Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
There are always risks associated with using anesthesia on your horse, even for simple procedures. The risks increase if the horse has to be laid down for long and complicated surgeries to relieve problems such as colic. There are several options and drug combinations your veterinarian may select based on what is best for your horse and the necessary procedure.
Equine herbal therapy is a form of homeotherapy in which herbs are used in disease treatment and prevention. These herbs are to be taken internally. It is important to read up on the use of herbs and speak to a veterinarian before treating your horse with herbs. Some herbs can be damaging to a horse if taken at too high doses. Horses in the wild know which herbs can help or hurt them and this is a natural way to treat horses.
Laser therapy has become a popular tool for treating horses. Lasers are used for the treatment of horse injuries and can help blood flow to an injury and reduce healing time. Laser therapy is also used for treating horse lameness and for reducing soreness and inflammation. Lasers are hot or cold depending on the amount of power they deliver. Cold lasers are further separated into wave lasers and pulse lasers.
Cellulitis is the swelling of tissue just beneath a horse's skin that generally occurs as the result of an infection. The condition most often occurs in a horse's leg, but can show up anywhere on its body.
Cellulitis in the horse is a treatable infection of the deep layers of the skin. The most common location is the legs, and the most common cause is bacterial infection of a break in the skin. It is usually painful, can be temporarily disabling and, left untreated, can develop into septicemia. Prompt care is critical.
Cold laser therapy, often called light therapy or low-level laser therapy, is increasingly being used to treat a variety of injuries and medical conditions in horses of all ages.
Although the benefits of equine assisted therapy have long been proven, these programs can be quite expensive to set up and maintain due to the costs of acquiring the horses and providing for their care as well as finding suitable facilities. There are several grants that may help overcome both the initial and ongoing costs of these programs.
The federal government offers very few grants to assist individuals in starting a small business such as a horse ranch. However, they do offer a few grants for specific situations. Also, several states offer grants to individuals starting a business. Federal and state governments also offer loans, counseling, and other types of assistance. Established non-profit horse ranches, such as equine rescue or hippotherapy, are eligible for many federal and state grants.
Winston Churchill once said that "there is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man." That belief has led to several programs that help veterans facing physical or mental challenges because of service to their country.
The benefits of pet-assisted therapy have been well documented over the years. More recently, therapy using horses has been seen as a means to help those with a variety of mental illnesses including depression.
Equine rehabilitation and therapy encompasses a range of treatments for horses following an accident or injury that requires more than medication for healing to take place. Techniques such as physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and massage are used alongside standard veterinary care to rehabilitate horses. Therapists working in this field are specially trained to work with horses. Courses in equine rehabilitation are available at a number of colleges in North America and Europe.
Children and animals seem to have a special bond, and sometimes animals can even get kids to open up in a way that adults can't. Horses are often especially good at making that emotional connection, especially with both kids and adults who have physical or emotional disabilities. Horse therapy, or hippotherapy, is a field that shows promise but that still needs research and funding. Fortunately, grants are available for just that purpose.
Equine athletes, like their human counterpoints, are susceptible to injury; in contrast with their human counterparts, however, for many years few treatments past soaking the injured part or extended rest were available. Now a wide variety of therapy products such as magnets, nebulizers and ice wraps are readily available for at-home treatment.
As people pay more attention to homeopathic remedies for their own health, it's only natural that some animal owners would explore alternative therapies for their pets. Many doctors and veterinarians find no scientific basis for many of these treatments, yet those using them often report exceptional results. In recent years, some horse owners have applied homeopathic remedies to the treatment of Cushing's syndrome.
Does your horse have Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), better known as Cushing's Disease? According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the average age for a horse diagnosed with Cushings is 20 years. However, it has been diagnosed in horses as young as seven. If you wish to treat your horse with homeopathic remedies--either alone or in combination with modern treatments--consult your vet.
Equine therapy involves riding horses to improve one's physical, mental or emotional health. While many believe that equine therapy is only for physically disabled individuals, anyone from a recovering addict to a child with low self-esteem can benefit from equine therapy. Volunteers are an integral part of any equine therapy program, but they should be aware of what will be expected of them prior to becoming a volunteer.
Equine colic is a serious condition that occurs in about 10 percent of all horses each year, according to veterinarian Jay Altman. It is also the No. 1 cause of natural deaths in horses. "Colic" is actually the term used to refer to various types of abdominal pain, all of which can have a number of causes. Prompt care is crucial for horses suffering from colic; a relatively simple case of colic can quickly escalate into a serious or even life-threatening situation without veterinary intervention. Although the treatment for colic in specific cases depends on the type of colic and…
Depression is not a clear-cut diagnosis, especially when it comes to animals. Animals may appear lethargic and may refuse to eat. This is often the case with horses that have become depressed. It's possible that depression in horses is caused by a chemical imbalance, which is similar to human depression, however, there is minimal documentation of equine depression. Some veterinarians indicate that vitamin supplements can assist a horse with depression, but results are not conclusive.
Animal companions have been proven to benefit their owners in many ways. In addition to providing comfort, company and unconditional love, pets also can boost the health of their human friends. Children seem particularly affected by contact with pets and therapy animals, and treatments such as equine therapy sometimes can have a drastic effect on a disabled child's morale and physical well-being.
Successful equine athletes must be in excellent physical condition. Just as the human athlete risks physical injury from the strain of training and competition, so too does the equine athlete. Physical therapy treatments can play an important role in the maintenance of a fit horse or recovery of an injured one. The following information is based upon the Horse.com article, "Physical Therapy for Healing and Health."
Equine echocardiography uses ultrasound technology to display images of a horse's heart, according to Matt Durham, D.V.M., in his article "The Equine Heart Part 2: Common Cardiac Disease." The article further states that this equipment provides veterinarians with a resolute image that can be used to evaluate the different structures of the heart, the quality of its movements and the chamber size throughout the different aspects of a heartbeat.
There are a number of organizations that award financial assistance for research related to horses. Grants are available for projects directly related to equine physiology, health or behavior, as well as fields involving the use of horses, such as equine therapy. In addition there are grants for things like community horse trails and horse farming.
Equine sports or physical therapists work directly with veterinarians to provide follow-up treatments that aid in the healing of an injured horse, much like sports therapists do for human athletes. The field of equine physical therapy is rapidly growing with an abundance of tools and techniques at their disposal for rehabilitating injured animals.
Equine therapy involves treatment beyond conventional veterinary procedures, usually encompassing the skeletal and muscular systems in an effort to aid performance and promote better health of horses. Therapeutic techniques such as massage, chiropractics and acupuncture are growing in popularity as horse owners seek out safe, effective means of treatment for their equine athletes.
If you love being around horses, there are a number of career paths you can use to make your passion for these special animals into a lucrative job. Caring for horses through a career in equine therapy can be highly rewarding, both professionally and personally. After all, you will be working with the animals you love while making a very good living.
Equine chiropractors assist horses with vertebral alignment issues. These issues may result from another health issue or injury. Left untreated, they can cause new health problems or aggravate existing issues. This is a specialized training that is best integrated into a horse's ongoing veterinary care and health management. Equine chiropractors frequently work with veterinarians.
The world of sports medicine is not limited to two legged athletes. Equine athletes like the thoroughbreds running in the Kentucky Derby and the warmbloods competing in the Olympics also need sports medicine practitioners to keep them in top condition. From equine massage therapists and chiropractors to veterinarians and farriers, these top equine athletes have a full staff of medical professionals at the ready. Equine sports medicine careers run the gamut, from those working at the top levels to those working at boarding stables and training facilities around the country. That means that there are many opportunities for horse enthusiasts…
Equine therapy is a program in which horses help children with physical or mental handicaps to improve muscle control, emotional growth, and cognitive impairment. Horses are used to help children with behavioral problems as well. By caring for the horse, they learn to help others and to trust again. Acting out is diverted because their attention is focused on caring for the horse. The NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) offers accreditation to facilities who meet the industry standards. This accreditation process is a peer review system in which accredited volunteers review centers by visiting applicants and grading…
Equine salmonellosis is caused by salmonella bacteria. It's transmitted through contaminated food or water. Horses under stress are more susceptible. The disease can be fatal, especially in young horses. Good management is key in preventing the disease. Salmonella also can affect people.
Equine therapy, also known as hippo therapy, is becoming a popular form of treatment for children with physical, mental and social disabilities. The movement and body warmth of the horse stimulates nerves, muscles and emotions that generally have not been tapped into, leading to satisfying results. Though saddles are sometimes used, it is more popular to use a surcingle -- a simple strap around the horse for the rider to hold on to.
Equine physical therapy is considered a "developing field" by practicing physical therapist Jennifer Brooks. According to Brooks's article "What Can Physical Therapy Do For My Horse?" it is more correct to call equine physical therapy "equine rehabilitation," and the practitioner of equine rehabilitation should be called a "certified equine rehabilitation practitioner," or a CERP. The point of all rehabilitation practices is to help your horse heal faster from injuries.
When their animals become injured or lame, some horse owners are choosing to augment traditional veterinary care with alternative therapies that have previously been limited to human medicine. If they make the decision to manage with other types of treatment, owners need to educate themselves to determine if these treatments are working.
Equine therapy is one of the fastest-growing methods of physical and mental treatment. The necessity of physical interaction between human and animal, as well as the sensitivity horses have to human emotion and non-verbal cues, make equine therapy an ideal option for people who have been physically abused or have emotional issues. Riding involves balance and use of mental concentration that can be helpful in many types of rehabilitation.
Equine water therapy, or hydrotherapy, is the practice of using cold water in specific ways to assist the natural healing times of a horse. Cold water works at a cellular level by reducing the metabolic response of the cells. When that happens, the cells need less oxygen to function so the animal suffers from fewer hypoxic injuries. The cold water also decreases the permeability of the blood to reduce swelling and it also numbs the area to a slight degree to act as an anesthetic. Hot water relieves minor aches and pain and decreases healing time.
Horses are large, athletic animals whose bodies are often put under a lot of stress. This can lead to many problems with their muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Ultrasound therapy can be used in horses to help heal their body tissues, reduce pain, and help them move more smoothly.
Equine activities and animal-assisted therapy have increased in popularity over the past several decades, as the benefits of the interaction of horse and human have become well noted. The movement of the horse's body is conducive to balance building in even the most impaired riders, and the soothing touch of a horse's flesh is very healing for the abused and neglected. Knowing more about these programs can help you make an informed decision concerning treatment.
Equine therapy uses horses as part of a team of therapists to work with those with autism. Through Equine therapy, autistic patients can work on physical skills and learn to make connections with their horse, therapist, and instructors. Instructors at equine therapy facilities may be part of the staff, or work as volunteers. Training to become an equine therapy instructor is intensive, but comes with rewards that cannot be measured. Below are some basic steps that are required to become a certified equine therapy instructor. Each facility may have their own variations of these steps.
Magnetic therapy has been used for over 25 years in horses. Magnetic therapy works by increasing the electric potential in the cells and dilating blood vessels, allowing for improved circulation and speeding healing in the treated areas. Because magnets do not produce heat, they do not increase inflammation. Magnets can be used for traumatic wound healing, post-surgical healing, age-related conditions such as arthritis, fractures, tendon injuries and chronic muscle soreness in horses (Focke, 2009).
When it comes to equine steroid therapy, treatments come in two classifications: anabolic and corticosteroids. Anabolic steroids will help to build muscle mass in your horse while the latter can help its joints heal. When administering any type of steroids, be sure to check with your veterinarian first and never exceed the amount of medication recommended.
Pharmaceutical products like phenylbutazone are the standard way to treat equine pain. Like many pharmaceuticals, bute can have side effects and long-term risks. For this reason, many horse owners are turning to natural methods of equine pain relief.
Equine magnetic therapy is the use of magnets to help alleviate pain in horses, especially from sprains, backaches and arthritis. Proponents of magnetic therapy say that it helps improve circulation, which helps reduce inflammation and speed healing. This is thought to be due to the traces of metal in hemoglobin. Those against magnetic therapy argue that it does not affect circulation in any way.
Although generally slow-growing, equine melanomas have afflicted horses---usually gray horses---for centuries. Tumors should be watched carefully. Any unusual growth should be brought to the attention of your veterinarian. These growths can, in rare cases, metastasize and spread to other parts of the body and cause internal injury.
