Sandhills Equine, LLC

05/26/2025

Remembering and honoring those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

05/21/2025

🛑 Most Common Reasons for Weight Loss in Horses 🐴

Maintaining your horse’s weight is a simple equation:
Calories in - Calories burned or not absorbed = Body condition.
If your horse is losing weight, here are the top 3 reasons why:

🔸 Not Enough Feed/Poor Quality Feed

If your horse isn’t consuming more calories than they burn, they will lose weight.
Every horse has a unique metabolism—some need more calories to maintain weight, while others stay healthy with less.

🔸 Parasitism

Parasites can prevent nutrient absorption, leading to weight loss.
Some horses can handle a higher parasite load, while others may struggle.

🔸 Dental Problems

Horses need to chew roughage (hay, grass) thoroughly for proper digestion.
Uneven tooth wear can cause pain, preventing proper chewing and nutrient absorption.
Regular dental exams and floating can help maintain healthy teeth and weight.
Other health issues can cause weight loss, but these three are the most common and often have easy solutions. Consulting with your vet about diet, deworming, and dental care can solve 90% of weight loss cases. ✅

Check out our website for more services on how to keep your horse healthy and in shape!
www.sandhillsequine.com

05/19/2025

Is your horse barn prepared for wildfire season? 🌾🔥

Here are essential tips to help you protect your horses and property from the threat of wildfires:
1. Assess Risk Regularly: Stay informed about wildfire risks in your area, even if your region hasn't seen a fire in years.

2. Design Barns Safely: Incorporate open ventilation, frost-free hydrants, and at least 33 yards of defensible space around structures.

3. Create Defensible Space: Clear at least 33 yards around your barn to allow fire crews to protect your facility from cinders and direct flames.

4. Use Safe Landscaping: Opt for FireWise plants and avoid combustible mulches. Keep flammable vegetation away from buildings.

5. Ensure Proper Storage: Store hay, straw, and other flammable materials safely to prevent cinder-induced fires.

6. Install Fire-Resistant Materials: Use steel or tile roofs and flame-retardant barriers to slow the spread of fire.

7. Maintain Facilities Regularly: Keep barns clean, remove cobwebs, and inspect fire extinguishers and water sources frequently.

8. Implement No Smoking Policies: Enforce strict no smoking rules in and around your barn to reduce fire risk.

Prepare now to ensure your horses and property stay safe! 🐴🏠

05/13/2025

🐴🦷 Mature Horses and Annual Dental Care: A Must 🦷🐴

For mature horses, yearly dental exams are essential to maintain proper alignment and catch potential issues early. Proactive care ensures they stay comfortable, healthy, and ready for anything! 🌟

📲 Call or Text: 402-302-3870
🖥 www.sandhillsequine.com

05/12/2025

🧬 Is Acupuncture Right for Your Horse?

Veterinary acupuncture is more than a wellness trend—it’s a powerful tool backed by science and centuries of practice.

Common indications include:
✔️ Musculoskeletal pain – from back soreness to laminitis
✔️ GI disorders – like chronic colic or ulcers
✔️ Neurological conditions – such as nerve paresis or laryngeal hemiplegia
✔️ Chronic illnesses – including Cushing’s, respiratory issues, and behavioral concerns

Whether your horse is managing pain, recovering from injury, or simply needs extra support, acupuncture can be part of a safe and effective treatment plan.

📍 Dr. Hecox is trained in Veterinary Medical Acupuncture and offers individualized care right at your farm.

Let’s talk about how integrative medicine can help your horse feel and perform their best.

05/11/2025

Sending gratitude and well wishes to all two and four-legged moms!

05/08/2025

Be prepared, not scared! 🌪️🐴 This National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day, ensure your horse's safety with our comprehensive checklist. From identification to essentials for sustenance and hygiene, we've got you covered. Stay ready to protect your horse in any situation.

05/07/2025

🦠 Strangles is highly contagious—but the more you know, the better you can protect your horse. Great info from American Association of Equine Practitioners! 🐴

This week is !

Did you know strangles was one of the first equine diseases to be described by the early writers of veterinary science (was first reported in 1215) and is one of the most commonly diagnosed contagious diseases of the horse, worldwide? Though strangles is highly contagious and can affect many horses on a farm, particularly young animals, most horses with infection recover without complication.

It is not uncommon for strangles infections to recur on a farm with previous outbreaks of the disease. The bacteria can survive in water sources for over a month, but the primary source of recurrent infections is most likely asymptomatic carrier horses. Anywhere from 4-50% of the horses on farms with recurring strangles are asymptomatic carriers of the infection, and they may continue to shed the bacteria for months to even years, serving as a continual source of new infections.

If you suspect a strangles outbreak, be sure to involve your veterinarian right away to determine the diagnosis and the best control practices for your particular farm. Strangles is a reportable disease in some states. Movement of any horses on or off the farm should be stopped, and new horses should not be introduced. Monitoring the temperature of all horses daily and isolating horses at the first sign of fever is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of infection. Infected horses can transmit the bacteria to healthy horses one to two days after they develop a fever.

To learn more about strangles, you can visit the Equine Disease Communication Center's website here: https://www.equinediseasecc.org/strangles

As always, your veterinarian remains your best source of information and advice!

05/07/2025

We’re incredibly grateful for these kind words from Kimberly L, who entrusted Dr. Hecox with the care of her champion cowhorses and broodmares. Her heartfelt review reminds us why we do what we do:

At Sandhills Equine, we’re committed to providing expert, compassionate care that supports the welfare, longevity, and comfort of every horse and their partner.

A special thank you to Kim not only for her generous words, but also for capturing and sharing such beautiful photos. We’re proud to feature them alongside her story!

Have a story to share? We’d love to hear it! https://buff.ly/4LUWDve

05/06/2025

The best hours are saddle hours. 🐎💛

05/05/2025

🏇 If you'll be participating in the Stapleton High School Rodeo May 18, Dr. Hecox will be in town and available for your horse's needs.

SandhillsEquine.com
Call or text: (402)302-3870

05/02/2025

Horses have four types of teeth: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.

Each type of tooth has certain physical characteristics and specific functions.

🐴Incisors grasp and cut food
🐴Canines are for fighting
🐴Premolars and molars are grinders
🐴Wolf teeth are classified as premolar but are vestigial and have no function.

Fun facts!