SmartPak Monday Feed: Ask the Vet, October Edition

Happy October! In Horse Nation, a new month means a new opportunity to learn all sorts of great information about horse health, courtesy of our friends at SmartPak.

SmartPak staff veterinarian Dr. Lydia Gray and SmartPaker Dan (SmartPaker Sarah is on maternity leave!) tackle fan-submitted horse health questions in this informative monthly video.

Questions answered in this episode:

1. In the event of a natural disaster, such as fire, hurricane, flood, etc., where you don’t have much notice before having to evacuate what do you like having packed in your trailer? We live in Southern California where we could be forced to leave due to fire with little to no warning. We are trying to decide what passed ownership papers and health records we should keep in the trailer at all times in case of an emergency.

2. How long can you ride a mare who is pregnant?

3. I was wondering, what is pigeon fever? From what I know it’s an infection? But what are the symptoms, where does it come from? Thanks!! P.S. Love the series!!

4. What are summer sores? And why do horses get them? I notice that some horses get them and others don’t. How would you treat them?

5. This summer, my horse has gotten like 25 little white spots (the diameter of a pea) all over his body. He has gotten a few of these in the past, but never so many. He’s a sorrel horse, so this seems unusual. The spots have no pattern and don’t show up anywhere particular. What could be causing these to appear?

What did you learn today? If you have a horse health question you’d like Dr. Lydia and Dan to tackle next month, submit it — just add your question on social media using the #AskTheVetVideo hashtag or on the SmartPak website.

Go riding!