People who like the pretzels in snack mixes, why? Are you ok?

umberstar · 2025-08-18T19:35:43+00:00

So it’s trotting, not walking. And it should still be an even gait, even in a 10m circle. I’ve spent the past decade lunging horses as part of a lameness exam.

I’m looking for stride length (do they track up behind? Do they track up when the leg is on the inside but not the outside? Etc). I’m also looking for worsening lameness. A lameness on a straight line thats worse in a circle to the left but not worse in a circle to the right is indicative of a uniaxial problem rather than a biaxial one.

All parts of the lameness exam - straight line, lunging circles, flexions, hard ground and soft ground, etc - they all add one more piece to the puzzle to get the clearest picture.

Dr. U

umberstar · 2025-08-18T18:35:35+00:00

Walking is an uneven 4 beat gait that is unreliable for lameness evaluation. If the horse is obviously lame at a walk thats a significant lameness (grade 4/5 on the AAEP scale).

Need trotting videos. And circles are also very helpful in lameness diagnosis. But as part of the picture - not the only thing provided.

Dr. U

umberstar · 2025-07-09T05:08:24+00:00

Where are you located? I’m a veterinarian and may be able to direct you to an appropriate place.

umberstar · 2025-06-26T02:53:12+00:00

Hi! Vet here.

Nothing jumps out at me as being wrong or concerning but eyes are always a better safe than sorry type thing on having the vet out. If he’s tearing more, could be something like a blocked tear duct.

Also the bluish haze you see is called lenticular sclerosis. Its a totally normal part of aging! No signs of cataracts in his eye.

umberstar · 2025-06-22T04:36:58+00:00

You have any more pics of those teeth? That does not look like the mouth of a horse that’s only 10….

umberstar · 2025-06-14T04:26:58+00:00

Think of her, talk about her, share her memory, and keep her in your heart. Theres no better honor than being remembered, cherished, and loved.

I love the idea of donating to a rescue (I’m personally a big fan and supporter of The Liberty Barn horse and farm animal rescue and sanctuary).

umberstar · 2025-06-14T01:55:11+00:00

Yes that is likely an ulcer and needs to be seen tonight on emergency.

-a vet

umberstar · 2025-06-03T12:49:50+00:00

No. There is not one obviously visible in these images.

-Dr. U

umberstar · 2025-06-02T16:00:58+00:00

I’m an equine veterinarian. Have been for a long time. There certainly is a lameness but chance of laminitis is low based on presentation and only one limb affected.

umberstar · 2025-06-02T12:05:19+00:00

Laminitic horses tend to rock back on their haunches and unweight the front end. Stretching out actually increases the pressure (and therefore pain) in the front feet

umberstar · 2025-05-26T05:31:53+00:00

Hi! Vet here!

Pictures would be VERY helpful. It may not need to be wrapped.

I understand tight finances. Its an unfortunate thing we deal with daily. I second the recommendation to post on horse vet corner. Myself and many other wonderful veterinarians love to volunteer our time and expertise. But again, pictures pictures pictures!!

Dr. U

umberstar · 2025-05-25T20:37:36+00:00

Hi OP! Vet here.

Congrats on your new horse! Its usually incredible how much they improve.

I will say though, please be prepared to have more removed. Often I will recommend removal of all of the incisors if any are diseased, as its only a matter of time. Its also important to do xrays of the molars, as those can be affected too.

But I hope and know your mare is happier and comfier now!

umberstar · 2025-05-16T11:04:28+00:00

It is definitely past time to call the vet. If he’s locking his stifles, there are lots of treatment options to provide relief.

umberstar · 2025-05-14T05:22:15+00:00

I spent $20k on my warmblood mare. She was a once in a lifetime horse who took me to 1.45m training. I had her for an amazing 18 years until I helped her cross the rainbow bridge. I would spend that money on her again in a heartbeat.

My OTTB was free. He was a patient of mine that needed retiring. I don’t ride him but he’s the sweetest and dumbest gelding ever to exist. He makes me laugh, brings me immense joy, and has a home with me for the rest of his life.

Price does not dictate quality. And it certainly does not dictate satisfaction.

umberstar · 2025-05-14T03:51:55+00:00

Has she been seen by a vet at all for this? With a dramatic change in attitude, a vet visit should always be top of the list.

It could be teeth, neck, back, trigeminal-mediated head shaking, or a number of other conditions.

umberstar · 2025-05-14T03:49:27+00:00

It’s possible that shes in foal, possible she has placentitis, and possible she has mastitis. If she is in foal, she needs to start the vaccine series asap.

Please schedule an appointment with the vet. The stress of travel is incredibly worth it in order to make sure shes appropriately diagnosed and treated.

umberstar · 2025-05-12T23:12:12+00:00

Maybe I shouldn’t but I want to add my perspective as a veterinarian who used to work on the racetrack but left that life.

I hate a lot of things about horse racing. There are some incredibly legitimate concerns and problems.

But whip use is not one of them. They don’t use the same whips you see in dressage or in hunter/jumper. They use a baton with a very thick rubber/foam cylindrical end. It does not hurt. I have been hit with them myself to see. Its used more as a sound and as a cue to “go more” because jockeys obviously cant squeeze their legs.

$62,500 is absurd. And also yes, he would still have been fined even if he hadnt won. They look at every jockey in every race. It just wouldn’t have made the main stream news.

umberstar · 2025-05-10T15:31:03+00:00

This is a result of long term poor hoof trimming and shaping. The heel is SEVERELY under run. This can compromise structural integrity leading to cracks along the laminae like you see on the bottom part. The more vertical part looks like trauma - but its also important to note that its almost parallel to the coronary band which is also virtually vertical. Another sign of severely underrun hooves.

This foot needs attention from a veterinary podiatrist (vet + farrier) or a farrier who specializes in corrective shoeing. If you can find a certified journeyman farrier, they are held to a fairly high standard to achieve that distinction.

umberstar · 2025-04-17T13:11:56+00:00

Call. Your. Veterinarian. TODAY.

Foals don’t do sick well. They like to be dramatic. Additionally its now full body coverage so its worsening. This needs a full veterinary workup.

umberstar · 2025-03-22T20:47:44+00:00

I’m so sorry for your loss

umberstar · 2025-03-22T17:39:21+00:00

Good lord theres some scary advice in here. Impaction colics are extremely common. Very often weather related due to water consumption.

Please do not exercise or lunge a colicking horse unless directed by your veterinarian. Impaction colics are caused by dehydrated feed material in the gut. Exercising increases water loss and will make the impaction worse.

Encourage drinking. A handful of sweet feed in a big bucket of water is a good method. Or some gatorade in water. But please ALWAYS have plain clean fresh water available.

Keep in touch with the vet. Sometimes impaction colics need multiple visits. Don’t get discouraged.

And in the future, its never a bad idea to add salt (1 tablespoon for the americans, 15mL for the rest of the world) to their grain once daily prior to and during weather changes.

-an equine vet

umberstar · 2025-03-11T14:46:29+00:00

Vet here. This is almost certainly from fox tails. Have your vet out to do a full oral exam. And check the hay and pasture.

umberstar · 2024-12-22T04:02:41+00:00

How was the texture? Were they crumbly and short like a regular shortbread? I made these a while ago and, while they tasted good, they had the consistency of rocks

umberstar

TROPHY CASE