Ed Boldt DVM - Performance Horse Complementary Medicine Services

05/20/2026

HOW AND WHY DO HORSES GET ULCERS?

Equine gastric ulcers can affect any horse of any age. Up to 90% of racehorses and 60% of show horses, as well as non-performance horses and even foals are affected by equine gastric ulcers. Gastric ulcers result from the erosion of the stomach lining due to a prolonged exposure to the normal acid present in the stomach.

Unlike ulcers in humans, bacteria do not appear to cause equine gastric ulcers. Instead, this condition is often a man-made disease. Stall confinement alone can lead to the development of ulcers. A horse’s feeding schedule and high-grain diets can also contribute to the development of ulcers.

Stress, both environmental and physical, can increase the likelihood of ulcers, as can hauling, training, and mixing groups of horses. Strenuous exercise can decrease the emptying of the stomach as well as the blood flow, thus further contributing to the problem.

The treatment and prevention of gastric ulcers is directed at removing these predisposing factors, therefore decreasing acid production within the horse’s stomach. Prevention of ulcers is the key in helping your horse, as neutralizing the production of stomach acid is nature’s best antacid.

Please note that the only way to definitively diagnose ulcers is through a gastroscopy. An equine veterinarian should always be consulted in any case of suspected gastric ulcers to determine the best course of action and treatment for the individual horse.

05/20/2026

05/16/2026

Practical environmental management steps can make a big dent in insect populations around horse farms, often without needing pesticides. 🪰🦟

🦟 REDUCE MOSQUITO BREEDING
• Dump standing water routinely.
- Mosquitoes need water to complete their life cycle. Empty water that collects in flowerpots, buckets, barrels, etc.
- Drill drainage holes in tire swings and keep children’s wading pools empty and stored on their side when not in use.
• Refresh water troughs frequently. Change water troughs at least twice weekly to discourage mosquito breeding.
• Mosquito-proof barns and stables:
- Install and maintain secure screens on windows and doors.
- Use fans (mosquitoes/flies avoid strong air movement because they can’t control flight well).
- Consider lighting choices. In barns, swapping incandescent bulbs for fluorescent-type fixtures can make the area less attractive to mosquitoes.

🪰 SANITATION & FACILITY MANAGEMENT
• Manure and waste handling (sanitation) is foundational. Remove stall and paddock litter and dispose of it properly.
• Stacking manure to reduce surface area is recommended; for small facilities, covering stacks with plastic film can help reduce fly breeding.
• If hay is fed in paddocks, avoid allowing hay to get trampled into the footing/substrate near feeders—flies can develop in that material, sometimes even beneath the soil surface.

⚠️ REMEMBER: not all flies come from your manure pile. “Feed-through” fly products are only potentially helpful if the flies are actually breeding in manure from horses on-site; in contrast, face flies, horn flies, and tabanids do not breed in horse manure, while house flies and stable flies can.

TRAPS & NON-CHEMICAL TOOLS
• Use traps to monitor and help manage flies. Traps can be useful to track fly numbers, but placement matters.
- Put traps where flies are numerous, and for stable flies, as close to the animals as possible.
• Use fans inside barns as pesticide-free protection. This is one of the simplest, most effective barn strategies for flies that enter.
• UV light traps can help indoors. If used, they’re recommended inside barns; avoid placing them outside or running them after dark.

05/08/2026

05/08/2026

05/07/2026

It's MYTHBUSTER time! 🔎

The core vaccinations for every horse, regardless of their travel status, include Rabies, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE), West Nile Virus (WNV), and Tetanus.

Unfortunately, mosquitoes, bacteria, and rabid animals do not discriminate when it comes to infecting horses. Whether a horse is in a freshly bedded stall, wide open pasture, or on show grounds, mosquitoes can potentially infect your horse with life threatening diseases such as EEE, WEE, and/or WNV.

Tetanus is a common clostridial bacteria present in the dirt and can infect a horse who has never left its home just the same as a horse who shows every weekend if it doesn't have proper vaccine status.

Rabies is a 100% fatal disease once clinical signs are present and is easily transmissible to humans and other animals both at home and on the trails.

It's also important to note that different regions in the U.S. may have additional "core" recommendations so be sure to ask your veterinarian what is best for your horse!

Want to learn more about vaccinations? Visit our vaccination chart on our website here: https://aaep.org/resource/adult-horse-vaccination-chart/

Thank you to the Horse Owner Education Committee for providing this information!

05/07/2026

Have you ever dealt with a puncture wound to the hoof??

Puncture wounds in the foot qualify as medical emergencies, due to the number of vital structures just beneath the sole that can be physically damaged and/or contaminated with bacteria when they are penetrated by a sharp object.

If your horse steps on a nail or other sharp object and it remains embedded in the hoof, resist the temptation to pull the nail out and consult with your veterinarian first. Leaving the nail in place will allow the vet to take x-rays of the foot before removal, which helps to identify exactly what structures have been penetrated, and to plan the most appropriate strategy for dealing with the situation.

If your veterinarian advises, carefully remove the nail to prevent the horse from stepping on it and driving it deeper into the hoof cavity. As you remove it, be sure to mark the exact point and depth of entry with tape and/or a marker so the veterinarian can assess the extent of damage. Apply antiseptic to the wound and wrap to prevent additional contamination while you wait for your appointment.

Penetrating hoof wounds can be extremely serious and shouldn’t be underestimated. The prognosis for successful recovery depends on quick action to identify the path of the nail, treatment of potential infection and mechanical damage to the foot, and proper aftercare.

As always, consult your horse doctor for more information and advice!

05/05/2026

Cold/compression systems can be beneficial for controlling swelling and inflammation but may not be readily available to most horse owners, and the cost of these units is often substantial.

For cooling, simple cold hosing using cold tap water from a garden hose for 10-15 minutes once to twice daily can be beneficial in some cases, is cost-effective, and is readily available. This may be most helpful in cases of acute swelling. Ice therapy can be effective as well. Some individuals fashion large ice buckets out of items such as fluid drums, fill them with ice water, and have the horse stand with the legs submerged for a period of 10-15 minutes. This provides rapid cooling, but care should be taken to avoid prolonged exposure. Patient tolerance is also variable using this method.

For compression, a standard bandage may be useful, especially in the acute phase. There is debatable efficacy of topical application of “sweat” wraps. Historically, DMSO and nitrofurazone were commonly used. While these products are still used, there are also other topical products such as magnesium sulfate paste that can be applied. Veterinary insight is important because there are numerous over-the-counter topicals available, but very few have any established efficacy and some can be quite irritating to the skin, especially if there is any topical wound involved.

Movement is often beneficial for decreasing swelling as well. This may take the form of light hand walking for 10-15 minutes a few times per day or the use of a walker. Veterinary insight is important to ensure that there are no underlying issues that may be perpetuated by light exercise. It is also important to bear in mind that in some cases with chronic limb edema and cellulitis, some degree of enlargement/swelling of the leg may persist despite treatment. Sometimes this is not necessarily performance-limiting but may be more of a cosmetic concern. Working with your veterinarian will help to ensure the best possible outcome.

05/02/2026

𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 $𝟓𝟎𝟎,𝟎𝟎𝟎 in scholarships are available through The Foundation for the Horse.

If you’re an equine veterinary student graduating in 2027 or 2028, take this opportunity to invest in your future and your commitment to the horse. Academic success is important, but we look deeper. Perfection isn’t required, but passion is.

🗓 Deadline: May 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST
👉 Apply today: https://www.foundationforthehorse.org/scholarships-program/