Ask The Horse

Choosing the right diet for your horse can be a daunting task. Join our host, Michelle Anderson, as she interviews Clair Thunes, PhD, an independent equine nutritionist. You'll learn about horses' calorie requirements and how to safely change your horse's diet. Dr. Thunes also explains the differences between complete feeds, ration balancers, concentrates, and hay or forage pellets, as well as how to know your horse is getting the nutrients he or she needs. Dr. Thunes owns Summit Equine Nutrition, based in Gilbert, Arizona. She works as a consultant with owners/trainers and veterinarians across the United States and globally to take the guesswork out of feeding horses and provides services to select companies. As a nutritionist she works with all equids, from WEG competitors to Miniature donkeys and everything in between. Born in England, she earned her undergraduate degree at Edinburgh University, in Scotland, and her master’s and doctorate in nutrition at the University of California, Davis. Growing up, she competed in an array of disciplines and was an active member of the U.K. Pony Club. Today, she serves as the district commissioner for the Salt River Pony Club.

Join our host, Michelle Anderson of TheHorse.com, as she interviews Dr. Kevin Haussler about equine back pain during April 2019's Ask The Horse Live, a live event that focuses on your horse health questions. Dr. Haussler is an associate professor at the Colorado State University (CSU) Orthopaedic Research Center, where his research focuses on the equine neck and back. During this hour, you'll learn about what causes horses to experience back pain, how it’s diagnosed, and how to make your horse more comfortable.Kevin K. Haussler, DVM, DC, PhD, Dipl. ACVSMR, graduated from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1988 before completing a small animal internship. To further his training in conservatively managing spinal-related disorders, he pursued human training at Palmer College of Chiropractic-West and completed a veterinary chiropractic certification program in 1993. He completed his PhD, focusing on spinal pathology and pelvic biomechanics in Thoroughbred racehorses, from the University of California, Davis, and then studied equine spinal kinematics at Cornell University. While at Cornell, he directed the newly formed large and small animal Integrative Medicine Service. Currently, Dr. Haussler is an associate professor at the Colorado State University (CSU) Orthopaedic Research Center, where he’s involved in teaching, clinical duties, and researching. He is a charter diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation and a course instructor for the Equine Rehabilitation Certification course, co-branded by the University of Tennessee and CSU.

Why are there so many equine infectious anemia cases in the news, and how can you protect your horse from this deadly disease? Join our host, Michelle Anderson, as she interviews Dr. Angela Pelzel-McCluskey, the equine epidemiologist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Veterinary Services. You'll learn more about EIA, why it's important to test your horse annually, and how to protect your horse.Dr. Pelzel-McCluskey is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. Pelzel-McCluskey obtained her veterinary degree in 2001 from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. She worked in equine private practice in both Texas and Colorado and has served as an epidemiologist with state and federal animal health agencies since 2004. She currently oversees the federal response to reportable equine disease outbreaks nationwide and has been the lead epidemiologist for more than 25 state, regional, and national disease outbreak responses during her combined state and federal service.

Dr. Ryan Ferris answers questions about breeding mares and stallions and producing top-quality, healthy foals during this archived Q&A. We cover everything from selecting the right parents to gestational care to ensuring your foal’s safe delivery.

From initial diagnosis to hoof care and bisphosphonate use, find out the newest information about this debilitating condition.

Learn about the core vaccines recommended by the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the five deadly diseases they prevent.

How can you keep your horse healthy when going to horse shows, trail rides, or events? And what about bringing new horses into a boarding stable? Learn about practical biosecurity measures to protect your horses.

Lyme disease is notoriously difficult to diagnose and has (or might not have) a myriad of vague (or not-so-vague) clinical signs in horses. Learn about this tick-borne disease and get your questions answered during our live Q&A.

Horses are one of the most susceptible species to botulism. Find out how to protect your horse from this deadly neurologic disease.

Wildfires and barn fires present a real threat to horse and human safety. Learn how to make your property fire-free during this Q&A.

Did you know your horse could be suffering from equine Cushing’s disease long before his coat gets shaggy and curly? Here’s how veterinarians recognize subtle signs so they can intervene early.

Is your parasite control program right for your horses? Find out and get your deworming questions answered!

Colic is the No. 1 killer of horses. Learn how to spot the signs and give your horse the greatest chance at survival.

Learn what distinguishes PPID, EMS, and IR from each other and how to care for “metabolic” horses.

Do you have a foal due? Learn how to prepare your mare for foaling, care for your newborn, and spot issues early.

Learn about keeping OTTBs healthy and happy as they move into new disciplines. We’ll cover feeding, vet care, handling, and more!

Learn about diagnosis and management of navicular horses.

How can you make sure your horse is getting the nutrition he needs during the cold months? Ask our equine nutritionist!

Learn about sales agreements, leasing horses, liability, and more during our live event.

Do you have a plan in place for your horses if wildfires, tornadoes, floods, or hurricanes strike in your area? Learn how to prepare for the worst-case natural disaster scenarios during our live event.

Research is offering more insight into inherited diseases and conditions in our horses. Learn more about HYPP, PSSM, overo lethal white syndrome, lavender foal syndrome, HERDA, SCID, and more.

Join us live from the United States Pony Club 2017 Festival and learn how to take care of your experienced Pony Club mount!

Learning theory describes how we can influence horse behavior and improve training outcomes. Discover how to shape your horse’s behavior.

Learn the most up-to-date information about when and how to deworm your horses.

Do you have a horse with pink skin? Learn how to keep him from burning this summer.

Equine metabolic syndrome can cause obesity, insulin resistance, and laminitis. Find out how to care for your EMS horse during our live event.

With EHV cases reported from California to Kentucky already in 2017, get information you need to protect your horse.

Is your horse up-to-date on his dental care? Learn about equine dental disease, proper oral care for horses, and behavior issues caused by tooth problems.

Breeding a mare is exciting and not without challenges. Learn about stallion selection, breeding soundness, and more!

Manufacturers make many claims, but do supplements really work? We’ll look at the research and answer your questions!

Does your horse have stubborn or unsightly tumors or skin growths, and you’re not sure what to do next?

Do you have a mature or senior horse? Find out how to keep him comfortable and competitive as he ages!

Leptospirosis is a serious bacterial disease that causes both recurrent uveitis (“moon blindness”)—especially in Appaloosas, draft horses, and Warmbloods—and abortion in horses. But now there’s a vaccine to prevent it. Is your horse is at risk?

Do you feel unsafe with your horse when you’re on the ground or riding? Our behavior and vet experts are here to help!

Your horse is wounded, bleeding, or critically ill: What should you do? Get advice from our expert!

Do you want to keep horses at home? Are you looking to develop and improve efficiency on your small farm? Join us for this information-packed hour! Our experts will answer your questions about fencing, housing, storage, arenas, pasture and more!

Are you getting your first horse or first horse in a long time? Our experts will help you navigate equine ownership.

Why do horses do the things they do? A behaviorist talks about how horses learn, stereotypies, herd dynamics, and more!

Equine skin issues can be difficult to diagnose and frustrating to treat. Experts share practical solutions for dealing with sunburn, rain rot, skin allergies (sweet itch), and more.

If you own horses in Colorado, you’re probably familiar with VS. Elsewhere, you might get to know it soon enough. Get your questions answered now from our experts.

From sucking off horseshoes to perpetuating thrush, scratches, and more, mud threatens your horse’s health. Get your questions answered about mud management, controlling water runoff, and treating mud-related horse health issues!

An FEI veterinarian and her on-staff equine sports therapist join us to answer your questions about keeping your equine athlete performing at his best.

Is your horse cinchy, grumpy, or reluctant to move forward under saddle? Do you wonder about those white hairs and dry spots on either side of his withers? Get your questions answered by a saddle fit expert and veterinarian during our live event.

Horses are a lot like preschoolers: gather them in groups and someone’s likely to get sick. Diseases like equine influenza, rhino, and strangles spread quickly through herds and, in some, they can turn serious fast. Learn how to protect your horse.

Are you covered? Equine insurance experts answer your questions about horse and equestrian property insurance.

An equestrian facility architect and a horse management expert answer your questions about designing and improving horse properties and farms.

Veterinarians know that balanced hooves influence a horse’s way of going and help maintain healthy joint function. Learn more from our experts, who are both veterinarians and experienced farriers.

Dull coat? Cinchy? Thin? Your horse might be one of the 50-90% suffering from gastric ulcers. Get your gastric ulcer questions answered during our live Q&A event.

Bringing a horse back to work after injury takes time, patience, and often the guidance of trusted professionals. Learn about management techniques and new therapy options that can help horses heal.

“Navicular” has ended the careers of many great horses, and the word alone can strike fear into any horse owner. Learn more about the condition and get your questions answered during our live event.