Colic insurance

You might try the website www.smartpakequine.com to see about colic insurance for your horse.

Purina WellSolve feed recall

For those interested, I have a web site that discusses the issue:  www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=20313   Please call or office if you have any further questions.

Poisonous plants

Recent blog talked about drought conditions and horses eating plants that are not good for them.  Here is a web site to see pictures of "bad" plants for horses to eat:  www.aspca.org/Pet-care/Poison-control/plants/?plantstoxicity=toxic-to-horses

Horses will eat poisonous plants in drought

This blog was noted coming out of North Carolina several years ago that is a topic for horse owners today.  "As the drought continues and pastures get browner and drier, our animals may be more likely to eat the toxic plants that live in our pastures that the animals ignore during better weather.  Not only is that because they have fewer healty options, but poisonous plants may actually increase in palatability under drought conditions.  They may also become more toxic.  Also in drought, we may use grazing areas we don't normally use at that time of year."  Look for more information in our upcoming newsletter.

Biosecurity measures for your horse

A resource the horse owner should be aware of was recently developed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture last year.  Where horse groups put on shows and where other events occur with large numbers of horses are mixed together this information might provide useful guidelines to follow.  The web address is:  http:cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/Animal_Health/Equine_Biosecurity.html

Foundered horses being fitted with"clogs".

Recedently farrier Bill Parsons has been applying wooden clogs to treat laminitic (foundered) horses.  These have been chronically laminitic horses that in some cases have had the coffin bone penetrate the sole, resulting in having the foot become infected.  There is no one way to treat foundered horses, but this innovative way is one method that has proven successful in a few tough cases.

Santa coming to Ortonville on Saturday

John Balhorn and Linda Henry of Top Hats & Tails Carriage Company of Ortonville will be bringing Santa into Ortonville during the Village Parade on Saturday, Dec. 3.  The parade will be starting at 3:00 p.m. beginning in front of the Edna Burton Senior Center at the corner of Ball and Cedar Streets.  It will go down Church Street, right on Mill Street, left on South Street and ending downtown at the Brandon Township Fire Station.

West Wind Equestrian fund raiser

On Saturday, Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. West Wind Equestrian in New Hudson, in cooperation with C.A.N.T.E.R., will be hosting a fund raiser for the Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses.  Sue Pelto and Ron Gardner, owners of The West Wind Equestrian in New Hudson, will be welcoming guests into the Christmas event.  Tickets for the event are $45.00 per person.  RSVP to 248-672-3593 or email CanterintoChristmas@aol.com.

Equine Cushings Disease

As your horse ages he/she will be fighting "old age" diseases more and more.   For those who encounter their older horse not shedding out, losing weight, drinking more water and urinating more might be dealing with Cushings Disease.  With the recent release of an FDA approved drug (Prascend) a web site address is available giving a complete and concise description of the problem. The address is : http://www.prascend.com/.
It might be worth checking out.

Unusual practice activity

On a recent day one Dr. Ryker's friends had special request.  Dr. Ryker gets his meat from him and he wanted his cows pregnancy tested.  On  that day Drs. Ryker and Dewitt went out and checked 30 cows.  All but 2 were pregnant!  It was quite a setting where the checks were performed.  Dr. Dewitt looked like she was having quite a good time.

John Lyons at Puddingstone Manor

John Lyons is putting on a three day dlinic at Puddingstone Manor located in Davisburg, Michigan. The clinic will run Nov. 18th, 19th, and 20th. More information concerning this clinic can be located on: www.PuddingStoneManor.com or phoning 248-535-8145.

MSU seeking horses with bad ankles

MSU is considering a research project seeking non-invasive and more precise techniques for evaluating arthritis and cartilage deterioration in fetlock joints. Twelve to fifteen horses would be required for this project. Donated horses may be of any age, but must have obvious symtoms of fetlock pathology. Donors can earn a tax deduction for including their horses in the project. As part of the research, horses will have to be humanely euthanized to compare imaged results with actual pathology of the joint. For more information or to offer a horse, contact Dr. John Caron at (517)353-9710.

Dressage clinic with Debbie McDonald

On July 30 and 31 Brilliant Reflection Farm and Nutrena a presenting a two day Dressage clinic with Debbie McDonald. Debbie will be interacting with the audience. Brilliant Reflection farm is located in Ortonville, MI. Sponsorship opportunities and auditor applications contact Barbra Reis at blondmane@yahoo.com or 248.670.9031 or visit www.brilliantreflectionfarm.com to download forms.

State of Michigan Equine Importation Requirements

Recently the state of Michigan has updated the import requirements for horses originating from states that have had cases of equine piroplasmosis (EP) in the last 12 months. Testing for equine piroplasmosis is no longer required, however horses entering Michigan from states that have had cases of EP in the past 12 months must be accompanied by an interstate health certificate or a veterinary inspection signed by an accredited veterinarian that includes the following statement:

I HAVE EXAMINED THE ANIMAL(S) LISTED ON THIS CERTIFICATE. AT THE TIME OF THE EXAMINATION, THE ANIMAL(S) LISTED ON THIS CERTIFICATE IS/ARE NOT UNDER QUARANTINE FOR PIROPLASMOSIS, NOT DISPLAYING SIGNS OF PIROPLASMOSIS, AND WITHER DID NOT HAVE EVIDENCE OF LIVE TICKS OR WAS/WERE SUCCESSFULLY TREATED FOR TICKS IF TICKS WERE PRESENT."

Welcome Dr. Crystal DeWitt DVM

It is with great pleasure that we welcome Dr. Crystal DeWitt DVM to our practice. Crystal received her DVM from Michigan State and graduated with Honors in 2011. Her undergraduate degree (B.S.) is from the University of Findlay where she majored in Equestrian Science. She is an active cutting horse enthusiast who is a board member of the Great Lakes Cutting Horse Association and its past president. Between Findlay and MSU she worked as an assistant trainer for a cutting horse farm in southeast Michigan. She lives in Dryden with her husband Chad, 3 cats, 2 dogs, and 5 horses. Her special interests include lameness diagnosis, dentistry, and reproduction.

Spinal Column horse issues

Spinal Column Newsweekly is putting together a special edition concerning the horse.  If you have articles/photos related to horse rescue, advice on picking a horse, rescue stories, etc submit them to timdmoch@thescngroup.com.  The special section is scheduled for publication on April 6, 2011. The information must be sent by Wednesday, March 30th.  You can also call Tim Dmoch at 248-360-6307, ext. 398.

Red snow

If you notice red spots in the snow this time of year, while alarming, are a normal oxidative process that occurs after the urine has been voided from your horse.  Normal horse urine sometimes turns red or brown after standing for a while in the snow.  This is due to the presence of oxidizing agents termed "pyrocatechines" in the urine.  It is rare for a horse to pass blood in the urine and when present is almost always accompanied by some abnormal void behavior.  Frequent urination and straining are the most common indications of a disease in the lower urinary tract.

Downer horse

An interesting video showing how a horse was urged to get up after being down for an extended time.  Important to note that if a horse has been down for an extended time they must be flipped over if there is any chance of getting them up.  Be very careful if you try this and be sure to have enough help.  The web site is: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLWaCv6LOfQ

Health certificates and EIA testing in Michigan

This last December the legislation requiring EIA testing for horses expired in Michigan due to a "Sunset Provision" in the previous regulation passed by the legislature.  New legislation is being composed to  present to the Michigan legislature for passage sometime this spring.  Right now we are in limbo regarding what the rule is.  Contact the state veterinarians' office if there is any question about the rule.

Another reason to contact the office is Michigans' rule regarding Equine Piroplasmosis.  This disease is a reportable to the USDA and Michigan has set up its' own regulation.  If the disease has been reported in the state of origination within the last twelve months (12) a negative test is required before shipping into the state of Michigan.  The number for the state veterinarians' office is: 517-373-1077.

Winter Weather

So, the weather is too bad to turn out the horses.  What should you do so the
horses don't colic? 
     1. Increase the hay and decrease the grain.  Only give enough grain to
get supplements in.  If you have Bran or Oatmeal you can make a warm ,wet
mash of 1/3 grain and 2/3 Bran or Oatmeal.  The total should not exceed 1/2 of
the total grain normally fed .  Hay should be spread out throughout the day. 
Don't feed it all at once 
     2. Make sure the horses have plenty of water.
     3. Consider turning them out just while cleaning the stall.  Even a little
exercise will help.
Hope this helps .
                    Don