While equine herpesvirus (EHV) is typically associated with respiratory illness in young equine athletes, it can also have devastating consequences for breeding operations. As foaling season approaches, it’s important for horse owners to understand the risks EHV poses to broodmares. Dr. Tracey Chenier, an associate professor of theriogenology at the Ontario Veterinary College, provides insights on the prevalence of the virus and strategies breeders can use to protect their mares.

You’re committed to providing the best care for your horse. This guide will help you determine which supplements to choose, and how and when to add them to your horse’s care routine. Every time you enter a feed store, you’re welcomed by a wide variety of dietary supplements and nutraceuticals. With all the appealing options, it’s easy to feel tempted to try something new each visit.

Hydrotherapy, the use of water to treat medical conditions, was first practiced by ancient Egyptians, and pools, saunas, baths, and tanks have historically been used to treat health concerns from arthritis to inulcers. Muscles have to work harder to move in water than on land, while the buoyancy of water reduces weight-bearing on bones, joints, and soft tissues, and the pressure exerted by water reduces swelling and inflammation.

Equine sports medicine and rehabilitation is a comparatively new veterinary specialty. Sarah le Jeune, DVM, DACVS, DECVS, DACVSMR, certified equine acupuncturist, and Jessica Morgan, DVM, PhD, DACVSMR, both specialty clinicians at the UC Davis veterinary hospital, provided some insights into this topic.