Mad Barn Academy

Equine osteoarthritis is a common condition in the aging horse.

Osteoarthritis (also known as Degenerative Joint Disease) involves joint inflammation and progressive degeneration of the cartilage lining. It also involves changes in the bone and soft tissues of the joint.

Arthritis is thought to affect more than half of all horses over the age of 15. It is also the leading cause of lameness in horses. 

Horses engaged in high-intensity exercise, such as racing, may develop osteoarthritis at an earlier age due to wear-and-tear.

There is no cure for arthritis, but with proper management, many horses can continue to live comfortably and maintain a good level of fitness.

A balanced feeding program that provides anti-inflammatory nutrients can help to support healthy joints. In addition, modified exercise routines, medications and therapeutic bodywork can also manage arthritic pain in your horse.

This podcast reviews arthritis symptoms, diagnosis, prevention, treatment and nutritional considerations.

Read more: https://madbarn.com/how-to-manage-arthritis-in-horses/

⁠_______________________________

Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at ⁠https://madbarn.com⁠ for more resources, videos and articles.

Horses are prone to hoof cracks for various reasons. Cracks can lead to the hoof chipping away in certain areas.

Cracks can be a cosmetic problem that can be easily corrected, but sometimes, they indicate something more serious is happening within the hoof.

Hoof cracks are usually described by their location, length (partial or full), and the presence or absence of bleeding and/or infection. In many cases, the underlying hoof damage is considerably more extensive than what is seen from the outside. 

This podcast features details on hoof anatomy, summarizes the main causes and types of hoof cracks and highlights the most effective treatments.

Read more: https://madbarn.com/hoof-cracks-in-horses/

⁠_______________________________

Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at ⁠https://madbarn.com⁠ for more resources, videos and articles.

Horses may not require as much sleep as humans, but quality sleep is still vital for your equine’s overall health and well-being.

Although horses can sleep standing up thanks to their unique stay apparatus, REM sleep is only possible when they are lying down, and their muscles can relax.

Many factors can prevent a horse from getting enough quality sleep and lead to signs of sleep deprivation. Factors include pain, injury, health conditions, loud or bright barn environments, and even social hierarchy.

While equine sleep disorders are still poorly understood, horse owners should be aware of the signs of sleep deprivation in horses and take action to improve their horse’s sleep quality.

This podcast will review the current science on equine sleep patterns and the consequences, signs, and treatment of sleep deprivation in horses.

Read more: https://madbarn.com/sleep-deprivation-in-horses/

⁠_______________________________

Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at ⁠https://madbarn.com⁠ for more resources, videos and articles.

Tying-up in horses is a colloquial term for Exertional Rhabdomyolysis, a condition involving exercise-related muscle cramping and damage.

Some horses experience a single episode of tying up whereas others experience recurrent tying-up. During an episode, the affected horse becomes stiff and reluctant to move. Your horse may only taking short, shuffled steps.

In severe cases, a horse displays signs of distress including pawing at the ground, excessive sweating, and quick, shallow breathing due to the pain associated with this condition.

Tying-up episodes should be taken seriously. If your horse is displaying signs, a veterinarian should be contacted immediately. The veterinarian can help identify whether this is a sporadic case or whether your horse is genetically susceptible to recurrent tying-up episodes.

This podcast reviews the types, symptoms, causes and management.

Read more: https://madbarn.com/tying-up-in-horses/

⁠_______________________________

Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at ⁠https://madbarn.com⁠ for more resources, videos and articles.

Horses can experience a number of different dental issues over their lifetime, impacting their ability to chew and digest their feed.

Unaddressed dental issues can affect your horse’s health, condition, behaviour and performance. This is why it’s important to have your horse’s teeth checked by an experienced veterinarian or equine dentist on a regular basis.

Dental problems are the third most common medical problem seen in large animal practices in the U.S.

Unfortunately, postmortem studies show high levels of clinically significant, undiagnosed dental disorders in horses.  This means that many horses are not getting the dental care they need.

In this podcast, we will discuss some of the common dental issues facing horses and signs of teeth problems and their treatment.

Read more: https://madbarn.com/dental-issues-in-horses/

⁠_______________________________

Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at ⁠https://madbarn.com⁠ for more resources, videos and articles.

Dehydration is a serious problem in competing and working horses, especially during hot weather. Horses are very sweaty animals and can quickly become dehydrated.

Horses competing in endurance racing or engaging in sustained heavy exercise are at the highest risk of dehydration.

Dehydration occurs when your horse loses excessive fluids from sweat, urine, feces, and respiration. If your horse does not drink enough to offset the fluid loss, she can become dehydrated.

The most common signs of dehydration are poor performance, loss of skin elasticity, weakness and increased respiratory rate. Dehydration also increases the risk of heat stroke, tying-up and slow exercise recovery.

Knowing the signs of dehydration and how to help keep your horse hydrated is important for every horse owner.

Read more: https://madbarn.com/dehydration-in-horses/

⁠_______________________________

Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at ⁠https://madbarn.com⁠ for more resources, videos and articles.

Colic is one of the most feared conditions within the equine community. As many horse owners know, colic is an unpredictable, painful, and sometimes fatal condition.

Colic refers to abdominal pain in horses that can lead to potentially serious health complications. Cases of colic may present as mild and be resolved in less than 24 hours with or without veterinary treatment. Colic can also be more severe, requiring emergency surgery. 
 
Colic is usually triggered by a combination of factors, including diet, workload, and stress exposure. It can also be caused by gas buildup, feed impaction, grain overload, sand ingestion or parasite infection. 

Horses are more susceptible to digestive upset than other domestic animals due to their unique digestive system. Gut disorders, such as colic, diarrhea, or enterotoxemia, represent approximately 50% of medical problems in adult horses.

It’s important to act quickly and call your veterinarian if your horse shows signs of colic, such as pawing, rolling, laying down, loss of appetite or other signs of discomfort.

Colic is something all horse owners strive to prevent. In this podcast, we will discuss strategies you can employ to reduce the risk of colic and other digestive problems in your horse.

Read more: https://madbarn.com/prevent-colic-in-horses/
_______________________________

Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at https://madbarn.com for more resources, videos and articles.

Flies are more than just a nuisance to horses and their owners. Without proper fly control, these insects can transmit diseases to your horse and cause skin irritations.

Effective fly control for horses starts before fly season begins with environmental management strategies to prevent flies from breeding on your farm. You can also protect your horses from flies by adding features to your barns that discourage insects from hanging around horses.

Fly spray is one of the most common methods for controlling flies. But horses often need added protection from wearable fly gear to stay comfortable during peak fly season.

Feed-through fly control is also available for horses, and some supplements may help support skin health in horses sensitive to bug bites.

This podcast will review everything horse owners need to know about effective fly control for horses. Listen now to learn how flies impact horse health and the best strategies for protecting your horse from biting insects.

Read more: https://madbarn.com/fly-control-for-horses/
_______________________________

Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at https://madbarn.com for more resources, videos and articles.

Coughing is a common clinical sign in horses that can be entirely benign or the first clue of a medical condition.

Your horse’s cough is a normal reflex that keeps his airway healthy and clean. But some conditions associated with coughing require immediate veterinary care.

Horse owners should learn to identify different types of coughs to determine when to call the vet. While certain diseases only respond to medical treatments, feeding and environmental changes can also help manage coughing in horses.

This podcast will review the causes, symptoms and diagnosis of coughing in horses. We will also discuss treatment options for breathing conditions and how horse owners can address respiratory health with management changes and nutritional support.

Read more: https://madbarn.com/coughing-in-horses/
_______________________________

Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at https://madbarn.com for more resources, videos and articles.

Whether you are a seasoned equestrian or a new horse owner, trailering your horse can be a daunting task but does not have to be uncomfortable for you or your horse.

Many factors influence equine welfare while trailering. However, the right vehicle, proper trailer maintenance, careful driving, and thorough preparation will help ensure a safe and successful journey with your horse.

Ensure your horse is familiar with the trailer before hitting the road, and practice loading and unloading several times at home. To keep your horse safe, it is imperative to gather relevant paperwork and carry the necessary equipment you or your horse may require.

Even with the best preparation, travelling to new facilities, competitions, or clinics can cause travel stress in horses. Trailering also increases the risk of dehydration, ulcers, gut issues, and respiratory problems.

This podcast will review trailering tips to keep your horses happy and safe on the road and discuss how to support equine health while travelling.

Read more: https://madbarn.com/trailering-your-horse/
_______________________________

Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at https://madbarn.com for more resources, videos and articles.