Elite Equine

06/22/2026

🐴 Peroneus Tertius Rupture in Horses: Understanding a Unique Injury

The peroneus tertius is a key component of the horse’s reciprocal apparatus, a specialized system that mechanically links the stifle and hock. In a normal horse, when the stifle flexes, the hock flexes as well. The peroneus tertius runs down the front of the hind limb and helps coordinate this movement.

🚨 What happens when it ruptures?
A rupture of the peroneus tertius breaks this connection, allowing the horse to do something it normally cannot:

➡️ Flex the stifle while extending the hock.

Common clinical signs include:
• Hind limb lameness
• Swelling along the front of the hock or tibia
• Difficulty coordinating hind limb movement
• Ability to extend the hock while the stifle remains flexed (a classic diagnostic finding)
• Reduced athletic performance

🔍 Diagnosis
Diagnosis is often made through physical examination and observation of abnormal limb motion. Ultrasound can help identify the location and severity of the tear and evaluate associated soft tissue injuries.

💉 Treatment
Most cases are treated conservatively with:
• Stall rest and controlled exercise
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Supportive bandaging when indicated
• A structured rehabilitation program

More severe injuries or those involving additional structures may require prolonged rehabilitation and close monitoring with repeat ultrasound examinations.

⏳ Prognosis
Many horses can return to athletic function following appropriate rehabilitation, although recovery time often ranges from several months to longer depending on the severity of the injury and the horse’s intended use.

06/20/2026

🎉 Celebrating 10 Years of Serving the Horses of Arkansas 🎉

For the past decade, Elite Equine has been honored to care for the horses that power Arkansas.

Over the last 10 years, we’ve had the privilege of building relationships with incredible horse owners, trainers, breeders, and competitors across the state. From routine wellness care to performance medicine, emergencies, and everything in between, our mission has always remained the same: providing exceptional veterinary care while treating every horse as if it were our own.

This milestone would not be possible without the trust and support of our clients, friends, and equine community. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey and for giving us the opportunity to care for the horses that mean so much to you.

Here’s to the horses, the people who love them, and the next decade of excellence.

Thank you, Arkansas, for 10 incredible years.

06/15/2026

🐴 Why Is My Horse’s Eye Tearing? Understanding the Nasolacrimal Duct 👁️💧

Have you noticed excessive tearing or discharge from one of your horse’s eyes? The problem may not be the eye itself—it could be a clogged nasolacrimal duct.

What is the Nasolacrimal Duct?

The nasolacrimal duct is the drainage system for your horse’s tears. Tears are produced by the tear glands around the eye and help keep the surface of the eye healthy, clean, and lubricated. After bathing the eye, tears drain through tiny openings in the eyelids called puncta, travel through the nasolacrimal duct, and ultimately exit through an opening inside the nostril.

Why Is It Important?

A properly functioning nasolacrimal duct prevents tears from overflowing onto the face. When the duct becomes blocked, tears have nowhere to go and begin spilling down the horse’s face.

Clinical Signs of a Clogged Nasolacrimal Duct

🔹 Excessive tearing (epiphora)
🔹 Wetness or staining below the eye
🔹 Mild mucoid or mucus-like discharge
🔹 Crusting of facial hair beneath the eye
🔹 Skin irritation from chronic moisture
🔹 Usually no significant squinting or eye pain unless another eye problem is present

What Causes a Blockage?

Common causes include:

✔️ Dust, debris, or dried secretions
✔️ Inflammation from allergies or infection
✔️ Scar tissue from previous trauma
✔️ Dental disease involving the upper cheek teeth roots
✔️ Congenital narrowing in young horses

What Is a Nasolacrimal Duct Flush?

A nasolacrimal duct flush is a simple procedure where a small catheter is placed into the duct and sterile fluid is gently flushed through the system. This allows us to:

✅ Confirm the duct is open
✅ Remove mucus, debris, and inflammatory material
✅ Restore normal tear drainage
✅ Improve comfort and reduce chronic tearing

In many cases, horses experience immediate improvement once the obstruction is cleared.

When Should Your Veterinarian Be Called?

Not every tearing eye is caused by a clogged duct. Corneal ulcers, conjunctivitis, uveitis, and other serious eye conditions can look similar. Any horse with excessive tearing, discharge, squinting, or eye discomfort should receive a thorough ophthalmic examination to determine the underlying cause.

*I do not own the rights to this music*

06/13/2026

2026 edition of babies helping make babies!

Sweet Millie is hoping for a baby sister next year!

06/12/2026

🐴 Hoof Abscesses: One of the Most Common Causes of Sudden Lameness

Few things are more alarming than walking out to the barn and finding your horse suddenly unable to bear weight on a leg. In many cases, the culprit is a hoof abscess.

A hoof abscess occurs when bacteria become trapped within the hoof, creating a pocket of infection and pressure. Because the hoof capsule is rigid and cannot expand, even a small abscess can cause significant pain.

🔍 Common Causes
• Tiny cracks or defects in the hoof wall
• White line disease
• Sole bruising
• Puncture wounds
• Excessively wet or muddy conditions
• Repeated wet-to-dry environmental changes
• Poor hoof quality or long intervals between farrier visits

⚠️ Clinical Signs
• Sudden, often severe lameness
• Reluctance to bear weight on the affected limb
• Increased digital pulse
• Heat in the hoof
• Pain with hoof testers
• Swelling extending up the pastern or lower limb in some cases

Many owners are surprised to learn that a hoof abscess can make a horse appear as lame as one with a fracture.

🩺 Treatment
The primary goal is to locate and establish drainage of the abscess.

Treatment may include:
✅ Identifying and opening a drainage tract when possible
✅ Soaking or poulticing the foot
✅ Applying a protective bandage or hoof boot
✅ Pain and anti-inflammatory medications as needed
✅ Tetanus protection when indicated

Once adequate drainage is achieved, most horses experience dramatic improvement within 24–48 hours.

🚨 When to Call Your Veterinarian
Not every painful foot is an abscess. Fractures, laminitis, tendon injuries, and septic structures within the hoof can present similarly. A veterinary examination may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis and develop the appropriate treatment plan.

*I do not own the rights to this music*

06/10/2026

🦠 Biofilm: The Hidden Challenge in Chronic Mare Endometritis

One of the reasons some mares continue to struggle with uterine infections despite repeated treatments is the presence of biofilm.

Biofilm is a protective layer created by bacteria that allows them to attach to the uterine lining and essentially “hide” from the mare’s immune system and many antibiotics. Think of it as a shield that protects bacteria and makes infections much more difficult to eliminate.

📸 In the example shown below, this mare was suspected of having a biofilm-associated uterine infection. To help disrupt and remove the biofilm, we:

✅ Infused the uterus with DMSO
✅ Allowed the DMSO to remain in the uterus for approximately 24 hours
✅ Performed a thorough uterine lavage the following day until the efflux was clear

The material recovered during the lavage often contains mucus, inflammatory debris, and biofilm material that may be contributing to a persistent uterine environment unfavorable for pregnancy.

🎯 Why is this important?

A healthy uterus is critical for establishing and maintaining a pregnancy. When biofilm is present, mares may experience:
• Chronic endometritis
• Repeated positive cultures
• Persistent uterine fluid
• Failure to conceive
• Early embryonic loss

While DMSO is just one tool that may be incorporated into a treatment protocol, identifying and addressing biofilm can be an important step in improving uterine health and reproductive success.

🐴 Every mare is different, and successful treatment requires a complete reproductive examination and a customized plan based on culture, cytology, ultrasound findings, and breeding history.

*I do not own rights to this music*

06/08/2026

It’s time to talk about New World Screwworm, like we need a new fear unlocked for our animals!

There are no confirmed cases in Arkansas but it’s important to familiarize yourself with the clinical signs of New World Screwworm.

New World Screwworm is a parasite that can affect horses, cattle, pets, wildlife, and even people. Unlike typical maggots that feed on dead tissue, screwworm larvae feed on living tissue, causing painful wounds that can rapidly become severe.

⚠️ Watch for:
• Wounds that won’t heal
• Excessive drainage or bleeding
• Swelling and pain around a wound
• Foul odor
• Visible maggots in a wound

🪰 Screwworm flies are attracted to even small wounds, including cuts, surgical incisions, castration sites, umbilical cords in newborns, and tick bites.

✅ Prevention Tips:
• Check your horse daily for wounds
• Keep wounds clean and protected
• Contact your veterinarian promptly if a wound appears unusual or contains maggots
• Follow all current animal movement and travel requirements

Early detection is critical. Untreated screwworm infestations can cause extensive tissue damage and become life-threatening.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed the detection of New World Screwworm (NWS) in two calves in Zavala County, Texas. While there are no detections in Arkansas at this time, livestock and animal owners should stay alert and take preventative action. Movement of animals into Arkansas from the affected area in Texas will be restricted according to established federal NWS response guidance and a state entry permit will also be required for those animals.

Find full guidance here: https://agriculture.arkansas.gov/public-notice/notice-usda-confirms-presence-of-new-world-screwworm-in-the-united-states-new-requirements-for-entry-of-animals-from-texas/

06/08/2026

🐴 Chest Hematomas in Horses: More Than Just a Swelling

A common injury we see in horses is a hematoma (blood pocket) caused by a kick to the chest. While some hematomas are small and resolve on their own, larger ones can become painful, restrict movement, become infected, or create significant cosmetic defects if left untreated.

🔍 What is a hematoma?
A hematoma forms when blood vessels are damaged and blood collects under the skin following trauma, such as being kicked by another horse.

⚠️ Signs to watch for:
• Swelling on the chest or pectoral region
• Heat or pain when touched
• Reluctance to move forward freely
• Drainage from the area
• Fever or increasing swelling (may indicate infection)

🩺 Treatment options
Large hematomas often require veterinary intervention. Treatment may include:

✅ Draining accumulated blood and fluid
✅ Placement of a Penrose drain to allow continued drainage and prevent fluid from reaccumulating
✅ Daily flushing and cleaning of the drain site
✅ Antibiotics when infection is present or there is concern for contamination
✅ Anti-inflammatory and pain medications to keep the horse comfortable
✅ Stall rest or restricted exercise until healing progresses

⏳ Recovery
It’s important to understand that even with appropriate treatment, these injuries can take weeks to months to fully heal. Consistent aftercare and monitoring are essential for the best outcome.




*I do not own the rights to this music*