Fieldstone Veterinary Service P.C.

11/02/2025

Well kids, it is that time of the year again. Time for fall deworming. Please call the office if you can't find your most recent f***l parasite test results and deworming recommendations.

11/01/2025

DON'T MISS OUR LAST HORSE OWNER EDUCATION WEBINAR OF 2025! 📢

Join us next Wednesday, Nov. 5, for "Care and Management of the Elderly Equine".

Just like people, the needs of horses change as they continue to age. Members of the AAEP Horse Owner Education committee will present on a wide range of topics to help you properly care for the elderly equine in your life. Discussion points will include diet, dentistry, common diseases and illnesses, preventative care, and more. Do not miss this informative session on how to help your older horse live its best life!

Registration is FREE but required. A recording of the webinar will be available if you miss the live event.

Register here: https://events.zoom.us/ev/Ah5yOsCebSifxMhDsKU4IL28l58V2uXLCCZy2BJfr1cVGkPrhte-~AkTrbyktZL-X6LN0LpntEqMChUPte_sAlD_Vc22m-q6fZUf_K_Bby90XhQ

This informative session is brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee.

11/01/2025

I have seen an unusual number of cases this week so this a good time to share this information. Check your horses carefully- early cases require digging through the dense winter coat.

IS RAIN ROT A FUNGAL OR A BACTERIAL DISEASE?

Rain rot (or rain scald) is the common name for a contagious BACTERIAL skin disease called dermatophilosis. It's caused by the bacterium "Dermatophilus congolensis," which thrives during wet seasons and in geographical locations with high precipitation and humidity. It can also develop after horses have sweat under blankets or tack, and equines with compromised immune systems are more susceptible.

Why should you not mistake rain rot for a fungal disease?
Antifungal medications and topicals have no effect on the bacteria responsible for rain rot, therefore diagnosing the condition correctly is very important!

How does rain rot happen?
The bacteria infects the hair follicles and damages the hair follicle and shaft; the hair will then pull out in small clumps leaving pink skin or purulent scabs behind (pro tip: your horse will NOT thank you for picking at them!) If you do not address the factors that promote the right bacterial environment (for example, you always leave your horse to stand outside in the rain without shelter or the protection of a waterproof rug), rain rot can keep recurring. If left untreated, the condition can even progress to a point where it opens the door for more serious, secondary skin infections.

If you suspect your horse has rain rot, be sure to consult your veterinarian on the best treatment plan based on the severity of your horse's case. While there are a million products that can be found in your local tack store, your horse doctor may have cause to prescribe a specific course of action.

03/17/2025

FREE REGISTRATION at https://tinyurl.com/mtw6bvu8
Attend to get your questions answered LIVE!
The MSU College of Veterinary Medicine and Medical Center and My Horse University have partnered to offer this FREE Equine Health Webinar Series. Leading equine veterinarians will present each session, which includes live Q&A and prize drawings. The webinars will also be recorded and available on the My Horse University YouTube channel.
All webinars begin at 7:00 PM Eastern Time on Tuesdays. You can select from the following webinars/dates when you register:
March 18, 2025 (T), 7 PM ET: Sinking your teeth into equine dentistry Presenter: Amelie McAndrews, DVM, DAVDC-Eq, Garden State Equine Veterinary Dentistry
March 25, 2025 (T), 7 PM ET: Meet the McPhail Chair: Endocrine Disease and Performance Horses - More than Laminitis Presenter: Jane M Manfredi, DVM, PhD, Mary Anne McPhail Dressage Chair in Equine Sports Medicine
REGISTER NOW at https://tinyurl.com/mtw6bvu8

03/16/2025

02/14/2025

We are excited to announce the 2025 Equine Health Series speakers and topics! Don't forget, you need to register for each session using the link provided below!

REGISTER NOW at https://tinyurl.com/mtw6bvu8

The MSU College of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Medical Center and My Horse University have partnered to offer this FREE Equine Health Webinar Series. Leading veterinarians and equine scientists will present each session, which includes live Q&A and prize drawings. The webinars will also be recorded and available on the My Horse University YouTube channel.

All webinars begin at 7:00 PM Eastern Time on Tuesdays. You can select from the following webinars/dates when you register:

March 11, 2025 (T), 7 PM ET: The Coughing, Runny Nose, Poor Performance Horse - New Perspectives on Equine Asthma “RAO and IAD” Presenter: Eric Schroeder, DVM, Ohio State University

March 18, 2025 (T), 7 PM ET: Sinking your teeth into equine dentistry Presenter: Amelie McAndrews, DVM, DAVDC-Eq, Garden State Equine Veterinary Dentistry

March 25, 2025 (T), 7 PM ET: Meet the McPhail Chair: Endocrine Disease and Performance Horses - More than Laminitis Presenter: Jane M Manfredi, DVM, PhD, Mary Anne McPhail Dressage Chair in Equine Sports Medicine

REGISTER NOW at https://tinyurl.com/mtw6bvu8

02/11/2025

This will be an incredible science based clinic on the horse's nervous system and how we as horse people- owners, trainers, farriers, veterinarians- can better interact with our horses. Contact Susan Williams (see post) to reserve your spot.

02/04/2025

Great information here no matter if this is your first time foaling out your mare or you are a seasoned midwife. Get registered!

Are you foal-ready?

Join AAEP member veterinarians Drs. Chelsea Folmar & Taylor Huffman on Feb. 12 for a webinar discussion that will help you prepare for the foaling season. Learn how to create a foaling kit, the timeline of parturition (foaling), and how to recognize when veterinary intervention is needed.

Registration is FREE but required. A recording of the webinar will be available if you miss the live event.

Register here: https://events.zoom.us/ev/Ats8dN0E2JxrJYoBUPKU7BW_HtYcwxW988ZYvpWRruqNFu98_uws~AnoL_ZTlIx2iZDbk457AKzpEPWgwMyM1m36OoJWUUyiXJPOgKi4PHJJYdQ

This informative session is brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee.

01/18/2025

I just shared some cool graphics from AAEP on cold weather facts. I know my people all know this but because of the cruel cold snap that is starting this evening I just need to repeat a few things.

1. Water. Horses need ALOT of it, especially in the really hot or really cold weather. They don't like to walk to the water tank when their sheds are nice and comfy and sheltering them from the wind. We won't even talk about the footing in most of our turnouts... Encourage your horse to drink.
Add table salt, plain old table salt (not electrolytes), to their grain or vitamin mineral ration. Think the potato chip reaction.
Take them a bucket of warm water.
Make sure your tank heater is working well. Go break the ice off the tanks multiple times daily in the next few days because even the heated tanks may get iced over in the upcoming temps.
Make a mash out of their daily grain. Hot water over feed or hay pellets softens the pellets quickly, adds some water to their diet and prevents the salt you just added from sinking to the bottom of the pan.

2. Hay. Keep it front of them. Horses generate more heat from digesting hay than they do grain. Even if your horse is a little on the plumper side now is not the time to skimp on the long stem forage. The rationing can resume once the temperatures are a little more reasonable (closer to the 20s).

3. Do not make major changes to your horse's diet or routine in the next 3 days. It is not the time to switch to round bales or start a new grain. It is not the time to stall your feral brumby who doesn't drink well inside and always stresses in the barn. It is ok to do a little pampering (see warm water bucket tip in #1).

Questions? Give the office a call. In the meantime I'll be outside convincing the vet truck heater that it really does want to work in this weather.

01/18/2025

As the cold winter weather trudges on, Dr. Sarah Reuss, AAEP Vice President and a horse owner herself, shares the following advice to keep your horse safe during extreme weather.

1. While lots of hay is ideal for horses to eat to keep warm, now is NOT the time to introduce a round bale if they’ve never had access to one before. It may be more work, but keep throwing them their normal hay source, just more frequently.

2. Similarly, if your horse is not used to being in a stall, now is NOT the time. The stress of a major change and the decreased activity can be risk factors for colic. Be sure they have access to shelter, hay, and drinkable water but let them move around if they choose to do so.

3. Horses that are thin, older, or fully body clipped are those most at risk in extreme weather.

4. Well-fitting blankets are great but be sure that horses do not get sweaty under them, or that the blankets don’t soak through if snow or rain covered. Wet, cold and covered is worse that dry, cold and naked.

5. Some of the highest risk times are when the temperatures hover right around freezing, as that can result in sleet/freezing rain/ice that can make horses wet and therefore colder. Slippery footing is a concern, too.

6. If using electric water heaters, be sure they are functioning and not shocking horses. Take your gloves off and stick your hand in the water (briefly!!!) to double check.

7. Entice your horses to consume extra water by flavoring a bucket, adding electrolytes to their meals, or soaking their meals in warm water. If you’ve never fed beet pulp before, be sure to add LOTS of warm water. Dry beet pulp is a common source of choke.

8. The tips of your horses' ears can be at risk for frostbite. Putting on a waterproof, jumper-style ear bonnet or other waterproof ear cover can protect them from wind chills.

If you have any questions or concerns about keeping your horses safe this winter, contact your veterinarian for advice.

01/18/2025

Water is a vital resource for horses year-round, but its importance becomes even greater during the winter months. Maintaining proper hydration is essential for horses to support digestion, overall health, and especially for preventing colic, a potentially life-threatening condition.

In winter, horses may drink less water due to cold temperatures, or water sources might freeze, limiting access. Reduced water intake increases the risk of impaction colic, a condition that occurs when food material becomes lodged in the horse’s digestive tract. This is exacerbated by the dry, fibrous nature of winter forage like hay, which contains less moisture compared to fresh pasture grass. Without sufficient water, the digestive system slows and cannot properly break down this material, potentially leading to blockages.

Encouraging adequate water consumption is critical. Horses should normally drink 5-12 gallons of water daily, and ensuring the water is warm enough—between 45-65°F—can help encourage drinking. Studies show that horses are more likely to consume warm water during cold weather. Using heated water buckets or tank deicers can prevent freezing and make water more appealing.

Fun Fact: Research shows that horses drink almost 40% more water per day if given warm water (45-65 °F) instead of near-freezing water. (Kristula and McDonnell, 1994)

Electrolytes or salt supplements can also stimulate thirst, prompting horses to drink more. Offering soaked hay or adding water to feed can provide additional hydration. However, soaking hay or feed isn’t recommended in environments where these items would freeze solid before being consumed by the horse.

Preventing dehydration in winter is a proactive measure to safeguard against colic. Regularly monitoring water intake and ensuring clean, accessible, and palatable water is essential. By addressing these needs, horse owners can help maintain their horses’ health and comfort throughout the colder months.

If you have questions or concerns about your horses' winter water intake, contact your veterinarian.

01/18/2025

FUN FACT FRIDAY!

Are you familiar with the many adaptations that help your horse stay warm during the cold winter months?

🌾 Hindgut digestion of hay produces the most heat, acting as a small furnace inside of the horse. This is why free choice; good quality hay is so important in the winter.

💪 Horses have a huge muscle mass and muscle activity produces heat. This includes running and playing and even shivering if their body temperature starts to drop. It is important to remember that these activities also will result in a bigger caloric demand so free choice hay and in some cases, grain, is often needed.

🧥 To blanket or not to blanket is a constant debate but either way, as it starts to get cold your horse will grow a thicker coat. If you decide to leave your horse unblanketed you may notice that they look “fluffy”. This is due to a phenomenon called piloerection where the hair stands up to better trap air within. Two layers of the coat also help with warmth. The inner layer is softer and has air pockets to create an insulating layer. The outer layer is coarse and has oils that keep moisture from penetrating the insulating layer and keep the horse warm.

⚖️ Wild horses go into the winter heavier than ideal, and the fat serves as an extra layer of insulation. However, if a horse is going to be kept heavily blanketed and in a barn during the cold weather months this is unnecessary and can lead to obesity related issues.

🦵Their distal limbs (below the knees and hocks) are made of mostly bones and tendons, tissues that are resistant to the cold temperatures.

🦶The hooves have an alternative route of blood circulation through larger vessels that can be used in low temperatures. This is why horses can stand in snow without detrimental effects.

👃A horse’s nose has a robust blood supply and is rounded so that it is less susceptible to frostbite than a human’s nose.
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Courtesy of the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee