Keep up to date with all our latest news, articles and case studies from the veterinary world around Hawke’s Bay, Dannevirke, and the Wairarapa.
This is the name given not to “affectionate backs” but to over-riding or impinging of the dorsal spinous processes of the vertebrae commonly in thoracic (chest) or lumbar (lower back) region of the horse. Often it is in the region of wither or saddle and can be associated with a poor saddle fit or trauma/damage…
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So, you want to breed a champion horse? Richard McKenzie outlines the factors you will need to consider when exploring artificial insemination. Finding the right stallion First of all, read the contract thoroughly! They all differ and offer a number of terms and conditions that you will need to familiarise yourself with. For example, do…
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Travelling with horses can have its complications and keeping your horses healthy before, during and after transport can be key to event success. Richard Mckenzie has been an equine vet and horse owner for over 32 years and shares his tips on ensuring your horse has a safe journey and arrives at your big event…
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Colic, a word that strikes fear into the heart of every horse owner! But what is it and what can we do? In the simplest sense, colic is a broad term used to describe abdominal pain and the behaviour that we see associated with that pain. This is most commonly associated with the gastrointestinal tract,…
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The classic ‘coughing horse’ is a common sight and sound at this time of year, and often transient viral respiratory disease is to blame. But as much as we love to blame a virus, they are not always the cause! This year has seen an influx of allergy associated disease in all classes of stock…
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The first five years of a horse’s life are critical in regards to dental development. Like us, horses have two sets of teeth, the deciduous being shed from about two and a half years until the permanent teeth have erupted at around five years. During this period, it is vital that regular dental checks are…
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Some horse owners are still drenching their animals on a six to eight weekly basis regardless of age or worm burden. This was a traditional approach which is outdated and possibly detrimental in terms of developing resistance to drenches. The main internal parasites we see in horses in New Zealand include the following: Large roundworm…
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Johnny Atkins BVSc Vet Services Dannevirke ‘Small Strongyles’ or ‘Cyathostomes’ are the terms used for a group of over forty different species of parasites affecting horses. They tend to be the most prevalent parasite within the horses’ gastrointestinal tract and although small, heavy burdens can result in big problems! Unlike their cousins the ‘large strongyles’,…
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With the equestrian season kicking off in most disciplines, Spring is a good time for your horse to have its annual “warrant of fitness”. Parasites: A faecal egg count is a simple way of getting an idea of the parasite load in your horses. Many horses that are drenched at routine intervals probably do not…
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