New health guidelines for humans Ticks are common in pastures, trails, and wooded areas. Some ticks (blacklegged or deer ticks) can transmit Lyme disease to people so as a horse owner, you need to check your horse but also yourself! Step 1 Remove the tick safely Step 2 Saving the tick can be helpful Step…

June 18 is Veterinary Appreciation Day.  Your vet enjoys seeing you, but they would rather see you for routine appointments than emergencies. Equine Guelph is sharing free resources on TheHorsePortal.ca to help you communicate with confidence for both scenarios.   After all, an ounce of prevention is worth far more than a pound of cure,…

What Every Horse Owner Should Know As summer arrives, veterinarians and horse owners across Canada grow increasingly concerned about Potomac Horse Fever (PHF). Once rare, the disease is appearing more often in regions north of the U.S.  Potomac is now considered endemic in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia. What Is Potomac…

FREE Global Registration on March 1 World Horse Day has been celebrated on March 1st every year since it was created in 2005 to raise awareness of equine welfare and protection. For the 21th anniversary of World Horse Day, Equine Guelph at the University of Guelph will celebrate by offering horse enthusiasts the opportunity to reduce the occurrence…

Colic remains the number one killer of horses, other than old age, but horse owners can take proactive steps to reduce the risk of colic by understanding the many factors that contribute to this serious condition.  February is Colic Prevention Month at Equine Guelph and in just 10 minutes you can complete the FREE interactive…

If you’re a horse owner, August is a timely reminder to think about your legacy—and the future of your equine companions. Horses are more than pets; they’re partners, athletes, and family. And just like any dependent, they deserve a plan for their care if something happens to you. Who Will Look After Your Horse? It’s…

Dr. Taralyn McCarrel’s journey into equine lameness began with her early experiences riding and working at a hunter barn. Recognizing the critical importance of soundness for both horses and riders, she developed a keen eye and ear for detecting lameness issues. Her passion for veterinary medicine led her to graduate from the Ontario Veterinary College…

Safeguard Your Equine Partner Equine Guelph’s Vaccination Equi-Planner is a cutting-edge healthcare tool designed to help horse owners protect their valuable equine partners. This innovative tool provides a starting point to discuss a comprehensive vaccination schedule with your veterinarian that will be tailored to each horse’s unique needs, aiming for optimal health and performance. Provide Protection for Your…

February is Colic Prevention Month at Equine Guelph, when all horse owners are encouraged to raise their awareness about colic, the number one killer of horses.   Take 10 minutes and visit the FREE interactive Colic Risk Rater (TheHorsePortal.ca/ColicTool).  Valuable feedback is provided on the risk of colic to your horse(s) based on your current management practices.  Horse owners that…

On September 28, 2024, Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) coordinates World Rabies Day and this year’s theme is ‘Breaking Rabies Boundaries’.  In the ‘One Health’ approach, every sector takes responsibility in the effort to tackle rabies.  Rabies is a viral infection of the nervous system known to be problematic in carnivores and bats, although…

Chronic pain and lameness resulting from osteoarthritis (OA) and other musculoskeletal conditions are the most common causes of poor quality of life in senior horses.  In the month of September, Equine Guelph promotes Senior Horse Education, increasing awareness of ways caregivers can be the best advocates for the health and welfare of their senior equines. …

Authors: Dr. Mike Lindinger & Gayle Ecker With exercise, the body temperature rises. This heat must be dissipated, or the horse will literally “cook”!  The body cools itself through the evaporation of sweat, so sweating is especially important for the exercising horse. The sweat contains water and electrolytes, or salts. The main electrolytes are sodium,…