Damascus Equine Associates, Michael Erskine, DVM

07/15/2026

Stay cool out there today!

HEAT STROKE IN HORSES ☀️🐴

A horse’s body maintains its normal temperature in hot weather by moving heat through the muscles and out through the skin. Exercise is a major source of body heat, and horses that cannot sweat will usually overheat very rapidly, even in cooler weather with a small amount of exercise.

When outside temperature + relative humidity = 150 or above, it's hard for a horse to keep cool because their ability to sweat is compromised — especially if the humidity contributes over half of the 150.

Signs of heat stroke may range from mild to severe and life-threatening. Foals usually cannot take as much heat as adult horses. A mare may be fine, but her foal may be getting sick from being out on a hot day. Horses with heavy muscling or excess fat or in poor condition will have more problems. Keep in mind that strenuous exercise on a hot, humid day can lead to problems in a short period of time for even the best-conditioned horse.

Does this mean you should not ride on a hot day? Not necessarily. It just means you should take precautions and use your common sense. Remain vigilant for dehydration and signs of heat exhaustion, as heat exhaustion can advance to heat stroke quickly. Above all, be kind and attentive to your equine partner’s need. If you feel hot, they feel hotter. So if they look tired, it’s time for a drink, a cold bath, and a break in the shade.
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Source: Heat Stroke | https://aaep.org/horsehealth/heat-stroke

06/30/2026

The summer heat is here! Take a few extra precautions to help keep your horses safe and comfortable:

Provide plenty of fresh, clean water at all times.
Offer electrolytes as appropriate to encourage hydration and replace what's lost through sweat.
Increase airflow with fans whenever possible.
Make sure horses have access to shade during the hottest parts of the day.
Consider riding or working horses early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are cooler.

Stay cool, stay hydrated, and keep an eye on both your horses and yourself!

"HOT" TIPS FOR SAFE SUMMER RIDING

As you enjoy some fun in the sun with your favorite equine, make sure you understand how the combination of heat and humidity can take the fun part out the equation — and potentially even turn into a dangerous situation for your horse.

When riding in hot weather, remember to take precautions and use your common sense. Remain vigilant for dehydration and for signs of heat exhaustion, as the situation can quickly escalate into heat stroke. If your horse looks hot and tired, it's time for a drink, a cold bath and a break in the shade.

Consult your veterinarian for more information, or learn more about the signs of heat stroke on our website at https://aaep.org/issue/heat-stroke
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06/29/2026

If your horse needs sedation for fireworks, please contact the office!

06/25/2026

06/19/2026

We would like to share an opportunity to honor the memory of our client Alex Harvey. Alex was passionate about science, discovery, and helping others through research.

To honor Alex's life and continue the work that meant so much to him, The Dr. Alex Harvey Neuroscience Research Fund has been established at Georgetown University. This fund supports traumatic brain injury research at the very laboratory where Alex began his research career and found his passion.

Alex's legacy will live on through the advances this research makes and the lives it may impact in the future. For those who would like to support this meaningful cause, contributions can be made through the link below.

Please consider donating and sharing this post to help spread the word.

https://give.georgetown.edu/alex-harvey

This is a truly meaningful way to honor Alex's remarkable life and memory.

06/15/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Alex Yerkes on completing her certification in Equine Veterinary Medical Manipulation through the Chi Institute!

This advanced training is another exciting addition to Dr. Yerkes' growing sports medicine toolkit. In addition to traditional sports medicine services, she offers adjunctive therapies including acupuncture, mesotherapy, and customized exercise and rehabilitation programs, allowing her to provide a comprehensive approach to helping horses move, perform, and feel their best.

Whether your horse is a competitive athlete, a weekend partner, showing signs of stiffness or discomfort, or simply not performing at their usual level, Dr. Yerkes can help develop a treatment plan tailored to your horse's individual needs.

Interested in scheduling an evaluation? Contact our office to learn more about adjunctive therapies and the other sports medicine services Dr. Yerkes provides.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Yerkes on this accomplishment!

05/25/2026

In the event of an emergency, call 240-782-8350 to reach our veterinarian on call.

05/22/2026

This is a family friendly event with lots of demonstrations. 🐎

Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, Leesburg, Virginia, will host an Open House on Saturday, June 13.

04/17/2026

Congratulations on a well deserved award!!

04/10/2026

You go out to get your horse and find a nail in their foot. What should you do?

DO NOT REMOVE THE NAIL!
It is very important to leave the object in place and prevent further damage. The nail helps us determine the exact path and depth of the puncture. Removing it before the veterinarian arrives can make it much harder to accurately assess the injury.

Call us immediately.
The sooner we examine the foot, the better the chances of preventing complications.

Limit movement.
Keep the horse as quiet as possible to prevent the nail from shifting deeper or causing further damage. If the nail or object is protruding, you can help stabilize it by placing a roll of duct tape under the hoof with the nail positioned in the center hole of the roll. Carefully wrap the roll in place with duct tape or a bandage to prevent the nail from being pushed deeper when the horse bears weight.

When the veterinarian arrives, radiographs (X-rays) are typically taken with the nail still in place. In some cases, a small amount of contrast material is placed in the puncture tract to help determine exactly how deep the injury extends and which structures may be involved.

Depending on the location and depth of the puncture, treatment may include:
• Careful removal and cleaning of the puncture tract
• Systemic antibiotics to help control infection
• Regional limb perfusion, which delivers high concentrations of antibiotics directly to the affected area
• Pain control and anti-inflammatory medications
• Bandaging and careful monitoring

Some puncture wounds can involve deeper structures of the foot, including tendons, joints, bursae, or bone. In these cases, referral to a surgical facility may be recommended for advanced imaging or more aggressive treatment.

Puncture wounds in the hoof carry a risk of serious infection, which is why early veterinary evaluation and treatment are so important.