Because the exact cause of navicular disease is complex and can involve both developmental and biomechanical factors, it is not always possible to prevent it entirely. Careful hoof management, balanced trimming or shoeing, and veterinary-guided treatment plans can help reduce stress on the heel and slow progression in affected horses. In this Ask TheHorse Live excerpt, Lauren Trager, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVSMR, of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, in Blacksburg, discusses navicular disease in horses and how veterinarians might slow its progression.ThispodcastisanexcerptfromourAskTheHorseLiveQ&A.Listentothefullrecordinghere.About the Expert: Lauren Trager, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVSMRLauren Trager, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVSMR, is a clinical assistant professor of equine sports medicine at the Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, in Blacksburg. She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. Trager loves to teach and enjoys working on challenging lameness and poor performance cases, particularly those with neck and back pain and anything that involves advanced imaging.

Allow your horses to graze in the early morning to avoid high-sugar times. | Adobe StockQ:I manage a small boarding barn and have several easy-keeping horses living together. Are there ways to reduce pasture sugar intake for an entire herd without completely removing them from turnout?A: Managing easy keepers can be challenging because we want to provide them with the three Fs (forage, freedom, and friends) without causing excess weight gain. To build a practical management program for easy keepers, I recommend having many tools in your toolbox.The same plan will not work for every easy keeper, so you might have to try different tactics and combine some of them to see what works best for your facility and group of horses.Increase Your Horses ExerciseFor sound horses, increasing exercise helps combat weight gain from pasture intake. Aiming for a minimum of 20 minutes of active trot or canter during your sessions five days per week has been shown to be effective at eliciting weight loss. Note that if your horse is not currently in work, youll need to slowly work him up to this.Change Grazing TimesThe sugar content in pasture grass changes over the course of a day. If you have an easy keeper, try to avoid the high-sugar times. Allow these horses to graze early in the mornings (about 3-10 a.m.). Avoid the late afternoon and early evening because when plants are exposed to sunlight, photosynthesis occurs, which means the plant is producing sugars. This peaks in the late afternoon, so you want to avoid grazing for at least a few hours after the sun has gone down.Use a Grazing MuzzleGrazing muzzles can help limit how pasture grass easy keepers consume. Plenty of options exist, and finding the right one for a horse often takes some trial and error. Fit matters, and what works for one horse might not work for another. Slow Hay Intake, Prioritize QualityIf your horses do not live on pasture 24/7, managing their hay intake can help with weight control while still allowing them some grazing time. You can do this with slow-feed nets. If your horses still consume their daily hay allotment quickly, try moving to smaller-hole nets or doubling up the nets.Also consider the quality of the hay you offer your horse. Hay with a lower nutritional value (relative feed value of about 75-102) can free up more room in the ration for calories from pasture grass.Take-Home MessageManaging easy keepers on pasture calls for flexibility across the group. No single strategy works for every horse, so most owners combine methods to manage weight while still allowing turnout, movement, and social interaction. Claim your promo code for products in Equithrive's Easy Keeper collection: MetaCare, Metabarol, Vitamin E or Hoof. Name(Required) First Last Email(Required) By clicking submit I consent to Equine NetworksPrivacy Policy and Terms of Serviceand I represent that I am over 16 years old.CAPTCHA

According to the Oregon Department of Agriculture, one horse at a private facility in Crook County has tested positive for equine influenza. Three additional horses are suspected to be positive. The horses are quarantined.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.

As osteoarthritis progresses, horses might show subtle signs of discomfort before obvious lameness develops, including reluctance to move forward, stiffness, or changes in attitude during work. Ongoing inflammation and cartilage damage can eventually alter how the horse moves and lead to more consistent pain or reduced performance. Howland Mansfield, DVM, CVA, CVMMP, technical services veterinarian with American Regent Animal Health describes the common physical and behavioral changes that often accompany osteoarthritis progression.ThispodcastisanexcerptfromourAskTheHorseLiveQ&A.Listentothefullrecordinghere.About the Expert: Howland M. Mansfield, DVM, CVA, CVMMPHowland M. Mansfield, DVM, CVA, CVMMP, of Summerville, South Carolina, received her DVM from Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine, in Alabama, and completed internships in both general equine medicine and surgery and in advanced equine reproduction. She is certified in both veterinary acupuncture and veterinary medical manipulation. She has practiced along the East Coast over the course of 14 years, in addition to time in Germany providing veterinary care for some of the most elite show horses in Europe. In 2012 Mansfield was named by the South Carolina Horsemans Council as the Horse Person of the Year for her efforts in equine rescue and in combating animal cruelty. She joined American Regent in 2023 as a technical services veterinarian where she can support the welfare of and improve health care for horses and small animals throughout the U.S.

What medications do veterinarians use in broodmares and why? And are they completely safe?Broodmares get ill or injured just like any other horse. But when treating the mare, thought must also be given to what is safe for her developing fetus or nursing foal. | Shelley PaulsonDespite careful management, broodmares still face injury and illness during pregnancy. When medical issues arise, treatment decisions carry added weight because of the fetus, raising questions about which medications are known to be safe in pregnant mares.C. Scott Bailey, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACT, associate professor at Cornell Universitys College of Veterinary Medicine, in Ithaca, New York, says few medications have been specifically studied in broodmares.The exceptions are a few common antibiotics and firocoxib in their ability to penetrate to the foal, says Bailey. Studies show that common antibiotics and firocoxib do reach the foal. But early research didnt detect flunixin meglumine (Banamine) in fetal fluids, and crystalline ceftiofur (Excede, an antibiotic) did not appear to reach the foal. In reality, though, we have to assume every drug we give is going to reach the foal unless demonstrated otherwise. The placenta is designed for the efficient transfer of all manner of things. This doesnt, however, mean drugs administered to mares are going to cause a toxic effect to the foal.Despite the lack of safety data on many medications in broodmares, this population still needs treatment when necessary. In this article well describe common medical conditions affecting broodmares, along with some of the most widely used medications. This discussion builds on a previous article in The Horse, What Medications Are Safe for Broodmares?Common Conditions Affecting BroodmaresRebecca Mouncey, BVetMed, PhD, PGCert, FHEA, MRCVS, of the Royal Veterinary College, in Hatfield, England, and colleagues recently reviewed data from 275 pregnancies on seven stud farms over two breeding seasons (Mouncey et al., 2022). They recorded the occurrence of veterinary-attended episodes of illness and medications prescribed during those episodes.Overall, 34% of the 203 pregnancies with available data needed veterinary intervention at least once during the study period.In one study of equine pregnancies, musculoskeletal injury occurred in 22.7% of cases. | Adobe StockTop conditions recorded for those 203 pregnancies were:Musculoskeletal injuries in 22.7% of the pregnancies, occurring around 140 to 215 days of gestation (specific examples included trauma, 9.8%; cellulitis, 7.4%; and foot pain/abscess/laminitis, 6.4%)Placentitis (inflammation of the mares placenta, 4.9%)Colic (abdominal pain, 4.4%)Conjunctivitis/corneal ulcer (inflammation or ulceration of structures within the eye, 2.5%)Bailey confirms these are common conditions seen in broodmares, based on his six years spent working at Claiborne Farm, in Paris, Kentucky.Laminitis is high on the list of conditions broodmares require treatment for because some mares are already subclinically laminitic prior to pregnancy, says Bailey. In other words, they dont have obvious clinical signs of the condition, which occurs when the tissues that suspend the coffin bone within the hoof become damaged and inflamed. We then have added weight during pregnancy, and they can become clinically laminitic. Broodmares also become insulin resistant in late pregnancy, which probably worsens the situation.Common Medications Used in Pregnant BroodmaresIn the study by Mouncey et al., veterinarians prescribed medications in almost half (47%) of the 203 pregnancies in mares diagnosed with conditions listed above. The most prescribed medications included antibiotics in one-quarter of the pregnancies. Trimethoprim/sulfonamides were most frequently prescribed (13% of pregnancies), followed by tetracyclines (7%), penicillins (6%), and aminoglycosides (5%). Vets rarely prescribed cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones.Bailey says, I do not use either fluoroquinolones (e.g., enrofloxacin) or tetracyclines in pregnant broodmares. Tetracyclines have been associated with changes in tooth enamel in all species, while fluoroquinolone use has raised concerns about joint pathology (disease or damage) in foals. This antibiotic should be avoided unless the practitioner doesnt have another choice, he adds.Common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were the second-most-administered medication, with veterinarians most frequently reaching for phenylbutazone (Bute). Overall, they prescribed NSAIDs in 23.1% of the pregnancies, and phenylbutazone was the most commonly used, given in 15% of the pregnancies. Veterinarians also prescribed Banamine and aspirin.Mouncey et al. also reported practitioners using other medications, including altrenogest to treat placentitis or mastitis. Only rarely did they use local anesthetics, omeprazole, prednisolone, and triamcinolone.These data show that the occurrence of disease and medication usage during gestation are high, report the researchers. And yet despite how commonly veterinarians prescribe medications for pregnant broodmaresagain, almost half of all pregnancies included in this retrospective studythe profession lacks safety data on these medications in this population.Many older broodmares deal with osteoarthritis pain. | Adobe StockFocus on LamenessIn addition to the musculoskeletal trauma mentioned above, broodmares often have evidence of osteoarthritis (OA). This degenerative disease is common in all types of horses, including pregnant broodmares that have retired from their athletic careers or those still in competition and taking a season off to breed. We know OA is a painful condition that negatively affects quality of life. Therefore, keeping affected horses comfortable remains paramount, regardless of their job.For broodmares there is pasture sound and there is athletically sound, says Bailey. I think its okay for pregnant broodmares to be pasture sound. Its acceptable to have some level of lameness, but if it gets to the point that the mare is not engaging in normal activities that horses enjoy then treatment is most certainly indicated.Practitioners often use intra-articular corticosteroids, which are administered directly into the arthritic joint in athletic horses to reduce the inflammation and improve comfort. However, Bailey says corticosteroids are, in his opinion, contraindicated in broodmares.I do not give steroids to pregnant mares, he says. There are scientific and clinical data showing steroids administered at time of breeding affect follicular dynamics. He adds that giving corticosteroids in late pregnancy could also contribute to laminitis.In lieu of traditional intra-articular corticosteroids, practitioners could reach for other therapies such as orthobiologics. These treatments use the bodys own healing properties to manage musculoskeletal disorders. Examples include stem cell therapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein (IRAP).Im not concerned about using orthobiologics for joint disease in pregnant broodmares. There arent any contraindicated to my knowledge, Bailey says. But I would recommend only using autologous products obtained from the patient themselves rather than autogenous that are obtained from a donor horse. Autogenous products may have a potential immunologic problem that could affect pregnancy.Veterinarians might also consider the newer polyacrylamide hydrogels (available in a 2.5% and 4% concentration). These are technically medical devices rather than medications and are designed to remain in or be incorporated into the joint following injection. Good clinical evidence supports their use, and they are gaining popularity among equine practitioners (Pluim and Frippiat, 2025).Bailey says some retired broodmares with OA stay on NSAIDs continuously.If the mare is so lame that she isnt exercising or eating or (shes) being ostracized by the herd, treating her pain is going to decrease her cortisol and stress levels and is better than allowing her to suffer without NSAIDs, he notes.Managing Laminitis During a Mares PregnancyStephen OGrady, DVM, MRCVS, of Virginia Therapeutic Farriery, in Keswick, proposes that a key to managing laminitis in pregnant broodmares is getting the pain under control.My choice is firocoxib until you get their feet under control with farriery, which is really the cornerstone of managing laminitis, OGrady says.With significant pain, OGrady says his go-to has always been Banamine combined with acetaminophen (which is a pain reliever, not an NSAID).Other medications OGrady uses in heavy mares foundering early in pregnancy are the sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is). These help lower blood glucose levels and rapidly decrease body weight in horses with equine metabolic syndrome.Most knowledge on the safety of any medications for pregnant broodmares has been extrapolated from other species or accumulated through clinical experience: Administration of NSAIDs has been linked to various fetal disturbances and developmental disorders in people, mice, rats, and rabbits, and thus NSAIDs should be used according to careful risk-benefit considerations, wrote Hallman et al. (2023), a group of veterinary researchers from the University of Helsinki Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, in Finland.Extrapolating from other species, however, is not an ideal practice because the equine placenta is markedly dissimilar from those of other species, especially humans. Drugs are likely to cross the placenta differently among species.Why take the risk with medications not proven to be safe? The consequences of untreated/undertreated laminitis extend beyond discomfort. As relayed by Hallman et al. (2023) based on work performed by Pazinato et al. (2017), compared with healthy broodmares, pregnant mares with chronic laminitis have:Shorter gestation lengthsLower placental weightsLower foal birth weightsHigher heart ratesHypertensionAbnormalities of the placental vasculatureFurther, as reported by Hallman et al., Pain and the concomitant (naturally occurring) stress response have been shown to lower blood progestogen levels and may therefore predispose the mare to fetal loss especially during early pregnancy.Take-Home MessageTo defend use of medications in pregnant broodmares without full safety data, Bailey says, In a mare with laminitis, the stress has a greater effect than any medication does. We need to make the mare comfortable. I generally administer the drugs that I need to treat the mare and assume the pregnancy and foal will be fine.Current evidence points to gaps in understanding medication use during pregnancy in horses. As Mouncey et al. writes, Given the high levels of medication usage reported in this study, findings support the need for work to further understanding of medication usage during gestation in Thoroughbreds, particularly evaluation of associations with offspring health outcomes.This article is from the Spring 2026 issue ofThe Horse: Your Guide to Equine Health Care. We at The Horse work to provide you with the latest and most reliable news and information on equine health, care, management, and welfare through our magazine and TheHorse.com. Your subscription helps The Horse continue to offer this vital resource to horse owners of all breeds, disciplines, and experience levels. To access current issues included in your subscription, please sign in to theAppleorGoogleapps ORclick herefor the desktop version.

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has quarantined a property in Burlington County after one horse developed equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM) secondary to equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1).The 17-year-old warmblood gelding developed acute clinical signs on April 1 and is currently hospitalized. The twenty-six remaining horses on the premises are under quarantine.No recent horse movement has occurred in this herd, making the risk of disease spread from this case very low. There are no known connections between this EHM case and the first Burlington County case in January 2026.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.

According to the Florida Department of Agriculture, one horse at a private facility in Broward County has tested positive for strangles. One additional horse is suspected to be positive, and 13 horses have been exposed.This is Floridas sixth confirmed strangles case of 2026.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.

Chronic lameness in older horses most often stems from musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoarthritis, which gradually breaks down joint cartilage and leads to pain and stiffness. Other issues such as soft tissue injuries or hoof problems can also contribute to uneven movement and reduced comfort in aging horses. Lauren Trager, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVSMR, of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, in Blacksburg, explains the common causes of lameness in senior horses in this Ask TheHorse Live excerpt.About the Expert: Lauren Trager, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVSMRLauren Trager, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVSMR, is a clinical assistant professor of equine sports medicine at the Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, in Blacksburg. She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. Trager loves to teach and enjoys working on challenging lameness and poor performance cases, particularly those with neck and back pain and anything that involves advanced imaging.

On April 10, one horse at a private facility in Dane County, Wisconsin, tested positive for strangles. The horse is quarantined.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.

Equine Care Group (ECG) and Salado Equine Medical Center (SEMC) are proud to announce a long-term strategic partnership, marking ECGs expansion into the U.S. and an important milestone in its international growth.This partnership brings together leading equine teams, united by a shared ambition to advance equine healthcare and continuously raise the standards of veterinary medicine worldwide. By combining complementary expertise across continents, ECG and SEMC create a powerful transatlantic platform that accelerates the exchange of knowledge, innovation, and advanced clinical practices.Together, they aim to unite top equine professionals, strengthen collaboration, and drive meaningful impact across the equine healthcare industry. Guided by science, driven by excellence, and led by veterinarians, this partnership will contribute to scientific progress and further improve equine welfare on a global scale.Dr. Tom Marin, cofounder and CEO of Equine Care Group: We are incredibly proud to welcome Dr. Whitaker and Dr. Janicek as our first partners in the United States. This marks a defining milestone for Equine Care Group and an important step in our long-term vision to build a truly global, veterinarian-led network. We strongly believe the U.S. market is ready for a model that prioritizes collaboration, reinforces medical leadership, and keeps veterinarians at the center. This approach can elevate the profession, enhance quality of care, and drive meaningful progress across the equine healthcare sector. This first partnership is therefore particularly meaningful. Salado Equine Medical Center will always hold a special place within our Group as the starting point of our journey in the United States.Dr. Beau Whitaker & Dr. John Janicek, Salado Equine Medical Center: From the very first discussions, it was clear that Equine Care Group shares our values and our vision for the future of equine medicine.This partnership creates a unique opportunity to combine strong local excellence with global collaboration. It will not change who we areit will strengthen what we have built, while giving us access to a broader international network of expertise, innovation, and shared knowledge. Importantly, it is built on a long-term partnership model that preserves our identity and clinical autonomy.Equine Care Group brings together like-minded veterinarians who are committed to continuous learning and advancing the profession. That alignment made this a natural fit.By joining ECG, we will further enhance our ability to manage complex cases, expand international knowledge exchange, and continue pushing the boundaries of equine healthcare.Most importantly, our commitment remains unchangedto our clients, our referring veterinarians, our team, and the next generation of equine veterinarians. We will continue to operate with the same values, culture, and dedication, now strengthened by a global community of leading professionals.A VETERINARIAN-LED MODEL: A DIFFERENT APPROACH FOR THE U.S. MARKETEquine Care Group is built on a fundamentally different philosophy: a veterinarian-led model, created by veterinarians, for veterinarians.In a landscape where parts of the veterinary sector have become increasingly corporate-driven often prioritising financial performance and operational standardisation ECG represents an alternative approach. One where medical leadership remains in the hands of clinicians, and where decisions are guided first and foremost by quality of care, long-term vision, and professional integrity.Equine care groups model is different: it is built on partnership, not acquisition. On collaboration, not control. On strengthening existing teams, not replacing them.For Salado Equine Medical Center, this means gaining access to a global network of expertise, innovation, and shared knowledge while fully preserving its identity, culture, and clinical autonomy.For the broader U.S. market, it introduces a model that reinforces the role of veterinarians, supports the next generation, and creates an environment where excellence is driven from within the profession itself.This is not a consolidation strategy.It is a long-term commitment to the future of equine medicine.