In our Ask the Vet column, Dr. Lydia Gray answers your horse-health questions at horseillustrated.com/AskTheVet. Got a question for Dr. Gray? Send it to hc-editor@luminamedia.com and use subject line "Ask the Vet."Q: I’ve had my 10-year-old Quarter horse gelding...
In these cooler fall months, a bit of rain and a burst of the last remaining summer warmth can cause a growth spurt in your pasture. This sudden increase in rich grass can put your horse at risk for...
As fresh, crisp, fall air starts to fill the barn and trail ride vistas turn into paint pallets of colorful foliage, a vet visit may be the farthest thing from your mind. After all, your horse had his spring...
Does this sight send your horse into panic mode? Read on for advice on dealing with needlephobia. Photo: Leslie PotterAs a vet, I am always pleasantly surprised by the large percentage of horses that don’t seem to mind needles....
Ensuring that your horse has all the paperwork necessary to horse show either locally our out-of-state can sometimes be a supreme effort in time management. You have to be sure your vet can have a Coggins and a health...
Lameness is one of the most prevalent veterinary complaints in the horse. While there are a multitude of ways horses can go lame, some conditions occur more frequently.Lameness in the horse can range from an obvious non-weight-bearing gait...
Subsolar abscesses, localized infections just beneath the sole of the hoof, are one of the most widespread causes of foot pain. As an abscess develops, it exerts pressure on the sensitive structures of the foot. Because the hard hoof...
Navicular Syndrome
The navicular bone is a small canoe-shaped bone that lies within the hoof behind the coffin and short pastern bones. Navicular syndrome is a term used to describe the heel pain and pathology of navicular disease. Affected horses...
Degenerative Joint Disease
Degenerative joint disease (DJD) is a common occurrence in older, and sometimes not so old, equine athletes. The body is designed to maintain the cartilage in the joints, repairing damage after normal wear and tear. In athletic...
Tendon and Ligament Injury
There are several important tendons and ligaments in the lower leg. The superficial digital flexor tendon, the deep digital flexor tendon, and the suspensory ligament are the most prominent and often prone to injury. Injuries to...
