Hendra Virus Fact Sheet
Click here to view the Hendra Virus Fact Sheet provided by the NSW Government Department of Primary Industries
Recent Advances in Semen Extenders
The equine industry, excluding Thoroughbreds, relies heavily on AI to access genetics from different stallions regionally and internationally. Horse selection for breeding is based on pedigree and athletic performance, but not upon reproductive traits or fertility compared to other domestic species. As a result, different breeding strategies have been developed to overcome equine reproductive limitation, [...]
Laminitis
WHAT IS LAMINITISLaminitis results from inflammation of the sensitive laminae of the hoof.The laminae of the hoof are tiny interlocking finger-like projections that hold tightly together like a zipper. Their function within the foot is to securely attach the coffin (or pedal) bone to the hoof wall. Inflammation can permanently weaken these laminae and result [...]
Pre-mature Foal
What is a premature foal?A premature foal is a foal that is immature and born before term, generally considered to be if they are born at less than 330 days gestation. However, length of pregnancy varies between mares, so the definition of a premature foal is not based solely on gestational age but also the [...]
Placentitis
WHAT IS IT?Placentitis is an inflammation within the placenta, it is responsible for the majority of late term abortions in broodmares. The most common type is ascending placentitis where bacteria enters the sterile uterus from the lower reproductive tract (e.g. mares with poor vaginal conformation). Viral and fungal infections can also cause placentitis.Early detection of [...]
Dehydration Colic
At this time of year in Australia the southern states are freezing through the cold winter months while the northern states are in the middle of the dry season. Whether it is due to freezing cold water and dry forage or because it is hot and dry and the moisture in the grass is low, [...]
Environmental Management and Parasite Control
Environmental management is an important part of parasite control. When a horse sheds eggs in their faeces, they hatch into larvae on the pasture which are then ingested by other horses as they graze. Therefore, regular and thorough removal of faeces from the pasture is a crucial step to reduce infection. Avoid overstocking and overgrazing [...]
Importance of Faecal Egg Counts!
As we have talked about in our earlier posts, blanket worming and overuse of wormers is both unnecessary and contributes to resistance. Therefore, we now recommend a targeted program tailored to your horse’s needs. The first step of this is to perform a faecal egg count (FEC). An FEC is an examination under the microscope [...]
Worm Drug Resistance
What is resistance? Resistance is “the ability of worms in a population to survive treatment with a drug that should be effective against the species and life stage”. This means that the worming product does not kill the worms that it should. Resistance to drugs develops naturally over time in worms but is accelerated and [...]
Why are worms a burden for horses?
Horses have evolved over thousands of years to live with parasites in their gut which we commonly call “worms.” So why are we always trying to get rid of them from our horses? In adult horses, small burdens often do not cause any issues. However; as the number of worms gets larger (increased worm burden), [...]