Triple Oaks Equine LLC

07/25/2026

07/15/2026

🔥 Wildfire Smoke & Horse Health 🐴💨

Poor air quality can be harmful not only to us but our horses too. Smoke from wildfires can irritate a horse's respiratory system and cause fatigue, coughing, difficulty breathing, etc.

You can monitor local air quality at www.airnow.gov. During periods of poor air quality, you can protect your horse's health by:

🐎 Limiting or avoiding exercise.
💧 Providing free access to fresh water.
💦 Controlling dust such as watering dry lots and soaking or feeding dust-free hay.
🕰 Allowing time for recovery: airway damage from wildfire smoke takes 4 to 6 weeks to heal after air quality returns to normal.
☎️ Consult your vet if you notice signs of smoke irritation.

For more information visit: ceh.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/health-topics/wildfire-smoke-and-horses

05/31/2026

Most equine owners know that a negative Coggins test is a document required to be able to transport their animal across state lines, enter them in a competitive event, or board at someone's barn. But what does the phrase "negative Coggins test" actually mean?

A "Coggins" is a blood test that can only be performed by USDA-approved laboratories and checks for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) antibodies in the blood. Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) is a potentially fatal blood-borne infectious viral disease that produces a persistent infection among equids nearly worldwide. Transmission through blood transfusions or contaminated needles/syringes, surgical instruments or dental equipment is most common. The virus can also be transmitted through vectors via fly bite.

The clinical signs of disease can vary dramatically from an acute infection to an inapparent form, but what is important to know is that it produces a persistent infection. Once an animal tests positive for EIA it becomes a lifelong source of disease transmission, so the owner can only choose between quarantine for life or humane euthanasia to ensure that large outbreaks of the disease don’t occur. There is no vaccine or treatment for EIA.

Take-home message: While a Coggins test is a necessary travel document, don’t forget that it's also first and foremost a way to identify and remove EIA carriers to keep the disease under control.

To learn more about EIA, visit our website at: https://aaep.org/resource/equine-infectious-anemia/ or visit the Equine Disease Communication Center's website: https://www.equinediseasecc.org/equine-infectious-anemia

05/19/2026

A horse mortality compost pile needs ongoing attention after setup to maintain ideal composting conditions. Small management steps can make a big difference in pile performance while supporting biosecurity and helping protect the environment. ♻🚜

Learn more about the compost process at ⬇
z.umn.edu/equinemortalitycompost

04/04/2026

WHAT IS LEPTOSPIROSIS? 🔎

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection horses can pick up from contaminated urine, reproductive fluids, or contaminated water/soil. Risk is higher with stagnant water, flooding/heavy rain, and exposure to wildlife/rodents.

Leptospirosis is most known for affecting the kidneys, pregnancy, and eyes. The main syndromes associated with it are:

• Kidney disease (acute renal failure): may include fever, not eating, changes in urine production, and abnormal kidney bloodwork; urine testing may show blood/inflammation.

• Pregnancy loss / foal illness: can cause placentitis, abortion (often late-term, typically after 8 months), or a sick newborn foal (weakness, jaundice).

• Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU): a painful, recurring eye inflammation that can happen months to years after the original infection and can threaten vision.

🩺 Symptoms of Leptospirosis can include:
• Fever, dullness, not eating
• Changes in urination or signs of illness consistent with kidney trouble
• Abortion, especially late in pregnancy (sometimes with no warning signs)
• Eye pain/squinting/recurring eye inflammation

Prevention:
An equine-approved vaccine is available. Talk to your veterinarian to discuss your horse's suitability and the appropriate vaccination protocol for your specific situation.

⚠️Human safety note:
Some types of Leptospira serovars can infect people. Use care while handling urine or aborted tissues/fluids and involve your veterinarian promptly.

If you have questions or concerns about Leptospirosis in regard to your equines, contact your veterinarian.

01/12/2026

Did you know horses are especially sensitive to tetanus? Tetanus is caused by a toxin from the bacteria Clostridium tetani, which lives in soil and manure. It can enter your horse’s body through wounds, hoof abscesses, or even the umbilical area in foals.

What to Watch For (note this is not an exhaustive list):
• Stiffness and trouble walking
• “Sawhorse” stance (legs stiff and spread apart)
• Difficulty eating or swallowing
• Protruding third eyelid
• Agitation
• Trismus (lock jaw)
• Muscle spasms, especially after noise or touch

Tetanus is often fatal, but it’s almost 100% preventable with annual vaccination. Even small or unseen wounds can lead to infection, so don’t take chances! It's also important to note that the vaccine takes weeks to start working, so once a wound is present the tetanus antitoxin (TAT) is necessary. However, availability of TAT is variable, so do not rely exclusively on its use.

Protect your horse:
• Keep up with yearly tetanus shots
• Clean and monitor wounds right away
• Call your vet if your horse is injured or showing any signs of illness

If you have questions or concerns about tetanus, be sure to reach out to your equine veterinarian.

01/01/2026

Happy New Year!

12/13/2025

EHV-1 in Washington County.

Correction: Equine Disease Alert Minnesota Board of Animal Health sent this bulletin at 12/12/2025 02:08 PM CST A previous version of this bulletin misstated the quarantine procedures outlined in the second paragraph. Equine Disease Alert A Washington County horse tested positive for Equine Herpesvi...

11/27/2025

🦃Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours