About 15 years ago, in response to emergent disease conditions within the central Kentucky Thoroughbred herd, lead researcher John Timoney, MVB, DSc, PhD, of the Gluck Equine Research Centera UK Ag Equine Program and part of the Department of Veterinary Science in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment at the University of Kentuckyworked in conjunction with a team of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute (Hagyard) veterinarians to create Salmonella and Clostridium vaccines. The vaccines success was considered a milestone moment for the health and welfare of the Thoroughbred population. Recently, that same partnership has come together again to enhance the Salmonella vaccine in hopes of delivering a similar outcome.Over the past several years, veterinarians have observed an increase in horses with Salmonella, said Nathan Slovis, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, CHT, of Hagyard. We began working to improve the existing vaccine to address the issue.Yosra Helmy, PhD, an associate professor at the Gluck Center, helped identify one of the circulating strains as Salmonella Saintpaul. Whole-genome sequencing revealed the Salmonella Saintpaul isolates were genetically highly similar and clustered together, indicating they were closely related. The core genomes of the Kentucky strains closely resembled those from outbreaks in Texas and Georgia in 2023 and showed acquisition of antibiotic-resistance genes. This pattern is consistent with clonal expansion, meaning the strains likely originated from a closely related lineage with only minor genetic differences.When an infectious disease threat emerges in horses, rapid response is essential, said Helmy. Whole-genome sequencing allowed us to identify the circulating Salmonella strain and support a targeted vaccine update. This work shows how Kentuckys equine health community can quickly translate genomic data into practical protection for horses and the Thoroughbred industry.Today, the Salmonella vaccine has introduced the addition of two new subspecies designed specifically to protect against Salmonella infections. Slovis; Luke Fallon, DVM, medical director at Hagyard; the Hagyard Laboratory; and other Hagyard veterinarians spearheaded both the enhancement of the vaccine and the assessment of its efficacy.This achievement reflects the dedication of leading experts who collaborated to ensure the best outcomes for the horses in our care, said Fallon, who is also a fifth-generation member of the Hagyard founding family. The vaccine was developed through extensive pro bono work by the Gluck Equine Research Center and Hagyard veterinarians, with financial support from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association. We are proud to continue Hagyards longstanding commitment to equine health and well-being. This milestone marks a highlight in an already remarkable year for Hagyard.

Preparing your mare and foal for weaning can make the process less stressful for both. | Anne M. Eberhardt/The HorseWeaning a foal from his dam can be a stressful time as he learns independence, but there are steps you can take to ease the process for both broodmare and baby.Understanding the Weaning ProcessWeaning often comes with an environment change, such as a new pasture or stall, a change in herd status and hierarchy, and a change in diet, says Carly Turner-Garcia, DVM, Dipl. ACT, of Black Type Equine, in Coyle, Oklahoma. Any of these factors can result in an increase of cortisol, the stress hormone, and can decrease the bodys inflammatory and immune response. Basically, everything that theyve known is now different, kind of like dropping your kid off at the first day of kindergarten or preschool, she adds.Christine Skelly, PhD, equine extension specialist at Michigan State University (MSU), in East Lansing, says mares typically seem to cope with weaning relatively quickly. Foals, however, can experience greater challenges during the transition and might be at increased risk for developing mild upper respiratory infections or nutritional imbalances, weight changes, stress colitis, or even colic in severe cases. Easing the transition helps reduce those risks.From just a social aspect, the foal has an extremely strong bond with their dam, so when we break that bond during weaning, especially when we do it very abruptly, without anything to replace the nutrition and the comfort the mare provides, were putting a lot of stress on the foal, says Skelly. The mares seem to get over weaning sooner and with a little less trouble. As soon as their bag dries up, theyre pretty much on the road (to recovery).From a psychological standpoint, we want to ensure the foal continues to learn how to interact with other horses, she adds. The dams job was to teach their baby manners and help them learn how to communicate with other horses and even people, and those lessons need to continue as the weanling adjusts to their new group dynamics.Preparing Your Foal for WeaningHorse owners and farm managers commonly wean foals when theyre 4 to 6 months old. Garcia recommends starting a vaccination program before separation because vaccinating during weaning could trigger a strong immune response in an already stressed animal. Its also a good idea to deworm your foal before weaning to reduce the chance of gastrointestinal stress.Introduce concentrate feed (creep feed) while the foal is still nursing so he becomes accustomed to eating a balanced ration before weaning. The energy content of a mares milk starts to decrease after a few months of lactation, so adding feed to the foals diet supports immunity as well as healthy muscle and bone development.Start creep feeding around 2 to 3 months of age, providing the foal usually a pound of feed per month of age, says Skelly. They may not eat all of the feed because they still have access to the mares milk. Ensure the creep feed is formulated to match the foals stage of growth. Then, when we do separate the foal and dam, the foal is already well adjusted to the concentrate ration.Setting Your Mare and Foal Up for SuccessResearchers have shown a gradual transition away from the mare eases stress during the weaning process. If the mare and foal are turned out with other mares and foals, and you dont have a visual barrier at your farm, separating all the foals at once will help them cope better. Skelly has weaned foals several ways and, for larger herds of mares and foals, she prefers to put foals on one side of a fence and mares on the other. She recommends using 2-by-4-inch woven wire or diamond mesh fencing so the weanlings cannot nurse through the fence.??They still can see each other for several days, and stay in close quarters, she says. Then over time, the mares drift off, trying to find better pasture, and at some point, they lose interest in their foals. The foals are grouped with their fellow weanlings that they have grown up with, so they have companionship. They also have access to free exercise, which will help their bones and muscles grow healthy and strong.Skelly says at MSU, a few months prior to removing any broodmares from the pasture, she and her colleagues turn an older mare out with the mares and foals. As each foal reaches 6 months of age, they remove his or her dam from the pasture. In this situation, the group stays relatively stable since youre only removing one or two mares at a time, she explains. Its not as abrupt as all the mares leaving at once, and all the babies yelling. You may have one foal running around, but nobody else is running around with them, so the group stays a little calmer. The older mare provides some adult stability to the group while the weanlings adjust to their new situation.Garcia says theres no one-size-fits-all approach to weaning. The best method often depends on your farm and the resources available. Stall weaning involves putting the mare in a stall next to the foal for about a week, then taking the mare away. There might be a little bit of hollering, but for the most part, it goes pretty smoothly, she says. Theyre herd animals, so as long as they have a herd for moral support, they do a lot better.She also recommends avoiding any drastic changes to the environment, such as moving the foal to a new barn or introducing additional management changes during weaning.The technique of putting two foals in a stall together can sometimes cause more stress as they try to figure out their hierarchy, she adds. It might work for some people, but thats a very small space to have two stressed-out animals crammed in together, so its not my preference, Garcia notes.Take-Home MessageWeaning is one of the first major transitions in a horses life and, while it can be stressful, thoughtful preparation can ease the process. A gradual approach that minimizes disruption can reduce stress and health risks while helping the foal adjust successfully to independence.

Stephanie L. Church/The HorseAir is an often-overlooked part of biosecurity inequine hospitals and indoor specialty care facilities.Manual cleaningcanoften miss whatremainsin the air and what resettles on surfaces.These pathogens can drive the spread of infectiousdiseases,causing an increase incosts, as well as fatalities.Dan Dreyfuss, DVM, MA, will introduce the science behind patented DHP technology. Synexis DHP technology generates dry hydrogen peroxideatouchless, continuouspathogen controlmethod that treatsthe air and surfacesin occupied spaces, enhancing biosecurity protocols.Whatyoulllearn:The most often overlooked biosecurity threats and elementsEnhancing existing protocols with tested, practical technology. The layer that your current protocol may be missing.Howthetechnology works,whyitssafe for useinoccupiedenvironments including healthcare facilities, and why it should be included inbiosecurity practicesWho should attend:Equineveterinarians,technicians,rescues,quarantinefacilities,equinetransportcompaniesRegister NowThis webcast begins on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. EDT Days Hours MinutesAbout the Expert: Dan Dreyfuss, DVM, MADan Dreyfuss, DVM, is a veterinary medicine expert with more than 40 years of clinical, scientific, and industry experience. With a background in cell and developmental biology and a DVM from UC Davis, Dreyfusshas driven innovation across the animal health landscape. Dreyfuss'expertisespans equine and companion animal medicine and surgery, pharmaceutical development, technical sales, and scientific communications, complemented by his leadership in developing RACE-approved continuing education programs and pioneering technical content for veterinary professionals across industry and academia.

One horse at a private facility in Snohomish County, Washington, recently tested positive for strangles. The horse is quarantined and recovering under veterinary care.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.

According to the USDAs Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, one new vesicular stomatitis (VSV)-positive equine premises has been identified in Santa Fe County, New Mexico.Since October 2025, VSV has been identified at 15 equine premises in Arizona, one equine premises in Colorado, and three equine premises in New Mexico. All confirmed caseshave been vesicular stomatitis New Jersey virus (VSNJV) serotype.The last outbreak of VSV in the U.S. occurred from May 2023 through January 2024, affecting 319 premises across California, Nevada, and Texas. VSV circulates annually between livestock and insect vectors in southern Mexico and only occasionally results in incursion to the U.S.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 Vesicular StomatitisVesicular stomatitis is a viral disease of horses, donkeys, mules, cattle, swine and New World camelids that occurs in the Western Hemisphere. It is named for the characteristic vesicular lesions it causes in the form of blisters, crusts and ulceration of the lips, muzzle, nose, tongue, ears, sheath, teats and/or coronary band. The virus is transmitted by biting midges and therefore is seasonal.Clinical Signs for vesicular stomatitis include:Vesicle formation leading to ulcerative lesions on the lips, muzzle, nostrils and tongue. The tongue is often the most severely affected area.Ulceration of the inner surface of the lips.Crusting of the muzzle, nostrils, and/or inside the ears.Excessive salivation secondary to the oral lesions.Difficulty picking up and chewing feed.Lameness due to painful erosions on the coronary band.Lesions can occur on the udder, sheath and inside of the ear.Lesions can develop secondary infections resulting in slow-to-heal wounds.Animals on pastures are at increased risk of vesicular stomatitis.Initial diagnosis is based on recognition of characteristic vesicular lesions. Infection is confirmed via laboratory testing for serum antibodies and/or virus identification in fluid samples from active lesions. Veterinarians are required to report suspected cases to state/federal animal health officials who will direct sample submission to an approved regulatory laboratory for diagnostic testing.There is no specific treatment for vesicular stomatitis. Best practices include implementing good biosecurity and treating affected horses with pain relievers, anti-inflammatories and supportive care as recommended by a veterinarian.Isolating all affected animals and placing the premise on immediate quarantine is required until all horses have fully recovered and no active lesions are present. The State Veterinarian will work with the local veterinarian to determine and implement necessary quarantine procedures.

On June 8, an 18-year-old Thoroughbred gelding in Simcoe County, Ontario, tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). The horse developed edema in all four limbs on June 6. His clinical signs progressed to acute hindlimb ataxia and bladder paralysis, and he was taken to an equine referral hospital that day. He became recumbent on June 8 and was euthanized.Fifteen additional horses have been exposed to the disease. The facility owner has implemented animal movement restrictions and biosecurity protocols.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.EHV 101Herpesvirus is highly contagious among horses and can cause a variety of ailments in equids, including rhinopneumonitis (a respiratory disease usually found in young horses), abortion in broodmares, and EHM.In many horses, the first or only sign of EHV-1 infection is fever, which can go undetected.In addition to fever, other common signs of EHV-1 infection in young horses include cough, decreased appetite, depression, and a nasal discharge. Pregnant mares typically show no signs of infection before they abort, and abortions usually occur late in gestation (around eight months) but can be earlier. Abortions can occur anywhere from two weeks to several months following infection with EHV-1.Horses with EHM usually have a fever at the onset of the disease and might show signs of a respiratory infection. A few days later, neurologic signs such as ataxia (incoordination), weakness or paralysis of the fore- and hind limbs, urine retention and dribbling, loss of tail tone, and recumbency (inability to rise) develop.Herpesvirus is easily spread by nose-to-nose or close contact with an infectious horse; sharing contaminated equipment including bits, buckets, and towels; or clothing, hands, or equipment of people who have recently had contact with an infectious horse.Routine biosecurity measures, including hygiene and basic cleaning and disinfection practices, should be in place at all times to help prevent disease spread.Current EHV-1 vaccines might reduce viral shedding but are not protective against the neurologic form of the disease. Implementing routine biosecurity practices is the best way to minimize viral spread, and the best method of disease control is disease prevention.

Two horses in Wisconsin recently tested positive for equine influenza. The cases are located in Iowa and Columbia counties.In Iowa County, a 9-year-old Quarter Horse mare at a private facility tested positive for the disease on June 9. She presented on June 6 with a high fever and dry cough and is now recovering. One additional horse is suspected to be positive for the disease.In Columbia County, a 20-year-old gelding tested positive on June 5 after developing a fever and urine dribbling on June 1. The horse came from a local dealer that rescues horses from kill pens. He was euthanized, in part due to a presumed chronic neurologic condition. There are no other horses on the property.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 Equine InfluenzaEquine influenzais a highly contagious respiratory disease that infects horses, ponies, and other equids, such as donkeys, mules, and zebras. The virus that causes it is spread via saliva and respiratory secretions from infected horses. Horses are commonly exposed via horse-to-horse contact; aerosol transmission from coughing and sneezing; and contact with humans contaminated hands, shoes, or clothes or contaminated tack, buckets, or other equipment.Clinical signs of equine influenza infection can include a high fever (up to 106F); a dry, hacking cough; depression; weakness; anorexia; serous (watery) nasal discharge; and slightly enlarged lymph nodes. Consider monitoring your horses health at shows by taking his temperature daily, which can help you pick up on signs of infection early and take appropriate measures to reduce disease spread.Vaccinationis an important and inexpensive way to protect your horse. US Equestrian requires proof that horses have had an equine influenza vaccination within the six months prior to attending organization-sanctioned competitions or events. Your veterinarian can help you determine what other vaccines your horse might benefit from.In addition to vaccinating, following strictbiosecurity protocolscan help reduce your horses chance of infection and disease. Such measures include quarantining new equine arrivals at barns, disinfecting buckets and equipment, and preventing nose-to-nose contact between horses.

Your veterinarian can help you improve your horses comfort level if he has DSLD. | Courtesy Dr. Robert KoontzQ: How can owners and veterinarians reduce a horses joint pain when they have DSLD?A: Degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis (DSLD) results in degeneration of the suspensory ligament in all limbs, but usually we see more clinical signs in the hindlimbs than the forelimbs. The job of the suspensory ligament is to suspend the fetlock joint, hence the name. And so, horses that have DSLD will have progressive hyperextension or a dropped appearance to their fetlocks, typically in the hindlimbs. What you often see isfetlock joint pain and effusion, as well as effusion within the tendon sheathbecause the changes in their fetlock angle, as well as all inflammatory mediators(regulate the immuneand inflammatoryresponses)at the suspensory branches,leak into the adjacent synovial structures,causingsecondary joint inflammation and pain. The other thing to knowisthe suspensory ligament originates at the top of the cannonbone, rightnext to thedistal(farthest from the center of the body)hock joints in the hindlimb.There are a few things you can do to improve horses comfort level if they have DSLD. The first is to have your farrier put a heel extension shoe on their hind feet. This changes the biomechanics of their fetlocks and provides support, so they should drop their fetlocks a bit less. I also put these horses on systemic pain medications. I usually use firocoxib on them and acetaminophen because they do typically need to stay on these long-term due to the progressive nature of the disease over time.The other thing you can do is you can inject their hock joints, their hind fetlocks, and their tendon sheath to make those adjacent joints more comfortable. The product injected into the joint will also diffuse into the surrounding soft tissues, which is the suspensory ligament, so it can make the suspensory ligament feel better too and might help promote a little bit of healing. I always use orthobiologics and I never use steroids when injecting these horses because we know that steroids can worsen ligament injury, meaning it might make things worse instead of better.Also, if your horse is older, I would have your veterinarian check them for pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID, formerly equine Cushings disease). We know that PPID results in increased circulating steroid levels in the horses body, and that will also weaken the horses tendon ligaments.If you notice your horse losing hair, first consult your veterinarian and determine the underlying cause. Many causes for equine hair loss require medical treatment, but once health issues have been ruled out, investigating the diet is the next step. When feeding to improve coat health, first ensure that your horses basic nutrient needs are met with a high-quality ration balancer, then consider an additional supplement of biotin and an omega-3 fatty acid source. If you are unsure if your horses current diet is meeting his nutrient requirements, reach out to a qualified equine nutritionist.

The hock is made up of three rows of bones and three distinct joints. | Stephanie L. ChurchWith multiple rows of uniquely shaped bones, several distinct joint spaces, and a plethora of soft-tissue attachments, the horses hock (tarsus) plays a crucial role in equine locomotion. However, its complex anatomy can prove a diagnostic challenge for veterinarians.Unlike the forelimbs, lameness related to the distal extremity is less common in hind limbs, yet the hocks are a common source of pain/discomfort causing lameness, says Pablo Espinosa-Mur, DVM, DVCs, Dipl. ACVSMR, assistant professor of diagnostic imaging at Ontario Veterinary College, in Canada. Horse Hock AnatomyThe hock joint is made up of three rows of bones and three distinct joints. The bulbous ends of the horses tibias, called the malleoli, come to rest on top of each talus, a uniquely shaped bone in the hock forming the tarsocrural joint. Each talus has two obliquely oriented (slanted or at an angle) ridges extending from the dorsal (towards the back) aspect of the bone that interlock with the malleoli and the distal (lower) intermediate ridge of the tibia.The flat bottom of the talus articulates with the rectangular central tarsal bone, forming the talocalcaneal-centroquartal (or proximal intertarsal) joint. The bottom of the central tarsal bone overlies the small cuboidal bones, numbered one through four, forming the centrodistal joint. Finally, the small cuboidal bones articulate with the metatarsal bones (primarily the third metatarsal bone, which is the cannon bone) forming the tarsometatarsal joint.Several soft-tissue structures such as muscles, ligaments, and tendons pass alongside the hock. This includes the digital flexor tendons coursing along the plantar aspect (toward the rear) of the joint, the extensor tendons running along the dorsal aspect, and the medial and lateral (located closer to and further away from the median plane of the horse, respectively) collateral ligaments extending from the lateral aspects of the tibia to the third metatarsal bones.However, there is sometimes communication between other joints as well, which means intra-articular (IA) anesthesia may not be specific, adds Sue Dyson, MA, VetMB, PhD, an independent consultant based in the U.K. Joint communication refers to the interconnection between different joint compartments, which allows synovial fluid to flow between them.There are many attachments as well as deep and superficial parts both medially and laterally that have different orientations and attachments. These structures can get injured individually or together, complicating the workup, Dyson explains.Common Horse Hock PathologyDyson says common pathologies (disease or damage) causing lameness in the horses hock include:Osteoarthritis (OA) in the distal hock joints, particularly the centrodistal (distal intertarsal) and/ or tarsometatarsal joints;Osteochondrosis dissecans (loose cartilage or bone fragments in the joint) in the distal cranial (toward the horses head) aspect of theintermediate ridge of the tibia (DIRT lesions) or the trochleas of the talus, often combined with secondary osteoarthritis of the tarsocrural joint; andTraumatic injury of the deep and superficial collateral ligaments.In some cases, osteoarthritis of the distal tarsal joints and desmitis (damage of a ligament and surrounding structures) of the proximal suspensory ligament (originates at the top of the cannon bone and supports the fetlock) can be seen in the same horse, says Espinosa-Mur. These conditions can be clinical while others can be subclinical (not visible to the eye) at the time of presentation.Diagnostic Analgesia in the HockBecause the hocks structures lie in such proximity to one another, performing nerve blocks to localize lameness to one location can be challenging for veterinarians, says Espinosa-Mur. Some of these structures share innervation or are close enough that diagnostic analgesic can diffuse and cause false results, he adds. For example, the anesthetic agent can diffuse from the tarsometatarsal joint into surrounding structures. This means the veterinarian unintentionally desensitizes the surrounding area, including the suspensory ligament.This is particularly true if too much local anesthetic solution is used as it will leak out from the tarsometatarsal joint and influence the suspensory ligament, says Dyson. Ideally, practitioners will cross-block, meaning they will block the suspensory ligament on one occasion and the tarsometatarsal joint on a separate visit.It is important for veterinarians to recognize that IA anesthesia will not remove bone pain, says Dyson. So with OA that involves subchondral bone (beneath the cartilage) damage, an intra-articular block may be negative.Imaging the Horses HockVeterinarians can use X rays as a first-line method to evaluate the structures in the hock. When they cannot reach a clear answer using this imaging modality, advanced imaging is the next step.To help home in on the specific source of hock lameness, Espinosa-Mur and colleagues recently published a study using 18F-sodium fluoride (18F-NaF, a radioisotope) PET for imaging the tarsus and proximal metatarsus (the upper aspect of the cannon bone near the hock). They took 18F-NaF PET images of 25 horses with lameness localized to these regions and compared them to computed tomography (CT) scans of those same 25 horses.Espinosa-Mur says he and colleagues believe imaging modalities capable of distinguishing active injuries from chronic or incidental (found unexpectedly, typically without clinical signs or need for treatment) lesions would benefit equine practitioners, especially when evaluating the hock. In this case 18F-NaF PET provides an image that helps veterinarians detect active lesions by highlighting areas where the bone takes up the radioisotopesimilar to a bone scan but in 3D.In some cases the PET scan results correlated with those from the subjective and objective lameness evaluations. Advanced imaging with PET could definitively help determine the (lesions) that display higher osseous (bony) turnover, which in some cases can be the ones that are causing lameness, says Dyson.Take-Home MessageThe equine hock is a complex collection of joints, which makes diagnosing hock pain challenging. With a good clinical examination, systematic use of nerve blocks, and good radiography and ultrasonography, many diagnoses of hock-related injury can be achieved, says Dyson. Since the advent and wider availability of advanced imaging, including CT and PET, veterinarians can more easily diagnose hock problems and determine their clinical relevance, allowing targeted treatment options.