Strangles was one of the first equine diseases to be described by the early writers of veterinary science. Unfortunately, not a great deal about the disease has changed over the centuries. Strangles is still widely reported in North America and all other areas with major populations of horses. Outbreaks of strangles (and other infectious diseases) are costly when considering the value of the horse, lost performance time, missed breeding dates, veterinary treatment and control measures.

Strangles is hardly a new disease, having been recognized as a contagious bacterial problem in horses since the late 18th century. Yet, it still remains a troublesome and persistent issue in the horse world and is identified worldwide. Research has been directed toward developing effective vaccines to control its spread through the horse population, but management strategies are equally important in limiting its presence.

The mouth of the horse is the principle means of communication between the horse and rider or driver. Obviously, other aids are used as well, but for many, the bit is what determines direction, rate of speed and position or frame in which the horse moves. Horses are the only domestic animals that have their mouths used in this fashion.

Colic. The very word makes you shudder. It seems to happen at any time and place and to any horse. As common as colic is, it remains misconstrued and lacks singular explanation. Thousands of dollars have been invested in colic studies, yet it is still an offender of even the healthiest horses.

OWNERS, BEWARE. THE NUMBER ONE KILLER OF HORSES IS COLIC! But colic is not a disease. Rather it is a combination of signs that alert us to abdominal pain in the horse. Colic can range from mild to severe, but it should never be ignored. That's because many of the conditions that cause colic can become life-threatening in a relatively short period of time. Only by quickly and accurately recognizing colic -- and seeking qualified veterinary help -- can the chance for recovery be maximized.

Dr. Balakrishna Polanaidoo returns to the subject of Gastric ulcers in a view of Permitted Substances in Equestrian Events.

What makes one footing better than another? Is it possible to find a surface that maximizes your horse’s athletic potential while at the same time protects him from injury? And what can you as owner, trainer or rider do to bring out your horse’s best and maintain his soundness when faced with less than ideal footing?

Few will dispute that nutrition is important for the optimization of athletic performance in horses. However, there tends to be less agreement among horsemen, nutritionists and veterinarians regarding the most important nutritional considerations for athletic horses. Some will focus on the virtues of the latest fad supplement, while others will emphasize the importance of getting the basics right, i.e. plenty of high-quality forage supplemented by grains or other energy-laden concentrates.

Gastric ulcers are common in horses but have been rarely diagnosed until recently.  It has “escaped” the clinician’s finding leading to treatment for the abdominal crises as a whole but not specifically to the cause, gastric ulcers.  This is because gastric ulcers can weaken the whole gastro intestinal tract, as in man and create many and diverse manifestations such as lower bowel crisis or weight loss, inappetance, low grade colic, etc.