A horse might interact differently with his pasture mates as he ages. | Adobe StockHorses, like humans, slow down as they age and might develop health problems such as arthritis that require veterinary intervention, but observant owners can often spot behavior changes that suggest when a senior horse needs support.I think that with senior horses, its important to appreciate that age is not a disease, says professor Natalie Waran, OBE BSc(Hons), PhD(Cantab), an equine welfare expert with NavigateWelfare, in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. The aging process is a natural thing, obviously experienced in different ways, depending on the previous use of the horse, its conformation, etc. There are things an owner can do to help their senior horse experience a good quality of life as they age. For example, any pain associated with aging diseases can be managed, rather than just accepted as a necessary part of the aging process.Watch out for these common behaviors to help your senior horse live his best life.1. Observe How Your Senior Horse Rests/Lies Down/Gets UpSome older horses might have difficulty getting up and down due to physical problems such as arthritis. If your senior horse struggles to get up and down or doesnt lie down much at all, he might need veterinary intervention. If treatment is not effective, this behavior might be a sign that helps with end-of-life decision making.Horses need to lie down for about 30 minutes to an hour, one to three times a day to get crucial, deep REM sleep. The quality of their sleep is very important and they will need a lot more as they get older, just like we do, says Waran. Getting up and down may not look as comfortable (in) an older horse. They may not be as coordinated, but they find a way. You often see them change the way theyll get down or up so they can do it more comfortably.2. Watch for Changing Social Interactions in TurnoutCarefully observe your senior horses social interaction when hes turned out. Waran says its important to consider group stability and composition for all horses, but especially so for seniors who might be better kept with older horses. However, she also says she recognizes keeping a stable, calm older horse with a youngster can also provide some benefits for both horses.Youve got to remember that the older horse cant get out of the way easily, and it may get hassled, she says. Being in a social group is really important, but being in a social group that allows them to be safe and enjoy positive interactions and not feel like theyve got to scurry out of the way every time something comes near is even more so, for the older horse.Make sure your senior horses turnout area is conducive to a healthy lifestyle, with enough room to get away from pasture mates and to move and keep his joints active, a comfortable place to lie down, and safe footing.3. Watch for Personality Changes in Your Senior HorseWhen a horse shows a personality change, such as dullness or aggressiveness, it can be a sign of pain. But sometimes an older horses personality changes could simply be due to the nature of aging, said Waran. While cognitive changes or dysfunction, similar to dementia in humans, as well as short- and long-term memory loss, have been researched in dogs, they havent been widely studied in horses. But many owners report anecdotal evidence of their horse seeming to mentally slow down as they age.A senior horses personality might also change due to life circumstances. There might be a horse that was really out there (i.e., outgoing personality), and then as they get older and are no longer ridden, theyre quieter, and more timid, says Waran. That doesnt mean that their core personality has changed so much as theyve had to change their behavior to adapt to their new living experiences. They may be more wary because they need to keep out the way (of a younger, excitable pasture mate), or they are more relaxed because they are no longer living the life of a competition animal.If your older horse acts spookier than usual, it pays to have his eyes checked by your veterinarian. That could be breed-specific in terms of developing different diseases like moon blindness that we see in some of the colored breeds, like Appaloosas, says Amy McLean, PhD, associate professor of equine science at the University of California, Davis. But I just feel like in general, all of their reactions slow down, and I think having cataracts or blurred vision or early or related ocular disease is probably more prevalent in older horses.Horses dealing with musculoskeletal pain might not want to interact with other horses or humans. Their behavioral response is actually an indicator of what theyre dealing with and how theyre trying to adapt their behavior to cope with changes in their world, Waran said.Some older horses that competed their whole lives might lose their spark once theyre retired and no longer living an active lifestyle.They like being active with their owners, says McLean. A lot of people think about retiring the horse to a green pasture, but I think when that human/horse interaction and bond is lost to a degree, and theyre just kind of forgotten, I think it definitely changes their demeanor.4. Monitor Your Senior Horses AppetiteA lot of times, because were doing such a great job medically caring for older horses, theyre outliving their bodies in some sense, and one of the first things they tend to outlive is their teeth, says McLean.Some older horses lose their appetites, whether its because they have missing or painful teeth and, so, cannot chew comfortably, theyve had poor dental work, or they dislike certain textures of food.I do think we have to keep it exciting and encouraging them to eat, says McLean. Thats where you get into the mashes and things like that. But I do think its a real challenge because not all horses like their food in a liquid basis. Theres some mental reasoning that horses want to eat long-stem fiber, and Im not sure that goes away when theyre 30. If you notice some of the senior diets, theyll have some sweetness or smells added to them to encourage the palatability.Take-Home MessageWith attentive care, senior horses can stay comfortable and content well into their later years. By watching for changes in rest patterns, appetite, social behavior, and personalityand addressing pain or medical issues earlyowners can help their horses age comfortably.

On Jan. 15, a 13-year-old warmblood gelding at a boarding facility in Washington County, Wisconsin, tested positive for equine influenza. The gelding developed clinical signs on Jan. 13, including mild nasal discharge, low-grade fever, mild lethargy, and coughing. He is being quarantined, and 60 horses have potentially been exposed.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.

Veterinarians often use PRP to treat joint disease in horses. | Adobe StockVeterinarians often use platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to treat equine joint disease, but the lack of standardized preparation methods has limited their ability to accurately assess its clinical efficacy. Without standardization, rigorous research to conclusively determine PRPs therapeutic value in equine joint treatments cannot be performed, said Omar Maher, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, ACVSMR, during the 2025 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 6-10 in Denver, Colorado.Maher, the founder of Atlantic Equine Services, with locations in Wellington, Florida, and Dover, New Hampshire, presented on behalf of his co-author, Philippe Benoit, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVSMR. In their Proceedings paper they emphasized that the lack of PRP preparation consistency ultimately limits the clinical utility of what can be a valuable orthobiologic for managing equine joint disease.Maher explained that veterinarians currently produce PRP either by centrifugation or filtration of a horses blood sample. The resulting plasma suspension contains platelets, variable numbers of white (leukocytes) and red blood cells, and plasma proteins. This product is rich in growth factors, including transforming growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, and others that researchers report might support tissue healing and modulation of inflammation.Preparing PRP for HorsesWe are in a primitive stage of understanding PRP, said Maher. There is no standardization in terms of platelet concentration or injection method. And the available studies dont typically describe what kind of PRP they are using or whether it was even PRP at all because the platelet concentration was not measured.Samples often differ in color, which reflects differences in their cellular composition. Its difficult to expect that each of these PRPs will do the same job, he added.Maher outlined several key questions practitioners should consider when preparing PRP:Do we want a leukocyte-rich or leukocyte-poor PRP (in some conditions more white blood cells might be desirable, whereas fewer are better with others)?What platelet concentration and dose should we be using?How do we harvest and store the PRP?What delivery method should we use (needle size, number of injections, dosing interval)?How do we take patient variability into consideration?What Do Researchers Know About PRP in Horses?Maher highlighted work conducted by the GRIIP (International Research Group on Platelet Injections), which reviews literature on PRP use for human knee osteoarthritis (OA) annually.That group has a preference for low leukocytes, using between 4 and 8 milliliters in the knee (which is smaller than a horses stifle), having a platelet concentration less than five times the blood concentration, and typically using PRP in patients with mild to moderate OA, he said.The GRIIP also recommends patients not receive non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) at the time of treatment and that clinicians administer one to three injections. They advise against co-administering PRP with local anesthetics, because locals appear toxic to platelets. They also recommend using ultrasound guidance whenever possible to reduce the risk of painful extra-articular injections, avoiding concurrent use of corticosteroids, and injecting PRP on the same day it is prepared to potentially improve the outcome following injections.PRP Recommendations for Equine PractitionersBased on these human-medicine guidelines, Maher advised collecting blood samples for PRP preparation prior to exercise and while the horse is not on any medications. Veterinarians should perform a traditional complete blood cell count (CBC) prior to processing to establish baseline platelet, white blood cell, and red blood cell counts. After PRP preparation they should analyze the final product again to determine platelet concentration.As for dose and volume, for a coffin joint, we recommend 1 billion platelets in 3 milliliters, but for a stifle we recommend 4 billion platelets in 8 milliliters, said Maher. These numbers were chosen based on experience and seem to be effective with minimal amount of flare. (Joint flare, also called reactive synovitis, can occur after intra-articular injection.)Maher and Benoit gained much of this experience in Wellington, Florida, where they treated 450 horses from 21 veterinary practices. They found both baseline platelet counts and PRP platelet concentrations varied significantly among individual horses. Some of the PRP was too dilute, and we couldnt use it, Maher said. This shows how important it is to measure the product, so we know what were injecting.Take-Home MessageBased on their available data and clinical experience, Maher and Benoit currently recommend using low-leukocyte PRP preparations, standardizing platelet numbers and injection volumes across patients, and using ultrasound guidance for deeper joints. They also advise against sedating horses prior to blood collection for PRP and recommend avoiding the use of corticosteroids and long-term NSAIDs in conjunction with PRP therapy.

A 4-year-old Quarter Horse mare in Merced County, California, recently tested positive for equine infectious anemia (EIA) after presenting with weakness and anemia. She is now deceased.One potentially exposed horse on the premises has been tested for EIA, and results are currently pending. The exposed horse will remain under quarantine until pending lab results are received and a 60-day retest sample is completed.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 EIAEquine infectious anemiais a viral disease that attacks horses immune systems. The virus is transmitted through the exchange of body fluids from an infected to an uninfected animal, often by blood-feeding insects such as horseflies. It can also be transmitted through the use of blood-contaminated instruments or needles.ACoggins test screens horses blood for antibodiesthat are indicative of the presence of the EIA virus. Most U.S. states require horses to have proof of a negative Coggins test to travel across state lines.Once an animal is infected with EIA, it is infected for life and can be a reservoir for the spread of disease. Not all horses show signs of disease,but those that do can exhibit:Progressive body condition loss;Muscle weakness;Poor stamina;Fever;Depression; andAnemia.EIA has no vaccine and no cure. A horse diagnosed with the disease dies, is euthanized, or must be placed under extremely strict quarantine conditions (at least 200 yards away from unaffected equids) for the rest of his life.

Even with improved diagnostics and treatments, dont take chances with these injuriesThe delicate soft tissue structures of the hoof sustain the horses weight with every stride. | Getty imagesLameness in ridden horses often stems from tendon and ligament injuries, along with arthritis, that can limit athletic ability for life. The equine foot is packed with delicate soft tissue structures that sustain the weight of the horse with every stride, making it a prime location for soft tissue strains and tears. Lets take a closer look at how these injuries happen, how veterinarians treat them, and tips for preventing them in the first place.Equine Foot Anatomy ReviewFirstly, its important to note there are no muscles below the knee and hock; all muscular contractions are transmitted from above those joints to the bones of the foot via tendons and ligaments. Here are the most important ones:The deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) inserts into the underside of the coffin bone (P3). Injuries to the DDFT are common and can be severely limiting, with scientists on one study reporting only 25% of affected horses returning to their previous athletic levels within 18 months of diagnosis (Cilln et al., 2013). Prognosis depends on injury type and treatment, however. Some surgical repairs of DDFT tears in the foot result in 45-50% returning to work.The collateral ligaments connect the short pastern bone (P2) with P3, aligning and stabilizing both bones. These ligaments are especially prone to injury from repetitive twisting (which can occur during longeing, for example) and slipping.The navicular bursa lubricates the DDFT as the tendon glides over the navicular bone. A bursa is a synovial structure and is therefore prone to synovitis (synovial membrane inflammation), just like joints.The four ligaments that hold the navicular bone in placesuspended under the coffin boneare susceptible to desmitis (ligament inflammation) as part of the umbrella term podotrochlosis, aka navicular syndrome.The common digital extensor tendon merges with the suspensory ligament at the pastern and inserts into the dorsal aspect (front) of the coffin bone at the level of the coronary band. Horses injure it less than they do flexor tendons.These relatively small soft tissue structures are intricately linked and work synergistically to ambulate a 1,200-lb animal. Its worth noting that if the horses conformation is less than ideal, he stresses his delicate tendons, ligaments, and bursa more than an animal with a textbook build would.Cloaked by the Hoof WallSoft tissue injuries within the hoof capsule present unique diagnostic challenges. Heres why: Ultrasound cannot penetrate the hoof wall to show us the structures beneath it. Additionally the hoof capsule in effect hides swelling, which is normally one of the first telltale signs of an injury, making foot injuries more difficult for owners to detect.Localizing and diagnosing precise soft tissue injuries in the equine foot requires an MRI (shown). | Courtesy HallmarqWith suspected soft tissue injuries of the digit, veterinarians can rule out bony involvementfor example, coffin bone fracture or degenerative changes of the navicular bonewith radiographs. Beyond that, localizing and diagnosing the precise soft-tissue injury requires an MRI, which can penetrate the hoof wall and show both bony and soft tissues. An early, accurate diagnosis can improve outcomes; if an MRI is a possibility, it should be done promptly if radiographs are normal and lameness is persistent.Advanced imaging modalities have become increasingly accessible, says Santiago Gutierrez-Nibeyro, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, ACVSMR, clinical professor of equine surgery in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, in Champaign. These tools are making it possible to not only diagnose problems, but also to evaluate the effectiveness of many novel treatments for equine foot injuries.Soft Tissues Injuries ExplainedUsually, chronic accumulations of small strains and microtears from exercise are what culminate in soft tissue injuries, and scientists have found a strong link between spikes in athletic workload and these injuries in elite eventing horses (Munsters et al., 2020). A tendon or ligament, by design, is made up of strong fibers running parallel to each other in an organized fashion. Their strength and flexibility rely on this arrangement. Collagenthe primary structural protein of these fibersprovides tensile strength, allowing soft tissues to stretch and recoil without losing elasticity. Generally speaking, ligaments, which connect bone to bone, are tougher and less flexible than tendons, which connect bone to muscle. Once a horse injures a tendon or ligament, the torn collagen fibers regrow in a cross-linked pattern rather than a parallel layout, during an intricate multiphase healing process. Whats more, this scarlike mesh of collagen fibers isnt as functional or flexible as the original pattern.To add a layer of complexity, remember how many structures are packed into the hoof capsule. This configuration makes it more likely an injury has affected more than one structure. A large proportion of horses with foot pain are diagnosed with both DDFT tendinopathy (tendon injury) and navicular bursitis (inflammation of the bursa), says Gutierrez-Nibeyro. The most common place for DDFT tendinopathy within the digit is at or just above the navicular bone.Tendon and Ligament HealingTherapeutic options for soft tissue injuries fall into two categories: conservative and surgical treatment. Veterinarians use nonregenerative conservative therapies to reduce pain and inflammation, giving the horses injury time to heal without directly influencing the quality of the healing process. The most common approaches include:Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Phenylbutazone (Bute) is generally the drug of choice for acute lameness linked to soft-tissue injuries. Practitioners also commonly use firocoxib to manage foot pain.Corticosteroids can be injected into joints and tendon sheaths, or in the navicular bursa, to target inflammation at the source.Rest and controlled exercise.Therapeutic shoeing is a key approach, with the goal of alleviating pressure on the navicular region and the DDFT in cases of podotrochlosis and DDFT tendinopathy. It doesnt matter what you inject if the shoeing isnt addressed, and hoof balance radiographs can be useful for making shoeing recommendations.These nonregenerative therapies are available to virtually every horse owner, relatively affordable and conservative, and dont require special blood processing.With regenerative medicinealso referred to as biologicsvets focus on inhibiting inflammation and stimulating the bodys own healing capacities. In the context of biology, regenerative means regrowing live tissue.Billy Hodge, DVM, is certified in equine locomotor pathology (ISELP) and focuses on sports medicine and regenerative therapies at Meadow Lane Equine Clinic, in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. Regenerative therapy initiates the bodys healing process, an intricate phenomenon that involves platelet activation, cytokine formation, improved blood flow, and also downregulation of the harmful effects of inflammation, he says. In essence, regenerative medicine allows reversible degenerative processes to be unlocked, granting long-term improvements in tissue health.Gutierrez-Nibeyro agrees. The main goal of regenerative medicine is to enhance regrowth of injured tissues that naturally regenerate poorly, he says. And equine tendons and ligaments are prime candidates! The poor response to conservative therapy of DDFT tendinopathies and collateral ligament desmitis has promoted the widespread intralesional (directly into the site of injury) use of biologic therapies.Indeed, more vets are turning to regenerative therapies for treating both arthritis and soft tissue injuries. The most common options include:Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein (IRAP) involves drawing and processing blood from the horse, isolating the anti-inflammatory protein interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist, and injecting the product directly into the soft tissue lesion to promote healing.Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) also entails collection and processing of the horses blood, in this case to extract high platelet concentrations. Platelets contain growth factors and proteins that help tissue repair when injected intralesionally.Autologous protein solution (APS) is also derived from the horses own blood and processed to extract cells, platelets, growth factors, and anti-inflammatory cytokines that help reduce inflammation in the soft tissue lesion.Mesenchymal stem cells are popular for their ability to regenerate and replace damaged cells. Stem cells possess the unique ability to either create identical copies of themselves or to differentiate (develop into different cells altogether), although their main therapeutic effect is attributed to their anti-inflammatory properties that stimulate healing. Veterinarians harvest them from the horses bone marrowa more time-consuming process than the three autologous conditioned serum (ACS) options mentioned.Extracorporeal shock wave therapy devices emit energy-carrying acoustic waves to stimulate healing processes, classifying the approach as a regenerative modality (Simplicio et al., 2020).Shock wave therapy emits energy-carrying acoustic waves to stimulate healing. | Courtesy PulseVet. Because regenerative therapies use the bodys own healing products rather than pharmaceuticals, practitioners report they are generally safer. They dont contain steroids, making them safe to use in horses and ponies with metabolic and endocrine disorders, such as those with insulin resistance, pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, or the hoof disease laminitis.While regenerative therapies offer many advantages over their nonregenerative counterparts, dont consider them a magic bullet. Many (soft-tissue) injuries are degenerative in nature, says Gutierrez-Nibeyro. When the damage is too far advanced, response to these therapies is poor.Equine surgeons might pursue bursoscopy to debride tendon tears, which can improve outcomes in horses with DDFT injuries in the foot.How to Avoid These InjuriesWhen you consider the possibility that one tendon or ligament injury in your horses foot could limit his soundness, comfort, and performance for life, its easy to see why preventing such injuries altogether is well worth the effort. In my experience, a severe soft tissue injury anywhere in the foot usually allows a return to work at 50% of the horses former athletic abilities, says Hodge, adding that if an owner invests in extensive therapy and rehabilitation coupled with time and patience, this number can be bumped to roughly 65%.Since many soft tissue injuries result from cumulative wear and tear, our sources say its important to ensure your day-to-day riding and management practices do not put undue stress on these delicate structures. Here are a few starter tips:Warm up your horse gradually to avoid overstretching tendons and ligaments.Train and compete in moderation. Make sure to take your horses current fitness level under consideration.Mind your footing. Excessively deep and wet footing exacerbates the strain placed on soft tissue structures and increases the risk of slipping.Longe your horse safely and appropriatelyand never excessivelyto minimize the impact of circling on the foots collateral ligaments.Work with a qualified, reputable farrier to maintain proper toe length. Every excess centimeter of toe increases force on the flexor tendons by 110 lbs (Weller, 2016 ).Finally, listen to your horse. If he shows even mild signs of lameness, get your veterinarian involved without delay.Final Thoughts Veterinarians are constantly making strides when it comes to treatments for soft tissue injuries of the equine foot. They can diagnose and treat pathologies better than ever before, but the take-home message remains the same: You dont want to take chances with tendon or ligament injuries. Approaching these conditions with a combination of regenerative medicine, therapeutic modalities, sometimes surgery, and rehabilitation gives you the best shot at a successful comeback with your equine partner.

USEquestrian (USEF) has launched a freefeaturefor recorded horsescalled Lifetime Care Contacts.This is designed to allow a USEF member to add themselves to a horsesUSEFrecord,signifying if the horse should somedaybe in need offinancialassistanceor a home, they would like to be contacted.We understand that many breeders, owners, athletes, and grooms care deeply for the horseswho have touched theirlivesandwant to be there for them if they should ever fall on hard times down the road,saidUS Equestrian chief executive officer Bill Moroney.We had media and member inquiries about such a system last year and realized this is a way we can help.Usersmust be a USEquestrianmemberor have a free fan accountto add themselves to ahorsesrecordbecausehorsedata ispart of the membership section of the USEquestrian website.If you want to add yourself as a Lifetime Care Contact to a horsesUSEFrecord, visit the Lifetime Care tile in yourUSEFDashboard and search for the horseyourelooking for using the horses recorded name or USEF number. Then click the button prompting you to add your contact information to that horses list.Youllsee a list of horses for whomyourelisted as the Lifetime Care Contact at the bottom of the page.If you have found a horse in need and want to see if they have a Lifetime Care Contact onfile, you will needaUSEF membershiporfree fanaccountto access our Horse Search.Visit the Lifetime Care tile on your Member Dashboard and use the horses recorded name or microchip number tolocatethe horseyoureseeking care for. You will be prompted to verifyyoureassistingthis horseand can click a button to be sent an email with that horses Lifetime Care Contactinformation.US Equestrian isnt positioned to require anyone to reach out to a horses Lifetime Care Contact, but we are in a position to make it easier for a horse in need to be connected with someone who has expressed an interest in helping them, said Moroney.According to US Equestrian, the Lifetime Care system is designed as a safety net for horses, its use is voluntary, and the organization is unable to require that someone consult aLifetime Care contact before moving, selling, or transferring a horse. The organization said its goal with thefeatureis tofacilitateconnectionsas needed butnoted the programcan only be as effective as thescope of use, encouraging members toutilizethe free feature.Clickhereto learn more about this program and for a list offrequentlyasked questions.

On Jan. 15, a Miniature Horse in Dorchester County, Maryland, tested positive for strangles. The horse developed clinical signs on Jan. 12 and is now 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.

On Jan. 19, an 11-year-old Appaloosa gelding in Washtenaw County, Michigan, tested positive for strangles. The gelding developed clinical signs on Jan. 12, including nasal discharge and swollen lymph nodes. 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.

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Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging, a global leader in advanced veterinary imaging technology, is proud to announce a relationship with Patterson Veterinary, aimed at providing Patterson customers with the resources needed to compete, grow and prosper.This collaboration positions Patterson as the sole U.S. distributor of Hallmarqs pioneering range of advanced imaging products, reinforcing a shared commitment to revolutionizing veterinary medicine through innovation and accessibility.Hallmarq has been at the forefront of veterinary imaging advancements for over two decades. As the pioneers in lameness diagnosis, its standing equine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has helped transform equine veterinary practice around the globe.In the small animal marketplace, Hallmarqs zero-helium, veterinary-specific MRI system provides a sustainable and tailored alternative to outdated, repurposed human imaging systems.The strategic partnership between Hallmarq and Patterson Veterinary was born out of a shared vision for the future of veterinary medicine, said Mick Crosthwaite, CEO at Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging.With Pattersons extensive industry knowledge and our unique approach to veterinary practice growth, we are laying the foundation for a transformative business solution that will leave a lasting impact on the industry.By aligning with Patterson Veterinary, a trusted leader in veterinary distribution, Hallmarq ensures its network gains access to cutting-edge technology, reliable products and comprehensive business support that enhances efficiency and drives growth.Pattersons extensive industry expertise and dedication to customer service complement Hallmarqs mission to support veterinary practices with tailored imaging solutions.Through this collaboration, veterinary professionals across the U.S. will now have streamlined access to Hallmarqs innovative imaging solutions, enabling them to elevate patient care and practice efficiency.Together, Hallmarq and Patterson Veterinary are committed to advancing veterinary imaging and making state-of-the-art diagnostic tools more accessible to veterinary practices nationwide.By combining Pattersons industry-leading product offerings and services with Hallmarqs innovative imaging solutions, we can provide veterinary professionals with the answers they need to thrive, says Jonathan Butz, Director of Equipment & Technical Service Patterson Veterinary.In December, the two companies combined their equine expertise at the annual congress for the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) in Denver.The event provided ample opportunity to discuss the value of Hallmarqs standing MRI to equine veterinarians looking to offer diagnostic imaging that delivers increased clarity over and above first line modalities.