Essence Equine

09/03/2026

Tick season, unfortunately, does not end when summer does.

In New Hampshire, adult deer ticks are often more active in the autumn. That is when many horses pick them up in the mane and tail, under the jaw, and in the groin. Lyme disease gets most of the attention, but anaplasmosis is the one that can make a horse look suddenly and obviously sick.

A few things worth knowing:

1. Pull ticks as soon as you find them. There is no guaranteed safe window for transmission of disease agents. The risk goes up the longer a tick is attached, and some tick-borne diseases can start transferring sooner than the old "wait a day" rule. Daily checks always matter because you cannot know when that tick crawled on.

2. Fever and swollen legs are a reason to call. A horse who is dull, off feed, running a fever, or stocking up in the limbs may have anaplasmosis. That is not a "wait until Monday" situation.

3. Lyme is common to be exposed to here but less common to actually cause disease. A positive blood test by itself does not necessarily mean the lameness, the crankiness, or the "not quite right" is Lyme disease. Those clinical signs have a lot of other causes that are worth ruling out.

4. Prevention is barn-level, not just an on-horse spray. Keep brush back from fence lines where you can, check horses after any time in the woods or tall grass, and talk with us about what prevention makes sense for your horses and your property.

If you find a tick, pull it, or if you have a horse who seems off as the weather cools, reach out. We’re always happy to look and make a plan!

07/16/2026

Happy Feet! As the old adage "No hoof, no horse." goes, the equine hoof is only one (but yet a largely significant) component to maintaining a happy, healthy, and sound equine companion. The article "Happy Feet: The Art of Nourishing the Equine Hoof" from Platinum Performance explains the structure of a horse's hoof and the implications nutrition can have, for better or worse. Here are some key takeaways:

1) Important anatomy to know and understand:
- The coronary band provides growth and nourishment to the hoof.
- The hoof wall is the rigid outer layers used for weight-bearing.
- The sole, frog, and bars provide shock absorption, traction, circulation, and protection.
- The internal structures (laminae/corium, digital cushion, and pedal and navicular bones) are the living tissues that produce the hoof horn and manage blood flow and shock.

Problems here affect the whole horse, from minor cracks to debilitating lameness.

2) Nutrition is foundational for hoof quality. The hoof grows continuously, so diet directly impacts its strength and resilience. A balanced, forage-first ration with proper vitamins, minerals, protein/amino acids, and fats, and overall calories optimizes hoof wall growth and integrity. Inadequate nutrition can turn genetic predispositions into serious problems, and horses on well-balanced diets are far less likely to develop foot issues.

3) Common hoof problems:
- Laminitis
- White Line Disease
- Abscesses
- Hoof cracks (especially quarter cracks)
- Navicular Syndrome

Early veterinary and farrier intervention is essential with any of these problems, and nutrition supports healing and prevention.

4) Practical nutritional support can help with producing and maintaining proper hoof health. It is recommended to emphasize biotin (for hoof horn growth and strength), zinc, manganese, copper, amino acids (e.g., lysine), and balanced omega-3 fatty acids. These provide building blocks for resilient hooves, especially when combined with quality forage and overall wellness nutrition. Consistent supplementation can make a visible difference in a horse's hoof quality over time.

5) Prevention strategies include:

- Regular farrier visits and corrective shoeing when needed.
- Monitoring for early signs of disease, such as heat, sensitivity, cracks, and changes in stance/gait.
- Managing the environment (controlling moisture and ensuring proper footing) and workload.
- Maintaining the horse in a healthy weight and supporting metabolic balance so as to minimize laminitis risk.

Ultimately, proper nutrition with regular farrier work and consistent veterinary/health care equates to the winning combination for long-term soundness of our horses!

To read the full article from Platinum Performance. click below:

Proper horse nutrition can make a difference to maintain healthy horse hooves and avoid hoof issues. Learn about nutritional support for equine hooves.

07/12/2026

There is an upcoming (July 15th) Horse Owner Education Webinar from AAEP regarding topical ointments and their applications on horses. It's something to consider watching in order to grow your knowledge base, either live or on replay. When in doubt, always contact your veterinarian for advice!

Not all wound care ointments and sprays are created equal. Register for our free webinar with Dr. Carrie Hammer and Dr. Nikki Scherrer to learn strategies for basic wound healing and the effectiveness of common disinfectants, sprays and creams used to treat equine problems. We'd love to see you there! https://tinyurl.com/3n66xtw6

07/09/2026

In light of the extreme temperatures we've been experiencing the last couple of weeks, maintaining proper care and hydration of our equine counterparts during hot and humid weather is of import. Platinum Performance has an excellent article addressing "Horse Care in the Heat". Here are some essential takeaways:

1) Recognize heat stress early and address it before escalation. Watch for warning signs, such as re**al temperature > 102.0F, elevated pulse or respiration, profuse sweating, drooping ears, lethargy and inappetence, and dehydration. These are all signs that can quickly progress to heat stroke - a life-threatening emergency. When in doubt, contact your veterinarian.

2) Understand hydration needs can increase exponentially in the heat. Horses will typically consume 5-10+ gallons of water on a daily basis, but their intake can double on a dry-hay diet and increase even further with sweating from heat or exercise. Fresh, clean water should be available 24/7 - it's the single most important "nutrient" for thermoregulation, digestion, joint health, and, effectively, every bodily function in the horse.

3) Know that salt and electrolytes drive thirst and fluid balance. Sodium balance is what signals thirst and helps the body retain or release water appropriately. Provide plain white salt free-choice, either as loose salt (preferred by some horses) or as a block or, as an alternative, add 1-2 oz (equals about 2-4 tbsp) daily to feed, doubling the amount in hot and/or humid weather. For horses sweating heavily from heat or exercise, use a quality electrolyte formulated to replace sweat losses. Side note - always provide fresh water alongside electrolytes and administer them with or after a meal to help protect the stomach.

4) Cool your horse effectively if it overheats. Move them to a shaded area with good airflow or fans. Walk them calmly until their breathing normalizes, and then continuously spray their entire body with cool (not ice-cold) water for effect evaporative cooling. Offer drinking water at the same time.

5) Remember that prevention protects performance, appetite, and long-term health. Avoid intense work during peak heat. Prioritize shade, ventilation, and daily monitoring of water intake and attitude. Horses with metabolic conditions (PPID, EMS/IR), those in regular training, lactating mares, and seniors often need extra vigilance. Small and proactive steps now - consistent salt/electrolyte support, shade, and early intervention - prevent larger issues, such as dehydration-related colic, reduced performance, and heat stroke later on.

To read the full article from Platinum Performance:

Learn the signs of heat stress, how to cool a hot horse and ensure proper hydration to enjoy a worry-free summer. An equine nutritionist provides tips.

05/10/2026

🌺🌹🌷 An amazing and wonderful Mother’s Day to all mothers! 🌷🌹🌺 I think our little assistant agrees! ❤️

05/09/2026

Happy rainy Saturday! We recently went out to evaluate a patient who had stepped on a salt block holder and gotten it wedged onto her hind foot. Despite valiant attempts on the client's part, the patient was not cooperative and kicking out, and so we were called in to "save the day". A little (a lot of) sedation, a wonderful limb holder assistant, and a pair of pliers/wire cutters later, and she was free! Thankfully, no injuries and just the embarrassment of having worn a salt block holder "shoe" for a few hours, lol.