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Horse Health Archive

Welcome to the AAEP's Horse Health article search engine. Each of the articles available in this section have been written by AAEP member veterinarians. To use the search, you can either put a keyword in the box that says "Search" or you if you are looking for a specific topic, you may select a topic from the drop-down box under the search box and all articles on that subject will be brought up. 

Equine Chiropractic: General Principles and Applications

By Kevin Haussler, DVM, DC, Ph.D.Veterinary chiropractic should be considered a medical act and should be performed by a licensed veterinarian or a...

Applying Acupuncture to Lameness in the Horse

By Allen SchoenVeterinary acupuncture and acutherapy are considered valid modalities, but the potential for abuse exists. These techniques should be regarded...

10 Signs Your Horse Needs a Dental Exam

There are subtle clinical signs that can alert a horse owner about a dental or mouth problem, so it's important to be on the lookout for these and schedule...

Tick Control in Horses

Written by: Thomas Lenz, DVM., M.S., DACT   Ticks are becoming an increasingly significant parasite of horses across the United States.  In...

Cool, Clear Water

A horse’s daily water requirements are influenced by age; body condition; the amount, type and quality of feed consumed; fitness level; and activity...

Tapeworms in Horses

Written by: Martin Nielsen, DVM, Ph.D., DEVPC, ACVIM   The equine tapeworm, Anoplocephala perfoliata, is present on most properties where horses...

Getting a Handle on Scratches

Written by: Anthony Yu, DVM, MS, DACVD   Scratches, or equine pastern dermatitis (EPD), is not a disease but, rather, a cutaneous reaction pattern....

Stall Confinement

Written by: Tom Lenz, DVM, MS, DACT on behalf of AQHA Like equine welfare, our view of what housing options are best for our horses are based on our life...

Signs of a Healthy Horse

A quick evaluation of your horse can be done in less than 10 minutes. Check him daily so you will know what is normal and what is...

Maintain Your Horse's Well-Being through a Healthy Mouth

Though most people think dentistry is primarily concerned with the teeth and mouth, it also includes the associated structures of the head – for instance the...

Red Maple Poisoning

The problem occurs when horses eat wilted or dried leaves from the red maple tree (Acer rubrum), which damages the horse's red blood cells, resulting in acute...

Summer Horse Health Tips

Written by: Wendy Krebs, DVM Summer is a universally busy time for horse owners, be it with horse shows, trail riding, rodeos - you name it. While...

The Importance of Fly Control

Written by: Lisa Edwards, DVM and Sharon Spier, DVM,Ph.D., DACVIM Flies are a bane to barn life; they not only transmit disease but also irritate horses...

Fall Vaccines for Your Horse

As a horse owner, the best part about fall is knowing we won't have to deal with as many insect-related issues. Instead, we are starting to think about...

5 Things to Consider Before Buying a Horse

Written by Liz Arbittier, VMD Performing a successful pre-purchase examination is a complex undertaking. To evaluate every system in the horse takes an...

12 Miniature Horse Health Risks

Written by: Sallie S. Hyman, VMD, DACVIM, CVA   They might fit into the back of the Suburban or even hang out in the living room, but Miniature...

Chip Your Horse

Written by: Tom Lenz, DVM, MS, DACT   A lot of you have had microchips implanted in your domestic pets, but have you had your horses chipped yet?...

Lymphangitis: A Frustrating Condition

Written by: Kennon Keckler, DVM   Lymphangitis, vasculitis, big leg disease, staph infection, or cellulitis. Whatever you call it, this recurrent...

Preventing Disease Spread: Don't Forget About Farriers

Your veterinarian is trained to work on sick horses but your farrier may not be. Both need to take precautions to avoid becoming the source of infection for...

The Science Behind Veterinarian-Administered Vaccines

Vaccines are safest and most effective when administered by your veterinarian. Your horse’s vaccination schedule should be tailored specifically to its needs...

West Nile Virus in Horses: Prevent the Preventable

By SallyAnne L. DeNotta, Ph.D., DVM, DACVIM   When it comes to horse health, there are rarely any guarantees. Even horses with impeccable management...

Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in Equestrian Facilities

Recommendations to keep your personnel and facility safe during the COVID-19 pandemic....

Equine Disease Communication Center: Equine Coronavirus Factsheet

Equine Corona Virus -ECoV- is NOT the same virus as Covid-19. This Equine Disease Communication Center fact sheet breaks down the equine...

A Novel Tool for Tendon Injury Rehab

By: Sarah Plevin, BVMS, MRCVS, CVA, DABVP, ACVSMR   Overstrain injuries to the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT), which runs down the back of...

Every Breath Horses Take Affects Every Move They Make

By Kim F. Miller and Dr. Emmanuelle Van Erck-Westergren   "Respiratory health is essential to performance," stresses Dr. Emmanuelle Van...

Common Equine Eye Conditions

Brett Robinson, DVM   Eye problems in horses are extremely common. Last year alone, our group practice performed 100 eye exams on horses...

Understanding Hay Quality: Even "Good" Hay Can Have Bad Things In It

By Kim F. Miller and Dr. Meriel Moore-Colyer   As the source of 50 to 90% of a normal, healthy horse's nutritional needs, hay warrants careful...

Should You Exercise Your Horse When It Has the Flu?

Gabriele Landolt, DVM, DACVIM   Viral respiratory disease, such as equine influenza, remains a commonly occurring respiratory illness of horses...

Front Foot Lameness: Don't Forget the Exam

Casey Gruber, DVM  Lameness arising in the front feet accounts for the most soundness issues in horses. However, it has been and continues to be...

S. zooepidemicus Infections

Ashley G. Boyle, DVM, DACVIM Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus is a Gram-positive bacterium that can cause opportunistic infections in many animal...