In our Ask the Vet column, Dr. Lydia Gray answers your horse-health questions at HorseChannel.com/AskTheVet. Got a question for Dr. Gray? Send it to hc-editor@luminamedia.com and use subject line "Ask the Vet."Q: I’ve had my 10-year-old Quarter horse gelding...
In these cooler fall months, a bit of rain and a burst of the last remaining summer warmth can cause a growth spurt in your pasture. This sudden increase in rich grass can put your horse at risk for...
Lameness is one of the most prevalent veterinary complaints in the horse. While there are a multitude of ways horses can go lame, some conditions occur more frequently.Lameness in the horse can range from an obvious non-weight-bearing gait...
Subsolar abscesses, localized infections just beneath the sole of the hoof, are one of the most widespread causes of foot pain. As an abscess develops, it exerts pressure on the sensitive structures of the foot. Because the hard hoof...
Navicular Syndrome
The navicular bone is a small canoe-shaped bone that lies within the hoof behind the coffin and short pastern bones. Navicular syndrome is a term used to describe the heel pain and pathology of navicular disease. Affected horses...
While heel pain is a component of navicular syndrome, it is very important to point out that there are a multitude of other structures in the hoof that can cause heel pain, such as the suspensory ligament of the...
Degenerative Joint Disease
Degenerative joint disease (DJD) is a common occurrence in older, and sometimes not so old, equine athletes. The body is designed to maintain the cartilage in the joints, repairing damage after normal wear and tear. In athletic...
Tendon and Ligament Injury
There are several important tendons and ligaments in the lower leg. The superficial digital flexor tendon, the deep digital flexor tendon, and the suspensory ligament are the most prominent and often prone to injury. Injuries to...
Ouch! If you’ve ever had a horse come in from the pasture with a face full of porcupine quills or cactus spines, or if you’ve been out on the trail when such a spiny encounter has occurred, you know...
For anyone who owns a horse, it is no secret that you will more than likely encounter a wound at some point. It helps to be prepared. What should you have on hand in the event of an injury,...
