identify individual horses. The Jockey Club requires microchipping of all Thoroughbred foals born in January 2017 or later, and the U.S. Equestrian Federation and U.S. Hunter Jumper Association began requiring microchip identification in December 2017. If your horse competes or participates in venues that require microchipping, you must register your chip with these organizations.

“Once the microchip is implanted, the horse’s caretaker needs to register with the microchip’s manufacturer,” says Weiss. “Without registration, the microchip number isn’t linked to any useful data. It’s important to keep your microchip contact information up to date should you move or change phone numbers. If that information is outdated or incorrect, it’ll be difficult for a caretaker to connect with their horse, especially during disasters.

“All ASPCA Right Horse Partner organizations are required to microchip all horses,” she continues. “Our Right Horse Industry Partner, Microchip ID Equine, works with us to help assure that partners not only have access to chips and registration, but that all horses can be enrolled in a safety net program to help keep that horse supported for life.”

In 2018, the ASPCA partnered with the American Horse Council to help fund the development of a database of all registered equine microchips. HorseLookup.org helps reunite horses with their owners during catastrophes by centralizing microchip registration information and flags a horse that’s part of a safety net program. Safety net programs list the people willing to help horses who’ve become at-risk to further the goal of ensuring all equines have good welfare.

“Most importantly, horse owners need to register the chip as soon as they get it inserted into their horse,” says Metcalfe. “You’d be surprised at how often the chips aren’t registered. Also, if you sell a horse, make sure the new owner works with you to transfer the chip into the new owner’s name.”

Metcalfe’s NetPosse ID registry for equines lets users upload pictures, detailed markings, Coggins papers, bills of sale and other paperwork that helps prove you’re the horse’s owner by forming a trail of ownership. This data can be especially useful when there’s a dispute over who owns a found horse.

“There are so many situations that I have seen over 24 years of working with victims in the field where having a microchip would have made ownership disputes so much simpler and less stressful,” Metcalfe says.

Other Benefits

Besides identifying who owns a found horse, there are numerous benefits of microchipping. Protecting against theft, tracking competition eligibility, preventing fraud, tracing a disease outbreak, monitoring a horse’s welfare, and reuniting lost horses with their owners are just a few of these benefits.

“Microchipping is done for a variety of reasons,” explains Hiney. “One is integrity of competition. There are a lot of bay horses in the world, so this ensures that the correct bay horse is competing that day. Beyond the show ring or racetrack, we encourage their use in case of theft or accidental loss, such as in the face of natural disasters. This makes it easier to reunite horse and human.”

In cases where horses are lost during natural disasters, there are usually intake depots where people will scan any found animals for microchips.

“If a horse is lost in a disaster, then the horse can be scanned by people who are running the depot,” Metcalfe says. “I’ve also dealt with many cases where there was a mistake made by workers on large farms or by vets who treat the wrong horse because so many are identical. Think Friesian, for example.”

Microchips act almost like a social security number for your horse.

“It’s a critical, unique identifier that only your horse carries,” says Mayhall. “In cases of loss, theft or natural disaster, a registered microchip can save the day! Microchips are required now for most sporting events, universal equine passports, proof of ownership, adoption, and so much more. In short, given the minimal cost and lifetime benefits, there’s no reason not to chip and register your horse.”

This article about microchipping your horse appeared in the November/December 2021 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Smaller Tractors

Deciding between a compact and subcompact tractor for your horse property often comes down to your budget and required tasks that will take power from the engine and transmit it to an attached implement via the power takeoff (PTO).

“Subcompact utility tractors are the smallest class of tractors, which usually have less than 20 PTO horsepower and are normally used with 4-foot implements,” says Jeremy Linder, general manager of Ag-Bag Forage Solutions in Astoria, Ore. “Compact utility tractors have a broader definition, but they usually have 20 to 40 PTO horsepower and are capable of running larger 5-foot or 6-foot implements. For a lot of consumers, it’s about the tradeoff between the purchase cost of the equipment and time. The smaller subcompacts can accomplish the same tasks, but they won’t be as efficient as the larger compacts.”

A subcompact is just a little larger than the biggest lawn tractors, but it has a diesel engine and a three-point hitch, according to Mike Wiles, who is known as “Tractor Mike” on his YouTube channel, which targets safety and education for those just starting out with tractors. “They’re nice for smaller properties of 5 acres or less, work great in tight quarters and can be stored in the corner of a garage. A subcompact is a good first step to entering tractor ownership, but a number of them get traded for larger ones down the line.”

Is Bigger Better?

Compact tractors come in several sizes. While some manufacturers simply refer to all the different sizes as a compact utility tractor, others break down the sizes into small-frame compacts, mid-size compacts and full-size compacts. Wiles recommends that you get the biggest tractor you can afford.

Linder agrees, to a point.

“We try to match the equipment to the operation, but when there’s doubt, we recommend going larger,” he says. “We rarely have a customer that regrets buying a larger tractor to start, but we commonly have customers upgrading to a larger unit a few years down the road. We advise our customers to buy their second tractor first.”

Horsepower Points

How much horsepower do you really need? The short answer is you need enough to power your implements. If you buy a tractor for horse property at the bottom of the horsepower range, it may strain to complete everyday tasks, which can cause your tractor to break down and cause frequent, expensive repairs.

The more horsepower a compact tractor has, the more you can pull and haul. Therefore, choose horsepower based on your tasks, the implements required to complete those tasks, and how quickly you want to get those tasks done.

In Wiles’ experience, the implement that trips more people up is the brush hog, or rotary cutter.

“New customers will purchase a 35-horsepower tractor, which seems big, and a 6-foot cutter, he says. “But a couple of years down the line, they decide they want to get their pastures mowed quicker and want a 12-foot batwing cutter and discover they don’t have enough power to pull it. Also, if you have any thoughts of putting up hay later, you definitely want a larger tractor. Disc mowers and round balers require a lot of horsepower.”

Horsepower and Tractor Weight

When comparing horsepower, remember that engine horsepower and PTO horsepower aren’t the same things. Engine horsepower is the power a tractor has without anything connected to it, while PTO horsepower is what’s available to operate implements. Always make sure the tractor has enough PTO horsepower to work with.

“Any PTO-powered implement will have a required horsepower and that refers to PTO horsepower, not the engine horsepower,” says Wiles.

Still, there’s more to safe operation, warns Linder.

“Horsepower alone shouldn’t drive the decision toward a specific model, because the weight of the tractor is just as important,” he says. “If you need a tractor that can safely move 1,000 pounds, don’t buy something that can’t. A larger implement will require more horsepower and more weight to operate safely. For example, a subcompact has enough horsepower to operate a 5-foot rotary cutter, but it isn’t heavy enough to do it safely.”

Safety First

No matter what size and type of compact tractor you end up buying, always put safety first. Even small tractors can be dangerous, maybe even more so. Compact tractors are smaller and lighter weight, which makes them easier to operate, but also puts you at greater risk, especially from rollovers due to heavy loads that make the tractor top-heavy.

“Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, especially to new operators,” Wiles warns. “If you’ve never operated a tractor and are buying your first one, get tractor operational safety training before you ever get in the seat and turn the key.”
Visit www.youtube.com/tractormike to see his safety video playlist.

Adding Implements Even if you don’t think you need any attachments for your tractor now, you should buy a model that’s compatible with a variety of implements you may need later. Some common implements used by horse owners include: ◆ Rotary mower ◆ Arena groomer ◆ Post-hole digger ◆ Blades for dirt road leveling and snow removal ◆ Manure spreader “If you’re buying a new tractor, always get a front-end loader with it,” says tractor expert Mike Wiles of the Tractor Mike YouTube channel. “You’ll use it more than you think, and the resale value will more than justify the expense. After that, most tractors get sold with brush hogs for mowing pastures. If you have a gravel driveway, get a box blade to keep the crown down, and in areas that get some snow, but not a lot, get an angle blade to move it off the driveway. Those are good to start with.”

This article about tractors for horse property originally appeared in the September 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Abnormally hot, dry weather conditions can cause droughts that pose unique challenges for horse owners. Even short-term drought can create a harsh environment that stresses both horses and their pastures. Horses grazing in sparse, drought-stricken pastures can face disastrous results. It’s crucial to be extra attentive to your pastures and your horses during drought conditions.

Healthy Habits for Horses During Drought

One major concern during times of drought is maintaining your horse’s water supply. Natural water sources like ponds and streams dry out and the remaining water can become stagnant. It’s unhealthy for horses to drink stagnant water due to parasites and bacteria.

“If you use natural sources for your water, obviously you worry about it getting low,” says Kris Hiney, PhD, an assistant professor and Equine Extension Specialist for Oklahoma State University’s Department of Animal and Food Sciences. “You must regularly check for water availability. However, what I think about when there are high temperatures, and a lot of evaporation, is you have to careful about blue/green algae. It can be toxic.”

Hiney prefers horse owners use fresh water to keep horses hydrated. However, the heat on watering tanks can also substantially increase when it’s hot, so horse owners must be much more vigilant about refilling water buckets and tanks.

Pasture Problems During Drought

Horses can graze very low to the ground when a lack of moisture suppresses vegetation growth in a pasture. Overgrazing close to the ground can cause horses to ingest more soil material. Consuming soil poses risks such as obstruction hazard if a horse ingests a stone, or sand colic if the soil contains a lot of sand.

When vegetation becomes sparse, Hiney says horses might also start grazing a little closer to latrine areas that they would normally avoid. If so, they are at risk of picking up more parasites. Besides the risks for horses, there’s also a danger of severely damaging the pasture.

“You really need to keep an eye on what’s happening in your pasture in drought conditions,” Hiney says. “Normally, in the summer, I’m not feeding hay, which saves on my hay budget. But, if you overgraze pastures in a drought, think about how long it takes for pastures to recover. If you have to reseed and try to reclaim pasture that’s been really stressed, all that input cost adds up.

It may seem a little more economically painful at the time, but you’re better off using some of your hay supply to preserve the longevity of your pasture,” Hiney continues. “It can’t handle two stressors at the same time, being overgrazed and underwatered. Think about your pasture as a valuable resource you want to protect. I think that’s the biggest lesson. If you overuse it, it can take years to get it back.”

Hiney suggests contacting a hay supplier sooner when it’s hot and dry because hay sources often become limited. Also, don’t forget to figure the additional expense into your hay budget for the year. A little preplanning helps you be prepared to pay a bit more than usual.

Grazing Weeds and Toxic Plants

When grasses go dormant, weeds may not because many weeds tend to be more resilient than grasses. Your horse may be ingesting more weeds than usual, some of which might be toxic.

“There are also some plants that become more toxic during drought conditions,” Hiney says. “We tell people to avoid the sorghums. Those plants when they’re stressed can be potentially more toxic to horses.”

If horses come off pasture and are restricted to a dry lot, take a close look at your fence lines and the weeds growing along them. The horses aren’t going to be happy about life without any greens to graze, even if you’re feeding them hay. They’re going to try reaching over and under the fence.

“Is there a hotwire that’s functioning?” Hiney asks. “What’s the two-feet buffer like from the fence? Have you cleared that and are there any weeds? Birds poop out seeds on the fence. That’s why you get such a different variety of weeds along the fence line versus in the pasture. Plus, fence lines are kind of protected from being mowed or eaten. You really want to pay attention because your horses are going to be reaching for a snack.”

Watch out for signs that your horse may have ingested a toxic plant. Unusual salivating, blisters in the mouth, or an alternation in the GI tract, such as diarrhea, could indicate they got into an irritant. Altered motor functions, lethargy, and holding the head differently can also be signs of nervous system trouble. Other possible signs include elevated heart rate, pale gums, labored breathing, and colic.

Exercising Horses in Drought

Besides humans and primates, horses are the only mammals that cool themselves primarily by sweating. During hot, humid weather, sweat doesn’t evaporate, and a horse’s body doesn’t cool down as it should. If you’re exercising your horse when it’s extremely hot, heat stress can lead to heat exhaustion or even life-threatening heat stroke.

“If it’s hot and you’re riding, you really have to worry about heat exhaustion,” Hiney says. “Really pay attention to their respiratory rate and heart rate when you’re riding them. If they’re not recovering, stop riding. Get up early to ride. Even if you try to ride late in the evening, it takes a long time for the heat to dissipate, so early morning is going to be your best chance to be able to exercise horses somewhat normally.”

Horses typically drink between 5 and 10 gallons of water daily. On extremely hot days, their water intake can double, even without exercising. When horses sweat, they lose water containing much higher amounts of electrolytes than humans, so it’s critical you replace them.

“They’re losing lots of water and electrolytes,” Hiney says. “We want to make sure there’s a source of salt at a minimum. If it has been really hot, and we’ve been exercising them, I’d definitely recommend doing a little electrolyte replacement.”

This article about horses during drought appeared as an online exclusive of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Rabies doesn’t always come in the form of a drooling, snarling, biting dog. Sometimes, especially in horses, this deadly disease presents itself quietly and mimics other conditions. Although equine rabies is relatively rare, it’s a silent killer. Not only can it fatally harm your horse, it infect you and others around the barn. Thankfully, rabies is easy to prevent.

Where and How Equine Rabies Starts

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bats were the most frequently reported wildlife with rabies nationwide in 2018. Rabid bats are found in every state except Hawaii. Skunks, raccoons, and foxes also commonly carry the disease.

Anytime there’s an uptick in wildlife around your livestock, there’s an increased risk of your horse encountering an infected animal. This is especially true if an animal is displaying erratic behavior such as a nocturnal animal skulking about during the daytime. As we all know, horses are naturally curious, but that curiosity can be deadly.

According to Kris Hiney, PhD, assistant professor and equine extension specialist at Oklahoma State University, horses most commonly contract rabies simply due to their curious nature.

“We’ve all seen horses that investigate animals, especially those acting abnormally,” she said. “Thankfully, it’s not extremely common, but rabies is endemic in the U.S. The closer your horse is to wildlife (essentially horses in pastures!) it has the potential to be exposed.”

Rabid animals transmit the viral disease through their saliva, most commonly through a bite. However, transmission can also occur when an infected animal’s saliva enters an open wound on your horse’s skin or through any mucous membrane, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.

Signs of Equine Rabies

There are two classic types of rabies your horse can contract—encephalitic and paralytic. These are more commonly referred to as furious or dumb rabies.

“Furious is just as it sounds, aggressive, and the dumb form results in lethargy, depression, etc.,” Hiney explained.

Clinical signs of equine rabies greatly vary, and the disease may progress rapidly or have a long incubation time with symptoms not appearing for two to six weeks, or even longer. Hiney said that commonly reported symptoms include going off feed, depression, and neurological changes. Other symptoms can include sudden behavioral changes, lameness, muscle tremors, head pressing, difficulty urinating, incoordination, teeth grinding, drooling, and facial paralysis among others.

After the onset of symptoms, your horse is highly contagious and usually only has a few days to a week to live. Unfortunately, the clinical signs of rabies in horses are easily confused with other diseases, which can result in exposure of other animals and human caregivers to the rabies virus.

“Rabies symptoms may be mistaken for colic, EEE, WNV, toxicities, etc.,” Hiney said. “Anytime you see neurologic signs in a horse, you need to take it extremely seriously.”

There isn’t a definitive test to diagnose rabies in horses prior to death. Diagnosis can only be made postmortem through an evaluation of the horse’s brain. If rabies is suspected, it’s critical to limit exposure to the infected horse.

Preventing The Silent Killer

Rabies exposure in horses is less common than in other domestic animals. There were only 13 rabid horses/donkeys reported to the CDC in 2018, but a report from the University of Kentucky indicates about 30 to 60 equine rabies cases are confirmed annually.

With those numbers, why take a chance? An annual shot given with other essential vaccinations protects your horse and prevents him from becoming fatally ill.

“Vaccinate! This disease is preventable and more important it’s a human health risk,” Hiney stressed. “It should be considered part of the core vaccines–Tetanus, Rabies, West Nile, and Eastern and Western encephalitis.”

The alternative to a low-cost vaccination is grim. There aren’t any successful treatments for equine rabies, so there’s no cure.

“Death is always the outcome,” Hiney warned. “The horse may become depressed, ataxic, or more aggressive, depending on how the disease presents, but it always results in death.”

Routine contact with an infected horse may be all it takes for rabies to spread to the horse’s owner or caretaker, too.

“Rabies is kind of a cool virus strategically,” Hiney explained. “It causes salivation and painful swallowing. A large amount of virus is shed in the saliva so essentially it causes the body to do what will optimize its spread. So, any handling of the horse’s mouth could result in transmission. That’s why I recommend using extreme caution and optimal biosecurity protocols with a horse with neurologic conditions. And notify your vet of what they’re walking into!”

The post Equine Rabies: Preventing the Silent Killer appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Facebook groups and other online platforms have become common places to seek advice on all types of subjects, even veterinary advice for horses. Unfortunately, giving and receiving equine advice of a medical nature can be harmful to your horse, and giving advice may be illegal, even if the person providing the advice is an equine veterinarian.

A Layperson’s Advice

Should a layperson give someone veterinary advice online?

“Whether we like it or not, this happens all the time,” says Julie I. Fershtman, an attorney at Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC. “Just visit any online chat group or bulletin board, and you’ll find people freely offering advice on legal matters in addition to veterinary matters. Misinformation abounds.”

Fershtman has been a lawyer for 35 years. Her law practice includes equine law, and she’s represented veterinarians in malpractice cases. Fershtman is also the author of the new, multiple award-winning American Bar Association book Equine Law and Horse Sense.

She explains that if the people offering information make it clear that they aren’t veterinarians but are simply sharing comments based on their own experience, then it’s probably acceptable. However, she strongly suggests laypeople take great caution when offering veterinary advice to others online.

“Readers might wrongly assume the writer really is a veterinarian, when he or she is not,” cautions Fershtman. “The safest approach is to not provide any online professional advice. If you’re going to offer commentary on a veterinary matter, such as how to respond to a minor colic situation as it’s occurring, it’s best to clearly disclose that you’re not a veterinarian and that you’ve never attended veterinary school, but you’re merely offering an idea that has worked for you a couple of times, in your own experience.”

Mike J. Schoonover, DVM, MS, Dipl ACVS-LA, Dipl. ACVSMR, is an associate professor of Equine Surgery and Sports Medicine at Oklahoma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Schoonover is board certified in large animal and equine sports medicine/rehabilitation, and he agrees that it really depends on the kind of advice people are giving.

“Diagnosing disease, recommending specific treatments or suggesting prescription medications could be interpreted as ‘practicing veterinary medicine without a license.’ This is against the State’s Veterinary Practice Act and against the law,” Schoonover warns. “Individuals could be fined or even face jail time … even if they don’t live in that state.”

“Every state has a Veterinary Practice Act,” continues Schoonover, “and they all have some specific differences. Which Practice Act applies depends on where the horse is located. Thus, someone living in Oklahoma giving treatment advice for a horse located in Texas could be in violation of the Texas Veterinary Practice Act. However, giving general advice, not specific to a particular horse, isn’t in violation of the Practice Act.”

Sarah le Jeune, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, Dipl. ACVSMR, CVA, CertVetChiro, is a professor of Equine Integrative Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Le Jeune also agrees.

“If a layperson is giving information about a specific condition, they’re diagnosing,” she says. “That’s practicing without a license, which is very problematic from a legal standpoint. It can also lead a horse owner astray and waste precious time in getting adequate treatment.”

Potentially Dire Consequences

Kris Hiney, Ph.D., is an assistant professor and equine extension specialist for the Oklahoma State University Department of Animal and Food Sciences. She received her Ph.D. in Animal Science with an emphasis on equine exercise physiology from Michigan State before joining the faculty at OSU.

One of Hiney’s primary concerns about non-vets giving medical advice online is that many conditions look similar but have very different underlying causes. She emphasizes that veterinarians are trained in the full range of diseases and disorders affecting horses, but individual horse owners have much more limited experience in the number of horses they’ve seen and disorders they’ve encountered.

“Choose your information source wisely,” cautions Hiney. “Veterinarians and Ph.D.s have trained extensively and have the breadth and scope of knowledge to make informed decisions. They also understand how to read the original research, look at study designs, and truly understand whether the information is applicable to a particular horse.”

Schoonover agrees. “A non-veterinarian likely doesn’t have the intricate medical knowledge required to accurately diagnose a condition or disease,” he says. “A lot of diseases and/or ailments can have very similar symptoms. Additionally, a lot of conditions described by horse owners aren’t actual diseases. For instance, lameness and colic aren’t diseases, they’re clinical signs that can have a multitude of causes.”

He explained that “a veterinary evaluation, which often includes diagnostic tests, such as x-rays or bloodwork, is needed to sort through all the potential causes to make a specific diagnosis. A non-veterinarian tends to focus on the one cause they’re most familiar with and provides advice, which may not be relevant to the actual cause in that specific horse. Getting inaccurate advice could delay appropriate treatment, which may be detrimental to the health of the horse.”

Le Jeune adds that when people follow the wrong advice, they may end up with an even bigger problem. “If you’re dealing with something that time is of the essence like colic, puncture wounds or eye injuries, it’s very risky to waste time following online advice and potentially allow the prognosis to worsen,” she says.

“If the advice given isn’t relevant to the horse’s condition,” says Schoonover, “best case scenario, it doesn’t help but causes no harm. Or the advice could be detrimental and cause the condition to worsen or cause a new problem altogether. Depending on the condition, delaying appropriate treatment, even for a few hours, could allow progression of the condition, which could have serious consequences, such as permanent organ damage, chronic lameness or even death of the horse. Bad advice could end up costing the horse owner more in veterinary expenses and/or lead to loss of use of the horse.”

Veterinary Advice Online

Hiney provides equine nutrition advice online, but if someone really needs her help, she says she needs to see the animal and the pasture and have the feed report to give accurate advice. Otherwise, she can only provide general guidance. She believes that even veterinarians should still be careful about providing advice online.

“Most veterinarians will qualify opinions with a statement that they haven’t examined the horse,” says Hiney. “The hands-on experience and eyes on the animal are essential. With that said, many veterinarians do consult with another on more difficult cases, and with shared diagnostic information.”

Le Jeune adds that during COVID-19, veterinarians did plenty of telemedicine, but agreed that it’s always best to see the animal in the flesh to fully understand what they’re dealing with.

“When you’re speaking with a person who isn’t a vet,” she says, “it can muddy the waters, because they can’t provide really useful information about the horse’s condition to establish a diagnosis. This makes it extremely dangerous for a vet to provide specific advice, and I would advise against it.”

Schoonover says he wouldn’t provide online advice without an established Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR), which means he’s previously examined the animal and/or has assumed responsibility for making medical judgments regarding the animal’s health.

“When I have clients contact me through social media,” says Schoonover, “rather than respond to them on the platform, I will call them to discuss the issue they’re having so that I can ask the right questions and allow them to describe the problem in more detail. I will always recommend an examination prior to giving any advice, but if that isn’t possible, and I have a valid VCPR, I may make or change treatment recommendations for existing problems.”

He adds that as a veterinarian licensed only in Oklahoma, he can’t give veterinary advice that includes diagnosis or treatment for a horse located in another state. Unless he’s consulting with a veterinarian licensed in the horse’s state, it would still be considered practicing without a license.

“Legal ramifications for the professionals can include injunctions brought against them seeking to stop them from providing professional services in states where they aren’t licensed,” says Fershtman. “Potentially, professionals who practice where they aren’t licensed could face challenges to their licenses, such as reprimands, suspensions or revocations.”

Alternative Options to Online Veterinary Advice

“In difficult financial times, it’s easy, quick and free to turn to online sources for ‘advice’ that really requires paying a trained veterinarian,” says Fershtman. “My hope is that people protect themselves and avoid that temptation. If you want reliable advice, hire a knowledgeable, licensed veterinarian who can provide advice and services in your state. Develop a veterinary/patient relationship and give your veterinarian the essential details so they can provide the best assistance possible.”

With a VCPR, your vet will know your horse’s health history and may be more willing to offer advice over the phone or through email or direct messaging on social media. Some practices may offer a chat or online appointment scheduling; however, they likely won’t offer advice specific to a particular horse without a valid VCPR, says Schoonover.

If you want to look for information online, Hiney suggests contacting a university with faculty specifically trained in equine. Le Jeune also recommends visiting websites of equine clinics with a library of information on specific conditions. However, if you have any questions, she said to get on the phone and call a vet.

“Instead of spending time surfing the web and potentially getting wrong information, talk to your veterinarian,” says le Jeune. “We [UC Davis School of Vet Med] have an advice line that people can call and ask questions. We can give broad advice for general questions, but the conclusion is always to have your vet look at the horse. If the animal is sick, especially if it’s an acute sickness, it’s always better to have it evaluated. Once an animal has an ailment, it needs to see their vet.”

Schoonover also suggests visiting the websites of veterinary colleges and private equine practices with general information about specific horse diseases. He also recommends the websites of organizations like the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and the American Association of Equine Practitioners, which have information pages describing specific equine diseases and conditions.

“Consequently, anyone who thinks they’re getting free veterinary help simply by logging into a chat room or bulletin board could be asking for serious trouble,” concludes Fershtman. “There’s anonymity online, as compared to accountability, where people create pages with fake identities and write anything. The one posting the ‘advice’ you just found online could very well be a mischievous 13-year-old having fun.”

The post Legal Ramifications of Providing Veterinary Advice Online appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Instead of the pitter-patter of little paws, your adoption aspirations may involve the clip-clop of large hooves. Adopting a horse from an adoption organization is a great way to provide a stable home for a horse in need while freeing up space for them to house another. But before you adopt one of these large, lovable animals, there are a few things you need to know.

Where To Go

Equine adoption organizations have a wide array of adoptable horses, and they’re a great place to find your special equine partner. Reputable rehomers take good care of their horses and share information about the health and training of any horse you’re interested in adopting. It’s important to research the organization before you begin looking for the right horse.

“If you’ve been considering bringing a new horse, mule or donkey into your life, the time has never been better,” says Emily Weiss, Ph.D., vice president of ASPCA Equine Welfare. “There are equines of all breeds and ages and many different disciplines available on myrighthorse.org—The Right Horse Initiative’s online adoption platform— looking for a loving home to call their own.”

The Process

To help ensure the best possible pairing, there’s a comprehensive application process, and some agencies have strict adoption policies. If the adopter plans to ride, a major priority of reputable equine adoption organizations are making sure the horse and rider are a good match.

“Once you’re ready to contact an adoption organization about the horses you’re interested in, you’ll complete an adoption form similar to what you’d fill out when adopting a cat or dog,” says Weiss. “The information in the form helps the organization get to know you and ensure that they help you find the right match.”

Expect to provide information about your horse facilities, planned care and your riding abilities. The more information you can provide about your experience (or lack thereof), the better the organization will be able to match you to your right horse. Be sure to share
your expectations regarding your adopted horse’s behavior and abilities—this is great information for the adoption group to help assure a good match.

“Most adoption organizations will offer you the opportunity to meet and try out their available horses,” says Weiss. “In the interest of making the best match and setting you up for success, the agency may sometimes suggest a different horse than the one you initially chose. Of course, the final decision is yours.

Once you’ve agreed on the right horse for you, you’ll be asked to sign an adoption contract.”

Adoption contracts will vary between organizations and should outline the process of legally transferring ownership of the equine.

“If you adopt from a partner of The ASPCA’s Right Horse Initiative, legal ownership of the horse is transferred to adopters within a year of adoption,” says Christie Schulte Kappert, program director of The Right Horse Initiative.

“The process of adopting a horse can be extremely rewarding for new horse owners and seasoned professionals alike,” says Weiss. “Ultimately, it’s all about finding the right horse to fit your needs. If you’re adopting from a group that isn’t part of The Right Horse, the process can vary from organization to organization. There are some groups that may have very restrictive policies. It’s important for folks to remember that they have a choice of where to adopt, and the experience should be fun and supportive.”

Adoption fees vary by organization and by horse. But there are definite benefits to choosing a reputable rescue group.

“When adopting from a professionally run 501(c)(3) nonprofit adoption agency, horses will come to you healthy and up to date on farrier care, vaccines, dental work and microchipping,” says Kappert.

Are You Ready?

Being a successful horse owner requires a lasting commitment to the care and well-being of your equine partner, which requires a great
deal of time, money and love. Make sure you have plenty of everything you need to provide the best possible home.

“Bringing your adopted horse home will be largely the same as acquiring a horse any other way,” Kappert says. “Whether boarding or keeping him at your home, you’ll need safe facilities. You’ll also want to have a veterinarian and farrier lined up, and possibly an instructor or trainer for further education.”

The adoption organization you adopt through can help ensure you have everything you need.

“If you’d like to gain more experience before adopting, most groups have volunteer opportunities that can provide invaluable hands-on experience,” says Kappert.

Keep an open channel of communication with the adoption agency after bringing your horse home, and contact them with any concerns. Weiss
also stresses the need to adopt from a group that provides an option for the horse to return should you be unable to rehome him safely.

For more information, check out HI’s resource page for new adopters at www. horseillustrated.com/TRH-new-horse.

This article about how to adopt a horse appeared in the April 2021 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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