Ask The Horse

This is a special Ask TheHorse Live bonus episode, revisiting our conversation with Dr. Patty Graham-Thiers on the topic of body condition scoring and managing your horse’s weight.

The most accurate way to measure your horse’s weight is on a scale, but because that is not accessible to many horse owners, weight tapes or body condition scoring your horse might be the best way to assess his condition. In this excerpt from Ask TheHorse Live, Patty Graham-Thiers, PhD, of Emory and Henry University in Emory, Virginia, explains how to accurately measure your horse’s body condition score and determine what a healthy weight is for him.

This podcast is an excerpt of our Ask TheHorse Live Q&A, "Managing Your Horse’s Weight Through Thick and Thin." Listen to the full recording here: https://thehorse.com/1132028/managing-your-horses-weight-through-thick-and-thin/.

About the Expert:

Patty Graham-Thiers, PhD, has 30 years of experience in higher education equine studies programs. She grew up in Massachusetts and received her BS in animal science from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She then earned her MS in equine nutrition from the University of Florida and PhD from Virginia Tech in equine nutrition and exercise physiology. She taught at Virginia Intermont College and currently teaches at Emory & Henry University in their Equine Studies Program. Her research focuses on protein and amino acid nutrition of exercising horses, and she also served on the National Academy of Science committee that published the 2007 Nutrient Requirements of Horses 6th edition.

This is a special Ask TheHorse Live bonus episode, revisiting our conversation with Dr. Steve Adair on the topic of groundwork and stretching exercises for horses with osteoarthritis.

Groundwork and stretching exercises can help horses build correct muscle and become more limber. Steve Adair, MS, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, ACVSMR, of the University of Tennessee, in Knoxville, explains how to implement these into your horse’s daily routine.

This podcast is an excerpt of our Ask TheHorse Live Q&A, “Equine Joint Care Strategies.” Listen to the full recording here: https://thehorse.com/1128717/equine-joint-care-strategies/.

About the Expert:

Steve Adair, MS, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, ACVSMR, earned his veterinary degree from Auburn University, after which he spent two years in private equine practice and completed a surgery residency at the University of Tennessee (UT). He is a professor in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine at the UT Knoxville and is director of the Equine Performance Medicine and Rehabilitation Center. Besides his board certifications in the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (charter member of the latter), Adair is certified in animal chiropractic by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association and is a certified equine rehabilitation practitioner. His primary research areas include equine musculoskeletal conditions, regenerative medicine and equine rehabilitation.

Managing horses with asthma starts with controlling the horse’s exposure to airborne irritants, particularly dust and mold from hay and bedding. Modifying turnout schedules, improving barn ventilation, and adjusting feeding practices can improve affected horses’ clinical signs. If you suspect your horse might have asthma, work with your veterinarian to develop a management and treatment plan.

Two experts discuss the ins and outs of managing horses with asthma in this Ask TheHorse Live episode.

This episode is brought to you by Kentucky Performance Products.

About the Experts:

Kelsey A. Hart, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM (LAIM), is a professor of large animal internal medicine and Hodgson Chair of equine studies at the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine, in Athens. She received her DVM from Cornell University, in Ithaca, New York, in 2004. She completed an internship and a residency in large animal internal medicine and a PhD in endocrinology at the University of Georgia. Hart’s research centers on immune-endocrine interactions during illness, and the diagnosis and treatment of equine sepsis and endocrine diseases.

Kate Hepworth-Warren, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, grew up in Indiana and graduated from Purdue University, in West Lafayette, Indiana, in 2010 with her DVM. Following graduation, she did an internship in Florida and then moved back to the Midwest for an equine internal medicine residency at Iowa State University (ISU), in Ames. After achieving board-certification in large animal internal medicine, she stayed on for a year at ISU and then spent four years in private practice in New Jersey. In June of 2019, she accepted her current position as associate professor at North Carolina State University, in Raleigh, and moved south. Her favorite type of cases are neonatology, respiratory disease, and neurology.

This is a special Ask TheHorse Live bonus episode, revisiting our conversation with Dr. Frank Andrews on the topic of equine hindgut health.

Horses commonly experience digestive problems, which can present in a variety of ways from abnormal behavior to weight loss. Frank Andrews, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, of Louisiana State University, in Baton Rouge, explains common clinical signs that horses with hindgut problems might present with.

This podcast is an excerpt of our Ask TheHorse Live Q&A, “Understanding Equine Hindgut Health.” Listen to the full recording here: https://thehorse.com/1128070/understanding-equine-hindgut-health/.

About the Expert:

Frank M. Andrews, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, is a graduate of Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Pullman, Washington, where he received a DVM and MS. After a year in private veterinary practice, he completed an Equine Medicine and Surgery Residency at The Ohio State University. After 20 years on the faculty at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, he is currently LVMA Equine Committee Professor and Head of The Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, as well as the Director of the Equine Health and Sports Performance Program at LSU Vet Med. Dr. Andrews is Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Large Animal Internal Medicine. Dr. Andrews’ has clinical and research interests in gastric ulcers, gastrointestinal disease, and endocrine diseases and is involved in clinical equine practice and has been doing scientific investigation for over 35 years.

As horses age, their health care needs and associated costs often increase, making proactive management especially important. Having your veterinarian perform regular examinations, dental evaluations, and monitoring for common senior conditions can help you catch problems early and potentially reduce long-term expenses. Senior horses might also require specialized feeds, medications, or additional supportive care, which can increase monthly costs. Developing a preventive care plan and budgeting for age-related health needs can help owners support their horses’ comfort and longevity.

This episode is brought to you by CareCredit.

Meet the Experts:

• Alex Bianco, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, is a Minneapolis native and graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, in St. Paul. After completing a rotating equine internship at Kansas State University, in Manhattan, she completed a large animal internal medicine residency at Purdue University, in Lafayette, Indiana. Following her residency, Bianco remained at Purdue for an additional year working as an equine ambulatory veterinarian, before returning to the University of Minnesota as clinical faculty in 2016.
• Jonathan Yardley, DVM, is a graduate of Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine, in North Grafton, Massachusetts. He began his career with a private practice internship before joining a prominent racetrack practice, Teigland, Franklin, and Brokken, where he specialized in caring for an elite clientele of Thoroughbred racehorses. In 2014 Yardley shifted from private practice to academia as an ambulatory, clinical-track veterinarian in the Equine Field Service department at The Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, in Columbus, where he currently serves as an associate professor. As the equine rotating internship director, Yardley is committed to fostering an enriching learning environment that empowers interns to develop their clinical and critical thinking skills throughout their yearlong internships. Dedicated to veterinary wellness, Yardley serves as co-chair of the College of Veterinary Medicine Health & Wellbeing Committee, championing evidence-based strategies for healthcare improvement. He hosts the podcast “Horse Talk with Doc,” where he shares valuable insights into equine health and well-being. Outside of his professional pursuits, Yardley is an avid curler who enjoys traveling with his wife. They share their home with three beloved Doodles.

Equine skin problems can stem from a wide range of causes, including parasites, bacterial or fungal infections, allergies, and prolonged exposure to moisture or irritants. Successfully managing horses with skin problems relies on working with your veterinarian to identify the underlying issue and appropriately treat it. Because many dermatologic conditions can look similar in the early stages, it’s important to have the veterinarian evaluate your horse promptly to help prevent complications and improve outcomes.

During this episode, veterinarians answer your questions about common equine skin problems.

This episode is brought to you by Creative Science.

Meet the Experts:

• Julia Miller, DVM, Dipl. ACVD, was equine-focused in veterinary school at Cornell University, in Ithaca, New York, and completed a rotating large animal internship at the University of Georgia, in Athens, after graduation. She then went on to be a mixed animal general practitioner for several years before finding her true love, dermatology, and heading back to Cornell for her residency. She now practices in the beautiful land of the bluegrass in Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky and loves working on all creatures great and small!

• Carly Turner-Garcia, DVM, Dipl. ACT, spent her earlier years working in exotic and small animal veterinary medicine before finding her passion for horses during undergraduate studies at Berry College, in Mount Berry, Georgia. She graduated from The University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine, in Athens, continued to an internship at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, and a residency in theriogenology at Texas A&M University, in College Station, where she earned her Dipl. ACT. She spent the next 10 years in private practice in Weatherford, Texas, and Guthrie, Oklahoma, seeing everything from critical neonatal cases to orthopedic emergencies with a heavy caseload of advanced reproduction. She recently joined the team at Creative Science as a technical services veterinarian while operating her own practice, Black Type Equine, focusing on advanced equine reproduction throughout the U.S. Her biggest joy comes from spending time with her husband, Taylor Garcia, PhD, and their two boys on their ranch in Oklahoma raising cattle, Quarter Horses, and working dogs.

Gastric ulcers are common in both performance and pleasure horses, but the clinical signs can be easily overlooked. Affected horses might show poor performance, changes in attitude, decreased appetite, or unexplained weight loss. Because the horse’s stomach continuously produces acid and is designed for foraging, management factors such as intermittent feeding, high-starch diets, and stress from transport or work can contribute to ulcer development. The only way to definitively diagnose gastric ulcers is through gastroscopy, so it’s important to work with your veterinarian if you suspect your horse might have them.

Two veterinarians answer your equine gastric ulcer questions during this archived Ask TheHorse podcast, brought to you by Bimeda.

About the Experts:

Laramie Winfield, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, cVA, cVMMP, grew up in the Salinas Valley, riding horses with her mom and sisters. Winfield’s professional interests are equine internal medicine, emergency and critical care, neonatology, acupuncture, sports medicine, and ophthalmology. Winfield is certified in veterinary acupuncture and is also a veterinary medical manipulation practitioner, having completed her training at the Integrative Veterinary Medical Institute in Reddick, Florida. In integrating her riding background with her training in internal medicine, acupuncture, and spinal manipulation Winfield strives to offer a comprehensive view of horse health and performance. Winfield is an equity partner at Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinics, in Salinas, California. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Nick Carlson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, and their children. She loves horseback riding and three-day eventing with her horse Franky.

James D. Conway III, DVM, is the associate director of veterinary technical services at Bimeda. He previously held the same roles at Dechra Veterinary Products and Contura Vet. Conway has been an industry veterinarian for the past 10 years. Prior to his role in industry, he served as an associate veterinarian at a large regional referral lameness and rehab facility in North Texas. Conway completed an internship at Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery, in Weatherford, Texas, and upon completion started his own lameness and sports medicine practice in the panhandle of Texas and Oklahoma. He is a 2012 graduate of Colorado State University Veterinary School, in Fort Collins, where he was heavily involved with equine stifle and condylar fracture research. Conway's publications on bisphosphonates, the equine stifle ethesis, and medial condylar fractures can be found in Equine Veterinary Education and Equine Veterinary Journal.

Equine colic refers to abdominal pain rather than a single disease and can arise from many causes, ranging from gas buildup to intestinal impaction. Horses with colic might show subtle signs such as reduced appetite or lethargy, or more obvious behaviors like pawing, flank-watching, rolling, or repeatedly getting up and down. Because some types of colic can become life-threatening quickly, recognizing early signs and contacting a veterinarian promptly can improve the horse’s outcome.

This episode is sponsored by CareCredit.

About the Experts:

Michael Fugaro, VMD, Dipl. ACVS, is the owner and founder of Mountain Pointe Equine Veterinary Services, in Hackettstown, New Jersey. Fugaro received his VMD at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine, in Kennett Square, where he graduated in 1997. He then completed a large animal internship at the University of Guelph, in Ontario, Canada, and a large animal surgical residency at Purdue University, in West Lafayette, Indiana. Previously, Fugaro was the resident veterinarian and a tenured full-professor at Centenary University, in Hackettstown. He has also taught as a visiting instructor at Rutgers University in the Animal Science Department, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Fugaro has held veterinary positions with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s Division of Animal Health and the New Jersey Racing Commission. He has also been the president of the New Jersey Association of Equine Practitioners, an advisory board member for the Rutgers University Board for Equine Advancement (RUBEA), and an admissions committee member for University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine. When not performing surgeries, Fugaro enjoys golfing and going to the gym. He resides in Morris County, New Jersey, with his wife, Donna, and dog, Curtis.

Bianca Ruspi, DVM, is a third-year resident in equine surgery at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. She attended the University of Kentucky (UK), in Lexington, for her undergraduate degree and Cornell University, in Ithaca, New York, for veterinary school. She is interested in orthopedic surgery and joint disease and is pursuing a PhD at UK's Gluck Equine Research Center following her residency.

As horses age, managing their soundness using a multimodal approach becomes increasingly important. Experts emphasize proactive joint care, appropriate exercise, and routine veterinary evaluations. Regular, low-impact work helps maintain joint mobility and muscle support, while avoiding long periods of confinement, which can worsen stiffness. Strategic hoof balance, body condition management, and early intervention for mild lameness are key. With thoughtful management and early attention to subtle changes, many senior horses can remain comfortable and active for years.

During this episode, two experts discuss keeping horses sound as they age.

About the Experts:

Lauren Trager, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVSMR, is a clinical assistant professor of equine sports medicine at the Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, in Blacksburg. She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. Trager loves to teach and enjoys working on challenging lameness and poor performance cases, particularly those with neck and back pain and anything that involves advanced imaging.

Howland M. Mansfield, DVM, CVA, CVMMP, of Summerville, South Carolina, received her DVM from Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine, in Alabama, and completed internships in both general equine medicine and surgery and in advanced equine reproduction. She is certified in both veterinary acupuncture and veterinary medical manipulation. She has practiced along the East Coast over the course of 14 years, in addition to time in Germany providing veterinary care for some of the most elite show horses in Europe. In 2012 Mansfield was named by the South Carolina Horseman’s Council as the Horse Person of the Year for her efforts in equine rescue and in combating animal cruelty. She joined American Regent in 2023 as a technical services veterinarian where she can support the welfare of and improve health care for horses and small animals throughout the U.S.

Managing a horse diagnosed with metabolic problems means understanding how conditions such as equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) and insulin dysregulation increase the risk of serious complications, including laminitis. Horses with metabolic problems often benefit from controlled diets low in sugars and starches, tailored to prevent spikes in blood insulin and support healthy body condition. Regular exercise and weight management should be part of a comprehensive plan because activity can help improve insulin sensitivity and supports overall metabolic health. While there’s no cure for these conditions, strategic, research-based care can help improve your metabolic horse’s well-being.

During this podcast, two experts answer listener questions about managing horses that have metabolic problems.

About the Experts:

1. Greg Schmid, DVM, originally from Canada, moved to Ohio as a teenager, where his family trained dressage and eventing horses. He earned a Bachelor of Science in equine science from Otterbein University, in Westerville, Ohio, and a DVM from The Ohio State University, in Columbus. After graduation, Schmid completed an internship at B.W. Furlong & Associates, in Oldwick, New Jersey, and then worked with Dr. John “Doc” Steele in a hunter/jumper-focused practice covering the East Coast. He later practiced in Portland, Oregon, working with various English and Western sport horses. Schmid joined Dechra as an equine professional services veterinarian in September 2020 and now lives in Asheville, North Carolina.
2. Caitrin Lowndes, DVM, is a research fellow at the Van Eps Laminitis and Endocrinology Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center, in Kennett Square, with a background in field practice. Her main area of research is the improved diagnosis and management of insulin dysregulation, with particular interest in how that research can be translated into clinical practice for the treatment and prevention of laminitis.