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News & Info

Vaccinations

Vaccine schedules are targeted to individual horse’s needs.

 
Here are some links to calendars for local events we thought you might be interested in.


The Nokesville Horse Society

Summerduck Run Farm Horse Shows

 

Obesity and Insulin Resistance

Researchers at Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine conducted a study to evaluate the effects of weight gain on horses’ insulin sensitivity, specific hormones and fatty acids.  13 Arabian or Arabian-cross geldings were fed twice their normal caloric requirement for 16 weeks resulting in an average of 189 lb weight gain.

The following alterations in blood parameters were noted:

  • A threefold increase in both leptin and insulin blood concentrations.
  • A 71% decrease in insulin sensitivity.
  • A 40% increase in insulin response to glucose levels or circulating fatty acids.
  • No change in blood glucose  or circulating fatty acids.

The authors concluded from these results that preventing weight gain and obesity could minimize these changes and ultimately reduce the risk for laminitis.

The take home message from this research is that obesity in our horses can result in insulin resistance and increase a horse’s risk of developing laminitis.  The good news is that by monitoring and controlling our horse’s weight we can prevent these health problems. 

 Trailer Safety tips

In the last few weeks we have responded to 3 emergencies of horses getting hurt in trailers.  Horses injuring themselves is probably the most common trailer emergency, but rarely addressed in trailer safety articles.  As horses are accidents waiting to happen it is not always possible to avoid these injuries.  Here are some tips to minimize the causes and ways to respond to minimize the damage once the incident has occurred.
    
1.    Make sure the horse is comfortable in the trailer.  Distractions outside the trailer can be the cause of a horse acting up in the trailer.
2. Hay nets should be tied up high enough and snug enough that a horse won’t get a leg caught if he rears up or strikes forward with a limb.
3. Leg wraps and/or bell boots can prevent injury.  THEY MUST BE APPLIED PROPERLY AND SNUGLY OR THEY CAN CAUSE INJURY
    4. Always have a first aid kit in the vehicle.

Many of these horse accidents happen while the trailer is standing still or just as it starts to move.  Then there is usually a commotion and noise.  On the road you may only be aware of the trailer swaying or bumping against the trailer hitch.  In either case here are some things to do.

1.    STAY CALM
2.    Find a safe place to stop the trailer where you could possibly unload a frightened horse.
3.    Stop the vehicle slowly.
4.    Take the key out of the ignition and put it in your pocket.
5.    Do not open the escape door.  Horses will almost always try to jump out the door which can be a disaster.  A frightened horse will always see the light in front of him as the safest way out- usually it is not safe at all.
6.    Assess the problem though a window.  
7.    Call for help.  If you need to extract a horse wait for help.
8.    Open the rear gate/door first but don’t get kicked.
9.    How the horse is positioned and the injuries sustained will determine what to do next.

See more trailer safety on our blog.
7355 South Run Lane, Marshall, VA 20115 (map)   |   Tel: 540-347-0807   |   Fax: 540-347-5526   |   e-mail