Damascus Equine Associates, Michael Erskine, DVM

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.

04/10/2026

EMC’s CT is open for scheduling!

04/03/2026

Did you know we offer Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)?

What is it?
ESWT as a non-invasive option to help support healing and comfort in horses with certain musculoskeletal conditions. This therapy uses targeted sound waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes, improve blood flow, and reduce discomfort in injured areas.

ESWT can be especially helpful for:
• Tendon and ligament injuries
• Back pain or muscle soreness
• Joint inflammation
• Chronic lameness issues

Treatments are typically performed as a series, spaced a few weeks apart based on your horse’s specific needs. Because ESWT can temporarily reduce pain, we’ll also guide you in creating an appropriate rest and rehabilitation plan to ensure the best possible outcome.

Please let us know if you’d like to chat about whether ESWT could be a good fit for your horse!

03/27/2026

HORSE OWNER WEBINAR ALERT! 📢

Join us for our upcoming Horse Owner Education Committee webinar! Our topic will be "Oh Sugar! My Horse is Foundering!"

Join AAEP-member veterinarians Drs. Allie Catalino and Chelsea Folmar for an in-depth discussion about the two most common metabolic disturbances in horses: Cushing's Disease and Insulin Dysregulation. They will take you on a deep dive into diagnosis, treatment and management of these diseases, followed by discussion about laminitis, a common sequela.

Registration is FREE but required. A recording of the webinar will be available if you miss the live event. Register at https://events.zoom.us/ev/Aqk4QqZ8CSEZVzoTjoed1OchP7YIDfrDxmN7sn3bmdtN0eMBkO1X~AhLXYhuX8F4hYAwaFVb5RYYV903KHqLrJKTrAP-zT2spI-fUNInOwEr12A

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

03/23/2026

As spring grass comes in, it’s important to manage grazing closely. This grass is high in sugars, and even short periods of unrestricted access can lead to rapid intake. Grazing muzzles can reduce intake by about 30–80% and are a helpful tool for at-risk horses. Muzzles are available in a variety of styles with each offering different levels of grazing restriction.

Keep in mind that intermittent use of a muzzle can backfire. Horses often learn to eat faster when the muzzle is off, increasing their overall intake.

Without proper control, risks include:
• Weight gain/obesity
• Laminitis
• Worsening metabolic conditions

Management plans should be individualized! We’re happy to discuss other strategies such as the use of other types of slow feeders, overnight vs daytime turnout or the use of dry lots. We can create a plan depending on your horse’s needs, previous history, facility setup, and overall management considerations.

Consistent management and close monitoring of body condition are key this time of year. Please let us know if you’d like help with fitting a muzzle or developing a plan for your horse!

03/18/2026

Shedding season is right around the corner! 🌸

However, you notice that your equine friend is clinging to their winter coat longer than they should, it might be time to give your veterinarian a call — especially if your animal is 15+.

A long haircoat that fails to shed according to normal seasonal patterns is the most classic sign of Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), also known as Cushing’s disease. This disorder of the pituitary gland results in hormonal imbalances and is one of the most common diseases of middle-aged and geriatric equines.

Early diagnosis and treatment are key to helping animals with PPID live long, happy lives. Without treatment, symptoms tend to worsen over time, and many equines are euthanized as a consequence of laminitis, recurrent foot abscesses or complications related to bacterial infections.

It is also important to note that donkeys and mules tend to shed later than horses, so keep this in mind before getting too worried about other underlying causes. As always, if you have concerns about if your equine companion is shedding appropriately, contact your veterinarian.

03/18/2026

As we head into spring (finally!) and start thinking about conditioning, schooling, and show plans, this is the ideal time to schedule a Performance Evaluation for your horse.

A performance exam isn’t about “finding lameness.” It’s about identifying and addressing potential limitations before they impact your show season.

What are the benefits of a Performance Evaluation?

Horses hide issues extremely well.
We evaluate musculature, range of motion, subtle asymmetries, hoof balance, and movement patterns that may not yet be obvious under saddle.

Small issues can become big ones.
A pre-season evaluation allows us to make thoughtful adjustments before workload increases and minor compensations develop into more significant problems.

It establishes a baseline for the season.
Having current findings helps guide decisions about:
• Joint injection planning
• Conditioning and strengthening programs
• Collaboration with your farrier to maintain optimal hoof balance and shoeing support
• Show scheduling and workload progression

What’s included in a performance evaluation?
Depending on your horse’s needs and discipline, evaluations include:
• Comprehensive physical examination
• Gait evaluation and flexion tests
• Bloodwork (CBC, chemistry +/- muscle enzymes as indicated)
• Lameness Locator evaluation which provides an objective, data-driven assessment of movement, which is especially valuable for baseline documentation and when multiple veterinarians are involved in the horse’s care
• Front foot balance radiographs

Additional Services to Support Your Horse’s Performance

In conjunction with performance evaluations, we also offer:
• Customized Exercise & Physical Therapy Programs – Designed to improve strength, flexibility, and overall motion
• Acupuncture – To reduce pain and inflammation, improve range of motion, and enhance recovery
• Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation – Coming Soon!

Proactive care now can make a significant difference in how your horse feels and performs throughout the season.

Let us know if you’d like to get on the schedule or discuss what would be most beneficial for your horse.