HEALTH & EDUCATION

Health & Education

We all want the best care possible for our horses. The Heath & Education section covers both Learning Institutions, Organizations as well as many sources for equine assistance including Veterinarians and Farriers.

For those who want a to formally study horses, the Education section includes College Riding, Equine Studies, and Veterinary Schools. Learn about the wide variety of horses in the Horse Breeds section. Supplements and Treatments Therapy are also included in the section.

Everyone can learn from Fine Art and there are some specialty Museums that might surprise you.

Horses as a therapy partner enrich the lives of the disabled. These facilities are listed in our Therapeutic Riding section. To help children and young adults build confidence and grow emotionally, please see the resources available on the Youth Outreach page.

Looking for a place to keep your horse? You can find it in the Horse Boarding section. Traveling? Find a Shipping company or Horse Sitting service if your horse is staying home!

Want to stay up to date with the latest training clinics or professional conferences? Take a look at our Calendar of Events for Health & Education for the dates and locations of upcoming events.

Do we need to add more? Please use the useful feedback link and let us know!

“32 and You: An Owner's Guide to Genetic Tests in Horses,” presented by Dr. Callum Donnelly, assistant professor in the Section of Theriogenology at #CornellVet, recorded February 20, 2024 via Zoom.

Dr. Callum Donnelly's talk focuses on horses' genetic health, discussing what kinds of genetics tests are offered, how to interpret genetic tests and what the future holds for genetics as a tool in your horse's health.

Donnelly received his veterinary degree from Charles Sturt University in Australia. He is a specialist in both reproductive medicine and internal medicine, and holds a Ph.D. in integrative pathobiology from the University of California-Davis. Donnelly’s thesis work focused on genomic and precision medicine as part of the Pioneer 100 Horse Health Project. He currently serves as a faculty member in the reproductive medicine section, and his clinical practice and research efforts are focused on maternal fetal health and medical genetics, helping to manage healthy and problem pregnancies, and providing advanced care for babies before they are born.

"Why is the Mule the Most Important Member of the Horse Family?" presented by Dr. Doug Antczak, recorded Feb. 21, 2023 via Zoom.

The Mule is a hybrid animal produced by a mating between two separate species, the horse and donkey. Mules have a long history of contributions to human society as a remarkable beast of burden and source of animal power. Less well known are the many ways in which the study of mules has advanced scientific thought and our understanding of fundamental biological principles. This seminar will introduce you to the wonderful and fascinating world of mules.

Doug Antczak, VMD, PhD, is the Dorothy Havemeyer McConville Professor of Equine Medicine at the Baker Institute for Animal Health. Antczak graduated from Cornell University with a BA in biology in 1969, before receiving his VMD from University of Pennsylvania in 1973. He then completed a PhD in immunology at the University of Cambridge in 1978. At Cornell, Doug Antczak’s research program is focused on the health of horses, a passion of his from an early age. Through the Baker Institute’s Equine Genetics Center, the Antczak laboratory group has a long history of advancing basic knowledge and applying that knowledge in equine genetics, immunology and reproduction. Among other important projects, Dr. Antczak’s genetic selection and breeding of horses led to his continuing involvement in the international Horse Genome Project.

"Five tips for keeping your horse sound," presented by Michelle Delco '98, D.V.M. '02, Ph.D. '16, assistant research professor at the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, as part of the Cornell Equine Seminar Series.

Cornell's Equine Hospital, the New York State 4-H Horse Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension are proud to host the Equine Seminar Series. In this series, equine experts present on important equine health and management topics. The seminars are free to attend and open to the public. We hope you will join us and other equine enthusiasts for this exciting virtual learning opportunity!

In this Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) safety tip, Master Instructor Teresa Kackert will show you how to safely deworm your horse by use of a syringe. We thank Bimeda, who makes wonderful deworming products, for the help in making this video. We also thank Houghton College in New York for the wonderful facility and horses to work with in producing these videos.

Cornell Equine Seminar Series presents:
"Stable Vices: Theirs or Ours? Abnormal Behavior in Horses," presented by Dr. Katherine A. Houpt, recorded Sept. 19, 2023.

Houpt, who is the James Law Professor Emeritus of Behavior Medicine at #CornellVet, discusses common stereotypies in domestic horses, including potential causes, treatments and management strategies.

Houpt received her VMD and Ph.D. in Behavioral Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. Her research is focused on domestic animal welfare, equid behavior and physiological basis of equine ingestive and maternal behavior.

Your horse is reluctant to pick up more than a walk lately -- is she feeling a bit sluggish, or could it be osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (OA) -- also referred to as equine degenerative joint disease (DJD) -- is a common condition horses experience resulting in degeneration of the joints and pain, inflammation, reduced flexibility and range of motion. Osteoarthritis typically affects the synovial and cartilaginous components of joints. Any joint is at risk whether hips, hocks, stifles or knees and fetlocks.

Find answers to FAQs about lameness and arthritis in horses, below.

At what age do horses get arthritis?

Osteoarthritis can impact every horse, no matter their age, breed or discipline. It’s a common misconception that the condition impacts only senior horses, however. Horse owners will need to take preventive steps early on to control their horse’s risk, and manage with prompt diagnosis and proactive treatment, should their horse develop OA over time.

What is the most common cause of lameness in horses?

It is estimated that OA is responsible for up to 60% of all lameness in horses.

How can I tell if my horse is in pain?

“Horses almost never say ‘no.’ Horses can talk, and it is our job to learn how to speak their language and above all, to listen and be their advocate,” said Steve Allday, DVM, an equine lameness specialist with more than 35 years’ experience caring for an impressive list of equine athletes. Dr. Allday also founded and developed the joint supplement line, LubriSyn.

To help address the underrecognized signs of pain in horses, co-authoring Drs. Catherine Torcivia and Sue McDonnell, within the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, published “Equine Discomfort Ethogram.” The report outlines 73 equine discomfort behaviors and grouped them into eight categories: posture and weight-bearing; limb and body movements; head, neck, mouth, and lip movements; attention to area; ear and tail movements; overall demeanor; altered eating or drinking; and vocalizations/audible sounds. Review their published work for detailed illustrations, written descriptions and even videos to best know whether your horse is in pain.

How can you tell if your horse is lame?

Dr. Allday recommends that you lunge or hand-trot your horse and look for a “nod.” If their head goes down when the right front leg goes forward, the problem is in the left front. If they “toe-heel” on their hind legs, it’s a sure-sign there is pain in the heel, frog or other form of lower-limb lameness.

What causes arthritis in horses?

Trauma to the joint, a horse’s conformation defects, their age, improper shoeing and trimming, as well as sequential bone fragments can all cause equine arthritis.

What are the signs of arthritis in horses?

There are a number of signs your horse could be affected by OA, such as lameness or limping, warm or painful, swollen joints, reluctance or difficulty to move, and stiffness in the joints.

Can arthritis in horses become worse over time?

“Osteoarthritis is ubiquitous in all mammals and progressive as a rule,” said Dr. Allday. With proactive treatment, and joint health supplements to prevent the condition from worsening, arthritis in horses can be manageable.

How do you prevent arthritis in horses?

By getting ahead of what problems could arise because of a horse’s conformation or housing/training environments, you can help prevent joint issues.

Incorporate horse joint supplements like LubriSyn HA or Cosequin to support healthy joints and improved mobility.

Prioritize hoof care and keep horses on a regular trim schedule. Learn more about horse hoof care from a lifelong horse farrier.

Keep horses at their optimum weight, as obesity stresses the joints.

Ensure they receive excellent nutrition to encourage strong bones and healthy cartilage.

Limit riding on hard surfaces, if possible, and instead opt for softer footing.

“I put my horses on Lubrisyn as soon as possible,” Dr. Allday said. “I have unwavering statistics, the earlier they go on it, the more they function, and the less necessary it is for me to inject them. I have a rope horse I made over $150,000 on, and I’ve only injected him one time. He has showed up for me every time.”

How do I know if my horse has arthritis?

Owners and riders are excellent diagnosticians of any changes in a horse’s joint health. “This is simply because you know your horse. When I go look at a horse, I’m taking a snapshot of just that moment, while you have known the horse for days and years -- sometimes, his entire life -- before I got there that day,” said Dr. Allday, who recommends giving horses a close once-over when grooming or tacking up for a ride. Look to see if one side is larger than the other. Also, rub the horse’s back and palpate it to make sure it isn’t sore, and always check their hocks for any fluid. Share any new findings with your veterinarian. Should your veterinarian suspect joint problems, it’s likely they will perform a routine lameness evaluation.

Can you ride a horse with arthritis?

The short answer is “Yes,” but it depends. Talk with your veterinarian about your horse’s level of arthritis to know whether with treatment, he recommends the horse being ridden. “OA isn’t the end of their career, but it’s certainly something you have to be on top of, address rapidly and maintain routinely,” said Dr. Allday. “You may even have to go to anti-inflammatories to maintain a horse’s athletic career.”

What is the best treatment for arthritis in horses?

Veterinarians may recommend prescription medications, like Equioxx, Surpass Topical or Adequan i.m. to manage the pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis. Should OA be diagnosed, your veterinarian will work closely with you on joint health needs to prevent further progression of joint damage, as well as anti-inflammatory treatments available to manage the pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis.

Visit Valley Vet to learn more.

Teresa Kackart demonstrates a safe way to lead a horse from horseback. Brought to you by the Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA.horse)

Warning: Sensitive content
⚠️ Please note: This presentation includes pictures of clinical cases that might contain blood, wounds and other imagery that may be upsetting to some viewers. Please view at your own discretion.

"Equine Emergencies 101: What To Do When the Worst Happens," presented by Dr. Santiago Mejia, veterinarian at Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists, recorded October 17, 2023 via Zoom.

In this seminar, Dr. Santiago Mejia discusses simple and practical information for horse owners on how to handle emergencies and what to do when stressful situations happen.

Mejia recently joined Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists (CRES) as a full-time surgeon, covering orthopedics, soft tissue, lameness/imaging and emergency. Mejia grew up in Colombia, riding Paso Fino and Quarter horses. He has professional veterinary experience from Kentucky, North Carolina, and was previously an intern at CRES. His recent research examined ortho-biologics as potential disease modifying drugs for the treatment of equine osteoarthritis.

Cornell Equine Seminar Series - "Pre-purchase Headaches in the Sport Horse: Risky Bone Chips, Lumps, Conformation and More!" presented by Dr. John Pigott, recorded April 18, 2023 via Zoom.

This lecture discusses common abnormalities and questions that veterinarians, buyers and sellers face during pre-purchase examination of the sport horse. If there is a bone chip, is it ok to still buy the horse? What are the chances of a conformational abnormality turning into a problem in the future? This seminar will explore the concept of risk assessment during pre-purchase and how to make the most informed decision when questions arise.