Alliance Equine Health Care

06/06/2026

National Eyewear Day:

Eye protection isn't just for people. It's important for horses, too.

Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light has been associated with several equine ocular diseases, including uveitis, squamous cell carcinoma, and other forms of ocular inflammation. Horses with pink skin around the eyes or a history of eye disease may be especially sensitive to UV exposure.

Insect exposure to the equine eye has also been linked to inflammatory ocular disease.

UV-blocking fly masks can help reduce exposure to harmful rays while also protecting the eyes from insects, dust, and environmental irritants. For horses prone to eye issues, this simple management tool can play an important role in maintaining long-term ocular health.

We recommend utilizing a UV blocking fly mask that blocks at least 90% of UV rays. A few of the brands that offer such masks include Equine Sun Visor, Kensington Uviator, Equivizor, Bugeez Bugeyes, Horsey Shades, and Nag.

Please reach out if you have questions about UV blocking fly masks and if your horse could benefit!

06/04/2026

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has provided an important update on New World Screwworm which has been detected in a bovine in Zavala County, Texas. Read the full press release here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/usda-confirms-presence-new-world-screwworm-united-states

General information about New World Screwworm (NWS) can be found in the text below and in the attached infographic.

The adult screwworm fly is about the size of a common housefly (or slightly larger), with orange eyes, a metallic blue or green body, and three dark stripes along its back. It gets its name from the behavior of its larvae (maggots) as they burrow (screw) into the wound, feeding as they go. The maggots (larvae) cause extensive damage by tearing at the hosts’ tissue with sharp mouth hooks. The wound can quickly become enlarged and deeper as more maggots hatch and feed on living tissue.

Because they feed on live flesh, NWS maggots may burrow deep into wounds or openings, while other species of maggots may appear around the outer surface of the wound. In addition, even the smallest wounds have the potential to attract flies, so it is imperative that you keep a close eye on your animals for any signs of wounds.

Lastly, NWS infestations are a reportable disease! Immediately report any suspicious wounds, maggots, or infestations to a local accredited veterinarian, your State Animal Health Official, or a USDA veterinarian.

For more information, reference this resource from the U.S. Department of Agriculture: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animals/animal-health/livestock-and-poultry-disease/stop-screwworm

06/02/2026

June is Safety Awareness Month!

This would be a great time to check and correct hazards in your horse’s environment, before your horse finds them!

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

05/27/2026

⚠️ DO YOU KNOW HOW TO TELL IF YOUR HORSE IS IN DISTRESS? ⚠️

As a horse owner, it's imperative you know how to recognize problems and respond promptly. It's important to know what conditions require veterinary attention, and how to take appropriate action while you're waiting for the veterinarian's arrival.

Types of emergencies you and your horse may encounter on your journey together include colic; lacerations and bleeding wounds; impaled objects or nails in the foot; acute lameness due to conditions ranging from hoof abscess to fractures, laminitis, tendon injuries and more; eye injuries; allergic reactions; choke; and even foaling emergencies.

No matter what you may face in the future, getting to know your horse's normal vital signs (including temperature, pulse and respiration) as well as its normal behavior patterns will help you become a good observer, so that you readily recognize signs of ill health. Being prepared is in your horse's best interest.

Always remember, your veterinarian is one of your best resources. Talk to them about how they can be reached after-hours, and about recommendations for an emergency plan suitable for your individual situation.

05/26/2026

This summer, you may notice some new friendly faces around the clinic! ☀️🐴

We’re excited to welcome our summer shadowers as they spend time learning alongside our team and gaining hands-on experience in the veterinary field. From appointments to procedures, these pre-veterinary students are here to observe, learn, and grow their passion for equine care.

Thank you to our amazing clients for your patience, kindness, and support while helping us encourage the next generation of veterinary professionals! 💙

05/25/2026

05/22/2026

Arthritis Awareness Month Part 4

Intra-articular Medications, aka “Joint Injections”

Joint injections are usually the most potent treatment we can provide for joints with osteoarthritis. Injecting medications directly into the joint compartment provides direct pain-relief, reduces inflammation, and often improves the viscosity of diseased joints. There are different medications available that can be administered directly into the joint, and each of them have specific benefits. The most commonly used classes of intra-articular arthritis medications include corticosteroids, biologicals, and polyacrylamide gels.

Corticosteroids

-Provide strong anti-inflammatory action quickly after administration

-The most economical medications available for intra-articular use

-Can be risky to administer for horses that have Insulin Dysregulation because of the risk of inciting laminitis

-Can cause long term damage to the joint

Regenerative Biologicals (PRP, IRAP, Prostride, etc)

-Utilize anti-inflammatory compounds which are derived from a patient’s own blood

-Provide anti-inflammatory and healing properties within the joint

-Improve the health of the joint to potentially avoid further deterioration over time

-Work more slowly than the other joint medications

Polyacrylamide Hydrogels (Arthramid, Noltrex, etc)

-Thick gel becomes incorporated into the joint lining after administration and improves its elasticity and strength.

-Exact mechanism of action remains incompletely understood, but clinically these compounds often significantly improve patient’s comfort.

-Long term potency or risk have not yet been fully determined.

We often recommend joint injections as they are usually the most potent treatments available for our patients with osteoarthritis. Joint injections are especially effective for patients who have a limited number of affected joints, because only a few joints can be injected at the same time. For patients with many arthritic joints, joint injections can be staged (spread out over time) or the most severely affected joint can be treated with intra-articular medication, and more systemic types of therapy are then used to improve the comfort in the lesser affected joints.

05/18/2026

Is your horse showing signs of PPID? Many horses go undiagnosed because early signs can be subtle.

Early detection is 🔑! Contact your veterinarian if you suspect your horse has PPID.

05/15/2026

☆Arthritis management is not one size fits all☆

Supportive therapies like shockwave, acupuncture, and chiropractic care can help keep horses more
comfortable, mobile, and performing their best.
●
Shockwave Therapy
• Helps reduce inflammation and pain
• Stimulates healing in joints and soft tissues
• Commonly used for sore backs, hocks, suspensories, and arthritic joints
●
Acupuncture
• Encourages natural pain relief
• Improves circulation and muscle relaxation
• Can help horses that are stiff, sore, or compensating from chronic discomfort
●
Chiropractic Care
• Improves mobility and flexibility
• Helps restore proper movement and alignment
• Beneficial for horses with stiffness, uneven movement, or reduced performance
●
These therapies are often used alongside medications, joint injections, rehab programs, and regular
veterinary care to create a more complete arthritis management plan.
Keeping horses’ comfortable means supporting the whole body, not just the joints

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing moms out there 💐✨️— the planned ones, and those who step into motherhood when they least expect it!

This year, we’re celebrating surprise moms like our patient, Gretta, and her owner. Over the years, we’ve cared for many clients who unexpectedly found themselves welcoming a newborn foal after discovering their recently acquired mare was pregnant!

We are continually amazed by the love, dedication, time, and hard work these owners pour into giving their surprise foals the very best start in life. Raising a foal is no small task, and these “unexpected moms” always rise to the occasion with incredible care and commitment.

Congratulations to Gretta and her owner on their new arrival, and Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms out there — especially those whose journey into motherhood came as a surprise.🐴🌻

❤️