Wisconsin Equine Clinic & Hospital

12/12/2025

Are you getting ready for breeding season? Here are some breeding tips if you want to breed before May!

Mares are long-day breeders; therefore, their natural breeding season is in the spring and summer. If left to cycle without manipulation, most mares will start cycling around May 1st. Mares do go through transitional phases of their cycle early in the spring, where they may appear to have very short or very long cycles. They may or may not be ovulating during this period.

It is possible to “trick” your mare into cycling early in the year by putting her under artificial lights. To do this, the mare should be kept in a stall or pen that can be completely illuminated. The general rule of thumb is that you should be able to read a newspaper in the darkest corner of the stall. Lights should be on for 16 hours a day, and there needs to be 8 hours of darkness. The easiest way to do this is by having your lights on timers. The lighting must be continuous, so if your mare is turned out in a paddock during the day, she will have to be brought in before it starts to get dark. A newer product called “Equilume” is a mask that your mare can wear that shines a blue light into one eye to stimulate the photoperiod.

When putting your mare under lights, it is important to start by December 1st and continue until May 1st; otherwise, she will shut down her cycles again.

Remember that artificially increasing the day length may encourage your mare to start shedding earlier. Be prepared to blanket her if the weather is bad, and she sheds her winter coat.

Have questions? Feel free to contact Dr. Bojko at 262-569-1550!

12/11/2025

Here is the answer to yesterday's "What's Your Diagnosis?"!

Diagnosis: Dermatitis

Gutty has a moderate case of dermatitis of an unknown cause. His skin was slightly edematous over the face on the right side and he had mild serous discharge from the abrasions.

It was suspected to be some type of allergic reaction that caused Gutty to repeatedly rub his face on the fence. Gutty has never had any allergies before and has not had any changes in his diet. The owner has not applied anything new topically to his skin. There is nothing new in Gutty’s environment.

Since this was the first time Gutty has had any skin issues, diagnostics such as skin scraping, biopsies and allergy testing weren’t performed. Gutty was given a small dose of steroids to help with inflammation and he was started on an oral antihistamine and a topical ointment with antifungal, antibacterial, and steroidal medications.

Further diagnostics will be pursued if Gutty continues to have skin issues.

12/10/2025

Gutty is a 17 year old Grade gelding that was seen aggressively rubbing against a fence post. The owner went to grab him out of the field to see and found this. What’s your diagnosis?

Check back tomorrow for the answer!

***No DVM’s or professionals please***

12/09/2025

The gift that keeps on giving! 🎁

12/04/2025

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐕𝐈 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬

Due the current multi-state outbreak, Wisconsin is instituting new equine certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) requirements. For more information, follow the link below:

​​​​​The information below includes general rules for importing any animal into Wisconsin. Species-specific information and other references regarding the movement of animals are listed in the left menu. Reminder: you cannot sell, move, or disp​ose of any animal tested for a reportable...

12/04/2025

Diagnosis: Coffin Bone Sequestrum

Recurrent foot abscesses can happen for a variety of reasons including foreign objects, keratomas (abnormal formation of the normal horn of the hoof), and sequestrums.

A sequestrum is a piece of bone with damaged blood supply or is infected. The body treats the bone as a foreign material, trying to remove it as the bone serves as a nidus for infection. A sequestrum can happen on any bone in the body and typically manifests as a non-healing wound with drainage. In the foot, sequestrums manifest as recurrent abscesses. They can occur either from direct trauma or from a severe, deep subsolar abscess that infects a portion of the bone.

In this case, though the nail didn’t hit important structures such as joints or tendons, it damaged the bone. This caused death of that portion of the bone and the body treating it as foreign material, resulting in chronic, recurrent abscesses.

Treatment includes removal of the piece of bone, debridement of the remaining healthy bone, lavage with sterile fluids, antibiotics, NSAIDs, and long term bandaging. In most cases, a hospital treatment plate is applied and secured in place with bolts in order to protect the site until cornified granulation tissue is present. Hospital plates are typically required for 8-12+ weeks, depending on the size of the defect.

Radiographs (X-rays) are able to identify some lesions in the foot; however, there needs to be a significant change in the bone in order to be able to see it on radiographs. Additionally, artifacts can prevent visualization of pathology. CT is a much better imaging modality to observe subtle or small pathologies as well as characterize the full extent. Additionally, it is helpful for surgical planning to have more detail as well as a 3D image of the area.

CT can be performed under standing sedation at Wisconsin Equine and should be considered as a crucial diagnostic tool in cases of chronic or recurrent foot abscesses.

12/03/2025

A 15 year old Quarter Horse gelding presented to Wisconsin Equine for recurrent foot abscesses in his left front foot. He had stepped on a nail 8 months ago. Thankfully, it didn’t pe*****te any major structures or joints; however, since then, he continues to have abscesses in that foot every 2-3 months. The foot is soaked and bandaged for 1 week and the abscess resolves, but subsequently returns. A CT was performed and provided these images. What’s your diagnosis?

Check back tomorrow for the answer!

***No DVM’s or professionals please***

https://www.wisconsinequineclinic.com/

12/01/2025

Water remains as important for your horse in cold weather as it is in the summer. As a matter of fact, decreased water consumption in the winter is thought to be the primary inducing factor for impaction colic — although there are other predisposing factors such as poor hay quality, lack of exercise, internal parasites and dental problems.

Impaction colic is essentially constipation and most often includes the accumulation of hard, dry f***l material in the colon. The usual signs of impending impaction colic are depression, a decreased appetite, and decreased production and dryness of manure.

Studies demonstrate that you can increase your horse's winter water consumption if you provide access to heated water, but ONLY if that is the only source of water available. As always, if you have any questions about preventing colic in your horse, your equine veterinarian remains your best source of information!

11/28/2025

Black Friday shopping from the comfort of home!! Don't go out in this chilly weather when the perfect gift for your horse-loving friends (or your own horse!) is as easy as a phone call or email to our office!

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! Our office is closed today as we enjoy time with family, friends, and our beloved animals. As always we are available for emergencies.

We are counting you all as part of our blessings today. Tell us what you are grateful for!

11/27/2025

In case you were not able to attend the live event, here is a link to the recording!

If you weren't able to join the live EHV-1 Updates webinar last night, be sure to take advantage of our on-demand recording. Please remember that the situation is evolving rapidly and the best place to get up-to-date information is the Equine Disease Communication Center's website, or ask your local veterinarian!

You can find the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XzuuYmIEQY

Thank you to our speakers for joining us and providing all of this invaluable information.

11/26/2025

Hank is a 16 year old Quarter Horse gelding. When you got to the barn today to ride Hank, you noticed he had blood coming from his left nostril. What is the medical term for bleeding from the nose? What are the potential causes for nose-bleeds in horses? What’s your diagnosis?

Check back tomorrow for the answer!

***No DVM’s or professionals please***