Bristol Veterinary Service

12/09/2025

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!

12/03/2025

THE COLD WEATHER IS UPON US! ❄️

Are you familiar with the many adaptations that help your horse stay warm during the cold winter months?

🌾 Hindgut digestion of hay produces the most heat, acting as a small furnace inside of the horse. This is why free choice; good quality hay is so important in the winter.

💪 Horses have a huge muscle mass and muscle activity produces heat. This includes running and playing and even shivering if their body temperature starts to drop. It is important to remember that these activities also will result in a bigger caloric demand so free choice hay and in some cases, grain, is often needed.

🧥 To blanket or not to blanket is a constant debate but either way, as it starts to get cold your horse will grow a thicker coat. If you decide to leave your horse unblanketed you may notice that they look “fluffy”. This is due to a phenomenon called piloerection where the hair stands up to better trap air within. Two layers of the coat also help with warmth. The inner layer is softer and has air pockets to create an insulating layer. The outer layer is coarse and has oils that keep moisture from penetrating the insulating layer and keep the horse warm.

⚖️ Wild horses go into the winter heavier than ideal, and the fat serves as an extra layer of insulation. However, if a horse is going to be kept heavily blanketed and in a barn during the cold weather months this is unnecessary and can lead to obesity related issues.

🦵Their distal limbs (below the knees and hocks) are made of mostly bones and tendons, tissues that are resistant to the cold temperatures.

🦶The hooves have an alternative route of blood circulation through larger vessels that can be used in low temperatures. This is why horses can stand in snow without detrimental effects.

👃A horse’s nose has a robust blood supply and is rounded so that it is less susceptible to frostbite than a human’s nose.
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Courtesy of the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

12/01/2025

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.

11/25/2025

RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOUR HORSE IS ACCIDENT-PRONE...🤚

If you own horses long enough, sooner or later you are likely to confront a medical emergency. There are several behavioral traits that make our equine companions especially accident-prone: one is their instinctive flight-or-fight response; another is their need to establish the pecking order within a herd; and a third is their natural curiosity. Such behaviors account for many of the cuts, bruises, and abrasions that horses suffer. In fact, lacerations are probably the most common emergency that horse owners must contend with.

Do you know what to do if your horse is cut or bleeding? The initial steps you take to treat a wound can prevent further damage and speed healing. Maintaining your presence of mind could also save your horse's life. Here are some general guidelines to keep in mind in case of emergency. How you will ultimately proceed will depend on your horse's individual circumstances and on the advice you receive from your veterinarian.

11/20/2025

With cases of equine herpesvirus appearing in other states, it’s natural to wonder which signs to watch for and what steps help prevent disease. Good biosecurity and early recognition are key to protecting your horse’s health. 🛡🐴

To learn more about equine herpesvirus visit: z.umn.edu/ehv

11/16/2025

Scratches, also known as pastern dermatitis, is a common skin condition that affects the lower legs of horses, especially around the back of the pastern and fetlock. It often looks like scabby, crusty, or raw patches and can make the area sore or swollen.

What Causes Scratches?
• Wet, muddy, or dirty conditions
• Irritation from sand, bedding, or rough surfaces
• Bacterial or fungal infections
• Sometimes, tiny mites or allergies

What to Look For:
• Redness, swelling, or heat in the lower leg
• Scabs, crusts, or hair loss
• Horse may be sensitive or sore in the area

How to Help Prevent Scratches:
• Keep your horse’s legs clean and dry
• Avoid letting your horse stand in wet or muddy areas for long periods
• Avoid sharing wraps or boots between horses, especially without cleaning/disinfecting between uses
• Check legs regularly for early signs

How to Treat Scratches:
• Clean the Area: Gently wash the affected area with a mild antiseptic shampoo or solution to remove dirt and scabs. Be gentle—don’t scrub hard or pick at scabs.

• Dry Thoroughly: After cleaning, make sure the area is completely dry. Moisture can make the problem worse.

• Apply Topical Creams: You can use creams or ointments recommended by your veterinarian, such as those containing silver sulfadiazine or other antibacterial/antifungal agents.

• Keep the Area Protected: If possible, keep your horse out of wet or muddy conditions while healing.

• Monitor for Infection: If you notice increased swelling, pain, or pus, or if the condition doesn’t improve, contact your veterinarian.

Remember, severe or persistent cases should always be checked by your veterinarian to make sure your horse gets the right treatment. If you have questions or concerns about your own equine, contact your veterinarian.

11/11/2025

As winter approaches, it's time to revisit the topic of blanketing. Although blanketing tends to be a personal decision, blanketing a horse is necessary to reduce the effects of cold or inclement weather especially when:

🏡 Shelter access is not available during turnout periods and the temperatures or wind chill drop below 5°F. Be mindful of shelter size and herd dynamics.
🌧 There is a chance the horse will become wet from rain, ice, and/or freezing rain. Becoming wet is usually not a problem with snow.
✂️ The horse has had its natural coat clipped.
⏰ The horse is very young or very old.
🏝 The horse isn’t acclimated to the cold.
🐴 The horse has a body condition score of three or less.

If blanketing a horse, make sure the blanket fits properly. Poorly fitted blankets can cause sores and rub marks. Remove the blanket daily, inspect it for damage, and reposition it. Make sure the blanket stays dry and never put a blanket on a wet horse.

11/01/2025

Just like people, the needs of horses change as they continue to age. Join members of the AAEP Horse Owner Education committee for a wide-ranging educational presentation on how to properly care for the elderly equine in your life. Register: https://aaep.org/event/horse-owner-education-committee-webinar-preparing-your-horse-for-aging/

10/26/2025

10/14/2025

“Cushing’s disease,” or more correctly, pars pituitary intermedia dysfunction (PPID), is a metabolic condition that tends to affect middle-aged and older horses. In PPID, the pituitary gland in the brain produces an excessive amount of the hormone ACTH, which stimulates the production of large amounts of cortisol, the stress hormone.

Signs of PPID include weight loss, loss of muscle (especially along the topline), a long hair coat that does not shed out in the summer, chronic infections that seem to recur or linger (e.g., hoof abscesses), and laminitis.

In some cases, a veterinarian can diagnose PPID based on clinical signs alone, while in others, the combination of clinical signs plus a blood test measuring ACTH is needed for diagnosis. ACTH levels vary throughout the year in all horses, which can complicate the interpretation of blood tests for PPID. Most normal horses show an increase in ACTH in the fall; however, the magnitude of this increase is much higher in horses with PPID. Therefore, a veterinarian may choose to test for PPID in the fall.

The main treatment for PPID is the daily administration of a medication known as pergolide. However, there are other management considerations for horses with PPID, including special attention to dentistry, body condition, body weight, nutrition, and parasite control.

10/13/2025

Sometimes you have to replay an old one you can’t top!
🥳 PLEASE JOIN IS IN RECOGNIZING OUR STAFF 🥳 during National Vet Tech Week!
Without them (and GPS) we’d be lost.

🎉It’s national vet tech week! 🎉We like to celebrate our entire staff this week, so please feel free to offer high fives and atta girls when you see/talk to them❤️