Horse

Is Artificial Insemination Better for Horses? AI has many potential benefits for horses, including mare safety and transportation considerations. Intact stallions breeding via live cover can be potentially dangerous for all involved—both the horses and their handlers. If a mare is not quite ready to be bred yet, she may reject the stallion which can involve squealing and kicking; and stallions in the heat of the moment often forget their manners. Helmets are important for handlers as the stallion often flings his hooves out when trying to mount the mare, and both horses can decide to kick. The act of breeding can also cause trauma to the mare’s reproductive tract occasionally, and stallions often bite or create wounds on the mare’s side. While AI may have slightly lower success rates in comparison to live cover, the safety considerations are considerable, and it is much easier to ship semen overnight than having to ship your mare to potentially another state to reside there during the breeding season until success has been achieved.,What Are the Disadvantages of Artificial Insemination in Horses? One of the largest disadvantages of AI vs. live covering your mare with a nearby stallion is the cost. Fees for breeding AI include the breeding contract, veterinary exams, shipping fees for semen, along with any surprise complications or repeat fees if things don’t go according to plan. Common obstacles include issues discussed above, along with unforeseen shipping delays or issues, missed ovulations, and not making “the list” in time on day of collection (each semen collection only makes a set number of doses, which is shipped on a “first come, first serve” basis). Featured Image: iStock.com/nigelb10,What Is Artificial Insemination in Horses? Artificial insemination (AI) in horses has become a popular breeding technique, as it allows horse breeders to improve the genetic quality of their herd without the risks of natural breeding. AI in horses involves the collection, preservation, and transfer of semen from a stallion to a mare. AI is helpful when a particular stallion may live far away from the mare, or when a mare has been difficult to impregnate. The AI process allows for more control in the breeding of a mare than natural “live cover,” or pasture breeding.

Jump to section What is Colic in Horses? Types of Colic What Causes Colic in Horses? Symptoms of Colic in Horses What to Do if Your Suspect Your Horse Has Colic When to Call Your Veterinarian Treatment for Colic in Horses Caring for Your Horse After Colic How to Prevent Colic in Horses

Many horse owners choose to have their horse’s body clipped in warm weather to help keep them cool, or in cold weather to help regulate their body temperature while working.   It’s important to do your research when purchasing horse clippers, so you can achieve the best  results. 

In This Article Can All Horses Swim? View 3 More +

Atopic/Allergic Horses can be born with a specific allergy or develop allergies as the seasons change. Skin problems as a result of allergies may include: Hives: Just like people, horses can have allergic reactions to things in the environment including pollens, detergents/chemicals on riding equipment, or even components of their own sweat. Hives are raised swellings or bumps on the skin that can be itchy. Sweet itch/insect hypersensitivity: These conditions are exaggerated reactions to insect bites that can result in welts, hair loss, itchiness, and other symptoms. Granulomas: These are small nodules that typically form along the horse’s back and are made up of collections of allergy-driven immune cells. They are often seen as a response to a sensitivity to detergents or chemicals in saddle pads or other riding gear.,Tumors Tumors may appear in horses as cancer or as benign growths as a horse gets older. Some common skin tumors in horses include: Sarcoids: These tumors can vary greatly in appearance. Although they are not malignant tumors that will invade other organ systems, they can become very large and locally invasive, especially when aggravated by attempted surgical removal. Melanoma: These cancerous tumors are most often found in gray horses. Gray horses are predisposed to melanoma development but the underlying cause of the tumor growth is still unknown at this time. They can form anywhere on the horse but are commonly seen around the rectum and tail head. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC): This cancer is most often found in and around the horse’s eyes and on the penis. It can become malignant if not addressed at an early stage. Certain breeds such as Haflingers and Belgians are predisposed to SCC.,Are you noticing bumps on your horse’s skin? There are many different problems that can affect the skin of a horse. These issues can range from very simple allergies or dermatitises to parasites or tumors such as sarcoids and melanomas. When dealing with horse skin conditions, it is important to understand the root cause of the issue to treat it effectively.

Strangles is a highly contagious bacterial infection that affects horses worldwide. One study from the Georgia Department of Agriculture suggests that the infection rate of equine strangles can be up to 100% in close-knit herds, while the mortality rate is less than 10% thanks to advancements in equine medical care. “Younger horses, unvaccinated horses, and those with weakened immune systems are most susceptible to the disease,” says Selena Young, DVM, at Cleary Lake Veterinary Hospital in Prior Lake, Minnesota. Strangles can also spread very quickly in areas where there are high horse densities. This includes horse shows, auctions, and large boarding facilities. Emma Bliss, DVM, a mixed animal veterinary practitioner, warns that strangles “can also manifest into other syndromes like ‘bastard strangles’ that affect the lymph nodes throughout the body. [This is] where the immune system becomes aggravated and [lymph nodes] swell up in various places around the body.”,Strangles in horses is a highly contagious infection that requires quick action from horse owners if symptoms are noticed. Strangles is a reportable disease, which means any case must be reported to the state veterinarian and the horse must be quarantined. It’s important to understand what causes strangles in horses, the signs to look for, and how to help your equine companion start feeling better.

In This Article Summary View 7 More +

Reviewed for accuracy December 13, 2022. The Argentine Criollo is a small, muscular horse breed that originated in Argentina. Known for its great stamina and capacity for hard work, the Argentine Criollo needs little care and is even resistant to some of the more common horse illnesses. Physical Characteristics The Criollo is one of the hardiest breeds ever known to man. Countless accounts of its tirelessness, endurance, and speed have been recorded and reached legendary status, making the Argentine Criollo one of the most trusted horses when it comes to long voyages. Measuring about 14 hands tall (56 inches, 142 centimeters), the Argentine Criollo has a concave (sometimes straight) profile, heavily muscled back and shoulders, and a brawny neck. Its croup is Barb-like, while its legs are striped, short, and powerful. The Argentine Criollo also has a thick mane and tail. The Argentine Criollo is accepted in most colors, excluding paint and tobiano; they also commonly have slight striping along their legs and a black stripe down the middle of their back.

Recovery and Management of Proud Flesh in Horses It may take a couple of weeks to several months to recover from proud flesh, depending on the severity of the tissue overproduction and the size of the wound. Frequent rechecks with your veterinarian are critical to the best possible outcome. The goal is to keep the granulation tissue from becoming over-productive while new skin cells are being produced and are growing over the wound.  If the area of proud flesh is small and not in a highly mobile area of skin, the horse may undergo light exercise, but should not be turned out unattended. If they have a large area of proud flesh that is in a highly mobile area or a cast, they should be on stall rest and taken for several 10–20 minute walks per day on a lead. These daily walks are recommended to help prevent colic. Since the horses should not be running around during recovery, it is important to provide them with things to keep them from getting bored and becoming destructive. Examples may include hiding treats in their stall or giving them a jolly ball to play with.   Prevention of Proud Flesh in Horses The best way to treat proud flesh is to prevent it from occurring. The best way to prevent proud flesh is to close any wounds by suturing the skin edges closed. Unfortunately, due to the nature of some horse wounds, this may not be possible. Additionally, even when the skin is sutured together, there is always the possibility that the closure will fail. This can be due to movement, inflammation in the horse’s tissues, or infection.   With time and careful attention to how your horse’s wound is healing, recovery from proud flesh has a good prognosis. Featured Image: Adobe/Reimar,References Cable, Christina. Ball, Mike. AAEP. Proud Flesh | AAEP. Haspel, Allison. AAEP. Understanding Proud Flesh | AAEP. Schumacher J. Tips for Managing Horses with Wounds of the Distal Portion of the Limb. 2019. Welker F. Basics of Wound Healing: Predicting the Future. Western Veterinary Conference. 2013.,What Is Proud Flesh in Horses? Proud flesh is the overproduction of granulation tissue in a horse. Granulation tissue is the material that the body makes during wound repair. Medically, this condition is known as “exuberant granulation tissue.” It is recognized by its red, bumpy, cobblestone appearance. Proud flesh is a very common condition in horses–occurring most often on the horse’s legs, below the knee and hock. Full skin thickness wounds that have not been closed with sutures and are left to heal on their own are at risk of developing proud flesh. Wounds on your horse should be addressed with urgency. Any wound over a joint or tendon constitutes an emergency. For optimal healing, wounds should be sutured closed within eight hours of their occurrence.

In This Article Overview View 8 More +