Livingstone totally rocking age 24. Photo via Hawley Bennett's Facebook page.
With the many advances that have been made in equine medicine, I think it’s fair to say that horses have the potential to live longer and healthier lives than in the past. I remember thinking that horses were starting to “get up there in age” by the time they reach their late teens and 20s. But then you see a horse like Hawley Bennett’s former upper-level partner Livingstone looking SO fantastic at the age of 24.
Hank competed in a few Novice events last year before officially retiring at the end of the season at age 23. He looks like the embodiment of happiness when I see his photograph (I mean, just look at his expression). It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside to see Hank looking so great, especially since my very first horse Ripley is the same age.
As our faithful equine partners age, they start to face their own set of health concerns. One of the topics on tap on The Horse this week is caring for you aging horse’s teeth. Head over to educate yourself on your senior equine’s teeth at The Horse.
And then check out some of the other headlines in horse health news for this week:
Use of Lasix in U.S. Racehorses: Have you been following the debate about the use of Lasix in racehorses to reduce exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhaging (EIPH)? Three recent studies aim to shed some light on the topic. [Horsetalk]
Bartlett Milling Co. Recalls Horse Feed: Bartlett Milling Co. in North Carolina has issued a recall on feed due to its possible contamination with Rumensin. While the drug is used to prevent parasites and boost milk production in cows and goats, it can cause illness or death in horses. Recalled feed was distributed in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. [The Horse]
Free Web Seminars on Horse Obesity & Gastric Ulcers: A fall webinar series is being hosted over at Horsetalk. The webinars will be presented by Dr. Ingrid Vervuert, a visiting professor at Rutgers, who is from the University of Leipzig in Germany. Dr. Vervuert will be presenting on “Gastric Ulcers in Horses” on Nov. 18 and “Obesity in Horses” on Dec. 2. Both of the webinars will last for one hour starting at 7 p.m. EST. [Horsetalk]
Scoops Measure Volume, NOT Weight: Most feeding instructions on bags of grain include recommendations based on feeding a certain number of pounds of grain, yet the measuring scoops that many of us use measure volume and not weight. EquiMed talks how to ensure your horse is getting the right amount of feed. [EquiMed]
And finally, if you haven’t done so already, make sure to check out our tutorial and product review on Absorbine’s Hooflex Magic Cushion. It’s a great way to reduce hoof heat and to relieve other foot ailments as well.
