Equus Spring 2024

Nestled amongst 165 acres of woodland near Union, Missouri, the Humane Society of Missouri’s (HSMO) Longmeadow Rescue Ranch is a haven for hundreds of abused and neglected horses, cows, goats, pigs, ducks and other farm animals. The ranch is one of the most comprehensive horse and farm animal care and rehabilitation centers in the country. In addition to animal care, ranch staff provide hands-on humane education experiences for both children and adults. In May 2023, HSMO’s Animal Cruelty Task Force (ACT) conducted a rescue of four starving horses from the rural property of a neglectful owner. All four mares were in similar condition: severely emaciated with overgrown hooves and external parasites. Thistle, the youngest of the four, was in the worst condition. She was extremely thin, weighing only 727 pounds.…

THE BEST WAY TO USE WEIGHT TAPES Weight tapes have always entailed a tradeoff: They’re portable and easy to use, yet they aren’t especially accurate. But a new study from Scotland shows that—used properly—a weight tape can be very helpful for managing a horse’s weight and protecting his health. University of Edinburgh researchers worked with a British feed company to investigate the utility and pitfalls of weight tapes, which are designed to be wrapped around the barrel to “measure” a horse’s weight in pounds or kilograms. For the study, the researchers reviewed the records from 1,716 horses seen by the feed company’s consultants over a two-year period. In addition to documenting each horse’s height, breed, type (heavy-, medium-or light-boned) and body condition score, the consultants took weight readings using both…

There’s a reason why nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are found in horse barns across America. Phenylbutazone, flunixin meglumine and other frequently prescribed NSAIDs are well understood, easy on the wallet and effective. Indeed, rare is the horse owner who hasn’t administered NSAIDs, under a veterinarian’s supervision, to ease a horse’s aches, pains or digestive discomfort. Yet as familiar and indispensable as NSAIDs are, questions can still arise about how best to use them and what their effects might be. Of course, an internet search will yield plenty of general information. But for practical guidance, as well as insights that only experience confers, it’s best to turn to experts—veterinarians and researchers—with direct experience treating horses with NSAIDs. Of course, you’ll want to consult your veterinarian regarding your own horse’s care but…

Ryan Carpenter, DVM, MS, DACVS, is a surgeon at Equine Medical Center in Cypress, California, where he specializes in arthroscopic, orthopedic and soft tissue procedures. Carpenter received his veterinary degree from the University of California, Davis. After his surgical internship at Equine Medical Center, he completed an equine lameness and surgery residency at Colorado State University. He is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and an ACVS Founding Fellow, Minimally Invasive Surgery (Large Animal Orthopedics). Duncan Peters, DVM, received his veterinary degree from the University of California, Davis and is a diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (ACVSMR). After serving as a professor in clinical equine lameness and sports medicine at Michigan State University, Peters became co-owner of East-West Equine Sports Medicine,…

DON’T exceed the prescribed dose of an NSAID. DO monitor horses receiving NSAID treatments for colic, diarrhea or other signs of adverse effects. DON’T administer an NSAID more frequently than directed by your veterinarian. DO talk to your veterinarian about firocoxib or a topical NSAID with less systemic effects like Surpass (diclofenac), if your horse requires long-term administration. DON’T administer more than one NSAID at the same time, unless directed to do so by your veterinarian. DO make sure that a horse receiving NSAIDs has access to clean, fresh water and monitor him to prevent dehydration. DON’T administer an NSAID to your horse without consulting your veterinarian.…

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) aid healing and reduce discomfort by inhibiting the body’s inflammatory processes. So called non-selective NSAIDs (such as phenylbutazone, naproxen sodium and flunixin meglumine) are associated with an increased risk for gastrointestinal bleeding and kidney problems because of how they work. These NSAIDs block both Cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) enzymes, which aid the production of prostaglandins that maintain the stomach’s protective lining and protect other body tissues, and Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzymes, which are released in response to injury and contribute to pain, swelling and inflammation. Newer medications, called COX-2 selective NSAIDs, target only COX-2 enzymes and thus have fewer potential side effects. In horses, the COX-2 selective medication firocoxib (brand name Equioxx) can help reduce inflammation with a lower risk of gastrointestinal or renal side effects.…