On June 18, an 18-year-old Paint mare in Montgomery County, Maryland, tested positive for salmonellosis. The mare developed clinical signs on June 14, including fever, diarrhea, and systemic inflammatory response syndrome. She was referred to an equine hospital for evaluation and treatment under isolation protocol.Fecal samples collected upon hospital admission tested positive forSalmonellaby PCR and culture. The mare has reportedly improved with treatment. Several other horses at the mares home farm have also been treated for fever, diarrhea, and/or colic over the past week.EDCC Health Watch is an Equine Network marketing program that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and disseminate verified equine disease reports. TheEDCCis an independent nonprofit organization that is supported by industry donations in order to provide open access to infectious disease information.About SalmonellosisSalmonellosis is a contagious and zoonotic bacterial infection caused bySalmonella spp, which causes enterocolitis. Clinically normal horses can transiently shed Salmonella, with shedding more common during:Concurrent illness: antibacterial usage, physiological disturbanceStress: transportation, social, nutritionalGastrointestinal disturbance: motility (especially colic), feed changeClinical signs of salmonellosis include diarrhea, fever, lethargy, anorexia, colic, localized infection, sepsis and septic shock. Foals are commonly more seriously affected with profound systemic illness, including hemorrhagic diarrhea, pneumonia, meningitis, inflammation of growth plate and septic arthritis.Treatment of the severe form of salmonellosis is based on IV fluid and electrolyte replacement and efforts to control the hosts responses initiated by the systemic inflammatory response.Prevention of salmonellosis is difficult, because the organism is present in the environment as well as in the feces of some healthy animals. Isolation and increased biosecurity are needed to prevent spread of the disease.

Sponsored content in collaboration with The Insurance EmporiumAs horse owners, we all want to keep our horses healthy, happy and safe, and while we all tend to think that the worst wont happen, factoring in the unexpected is a huge part of owning any animal especially one thats as big and unpredictable as a horse. What if they develop a serious health condition or need surgery? What if they damage someone elses property, or are stolen? Our animals dont have access to the kind of health care that we do, and vets fees can really add up. But while we all know that horse insurance can help protect against unexpected costs, were also very aware of the rising cost of living and so we want to be sure that were getting the right policy and only paying for the things we need. To help understand horse insurance a bit better, the experts at The Insurance Emporium, who have been providing specialist horse insurance for years, have put together this short guide to answer some of the most common questionswhen it comes to choosing a policy.Why should I consider horse insurance? Whether youre an owner, a breeder, a trainer or a rider, youll know how fulfilling it is to be around horses, but youll also know that theyre not the cheapest animal to look after. After the initial cost of buying them, you have to think about livery costs, food, forage and bedding, as well as regular visits to the vet, farrier and dentist. This is before you even factor in them being ill, or involved in an accident, or even stolen. It would be good to be able to base their treatment on what they need. What does horse insurance cover? At The Insurance Emporium, horse insurance comes with one standard benefit: Death, Theft or Straying.This is for if the horse dies or is put to sleep or is not found within 90 days of straying or being stolen from the stabling address. You can then tweak your policy to suit you and your horse with a choice of optional benefits, which include: Vets FeesThe cost of treatment and/or complementary treatment of each injury, illness or condition. Complimentary TherapyThis must be carried out by your vet or a qualified practitioner. Referral Vet Transportation and LiveryThe cost of transportation to and from a livery yard whilst the horse remains at the referral vets. Disposal CostsThe cost of removal and disposal of the horses body if the horse dies or is put to sleep by a vet. Saddlery and TackWhere your saddlery and tack are stolen or accidentally damaged whilst you are taking part in or preparing for an activity specified in your type of use. Loss of Use (Permanent Incapacity)An illness, injury or condition that prevents your horse carrying out the functions for which it was insured. Public Liability (Standard)Your legal liability to others for compensation and costs arising out of the ownership or use of your horse. Personal AccidentDeath, permanent disablement, loss of hearing, sight, or limbs as a result of an injury sustained whilst riding, leading, handling or caring for the horse. Dental TreatmentDental treatment following an accidental bodily injury to your mouth and/or teeth whilst riding your horse. What do I need to consider when taking out horse insurance? Their age. Their health. Their breed. Their intended use. Exclusions certain treatments and pre-existing conditions may not be covered and youll need to inform your insurance company as soon as possible if there are any changes to your circumstances that could affect your policy. What other questions should I ask?Does horse insurance cover injuries to riders? Yes, when the personal accident optional benefit is included in a policy, youre covered if you sustain an accidental bodily injury as a result of riding, handling, caring for, or interacting with your horse and that injury results in your death, loss of hearing, sight or limbs or renders you totally permanently disabled for a consecutive period of 365 days. Do I need to insure my horse trailer? Youre not legally obliged to have horse trailer insurance, but towing a trailer does come with risks and so taking out cover might be worth considering, particularly if you attend horse shows/events, buy or sell horses, own stables or train horses. You can also get insurance if you hire a horse trailer. Can I get horse insurance for pre-existing conditions? No, your horse wont be covered for pre-existing conditions, which means injuries or illnesses that existed before your policy started. Are racehorses and competition horses covered by standard horse insurance? We do not insure racehorses at The Insurance Emporium, but our horse policy allows you to compete just make sure you select the appropriate type of equestrian activities when going through the quotation. What if I have an older horse? Our veteran horse insurance covers horses 20 years and over. There is no upper age limit. Do horses need insurance on the road? While theres no legal requirement to have insurance when riding on the road, most responsible riders have insurance that includes public liability. Do horse riders need insurance? If you dont own a horse, but ride one, a Horse Rider Only policy will provide cover for you, and some emergency cover for the horse, for example, emergency vet fees. Whats the maximum value that you can insure a horse for? This figure may differ between insurance companies. A horse can be insured with us for up to 15,000. What if my horse is ridden by someone else? Your horse or veteran horse policy will usually cover any person, aged between five and 75, who is riding, leading, handling or caring for your horse with your permission. What does excess mean? An excess is the part you pay towards a claim. With our horse insurance policies, theres no excess to pay on our Standard Benefit, but there are three optional benefits where you need to pay an excess.This applies to Vets Fees, Saddlery and Tack, and Public Liability (Standard), so its important to check your policy schedule. What does loss of use mean? There are two types of Loss of Use:Complete: this is where your horse cannot undertake any functions for which it was vetted and insured, and it is put to sleep.Partial: where your horse cannot undertake any functions for which it was vetted and insured but can undertake other equestrian activities, or you choose to breed or retire them. Are there any conditions for keeping my saddlery and tack safe? Yes, when not in use you need to adhere to security requirements, such as these, otherwise your insurance may be invalid, and your claim may be rejected. Can I insure more than one horse? Yes, you can insure more than one horse, and you may even be eligible for a multi-horse discount. At The Insurance Emporium, if you insure more than one horse, you will be eligible for an extra 10% discount on each of your horse insurance policies. The multi-horse discount is either applied at the start of any new horse policies or at renewal of existing horse policies. Having horse insurance in place could mean that if you are faced with an unexpected bill for an injury, illness or accident etc, then you know you have the right cover for you, your horse and your budget. Visit The Insurance Emporium website, or give them a call and get a free, no-strings quote today. Lifestyle Policy Limited is an appointed representative of The Equine and Livestock Insurance Company Limited. The Insurance Emporium is a trading name of The Equine and Livestock Insurance Company Limited (registered in England and Wales no: 294940) which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority no:202748. All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. We make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. We will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. We will not be liable for any loss, injury, or damage arising from the display or use of this information. This policy is subject to change at any time. We offer a variety of cover levels, so please check the policy cover suits your needs before purchasing. For your protection, please ensure you read the Insurance Product Information Document (IPID) and policy wording, for information on policy exclusions and limitations. Images ShutterstockRelated content Essential guide to horse health insuranceWhat does Death of Horse insurance actually cover? *Sponsored*Expert guide to public liability cover *Sponsored*The post Top tips for choosing the most appropriate insurance policy for you and your horse *Ad feature* appeared first on Your Horse.

According to the state veterinarian, one horse in Ward County, North Dakota, has tested positive for strangles. One additional horse is suspected to be positive.EDCC Health Watch is an Equine Network marketing program that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and disseminate verified equine disease reports. TheEDCCis an independent nonprofit organization that is supported by industry donations in order to provide open access to infectious disease information.About StranglesStranglesin horses is an infection caused byStreptococcus equisubspeciesequiand spread through direct contact with other equids or contaminated surfaces. Horses that arent showing clinical signs can harbor and spread the bacteria, and recovered horses remain contagious for at least six weeks, with the potential to cause outbreaks long-term.Infected horses can exhibit a variety of clinical signs:FeverSwollen and/or abscessed lymph nodesNasal dischargeCoughing or wheezingMuscle swellingDifficulty swallowingVeterinarians diagnose horses using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing with either a nasal swab, wash, or an abscess sample, and they treat most cases based on clinical signs, implementing antibiotics for severe cases. Overuse of antibiotics can prevent an infected horse from developing immunity. Most horses make a full recovery in three to four weeks.A vaccine is available but not always effective. Biosecurity measures of quarantining new horses at a facility and maintaining high standards of hygiene and disinfecting surfaces can helplower the risk of outbreakorcontain one when it occurs.

A man has completed a three-week trek visiting Dorsets hill forts, accompanied by his faithful Dales pony, who he led in hand for the entire adventure.Roger Sewill and Scarlet took on the challenge from 14 April to 5 May, encountering everything from unpredictable weather and kit malfunctions, to blocked paths and bogs.The pair even found themselves with screeching apes to one side and cars speeding past the other, as they walked along the road beside Monkey World.Roger said the trip strengthened the bond between himself and his mare, and leading her in hand allowed him to become more in tune with her behaviour.Credit: Shannon Marsh-LloydI do ride, but my interest has always been long distance walking, and when we got Scarlet I realised there was a lovely opportunity to walk with her, he told Your Horse. She could carry my pack, and we could go off on adventures together. I really enjoy the unrestricted approach, allowing Scarlet to have a voice as she walks beside me. She walks slower than I would normally, and I really enjoy trying to engage with her space, so when she stops and looks into the horizon, I also stop and do that.Your paces come in sync with the horse when youre walking photographers along the route kept saying, Roger your steps are identical with Scarlets. They bring you into their herd more than you bring them into yours.Credit: Shannon Marsh-LloydRoger noticed how Scarlet carefully selected and picked at different grasses and plants along the route, as well as making subtle changes of position to ensure she was on the flattest area of the track, even if that meant switching sides with him.She was pulling herself into the center of the road so that her center of gravity was balanced and all the stuff on her back was balanced I suddenly found myself in the middle of the road too and realised that was more comfortable, he recalled.I allowed Scarlett to help me notice more things that I would have just missed in my normal horse world, or just walking by myself.Credit: Shannon Marsh-LloydAccompanied by a student film crew from Bournemouth University, who documented the trip, Roger and Scarlet navigated all manner of terrains and obstacles.At one point, the pair found themselves stuck in an overgrown path between fallen logs, but Scarlet was able to find her way out of trouble with remarkable ease.Each time she scrambled over huge logs and through really thick shrub, Roger explained.On another occasion, when Roger was struggling to descend a narrow and steep track, Scarlet carefully made her way down, ensuring she didnt step on Roger and cementing his trust in relationship.Credit: Shannon Marsh-LloydThis wasnt the first challenge Roger and Scarlet have completed, and in 2024, the pair trekked 200 miles from Surrey to Dorset.Roger said he found that challenge a steep learning curve, but Scarlet soon settled in to the routine and became stronger as the trek continued, as she also did on this years adventure.The land agent is now in the process of planning his next trek, takingScarlet back to the Yorkshire Dales to walk the Pennine Way and focus on Dales ponies and their history.Lead image by Shannon Marsh-LloydRelated contentThis is why hacking a horse in-hand will do wonders for your bond and confidenceBored of round the block? Four ways to find new hacking routesLove hacking? These are the big benefits of every ride for you and your horseHorse behaviour explained: why everything they do has meaningThe post Scarlet has a voice as she walks beside me: Man completes three-week trek with Dales pony appeared first on Your Horse.

Mid-summer in the UK: what changes for your horse?British summer weather can be unpredictable, but even not that hot days can feel sticky and tiring for horsesespecially when humidity rises and flies are at their worst. Mid-summer is also when routines get busier (shows, clinics, longer hacks), while ground can turn firm and grazing can fluctuate after rain.The goal isnt to do everything perfectly. Its to focus on a few simple habits that make your horse more comfortable and help you spot problems early.1) Hydration: the easiest summer winHydration underpins everything: energy levels, temperature regulation, digestion, and recovery after work. Rather than chasing a specific litres per day number, aim for consistent access to clean water and a routine that encourages drinking.Simple hydration checksMake sure your horse has fresh water available at all times in the stable and field.Clean buckets and troughs regularlyalgae and stale smells can put horses off.If your horse is stabled, travelling, or competing, keep a closer eye on daily intake.Easy ways to encourage drinkingAdd extra water to feeds (a sloppy mash can be a useful top-up).Offer two buckets in the stable (some horses drink more when given a choice).If you use electrolytes, always provide plain water alongside and follow the product directions carefully.If youre reviewing your horses diet for summer work, you may find it helpful to browse Horse Feed & Supplements and, where appropriate, Horse Salt & Mineral Licks as part of an overall hydration and recovery plan.2) Heat management: turnout timing, shade and cool-downsIn the UK, its often the combination of warmth and humidity that catches horses out. Adjusting the timing of work and turnout can make a big difference.Turnout and riding timingRide early morning or later evening when possible.Consider bringing horses in during the hottest part of the day if theyre more settled indoors.Check that field shade actually lastsshade moves as the sun shifts.Cooling down after exercise (steady and sensible)Walk until breathing begins to settle before doing anything else.Use cool water on large muscle groups (neck, chest, shoulders, hindquarters).Scrape off excess water and repeat to help cooling rather than leaving warm water sitting on the coat.3) Flies and itch: a practical plan that doesnt take over your lifeMid-summer flies can make horses miserable, distract them during work, and trigger rubbing in sensitive horses. A layered approach usually works best: tidy management first, then add protection.Start with yard and field managementMuck out regularly and remove droppings from turnout where practical.Keep water areas tidy to reduce mud and standing water.Stable during peak fly times if your horse is badly affected.Add protection your horse will tolerateFly rugs/sheets for body coverage.Fly repellents for targeted areas (patch test if your horse has sensitive skin).Extra support for horses that rub or react to pollen and midges.For mid-summer essentials, you can explore Horse Fly Sheets & Rugs, Horse Fly Repellents, and the broader Horse Fly & Pollen collection to build a simple routine that suits your horse.When rubbing needs a closer lookIf your horse is rubbing mane/tail, getting sore patches, or seems unusually irritable, dont assume its just flies. Check rug fit, consider skin infections or mites, and speak to your vet if skin is broken, weeping, or worsening.4) Hooves and firm ground: stay ahead of summer sorenessDry spells often mean harder ground and stonier tracks, which can increase concussion and bruising riskespecially if youre doing more roadwork or longer hacks.Quick daily checksPick out feet daily and watch for stones, bruising, or tenderness.Keep an eye on cracks and flaredry weather can make feet more brittle.Adjust workload if the ground is very firm; fitness builds over weeks, strains can happen in seconds.If youre topping up your hoof-care kit for the season, take a look at Horse Hoof Care for practical options to support day-to-day maintenance.5) A mid-summer save this checklistWater: clean, plentiful, easy to access.Routine: ride in cooler hours; tweak turnout if needed.Cooling: walk, hose/sponge, scrape, repeat.Flies: management + coverage + repellent.Skin: act early on rubbing and sore patches.Feet: watch for bruising and firm-ground soreness.Veterinary disclaimerThis article is general guidance and isnt a substitute for veterinary advice. If your horse seems unwell, distressed by heat, shows signs of dehydration or colic, becomes footy, or has worsening skin irritation, contact your vet promptly.If youd like to make your summer routine a little easier, have a browse through our fly and hoof-care ranges and consider joining our email list for seasonal horse-care tips and updates.