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Why forage is the cornerstone of a working ranch horse’s diet

ranch horses
Ranch horses need a forage-based diet for their health, energy and overall performance. Photo Credit Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife.

Texas A&M AgriLife expert explains the importance of keeping forage as a main source of nutrition November 4, 2024 – by Alex Cozzitorto For ranch horses, a forage-based diet is not just a recommendation; it’s essential for their health, energy and overall performance. Understanding their unique digestive system helps highlight why forage …

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Texas A&M AgriLife leads program prioritizing mounted patrol horses’ health, safety

Mounted patrol
In the upcoming course, veterinary professionals will educate riders on what they need to know to maintain a mounted patrol horse’s health and safety. (Laura McKenzie/Texas A&M AgriLife)

Equine health course to equip riders with essential horse care skills October 10, 2024 – by Ashley Vargo Texas A&M University System veterinarians and Texas A&M AgriLife educational development specialists are collaborating to deliver a new training program to educate mounted patrol units throughout the nation on all the skills needed to care for their …

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Support the Outbreak Alerts You Rely On!

Equine Rhinitis Virus-B

The Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC), which provides the vital Outbreak Alerts many of our readers and members appreciate, is conducting a biosecurity survey with support from the USDA. By participating, you’re helping protect horses from infectious diseases and ensuring the EDCC can continue improving this valuable resource for the …

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Colorado has confirmed four cases of equine West Nile Virus (WNV) so far in 2024

West Nile Virus
Image provided by Fotolia

Colorado Department of Agriculture Animal Health Division From the Quarterly Newsletter: Summer/Fall 2024 The first case, an unvaccinated 18-month-old Quarter Horse filly from Pueblo County was euthanized on July 14, 2024, after presenting with ataxia, anorexia, abnormal mentation, recumbency, and cranial nerve deficits. Treatment was initiated but was unsuccessful. Since mid-July, …

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Equine owners advised to act against EEE

EEE vaccinations
Horse owners should take precautions to protect their animals against EEE and other mosquito-borne diseases, according to Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory experts. (Courtney Sacco/Texas A&M AgriLife)

Texas A&M AgriLife veterinarian recommends vaccinations to protect horses from mosquito-borne disease by Adam Russell A Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, expert advises horse owners to take proactive steps to protect their horses after cases of eastern equine encephalitis, EEE, infections in two Houston County horses were confirmed. These are the …

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Preventing Dehydration in the Horse

With exercise, the body temperature rises. This heat must be dissipated, or the horse will literally “cook”! The body cools itself through the evaporation of sweat, so sweating is especially important for the exercising horse. The sweat contains water and electrolytes, or salts. The main electrolytes are sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, …

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Testing 1-2-3 – Strangles Research

Testing
Testing is an important part of a recovery plan from a Strangles outbreak. Photo Credit: Canva

Strangles, the highly contagious upper respiratory disease caused by the bacterium, Streptococcus equi (S. equi) has been front and centre on social media lately with numerous disease alerts being posted. These alerts are triggered by positive test results for S. equi and reported by an official laboratory to the provincial or state veterinary office. Given the …

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