Maple Veterinary Services

06/04/2025

Here’s a timely article from the extension. Stay safe and healthy!

🔥 Wildfire Smoke & Horse Health 🐴💨

As wildfire season heats up, so does the risk of poor air quality — not just for us, but for our horses too. Smoke from wildfires can irritate a horse's respiratory system and cause fatigue, coughing, difficulty breathing, etc.

You can monitor air quality at www.airnow.gov. During periods of poor air quality, you can protect your horse by:
🐎 Limiting exercise
💧 Providing fresh water
💦 Controlling dust such as watering dry lots and soaking or feeding dust-free hay
🕰 Allowing time for recovery: airway damage from wildfire smoke takes 4 to 6 weeks to heal after air quality returns to normal.

06/02/2025

This is always a good reminder to prepare for potential emergency situations that may come up as summer gets into full swing.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16WEyfdVGW/?mibextid=wwXIfr

It’s that time of year when social media fills with posts from horse owners in financial crisis—often blaming vets for the cost of care. But here’s the truth: your vet didn’t ask you to own horses. That decision was yours. Raising foals and keeping horses healthy is expensive—especially this time of year when infections, ortho issues, unpredictable weather, and emergencies spike.

Vets aren’t villains. They’re overworked professionals in a field with a national shortage—especially in large animal care. They didn’t choose this job to “steal your money”; they chose it because they care.

It’s your responsibility to plan ahead—whether that’s insurance, an emergency fund, or just realistic budgeting. Your vet isn’t the reason you’re struggling—lack of preparation is. Let’s stop the blame and start taking ownership.

WzEquine.com

01/04/2025

SPRING PREPARATION TIPS

It may not seem like it, but spring is fast approaching!

Here are some things to get ready for summer fun and events and make your spring much smoother:

1) Book a vet appointment now. Vets are few and far between, so book your spring vaccine appointments now. Most vets book out 6-8 weeks for their spring appointments, so calling several months ahead of time will ensure you can get all your required services before show season begins.

2) Help condition needle shy horses. If your horse is afraid of needles, begin working with it to decrease anxiety around these necessary procedures. This will make everybody’s experiences better and safer, you, your horse, and your vet. A great resource is BEVA’s “Don’t break your vet” series

https://youtu.be/MRAIdnQmzak?si=jK-JLYqLzR7phF5S

Enjoy preparations for summer fun!

02/19/2024

Have you been curious about what happens during a dental equilibration (float)? Would you like to learn how teeth health impacts your horse’s overall health and performance? Or are you trying to decide if your horse needs its teeth examined?

This webinar would help answer those questions. Equine dentistry is a field quickly expanding in veterinary medicine with many exciting new innovations over the last ten years, come join the fun!

Midwest Veterinary Dental Services is a highly trained referral group of veterinarians specializing solely in dentistry, so they are a wonderful resource. Check out this webinar February 21st to learn about teeth!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/JEP1cBbFQgHZQ7AU/?mibextid=WaXdOe

Attention all horse owners! 🐴

Are you curious about equine dentistry and how it impacts your horse's health and well-being?
🦷 Join Dr. Molly Rice DAVDC-Eq for a special online educational event: "What Every Horse Owner Should Know About Dentistry." this Wednesday, February 21st at 7pm!

Whether you're a seasoned equestrian or new to horse ownership, this event is for you! Don't miss out on this valuable opportunity to expand your knowledge and provide the best care for your equine companion.

Reserve your spot today:
https://form.jotform.com/240473502454148

12/25/2023

Thank you to our wonderful clients, who have made our first year back home so fulfilling! May you all have a wonderful holiday season full of love, family, and happiness. We look forward to seeing everyone again in 2024!

11/08/2023

Good tips on blanketing and herd dynamics for seniors horses and underdogs.

https://www.facebook.com/100090452254713/posts/273286062363134/?mibextid=K8Wfd2

Preparing your senior horse for winter (part 3 of 3).

🐴 Assess your horse's herd rank 🐴

Senior horses may fall in ranking within a herd and become prone to getting pushed off the feeder. Observe herd dynamics and make housing changes before winter to ensure your senior horse can freely access the hay feeder and waterer. Remember, fermentation of forages in the hind gut produces heat that helps horses stay warm in the winter. Therefore, it is crucial your senior horse can access the feeder to help maintain their body temperature and prevent weight loss.

Very old horses may struggle to keep warm regardless of the amount of forage they receive. These horses might benefit from wearing a well-fitting, waterproof blanket. When blanketing, do not "set it and forget it." Make it a daily routine to check the fit and integrity of the blanket, which includes removing the blanket and making sure
💦 your horse is staying dry.
🩹 there are no rub marks or sores.
🐴 your horse is maintaining their bodyweight.

11/06/2023

Check to see if your senior horse’s food is fueling them. Are they dropping grain, or quidding (dropping balled up hay)? Pick up that blanket, can you see the ribs or do they have a nice layer of muscle and fat over them?
How much grain and hay should they have?

https://www.facebook.com/100090452254713/posts/272705472421193/?mibextid=K8Wfd2

Preparing your senior horse for winter (part 2 of 3).

Consider your forage options 🌱🌾☘️

Healthy, adult horses should eat about 1.5 to 2.5 percent of their bodyweight in forages daily. If your horse is on pasture, remember to slowly transition them to preserved forage (e.g., hay) over the course of two weeks as grazing season comes to an end. Gradual changes in diet allows microbes in the horse's hind gut time to adapt, which can help prevent colic.

When selecting forage for winter, be mindful of your senior horse's needs.

🦷 Horses with worn or missing teeth may not be able to effectively chew, swallow, and digest mature, long-stem forage. Feedstuffs of smaller particle size such as hay cubes or pellets may be more manageable for these horses, especially when soaked.

🌱 The ability to ferment fiber and absorb nutrients may decline as your horse ages. Very mature, stemmy hay is high in fiber and can be harder for some senior horses to digest. Alfalfa or immature grass hay is easier for seniors to digest and is higher in digestible energy and protein, which can help maintain body condition and muscle mass.

🐴 Routinely assess your horse's body condition score throughout the winter and adjust your feeding program as needed.

11/04/2023

A great read for your senior horse and hard keepers.

https://www.facebook.com/100090452254713/posts/272068325818241/?mibextid=K8Wfd2

As horses age, changes in their health needs can affect how you care for them. Winter can be especially hard on senior horses. However, there are some steps you can take to set your senior horse up for success this winter (part 1 of 3)

👨‍⚕️ Work with your veterinarian
Before cold weather arrives, schedule a routine exam with your veterinarian. Have them assess your horse's general health, bodyweight, teeth, and soundness. Addressing any issues now can help ensure your senior horse's health starts off on the right "hoof" prior to winter. Your veterinarian can also provide recommendations for managing newly discovered or pre-diagnosed health conditions such as arthritis, heaves, or metabolic disease during the winter months.

🐴 Deworm your horse
Senior horses are more prone to parasitic infections, which can cause weight loss, diarrhea, and colic when left untreated. Work with your veterinarian to conduct a f***l egg count and develop a targeted dosing plan for your horse. Ask your veterinarian about controlling parasites such as bots or tapeworms that may not appear in a f***l egg count. Generally, fall deworming is ideal after a hard frost when the grazing season ends.

03/02/2023

Vaccine and coggins season are right around the corner. To make this season easier on you, your horse, and your vet take some time to watch these videos, which set your horse up for success!

This series “Don’t break your vet” is put together by the British Equine Veterinary Association, and is a great activity for all horses, but especially needle shy ones.

Spring and horse season are around the corner!

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZLor1KlzkI9X1UpvbOxwllS1BNoLvcmR

01/21/2023

Want to help be part of MN scrapie irradification program? The board of animal health is looking for brains and LN of sheep and goats >18mo who die or are to be culled. They will pay for sampling and testing and you may be eligible for free scrapie tags while supplies last. Call 651-201-6809 to participate, or read below for more information.

We're looking for sheep and goat brains, plus a horse boarding biosecurity checklist Minnesota Board of Animal Health sent this bulletin at 01/20/2023 02:24 PM CST Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. Animal Bytes January 2023 Viral disease detected in horse boarding barns The B...

12/20/2022

This is not only good advise for horse owners, but can maximize gains in cattle, sheep, and goats by allowing for a more focused mineral and grain program to put your hard earned money where it’ll be the most good.

This video discusses why horse owners should analyze their hay and demonstrates how to take a hay sample. Sample handling and how to use the results are als...