Your first instinct when you see a foreign object sticking out of your horse is to pull it out immediately, but veterinarians warn, “Wait, not so fast!”

Treat a Puncture Wound as an Emergency

“An injury with an embedded object is an emergency and must be seen that day,” says Sam Crosby, DVM, whose equine veterinary practice is based in Arcadia, Okla.

Crosby has treated many horses injured in tornadoes with all manner of embedded objects, including wood, glass, small rocks, tree branches and fencing pipe. He says one of the most unusual foreign object puncture wounds he’s seen was sustained by a horse rolling on a deer antler in the pasture.

Use Technology First

Immediately take a close-up photo of the injury with your phone. Call your veterinarian and text the photo so they can quickly assess the injury.

“Get photos, call your veterinarian and have them assess it,” says Woodrow Friend, DVM, who has been a veterinarian with Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., for 20 years. “In some instances, they may say, ‘Go ahead and pull it out,’ but let them assess it. Telemedicine has changed how I do things. I get a lot of FaceTime videos, and it’s easier for me to triage these injuries.”

Of course, if you live in a very remote area and you can’t get a veterinarian out for days, this changes things.

“You could end up doing FaceTime with a veterinarian and they can give you advice on what to do,” recommends Friend.

Don’t Give Drugs Before.the Veterinarian

Do your best to restrain the horse and keep him still and calm to avoid further injury, but don’t administer any drugs while waiting for the veterinarian.

“Acepromazine is a common sedative that many people have on hand, but don’t give the horse any drugs,” says Crosby. “Ace causes blood vessels to dilate, and in stress situations, this decreases blood pressure and can cause the horse to go into hypovolemic shock.”

If the puncture wound is bleeding, you can use a folded towel to apply pressure around the injury—just not on top of the embedded piece.

Friend points out that in some cases the embedded object may be stopping blood flow, and pulling it out could cause serious bleeding.

Why Wait?

There are two important reasons to wait for the veterinarian to remove an embedded object:

◆ To determine any damage of internal structures
◆ To make sure all of the object is safely removed

Depending on the injury, the veterinarian may use X-rays or ultrasound to observe internal structures around the embedded object and any resulting damage.

“Sometimes a wound can look small, but it depends on where it is,” says Friend. “If it’s near a joint capsule, you can get an infected joint.”

“If the wound is close to a joint, it’s especially important to take radiographs,” notes Crosby. “If you just pull the object out and it was near a joint, infection could set in and get a head. However, if the veterinarian knows it’s touching the joint, they can flush the joint, sew up any tear in the membrane, and treat as needed.”

Often an embedded object, such as a board or tree branch, breaks upon impact with the horse. Making sure all of it gets removed is crucial.

“Even if it’s just a piece of wood, I want to be able to assess if we got all of it out,” says Friend. “Sometimes you have the other end of the item, and you want to match the piece that came out. For example, with a broken fence board, you may think you got all of it out of the horse, but when comparing pieces, you can see there’s some missing.”

Friend relates the story of one horse who reared up in the barn and shattered a halogen light bulb with his head. When the wound kept draining and wouldn’t heal after 10 days, the owners called Friend. He found and removed a large piece of glass that was still embedded in the horse’s poll, which reinforces why it’s important for a veterinarian to initially assess puncture wounds.

Puncture Wounds in the Hoof

The most common hoof puncture wounds occur when a horse steps on a nail or fence staple.

“With the hoof, there are many internal structures,” says Friend. “You need to make sure you know where the object went.” He notes that any puncture wound of the hoof should be seen by a veterinarian, even if it seems small.

“If there’s a nail in a foot, I want to know where that nail goes,” adds Friend. “The frog will seal right up when you pull out a nail.”

“The problem with hoof wounds is that they close up quickly,” says Crosby. “If your horse steps on a nail or staple and you pull it out, then the veterinarian can’t see on X-rays how close it was to internal structures in the hoof.”

Treating Puncture Wounds

After your veterinarian has assessed the injury and taken any necessary X-rays or ultrasound images, they will remove the embedded object and begin treating the wound.

Depending on the injury, sutures may be needed. Medication to manage inflammation and pain will likely be part of the protocol.

Antibiotics may also be necessary to combat infection.

“In a tornado, pretty much anything that’s driven into a horse’s body is accompanied by debris and bacteria, and there is almost always infection involved,” says Crosby.

After initial treatment, your veterinarian will instruct you on how to continue treating the wound. Serious puncture wounds typically require a follow-up visit from the veterinarian.

With any wound—especially with punctures—it’s important for the horse to be up to date on his tetanus vaccine, so check your records. If it’s been longer than six months, your veterinarian will likely recommend a booster vaccination.

A Common Mistake

Beyond pulling out an embedded object before the veterinarian can assess it, improper wound cleaning is another common mistake.

“People get overzealous and try to do more than they should,” says Friend, who has seen horse owners flush wounds with alcohol, peroxide—even diesel fuel.

“You want to avoid anything that could be caustic to the tissues,” he explains. “The substance used to flush a wound can ‘pocket’ in the wound or be pushed into a space where it could cause more problems. [Additionally,] don’t ‘pressure wash’ the wound. Just rinse it off and keep it clean. Don’t try to do too much before the veterinarian gets there.”

Cleaning Puncture Wounds

Skip the spray nozzle when cleaning wounds. Just use a hose and normal pressure to move dirt and debris out of the injured area. You should keep a surgical scrub or mild iodine soap on hand to help clean wounds. Lacking this, a mild dish soap, such as Ivory, will suffice.

Stay Vigilant

Any of the following indicate a wound is not healing properly. Call your veterinarian promptly if you notice:

◆ Oozing/draining from wound 10 days or longer post injury
◆ Persistent heat or swelling
◆ Horse has a fever
◆ Horse shows signs of lameness

This article about the treatment of puncture wounds in horses appeared in the August 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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In either instance, and in many others like them, seeking a second veterinary opinion can be a wise choice. Let’s explore what it means for you, your horse, and the relationship with your veterinarian.

What is a Second Opinion, Anyway?

A second opinion is when a second, independent veterinarian examines your horse after your primary vet has done so. This can be done at any point during a case work-up, from your horse’s initial diagnosis to chronic treatment plan, and is generally requested by the client.

A second opinion is slightly different than a referral, which is the term used when a general practitioner sends a case to a specialist clinic for further diagnostics, surgery, or management. Referrals are almost always requested by the primary veterinarian.

Horse owners seek second opinions for a wide range of reasons, but the most common include situations such as:

◆ When the prognosis for your horse is poor;
◆ When treatment is expensive and/or possibly long-term and prognosis is uncertain;
◆ When management is complicated/difficult;
◆ When end-of-life decisions are being considered;
◆ When you’re frustrated by a lengthy recovery time or a non-responsive recovery;
◆ When you’re confused or unsure of what’s going on with your horse or feel like you’re not being listened to.

Why Does It Feel Weird, Then?

For some, seeking a second opinion may feel uncomfortable, like sneaking around behind your vet’s back, especially if you’ve had a long, solid relationship with a specific individual. Keep in mind that vets, as medical professionals, acknowledge that second opinions are warranted and are part of the practice of veterinary medicine.

In fact, a second opinion could technically be considered part of a thorough work-up. We actually do it ourselves sometimes, calling colleagues or specialists when we feel the need for another point of view or a pair of fresh eyes. It’s also helpful in cases where we seek a more creative or innovative option, especially with complicated or chronic cases or when more traditional treatment regimens aren’t working.

If you’re experiencing anxiety over obtaining a second opinion, go through the exercise of asking yourself why you’re doing this in the first place. Identifying why you’re dissatisfied with your current vet’s plan can be a very valuable piece of information.

These can be hard questions to ask yourself, but be honest and try not to judge yourself on your responses. These answers may help you set expectations for the second opinion and help you clearly communicate what you’re looking for. Don’t let your angst or avoidance of a potentially awkward conversation prevent you from seeking the best care for your horse.

How Do You Get a Second Opinion on Your Horse’s Diagnosis?

As with most things in life, clear communication is the best approach when seeking a second opinion. You don’t have to justify yourself to your current vet, but letting her know your plan is the polite, direct, professional, and potentially mutually beneficial thing to do. If the second opinion unveils a novel treatment or other consideration, your current vet may be glad to know about it for the future.

If you use a multi-vet practice, a second opinion can be as simple as asking to see another vet. However, depending on where you live, sometimes finding another vet that serves your area can be a challenge.

Trailering to a vet school or larger clinic may not be an option for those with limited resources or who live in remote areas. Talking with other horse owners in the area may help you find another vet. Depending on the situation, you could also consider asking your current vet for a recommendation.

Once you’ve established contact with the vet who will give the second opinion, make sure she knows that’s what is happening. If it’s a complex or acute case and there are medical records, make sure the second vet has access to them, preferably before the visit. A complete history of the case is critical to obtaining a useful second opinion.

Some clinics have procedures regarding second opinions and may require that medical records be sent a specified number of days prior to the farm call. For this reason, when scheduling the second opinion, make sure the clinic knows about it ahead of time.

What Happens Next for Your Horse’s Diagnosis?

One of two options usually occurs after a second opinion: Either the second vet agrees and therefore confirms the first vet’s diagnosis and plan for your horse, or she offers other suggestions.

Of course, there are numerous shades of gray in between, and now it’s up to you to decide what to do. Here’s where those questions you asked yourself before come in handy: What were you looking for? Were the questions or concerns you had addressed? How do you feel about the situation now?

One scenario to beware of, however, is the one of endless opinions. If you find yourself jumping from vet to vet to vet trying to get an answer that you’re satisfied with, tap the brakes. Some further self-questioning and possible soul-searching is needed at this point.

Is your horse simply no longer ridable and you’re having trouble accepting that? Can you not afford the care offered? Is the care needed beyond your ability or comfort level? Again, try not to judge yourself. Sometimes roping in an independent third party, even a non-horse person, can help sort things out or identify a red flag where you’re unable to.

What Isn’t a Second Opinion?

Do you and your horse a favor; if you decide to seek a true second medical opinion, don’t settle for a shortcut. The main one to avoid is the internet. Social media is full of opinions, that’s for sure, but even well-intentioned individuals online haven’t physically examined your horse. This is a key component of a vet/client/patient relationship.

For this reason, also beware of online ads that read something like this: “Ask a vet online NOW! Free second opinions!”

Although some telemedicine by licensed veterinarians is legal and of high quality, its use depends on the situation and the state. Ultimately, you’ll end up saving time and maybe even money just going straight to a second veterinarian in your area.

In most instances, a vet and horse owner can amicably navigate a second opinion to yield a satisfying result that ultimately benefits the horse. And really, in most people’s opinion, acting in the horse’s best interest should always be the goal.

This article about second opinions for a horse’s diagnosis appeared in the August 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Do You Need a Second Opinion for Your Horse’s Diagnosis? appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Gelding is the surgical removal of both testicles. Performed most frequently in young colts, this procedure removes the primary source of testosterone from the animal, thereby eliminating unwanted stallion-like behavior, such as aggression. The benefits of having a gelding over a stallion for most horse owners are numerous. Geldings are far easier to manage than stallions. They can be turned out with other horses of either gender, and are calmer and more predictable in temperament.

Testicles fully descend from the abdomen into the scrotum by roughly 1 to 2 years of age in horses. Most veterinarians recommend gelding as soon as both testicles have descended. The younger the colt is at the time of gelding, the easier the procedure, as blood vessels to the testicles are smaller in young animals. This means there is less bleeding at the time of surgery.

A basic gelding can be performed with the horse either standing or lying down—it usually depends on the veterinarian’s personal preference.

Anesthesia

The first step in equine castration is sedation. The initial amount of sedation given prior to gelding is based on the horse’s estimated body weight and temperament. Most commonly, the sedative is administered via an intravenous (IV) injection in the jugular vein. Given this way, the drugs take effect very quickly, and within minutes the horse will appear quiet and relaxed, with a lowered head, droopy lower lip, and a hind leg bent and resting on the toe. At this point, the veterinarian may palpate the horse’s testicles to make sure both are descended.

If the horse is to be castrated lying down, the anesthetic drugs used to make him unconscious will be administered next. If a standing procedure will be performed, these medications will not be given; instead, the testicles and scrotum will be blocked with a local anesthetic.

The administration of anesthetic drugs to a horse on the farm is a well-orchestrated series of events that requires everyone to be attentive. After the drugs are given IV, they take effect immediately. The sedated horse will begin to stumble and then drop to the ground. A large area clear of clutter is imperative for this step; as the horse is lying down, he has little control over his movements and could be injured on anything in the way. Procedures can occur out in the pasture, in the riding ring, or wherever there is plenty of light.

Once the horse is down, most veterinarians would prefer him to be on his back with one or both hind legs in the air. Since the anesthesia lasts for a finite period—usually between 15 and 30 minutes—the vet must work quietly and efficiently to prep the surgical site, perform the castration, and clean up before the horse awakens and attempts to rise.

Gelding Surgery

Both the standing and recumbent methods of castration are surgically performed the same way. After scrubbing the surgical site, the vet will make two incisions into the scrotum, one over each testicle.

Most veterinarians use an instrument called an emasculator for removing the testicles. It both crushes and cuts the spermatic cord. Crushing is required to prevent bleeding. If the horse is a large colt or an adult, the vet will also likely place stitches called ligatures around the cord to further prevent bleeding. These ligatures are made of absorbable suture material and will not need to be removed.

Once the testicles have been removed, the incision is left open. This is a very important part of the castration procedure, as it allows the surgical wound to drain slowly over the course of a week or two, reducing the chance of excessive, painful swelling.

After the surgery is finished, the horse will be positioned on his side and allowed to wake up from anesthesia. He will be groggy and unsteady when he first attempts to stand, so be sure to stand clear and give him room to find his balance. Once he’s steady and quiet, take him to his stall, a quiet paddock or a round pen. Remove all feed, even hay, until he’s is fully awake, which is generally within a few hours.

An adult horse with only one descended testicle is called a cryptorchid, sometimes colloquially referred to as a “ridgling” or “rig.” An undescended testicle can be in an intermediate location between the abdomen and scrotum. These horses are sometimes called “high flankers” and can usually still be castrated on the farm. An undescended testicle can also occasionally be retained completely within the abdominal cavity. These cases often require more extensive surgical exploration to locate and remove the testicle and may need to be referred to a veterinary hospital.

Post-Op Care for Gelding

It’s essential to closely monitor the horse’s overall demeanor and his surgical site for the first few weeks following castration. Some drainage will drip from the open incision for up to two weeks. This drainage will at first appear bloody, and then over time it may take on a more serum-like appearance. Mild to moderate swelling of the scrotum is also likely to occur, even with the open drainage. Frequently, swelling will travel along the sheath. This is normal and is not severe enough to interfere with urination.

While the area is draining, debris may collect along and between the horse’s hind legs. In the summer months, this may attract flies, so strict fly control is essential to help prevent infection at the incision site. Many vets prefer to perform castrations in the spring or fall to avoid fly season. If drainage is bothering the horse, cold hosing once a day for the first week or so can help keep the incision clean, help decrease swelling and inflammation, and make him feel better.

Over the next two weeks, the horse needs unmounted exercise. Movement will help encourage drainage and decrease swelling. Some horses may be stiff and not feel like moving, so just turning the horse out in the pasture is generally not sufficient. Daily longeing at the trot is often recommended. The open incisions should close by roughly three weeks. Normally, after four weeks, the horse is healed enough to return to work or training.

For pain management, many vets will administer a dose of an anti-inflammatory medication at the time of surgery. Oral phenylbutazone (bute) for a few days post-surgery may also be prescribed.

Veterinarians vary in their opinions on the use of preventive antibiotics post-castration. If there were complications or a breach in sterility during surgery, or if there is a question of whether the horse will be able to be closely monitored or kept clean during post-op care, the vet may choose to start him on a course of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Otherwise, such medications generally aren’t needed. Another common prophylactic measure post-castration is a tetanus booster.

Complications

Although castration is a very common procedure, it is still surgery and should not be dismissed as simple or routine. A few complications can occur.

1. Post-operative hemorrhage: After gelding surgery, a slow drip of blood from the incision is acceptable, but a steady, fast drip or flow of blood is not. If excessive bleeding occurs during the surgery, the veterinarian may pack the incision site with sterile gauze, which can be removed in a few hours. This usually provides enough pressure on the bleeding vessel to stop the hemorrhage. In rare cases when post-op bleeding is profuse, the horse will have to be anesthetized again so the vet can search for the leaking blood vessel, clamp it and tie it off with a stitch.

2. Excessive swelling: Another possible complication is caused by premature healing of the incision site. If it closes too soon, drainage can’t occur and fluid will accumulate in the scrotum. This is not only uncomfortable for the horse, but it also increases the risk of infection. If the incision heals too quickly and results in excessive swelling, your veterinarian will usually re-open it to allow more time for drainage.

3. Infection: This is always a possible complication in an open incision. By monitoring drainage, you can tell if an infection is present; drainage should never smell bad or appear thick. Heat from the surgical site and a horse that is acting lethargic, is off his feed or has a fever are all signs of infection. If this is the case, the vet will re-examine the area. Depending on the infection, the site may be flushed with antiseptic and opened further if necessary; a course of antibiotics could be prescribed as well. Rarely, infection travels up the stump of the remaining spermatic cord. This condition is called a “scirrhous cord” and requires a second surgery to remove the cord that harbors infected tissue.

4. Eventration: This is an extremely rare but life-threatening complication of gelding. This occurs when tissue, either intestine or abdominal fat called omentum, protrudes through the incision. Monitoring the site at least twice daily will help catch most complications in a timely manner. During the first day or so after surgery, you may see a small blood clot, which is normal. If you see something other than this hanging from the incision site, or you are unsure what you are seeing, call the vet immediately.

Understanding the basics of equine gelding and aftercare will help you be more comfortable if you ever have a horse undergo this procedure. Knowing how to care for your horse post-operatively will help set you up for a complication-free experience.

This article originally appeared in the March 2014 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post A Guide to Gelding appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

DULUTH, Ga. – With a dwindling number of veterinarians entering equine practice and existing practitioners leaving the industry altogether or shifting to small animal practice, many are concerned about a looming shortage of equine veterinarians. To help identify the specific issues facing this group, Boehringer Ingelheim conducted an anonymous survey of more than 100 equine veterinarians. The pain points identified by respondents fell into the following categories:

Personal Wellness

By far the leading area of concern was personal wellness with nearly 50% citing it as a challenge. Dealing with owners, colleagues, running a business, performing euthanasias and being on call takes a toll on equine veterinarians. And with fewer entering the profession, the pressure is increasing on those that remain. The toll is both physical and mental exhaustion.

Work/Life Balance

“Being able to take time off” and “being able to find relief vets with equine knowledge” were both cited as contributors to an undesirable work/life balance. Working long days and then being on call is particularly challenging for the equine veterinary professional. “It’s hard to say no,” said one respondent.

Marginal Wages  

Upon graduation from veterinary school, the average amount of student debt is $183,000. Often, after earning their four-year degree, new veterinarians go on to internships or residencies, deferring debt repayment and thereby accruing even more interest. Once they do start earning wages, the average starting associate salary, according to the American Association of Equine Practitioners, is $89,000, making the debt-to-income ratio an uncomfortable range.

“The pay rate isn’t very desirable for the economy we are in,” noted one respondent.

Difficult Clients

While most respondents cited good client relationships as a plus to working in equine veterinary medicine, some indicated challenges related to their clientele, including collecting payments in a timely manner, unrealistic expectations and lack of respect. One respondent noted, “Some clients have very selfish attitudes and think they should dictate to the doctor what they want done.”

The Silver Lining

While the survey sought to better understand the challenges facing equine veterinarians, there were also some positive comments from respondents who remain upbeat about their career choice.

“I love feeling valued. Being able to go out and help people and their animals makes me feel like I do some good in the world.”

How Boehringer Ingelheim is Helping

Results of this survey are being used to help inform the development of a wellness initiative from Boehringer Ingelheim called The Stable Life, which is a wellness initiative dedicated to transforming the future of equine medicine and helping veterinarians thrive. Multiple Stable Life webinars and in-person presentations have already taken place, covering such topics as conflict management, practice growth and establishing boundaries. And more are on the way as well as financial and volunteer support of other groups and initiatives with a similar goal.

“We are doing a much better job as an industry of recognizing there is a problem in the equine veterinary profession,” says Sarah Reuss, VMD, DACVIM, technical manager, Boehringer Ingelheim Equine Health. “Part of the solution is to offer resources that will help veterinarians better manage their practices, their client relationships and their workload so their career is sustainable. While the survey results are certainly sobering, we plan to use them to better inform and guide the support we offer to veterinarians through The Stable Life.”

For more information about The Stable Life initiatives, talk to your Boehringer Ingelheim sales representative or professional services veterinarian.

— Edited Press Release

About Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health is working on first-class innovation for the prediction, prevention, and treatment of diseases in animals. For veterinarians, pet owners, producers, and governments in more than 150 countries, they offer a large and innovative portfolio of products and services to improve the health and well-being of companion animals and livestock.

Learn more about Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA.

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Seeing the full picture of a horse’s body from the inside began not with a hoof, but with a woman’s hand. The accidental discovery of the radiograph in 1895 by the German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen transformed the human medical landscape. Still another century passed before advancements in equine diagnostic imaging revolutionized veterinary medicine.

Accurate, safe, and comprehensive imaging, including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear scintigraphy (bone scan), and the emerging positron emission tomography (PET) scan may redefine horse health today, but it has only accelerated at a rapid rate during the past 25 years.

X-Rays and Ultrasound

Early radiographs (X-rays), while groundbreaking for both human and equine medicine, rendered complications. The analog film required wet processing and often lacked sufficient image detail and quality. Delays between image development and delivery to medical professionals impeded swift diagnoses. However, with the advent of portable digital machines, equine practitioners can now capture high-quality images of bone at a horse’s stall rather than in a veterinary clinic.

Later, ultrasound technology came onto the scene, employing high-frequency sound waves to produce high-resolution, two-dimensional images of tendons and ligaments. With the ultrasound, veterinarians can assess soft-tissue injuries, colic, pregnancy, and suspicious masses, such as abscesses and tumors. Advanced speed and the accuracy of high-resolution, two-dimensional images improve physical exams.

CT and MRI

Equine diagnostic imaging rocketed to the next chapter with the introduction of CT and MRI in the 1990s, according to Katherine Garrett, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, director of diagnostic imaging at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky.

“The most significant change in equine diagnostic imaging is the widespread adoption of cross-sectional imaging modalities,” she says. “Their introduction allows us to make much more specific diagnoses than we could previously and understand different diseases more thoroughly.”

The difference between the traditional X-ray and a CT scanner lies in the type of image. A CT scanner examines slices of bone and soft-tissue structures on multiple planes from multiple angles and is beneficial for diagnosing cases of lameness and sinus, dental, and neurological issues.

Traditional CT scans performed on a fully anesthetized and recumbent horse presented its share of risks. The standing CT scans lower legs and images the head and neck. Because the horse only requires mild sedation, fewer complications and threats to the horse and the clinician occur.

Sarah Puchalski, DVM, Dipl. ACVR, head of Diagnostic Imaging at Palm Beach Equine Clinic in Wellington, Fla., cautions horse owners to understand how different types of image qualities vary between scanners.

“There is a difference in image quality for CT scanners, and what can and cannot be scanned,” she says. “CT is used for dentition in the skull and fracture evaluation. Soft tissue detail isn’t as good as the MRI, but the bone detail is superior.”

Soft-tissue injuries present a puzzle, especially in cases of lameness. MRI, first performed on horses in the late 1990s, benefitted from early clinical use but shot to the top of imaging modalities in the past five years. Today, MRI is considered the gold standard of diagnostic imaging for soft tissue and orthopedic injuries by using magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulses to generate images.

Puchalski notes that the particular benefit of the MRI rests in diagnosing the source of lameness.

“For example, inside the hoof capsule, you cannot evaluate tendons and ligaments,” she says. “MRI opened the door for a whole range of new injury diagnoses allowing specific target therapies.” Garrett concurs.

“With the MRI, we obtain detailed information about an entire region,” she explains. “Deep digital flexor tendon tears, navicular bone inflammation, bone bruising, and coffin joint arthritis have different treatments and prognoses. We can diagnose and treat each more specifically and hopefully have better outcomes.”

Bone Scans and PET Scans

Nuclear scintigraphy (bone scan) employs radioactive isotopes, which, when injected, emit radioactive gamma rays. A special camera documents two-dimensional images of skeletal anatomy, showing areas with increased metabolic activity.

Reactive sites light up as “hot spots” to identify sources of lameness or other injuries. Evaluating a tissue’s physiology or what is occurring inside the tissue distinguishes the bone scan from other methods.

Scintigraphy, according to Puchalski, allows a clinician not only to identify sites that may not be clinically evident but provides an opportunity to use disease-modifying agents earlier.

“Hock arthritis shows up on scintigraphy early,” she says. “Scintigraphy also allows us to evaluate the neck, back and pelvis. A higher degree of radioactivity in an area means more active bone turnover, inflammation or injury.”

Mathieu Spriet, DVM, M.S., Dipl. ACVR, Dipl. ECVDI, Dipl. ACVR-EDI, associate professor of Diagnostic Imaging at the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, recalls the trajectory of equine imaging during his lifetime.

“When I was in graduate school in France, the only imaging modalities we had were X-ray and ultrasound,” he recalls. “In the last 25 years, we’ve had digital radiographs, CT and MRI. I’m excited to contribute another piece by bringing the PET to the table.”

PET scans add a new chapter to nuclear medicine imaging. A radioactive tracer injected in the horse shows activity in the bones and soft tissues at a molecular level by detecting “hot spots” that illuminate injury, functional change, or inflammation on images.

The defining concept of the PET scan is the distinction between functional versus structural imaging.

“With most imaging, you are looking at the size and shape of structures,” says Spriet. “When the bone looks abnormal, it’s sometimes difficult to know if it’s abnormal because something is happening right now or if there is an old injury that is not currently active.”

To perform the first equine PET scan in 2015, Spriet and his research team partnered with an engineering team from Maryland-based Brain Biosciences, a company specializing in state-of-the-art molecular brain imaging devices. A clinical program employing a modified human scanner imaged over 100 anesthetized horses with lameness issues.

Anesthesia carries its own level of risk to both the horse and the owner’s pocketbook. Four years after introducing the first scanner, a standing PET for a mildly sedated horse advanced this up-and-coming technology. With a standing PET, a clinician positions the horse’s hoof into an open doughnut-shaped ring before closing the apparatus around the leg. The ring’s detectors capture images from the hoof, but it can open automatically if the horse moves.

The radioactive isotope is injected 30-60 minutes prior to bringing the horse in to the room. In less than half an hour, a PET scan can image both feet and fetlocks. With an MRI scan, 45 minutes per foot or fetlock is necessary.

A Game-Changing Future

Kelly Tisher, DVM, a Colorado-based veterinarian and clinic partner at the Littleton Equine Medical Center, envisions future technology to scan a horse’s total circumference. According to Tisher, several companies are actively working to create and improve standing technology, including a robotic CT machine.

“We’ve been hoping there would be an advancement in technology to allow standing CT imaging, especially for a horse’s head and neck,” he says. “Head imaging for sinus, teeth, or other tumors is tricky. With the neck, we have an ultrasound and X-ray. Still, the ability to have 3D imaging and some sectional imaging and transverse imaging to learn about what different pathologies mean and what their clinical relevance is would be amazing.”

Each year, seeing the full picture of a horse’s anatomy to diagnose injury and disease matures. Century-old curiosity ignited a medical revolution, and today, veterinary researchers are casting light on more than a horse’s hoof.

This article about equine diagnostic imaging appeared in the January/February 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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“In my experience, horses almost never say no,” says Steve Allday, DVM, an equine lameness specialist with more than 35 years’ experience caring for an impressive list of equine athletes. “Horses can talk, and it is our job to learn how to speak their language and above all, to listen and be their advocate.”

Allday has been the lameness specialist for equine legends that include Triple Crown race winners, 29 Breeders’ Cup race winners, and five Thoroughbred Horses of the Year—including legendary racehorses A.P. Indy and Cigar—among other elites, such as World Equestrian Games jumpers. In addition to being a top sport horse veterinarian, Allday has also founded and developed a line of joint supplements.

1. What is equine osteoarthritis?

Sometimes hidden and other times obvious, equine osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition that impacts horses regardless of age, breed or discipline. It’s estimated that OA is responsible for up to 60 percent of all lameness in horses, according to the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP).

Also referred to as equine degenerative joint disease, OA is a chronic disease-causing degeneration of the joints and resulting in pain, inflammation and reduced flexibility and range of motion. To understand OA, it’s important to understand the three different types of joints horses have:

1. Synovial joints: These allow different degrees of movement and rotation, acting as a hinge for the primary mode of flexion and extension. Examples include fetlocks, knees and hocks.

2. Fibrous joints: These do not allow for movement between the bones, such as the joints between bones of the skull.

3. Cartilaginous joints: These connect bones with cartilage, allowing limited movement and shock absorption, like the joints between the vertebrae of your horse’s spine.

Osteoarthritis can occur in synovial and cartilaginous joints, and it’s a common condition horses can experience.

“Osteoarthritis is ubiquitous in all mammals, and progressive as a rule,” says Allday. “It can occur anywhere on the horse: in their hips, hocks, stifles, knees, fetlocks and other joints.”

2. What causes equine osteoarthritis?

You may have wondered if different equine sports affect specific joints. Although any horse in any discipline can be affected by OA, there are common themes and joint problems that occur in the varying equine sports.

For instance, cutting and reining have greater impact on the hocks and stifles, causing horses to have heightened OA risk to these joints. And jumpers are more likely to have front-limb lameness in the coffin or fetlock joints. The bottom line is that any joint that is more significantly used on a horse increases its likelihood for developing OA.

3. Can osteoarthritis be prevented?

To help avoid joint health problems, you need to get ahead of what problems can—and unfortunately, likely will—arise due to a horse’s conformation flaws, stabling or training environments and everyday injury risks.

“Whether a racehorse, dressage horse, cutting horse or a barrel horse, by maintaining things preventatively and staying a step ahead of potential problems before they become a major issue, you can help ensure your equine partner’s performance,” says Allday.

You can help prevent equine joint health problems by:
◆ Offering quality nutrition for strong bones and healthy cartilage.
◆ Prioritizing hoof care and keeping horses on a regular trim schedule.
◆ Keeping horses at optimum weight and avoiding obesity, which stresses the joints.
◆ Riding on softer footing and limiting work on hard surfaces.
◆ Incorporating joint supplements to help maintain their joints and cartilage.

4. How is osteoarthritis diagnosed?

Allday assures us that as the No. 1 human in your horse’s life, you are the best diagnostician of any changes in your horse’s joint health.

“This is simply because you know your horse,” he says. “I don’t have a crystal ball. When I go look at a horse, I’m taking a snapshot of that moment, while you have known the horse for days and years—sometimes, his entire life—before I got there that day.”

Every time you’re grooming or tacking up for a ride, check your horse for symmetry: If you fear one side is larger than the other, you can just compare it to his opposite side.

Give your horse a proper once-over: Rub his back and palpate it, checking for soreness.

When you pick up his hind leg, check the hock for any fluid. This daily interaction with your horse, coupled with knowledge of his particular history, will be invaluable to your veterinarian when diagnosing any joint problems.

Should your veterinarian suspect joint problems, it’s likely he or she will perform a routine lameness evaluation. According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners, this includes summarizing the horse’s medical history; a visual appraisal of the horse at rest; a thorough, hands-on examination, including palpating the horse’s muscles, joints, bones and tendons for any heat or swelling; an evaluation of your horse’s three gaits in motion; and a joint flexion test.

“Every horse deserves a full and thorough veterinary examination,” says Allday. “It’s not just a choice—it’s a necessity to help maintain these equine athletes and keep them at their best.”

In addition to lameness evaluations, diagnosis of OA can also involve diagnostics such as:
◆ Radiographs
◆ Fluoroscopy
◆ Nuclear scintigraphy
◆ CT
◆ MRI
◆ Nerve and joint blocks
◆ Ultrasound
◆ Thermography

5. Is equine osteoarthritis curable?

While there is, unfortunately, no definitive cure for OA in horses, the pain and inflammation associated with it can be treated. Prevention, along with early diagnosis and treatment, is critical to keep the condition from progressing.

“OA isn’t the end of their career, but it’s certainly something you have to be on top of, address rapidly and maintain routinely,” says Allday. “You have to remember that osteoarthritis is progressive, and as it gets worse as the horse gets older, you’ll need to be very proactive. You may even have to go to anti-inflammatories to maintain a horse’s athletic career.”

6. What are treatment options?

Treatment for equine OA focuses on alleviating pain and inflammation in the joint, allowing horses to have improved mobility. For horses diagnosed with osteoarthritis, veterinarians may recommend prescription medications, like Equioxx, Adequan I.M., Legend or Surpass Topical.

Should OA be diagnosed, your veterinarian will work closely with you on joint health supplements to prevent further progression of joint damage, as well as anti-inflammatory treatments available to manage the pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis.

Allday recalls a conversation he had with Allen Paulson, founder of Gulfstream Aerospace and renowned owner of more than 100 graded stakes race winners. Paulson’s horse was the favorite for the Kentucky Derby, but due to a joint injury, he was scratched.

“I told him, ‘A horse isn’t like the planes you build—you have to go with the original equipment.’ And it’s true—you can’t put a horse up on a rack and switch in a new part. Taking care of their original equipment is the epitome of how you can preventatively maintain your horse throughout his career.”

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“She’ll feel a lot better now, Katie,” I said with satisfaction as I studied the mare’s mouth to make sure I hadn’t missed anything. I snapped my gloves off and started cleaning up as the dratted phone vibrated again. I opened my text app to see about a dozen new messages.

Message Barrage

I sighed and started scrolling through the texts. The first one showed a picture of a chubby white dog looking sad. The message read: “Hi, my dog needs spayed, she’s draining white stuff, and the rip-off vet said it would be between $4-5K and that’s too much, and will you do it cheaper?”

“I’m a horse vet,” I texted back. “There’s a hospital in Denver that may work with you on cost—ask your veterinarian for their phone number.”

The return text came in almost immediately, as I knew it would, asking for the hospital’s phone number.

The next text was a shaky video of a newborn foal walking away from the camera, and what did I think of her front legs? I ignored that one and opened the next, which was a request for a Sunday night prepurchase exam on a horse that would be at the evening rodeo in town, and could I meet them after the rodeo ended around 10 or 11 p.m. and do a lameness exam and take X-rays of hocks and stifles only? And she didn’t want to spend a lot. My initial response was a little colorful, so I deleted it and responded with a professional and polite, “No.”

There were several more messages from regular clients wanting appointments and a question about strangles, which I answered quickly, but the last text began with a dim and blurry picture of a horse in a stall. I zoomed in on the photo and could see that he was a dun color and was lying down, but I couldn’t see much else.

The message simply read: “Hi Dr. Diehl, can you come take a look at a cut leg? Happened a few days ago.”

Looking for Drom

I tried calling the number. There was no answer, so I left a message with lots of questions about the injury. It’s a mathematical certainty that the longer of a message I leave, the sooner the client calls back and the less likely it is that they’ve listened to any of it. Sure enough, the phone rang within five minutes and a chirpy woman was explaining that she hadn’t listened to my message.

“But we’re very worried about Drom, Dr. Diehl. Can you come right away?”

Drom? I knew I didn’t have a horse on my books by that name, and the owner explained that they were new to town. I repeated my questions about the injury, but after listening to her answers, I switched my next appointment and drove straight out to see poor Drom, who was clearly in bad shape.

I pulled up to a series of newly painted red-and-white outbuildings. A cheerful sign read Wrinkled Knee Ranch. There didn’t seem to be anyone around, but a dun horse’s head briefly appeared in a nearby window, and I knew I’d found my patient. I peered into the stall to see a very fat gelding munching hay from a feeder and resting a hind leg.

When no one had appeared after a good five minutes, I decided to examine Drom. There were no obvious swellings or cuts anywhere, but there were some crusty scabs on the pink skin on his hind pastern, and he flinched when I pressed on the area.

I was preparing a speech about pastern dermatitis with a few firm sentences on how it wasn’t really an emergency, when a woman appeared in the doorway of the stall looking at me strangely.

“Why are you looking at Andy, Dr. Diehl? Drom is over in the next barn.”

Helping An Unlikely Animal

I straightened up just as Andy unloaded a very wet pile of manure down my leg. The woman didn’t seem to notice, and I limped quickly after her, trying to shake the stinky mess off my pants.

She opened the top half of a large Dutch door and an enormous brown head emerged and blatted loudly at me.

“Oh, you have a camel!” I said stupidly. He’s cute!”

She gave me another strange look. “This is Drom. Your patient?”

I recovered quickly. “Of course! I meant that Drom is very cute! Let’s take a look at that leg!”

She haltered Drom and led him out of his large stall bemusedly. I started clipping and cleaning a deep laceration on his upper leg. I numbed the wound with a very small dose of lidocaine, as camelids can be sensitive to the drug, and soon had the wound stitched up neatly. Drom was a perfect gentleman, and the woman clapped her hands in delight as she inspected my work.

“You know your camels, Dr. Diehl. A lot of vets are afraid of them, but Drom and I can tell that you really know what you’re doing!”

The only other camel that I’d treated was in vet school, 15 years ago, but it didn’t matter. I was clearly a camel master now, and I headed proudly to my truck.

I was pulling out of the driveway when she hollered after me.

“But maybe practice your horse handling skills a little more so you won’t get crapped on next time!”

This Vet Adventures column about a vet helping an unlikely animal appeared in the October 2021 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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I had only seen two cases of equine botulism in my career, and they were both horrifying. Horses are exquisitely sensitive to the toxin—it takes more to kill a mouse than a horse, so even a few mouthfuls of contaminated feed can be deadly.

The clinicians at the hospital stressed that while the source was most likely his hay, there was no way to be sure. And they still couldn’t fully rule out rabies, so everyone who had handled Hans had to be considered exposed.

In the Thick of Equine Botulism

Hans remained stable over the next few days, although he wasn’t producing much manure, and his intestines were still very sluggish. His risk of aspiration pneumonia was high, so he received regular fluids and feedings through a stomach tube. An IV drip containing essential electrolytes ran around the clock.

The clinicians reported that he’d lay down about every 20 minutes to rest, but the important thing was that Hans always got up. Every time I spoke to a member of Hans’ team, it was the first thing they’d describe—the big horse’s remarkable ability to always get to his feet.

Progress was slow over the next week, and the team worried that Hans was not getting enough calories, so they increased his feedings. The bill increased by the day.

Cathy wasn’t made of money, but she was determined to save her horse, and if the hospital recommended something, she approved it without question. Because of the COVID pandemic, she couldn’t even visit Hans, and the kind clinicians often made video calls from Hans’ stall so Cathy could see and talk to her beloved horse.

The entire hospital seemed to be involved in Hans’ case, and he was quickly developing a fan club. Vet students would stop by throughout the day to check on him and groom him, and there was always a technician nearby watching his fluids, administering medications and recording his patterns of laying down and getting to his feet.

Hans never once faltered. When he wanted to stand, bedding would fly around as he bravely lurched to his feet, his IV fluid bags swinging wildly from their overhead hook. But he always got up.

Turning a Corner in Surviving Equine Botulism

When an equine botulism case goes down and can’t rise, the outlook is grave, even with intensive care. The horse must be maintained on a special airbed and turned from side to side and supported in sternal position periodically.

Pressure sores develop, and colic and pneumonia are ever-present risks. It’s a long waiting game to see if the patient can rebuild the damaged nerve connections to the muscles. Full recovery can take months.

But Hans never went down completely. I admired how cool and collected Cathy was. So many owners would have been upset about the growing bill, but Cathy was always grateful and kind.

Hans was eventually able to take in a slurry of grain and water on his own, although he still couldn’t chew normally. The staff began to take him for short walks to the end of the aisle and back, an army of supporters flanking him neatly in case he lost his balance. Hans tired quickly, and after the walks he always lay down and slept deeply, but true to form, would get to his feet when he woke.

On day 26, the clinicians thought that Hans was finally strong enough to go home. It was a ceremonious occasion, and there were dozens of socially distanced hospital staff, doctors and vet students hugging Hans goodbye and wiping their eyes.

His thickly bedded trailer waited in the parking lot. Cathy had bought Hans a beautiful new blanket and matching shipping boots. He was buckled into his finery, and the staff cheered as he boarded the trailer and they drove off. Cathy was still waving as they rounded the corner and disappeared from sight.

With Gratitude

It’s always bittersweet to clean the stall after a longtime patient has gone home. Hans’ thermometer, stethoscope and charts hung from the door, and his empty fluid bags and coiled IV line dangled from the overhead hook. A trash can full of exam gloves and plastic gowns sat in the aisle, and a bleach foot bath was nearby.

There was a bucket of brushes with Hans’ tail hairs tangled through the bristles, his half-eaten grain slurry still in the feeder. The technicians and barn crew sadly stripped his stall and scrubbed and disinfected the floor and walls, and soon there was no sign that he’d been there at all.

Hans moved into a small pen with a large stall and continued his recovery. It was a year before he was cleared to ride, and even then, Cathy kept him to a walk on easy trails.

When she paid the enormous bill, she enclosed a note to the hospital staff.

“I’ve battled depression for the past year, and it was at its worst when I thought we were going to lose Hans to equine botulism. But every time you gave me encouraging news and told me what a fighter he was, I fought harder, too. Every time you told me that Hans always got to his feet, it encouraged me to get up too, and we’re both out of the woods now, thanks to you and your staff of angels. Love forever, Cathy and Hans.”

This Vet Adventures column about equine botulism appeared in the June 2021 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Inevitably there will come a time when your veterinarian will need to sedate your horse. It may be for a routine procedure, such as a dental float, or for something more critical, like suturing a deep gash or treating an infected eye. Regardless of the cause, a sedated horse presents a unique challenge at the barn, and care is needed when working with and around him. Let’s take a closer look at the drugs used, how they work, and how to care for your horse both during and after sedation.

Drugs and Sedation for Your Horse

The goal for any situation that requires equine sedation is that the patient be quiet, pain-free and unreactive to stimuli. Any sedation where the animal remains standing is medically referred to as “standing chemical restraint” (the horse does not lie down).

Standing sedated horses are not anesthetized and remain conscious. Let’s dig a bit deeper to understand what this means.

Although often used synonymously, the terms “sedative” and “tranquilizer” are not quite the same; the difference lies in the drugs used.

The most common tranquilizer used in horses is called acepromazine, frequently shortened to “ace.” Acepromazine produces a calming effect on the horse. It works by blocking the transmission of certain neurotransmitters, like dopamine. It does not block pain and can cause a decrease in blood pressure.

Animals that are already extremely anxious may not respond well to acepromazine and due to its effects on blood pressure, it’s not the drug of choice for sick or senior animals. Because it doesn’t offer any pain control, acepromazine is not typically used for medical procedures. Additionally, acepromazine occasionally causes a condi- tion in stallions and geldings called priapism, or penile paralysis.

In contrast to acepromazine, true sedatives in horses belong to a family of drugs called alpha-2 agonists because they act on alpha-2 receptors in the nervous system. When activated, these receptors trigger muscle relaxation, some pain control, and incoordination of skeletal muscle. The most commonly used alpha-2 agonists for equine sedation include xylazine, detomidine, and romifidine.

The effects alpha-2 agonists have on your horse are stronger than those seen with acepromazine; therefore they are typically used with veterinary procedures. Your veterinarian will typically mix sedatives and give your horse a cocktail of drugs tailored to his size, personality, and the length and strength of sedation that is needed. This helps modulate each drug’s individual effects and gives the best balance of sedation and pain control with the fewest side effects.

What to Expect

Most equine sedatives are injectable and can be given either in the muscle (IM) or intravenously (IV). A few are also available as an oral paste or gel.

A good rule of thumb to keep in mind when it comes to differences in administration is this: the more direct the route into the bloodstream, the faster the onset and the greater the effect. In other words, an IV drug will take effect within seconds and the horse will show greater signs of sedation than if the same drug were to be given in the muscle or orally. For this reason, in most cases, your veterinarian will administer a sedative IV, typically in the jugular vein of your horse.

As with any medication, not every horse will respond in the same way to a sedative. Donkeys, for example, are well known to be resistant to a “horse dose” of sedation and typically require more, even if their body size is smaller.

Personality plays a big role in how a horse responds to sedation; highly strung or feisty animals will need a larger dose than a more stoic individual. The classic example is the occasional Shetland pony that requires the same dose of xylazine as a Clydesdale!

Although a sedated horse’s eyes will droop, his ears will still flick toward sounds. This is a key safety reminder that a sedated horse is still conscious and is still able to react to loud, unexpected sounds or sudden movement. In fact, a sedated horse may overreact unpredictably to a loud noise because the drugs have hampered his ability to respond in a measured manner.

Once the medication has taken effect, a sedated horse will adopt a stereotypical head down or “saw horse” position: he will stand with a base-wide stance for balance and his head will drop low, sometimes to the point of almost touching the ground.

Although a sedated horse’s eyes will droop, his ears will still flick toward sounds. This is a key safety reminder that a sedated horse is still conscious and is still able to react to loud, unexpected sounds or sudden movement. In fact, a sedated horse may overreact unpredictably to a loud noise because the drugs have hampered his ability to respond in a measured manner.

In particular, xylazine is not typically used as the sole sedative for procedures involving the hind legs; horses have been known to kick while under this type of sedation. For these reasons, it is crucial to always act cautiously and deliberately around a sedated horse and to alert others in the barn to what is going on. Additionally, never leave a sedated horse tied unattended.

When the horse’s head is low, his lower lip will droop, and some horses may even drool. Occasional twitching of the lip, bobbing of the head, or swaying side to side may also be seen.

If the horse is asked to move, he will walk in a very uncoordinated manner, and it may appear as if he is likely to fall. Although falling while sedated rarely happens, it could, especially if the horse stumbles and is unable to catch himself. For this reason, it’s best to avoid having to move a sedated horse. Keeping the immediate area free of obstacles, like buckets, stall cleaning equipment and power cords is also vital for everyone’s safety.

Recovery

In general, most sedatives given IV will last about 30 to 40 minutes, but this depends heavily on the dose and drug given. Sedatives can be re-dosed if a longer period of sedation is required for a procedure.

As the drug starts to wear off, you’ll see your horse become gradually more aware of his surroundings. His head will rise, and he will become more responsive and may want to move forward. As this point, he should be considered mildly sedated, and safety practices such as quiet handling should still be in effect.

Once the medical procedure is finished, the immediate area cleaned of debris and tools, and the horse is able to raise his head, he can be moved if needed.

It’s best to house a horse recovering from sedation alone in a stall or small pen. He’s still not awake enough to interact with other horses or to eat, so make sure buckets and hay are removed from the immediate area. Keep the aisle quiet, and turn off any overhead lights if possible.

Check on your horse periodically and over the next hour or two. You will notice a gradual return to his normal observant self. After a few hours, when it appears your horse is again steady on his feet and appropriately responsive to outside noises, it is safe to offer him hay and water.

Once his coordination returns and he can walk and turn without dragging his feet or stumbling, he can be turned out with pasture mates. By the next day, your horse should be completely back to normal and back to his usual routine.

This article on horse sedation originally appeared in the December 2019 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Sound Sedation: Caring for Your Horse Before and Afterward appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that entire equestrian competitions and series have needed to be cancelled, boarding barns were forced to close due to lockdowns, and some horse owners found themselves out of work. While this devastated the equine industry, the horses never stopped needing care. In response, veterinarians and farriers who provide much of it, have been challenged to deliver their services in ways that keep their clients safe from COVID-19 without compromising their relationships with them.

“Horse owners want one-on-one relationships,” said farrier TJ Steele, CJF, Dipl. WCF, APF-I. “The trick is to maintain it within the COVID-19 guidelines.”

Under federal and state guidelines, veterinary and farrier practices are designated essential businesses. That means veterinarians and farriers have been allowed to continue performing their duties even during so-called COVID-19 lockdowns, so long as they established certain protocols that conformed to state and local quarantine, distancing and decontamination guidelines.

Changes Made by Veterinarians and Farriers for COVID-19

“For example, when the virus was first announced and the stay-at-home order was in effect, we sent over 50 percent of our team members home for two to seven weeks, depending on each team member’s personal circumstances,” said Liz Yelvington Steele, DVM, of Steele Equine Veterinary Services & Performance Horse Center, and TJ’s wife. “Also, we were available for urgent care and emergency only—we did not see (patients for) elective appointments for three and four weeks.”

When team members were allowed to return to work on as needed basis, general procedures at the facility also changed. Automatic gates were converted to allow only team members to open them. Once clients are inside, technicians meet clients in the parking lot and lead their horses into the facility.

“Most clients are asked to wait in the parking lot,” Yelvington Steele said.

Meanwhile, Steele has adopted biosecurity measures of his own. Normally a horse receiving farrier care would be handled either by a trainer or an owner, who would stand nearby to watch him and his colleague, Alex Garraus, work, and they might ask questions or just socialize. COVID-19 has changed all that.

“When we visit barns, we might have the trainer there or put the horse in the cross-ties and then watch (us) from a distance,” he said. “And because they may not be in the barn with me when I work, I must include visiting with the client in the time I schedule for each job.”

Between clients, everything is disinfected. “Biosecurity is the main thing,” Steele said.

While the procedures are intended to prevent clients’ exposure to the virus, Yelvington Steele still laments that COVID-19 has affected the way she and her husband interact with their clients.

“All of our clients were very understanding and complied with these requests,” Yelvington Steele said. “However, the new protocol is difficult because it is so different from the way we work–treating horses with their owners present and actively engaged.”

According to the Steeles, implementing biosecurity measures will continue to be a priority even as state and local governments lift stay-at-home orders and return to business as usual. How they will permanently change the way horse care professionals, such as veterinarians and farriers, interact with clients during the era of COVID-19 remains to be seen.

“Slowly, we are allowing some client into the facility to observe (their horse’s treatment) through a window or directly into the exam room or workspace,” Yelvington Steele said. “But even though we will allow clients full access to our facility during appointments, I foresee enhanced biosecurity protocols, such as handwashing, disinfecting surfaces and social distancing to continue.”

Steele agrees.

“And as things loosen up, we’ll move a bit back toward the way it was,” he said. “But if we see the virus come back, we will go right back to the COVID-19 protocol.”

Further Reading

• Equestrians Cope With the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Horse Owners Share Impact of Quarantines Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic
• Maintaining a Boarding Barn Business Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Virtual Horse Shows Allow Equestrians to Keep Showing During COVID-19
• Virtual Horse Training and Clinics Spring Up During COVID-19 Pandemic

Complete COVID-19 Coverage

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