Skillman Veterinary Services

06/16/2025

Vaccines are the best way to protect your horse! We offer core and risk-based vaccines. Core vaccines are important for every horse, no matter where they live or what they do, while risk-based are dependent on your horse’s lifestyle.

🐴💉 Core vaccines:
• Tetanus: Keeps your horse safe from a serious infection that can cause muscle stiffness and even death.

• Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE/WEE): A dangerous virus spread by mosquitoes that can affect your horse’s brain.

• West Nile Virus: Another mosquito-borne virus that can cause severe illness and even death.

• Rabies: A deadly virus that affects the nervous system and can be spread to humans.

🐴💉 Additional vaccines:
• Strangles: A contagious throat infection that can spread easily in barns, shows, and large groups of horses.

• Equine Influenza: A respiratory illness that can spread quickly, especially in horses who travel or are around a lot of other horses.

• Potomac Horse Fever: A disease that causes stomach problems and is more common in wet areas or wooded places.

• Rotavirus: Important for young horses, especially foals or horses in breeding facilities.

Why Vaccinate? Vaccines help keep your horse healthy and prevent the spread of diseases to other horses. It's an easy way to protect your horse or herd from serious illness and keep them feeling great. Questions? Contact us! 🌟

06/16/2025

As the temperatures rise and the sun stays out longer, make sure your equine friends are adequately protected from harmful UV rays. ☀️

Hot summer weather puts horses at risk not only for dehydration and heat stress but also the skin damage and discomfort that accompany a sunburn— just like humans.

A lot of equestrians love some chrome on a horse, but it's important to remember that those beautiful white markings and the non-pigmented pink skin underneath are more likely to suffer from sunburn, especially in areas where the skin is more sensitive — like around the eyes and the nostrils.

In addition to the pain and discomfort, horses that are prone to recurrent sunburn may also face other long-term consequences, like the increased likelihood of developing squamous cell carcinoma (a common cancer).

If your horse is susceptible to sunburn, contact your veterinarian for more information about sun damage and recommendations to keep your equine protected this summer.

06/13/2025

✨🐴 Healthy Horse Fridays: Cellulitis

If your horse suddenly develops a hot, swollen leg and seems uncomfortable or lame, it may be dealing with cellulitis - A painful bacterial infection. This condition often appears without warning and usually affects one leg, most commonly a hind limb.

Early signs include significant swelling, heat, pain and sometimes fever. Cellulitis can progress rapidly and lead to complications like chronic swelling, abscesses or laminitis.

We treat cellulitis aggressively to prevent long-term issues. Treatment typically includes antibiotics, anti-inflammatories for pain and swelling, and supportive therapies like cold hosing. In more severe cases, we may recommend additional diagnostics or follow-up care to ensure full recovery.

If you notice sudden leg swelling in your horse, don’t wait, early intervention is key to a smooth recovery!

06/11/2025

We’re wishing a very happy birthday to Dr. Natalie Skillman!🐴✨🎂

Our team is so grateful for her veterinary expertise, leadership and endless dedication to serving the Indiana equine community!

06/11/2025

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.

06/09/2025

The buzz on summertime fly control! ⬇️🪰

Let us know your favorite hack to keep the flies away.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗼-𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗵𝗮𝗰𝗸? 🪰 Tell us below!

Flies can spread diseases like Equine Infectious Anemia, West Nile Virus and Rabies, making control a crucial part of horse care!

Here's a few things we recommend:

𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Flies breed in manure, so remove it regularly from stalls and paddocks to prevent infestations.

𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹: Introduce fly parasites, like Tachina Wasps, to naturally reduce fly larvae.

𝗙𝗹𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘀: Use fly traps around the barn to reduce fly populations. Victor Fly Magnet traps are effective and easy to use.

𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: Protect your horses with long-lasting fly sprays, such as Pyranha or Flysect. Apply directly to your horse and barn surfaces.

𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀: Use fly sheets and masks to protect your horse’s body, eyes, and ears from bites and irritation. Cashel Fly Masks are a top choice.

𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀: Add feed products like SimpliFly to your horse's diet for internal fly control.

By combining these methods, you can reduce the risk of fly-borne diseases and keep your barn comfortable for both you and your horses.

06/09/2025

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗼-𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗵𝗮𝗰𝗸? 🪰 Tell us below!

Flies can spread diseases like Equine Infectious Anemia, West Nile Virus and Rabies, making control a crucial part of horse care!

Here's a few things we recommend:

𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Flies breed in manure, so remove it regularly from stalls and paddocks to prevent infestations.

𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹: Introduce fly parasites, like Tachina Wasps, to naturally reduce fly larvae.

𝗙𝗹𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘀: Use fly traps around the barn to reduce fly populations. Victor Fly Magnet traps are effective and easy to use.

𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: Protect your horses with long-lasting fly sprays, such as Pyranha or Flysect. Apply directly to your horse and barn surfaces.

𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀: Use fly sheets and masks to protect your horse’s body, eyes, and ears from bites and irritation. Cashel Fly Masks are a top choice.

𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀: Add feed products like SimpliFly to your horse's diet for internal fly control.

By combining these methods, you can reduce the risk of fly-borne diseases and keep your barn comfortable for both you and your horses.

06/05/2025

Your kind reviews make us smile!

Tell others about your positive SVS experience and receive 5% off your next visit! 📲 Leave a review here: https://g.co/kgs/f87EDMD

06/04/2025

Last week, we offered discounted testing for Cushing's Disease / PPID (Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction). Our team tested 11 horses between the ages of 14 and 28. Of those, nearly one in three (4 out of 11) tested positive.

These findings highlight just how common this condition can be, even in horses that may not show obvious signs. If you suspect your horse could be at risk, we encourage you to take advantage of our year-round testing services.

Early diagnosis is critical for managing PPID effectively and supporting your horse’s long-term health!

06/02/2025

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡? 📲 A virtual appointment via phone, video or photos that allows you to consult directly with your veterinary team without an in-person visit.

Your horse has a runny eye with mild swelling and you’re unsure if it can wait or if it’s something more serious. What now? With telehealth, your veterinarian is just a call away. Skip the clinic visit and receive expert guidance from the comfort of your barn.

𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝘾𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙏𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝:
• Save time by eliminating travel and waiting
• Reduce costs with affordable virtual check-ins
• Avoid unnecessary guesswork—let your vet make the call
• Address issues early, before they escalate
• Improve your horse’s prognosis with timely intervention

Learn more or schedule your appointment: skillmanvet.com/.../equine-telehealth

06/02/2025

05/31/2025

🌟 May Newsletter from Skillman Veterinary Services 🌟

Whether you're getting ready for show season, hitting the trails or simply enjoying time with your horses at home, we hope this helps you stay prepared and proactive as things pick up!

Read here: https://mailchi.mp/59ea38772616/newsletter_skillman_vet-18248314