Equine Science + Video Game = Horse Nerd Heaven
Rutgers Equine Science Center recently unveiled a website for kids that is pretty fantastic. Let’s check it out.
The Paso Fino Grand National Championship Is Blowing My Mind
[Insert sound of head exploding.]
8 Harvest-time Photos of Draft Horses in Their Element
With a few draft mules added in for good measure. Draft animals, autumn is your time to shine in the field.
Tuesday Video from Dubarry: ‘Sea Horses’ Trailer
“The story behind the wild horses of the Outer Banks is one of epic proportions. Sand and salt, winds and tides have come together here along these ribbons of sand that we call barrier islands, to shape and mold one of the most unique horses on Earth.”
What The Muck Is That? ‘Canker’
Each week we investigate one equestrian conundrum in “What the muck is that?” This week we take a look at Canker by reader request.
We recently received this message from a reader:
So… what the muck is that?
Canker is an infection that results in chronic hypertrophy (over growth or enlargement) of the horn-producing tissues in the hoof. It normally starts in the frog, but can quickly take over the sole, bars, and hoof wall. Canker can be in just one hoof or all four. Any breed, gender, or age of horse is susceptible to the disease, which has no known cause.
Is it like thrush?
Canker is very often misdiagnosed as thrush in its early stages. Thrush is a bacterial infection generally due to unsanitary living conditions or a very wet environment. Canker, on the other hand, is an infection of no known origin (some believe it is caused by the papillomavirus) that can be found in both wet and dry environments and on meticulously cared for equines.
Key Differences:
Thrush = Generally restricted to the clefts of the frog, central sulci, or puncture wounds.
Canker = Invades the horn of the frog anywhere throughout the structure.
Thrush = Damaged tissue turns dark black.
Canker = Damaged tissue turns a pale white or yellow.
Thrush = Loss of tissue.
Canker = Rapid increase of tissue.
What should I look for?
In the early stages you will see a light brown, grey or yellow tissue in the frog that bleeds easily and is painful to the touch. The horse may or may not be lame.
If left untreated the canker will spread rapidly, resulting in a “cauliflower-like” appearance and mild to severe lameness.
Check out this video that shows a farrier’s reaction to canker.
What’s the treatment?
Veterinarian performed radical debridement (cutting away) of the infected tissue down into normal tissue is required. Depending on the depth of the infection, the horse may need to be put under general anesthesia or given a nerve block. Debridement can be done by electric cauterization or a traditional scalpel method followed with cryotherapy.
After debridement, the entire area must be thoroughly cleaned and covered with an antibiotic dressing daily. The wound must be kept clean and dry to heal properly, which may take weeks to months. Systemic antibiotics are generally prescribed.
Have you ever asked, “What the muck is that?” Send us your questions and we will do our best to answer!
Go Riding.
Sources: Merck Manual, Equine Podiatry.
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What I Learned as a Horseback Rider with an Anxiety Disorder
Victoria Shields shares her story.
Best of Craigslist: ‘Oh No They Didn’t’ Edition
Today’s lineup: an appaloosa pony who should be sainted, a $65,000 Shetland pony, a seriously broke paint, “thourghbred stud” a match made in hell and — wait for it! — a “huge genital horse.”
Susanna sent us this ad with the note: “Found this little guy’s ad. I don’t have much to say, except I hope a better home gets him soon!”
Snoopy is 10 years old, around 40″ tall. We have rode this little gelding everywhere you can ride a big horse. He’s very gentle and easy to catch. The kids have took him swimming in the pond. They have rode him down the roads and in the woods. We have even lead little bitty kids around on him. He will lope off and stop good bigger kids have really rode him hard, he’s pretty broke for a pony.
You can’t see it in the photos but I’m pretty sure that pony has a halo. Speaking of ponies, Leah sent us this one from EquineNow.com: “I love the questionable grammar, clearly accidental price, and incongruous photo. It’s the full package!”
Advertising at its finest. Here’s another ad that leaves much to the imagination, from Jeaniene:
The next one is from Theresa — well broke, indeed!
WHY?!?!?!? This poster of this ad won’t be winning any spelling bees anytime soon:
Casey sent us this one for a yearling that’s for sale because things weren’t working out with its owner, a 9-year-old kid — surprise, surprise!
And now, the grand finale from reader Ella:
Readers, if you run across an “interesting” ad in your Internet wanderings, send it our way! Email the link to [email protected]. Who knows – maybe you’ll help connect a horse with a safe, loving home. Go Riding.
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