Fieldstone Veterinary Service P.C.

07/16/2026

Today is no joke. Take care of the animals, take care of yourself.

🔥 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

07/03/2026

If you feel hot, your horse feels even hotter.

Horses have a much harder time processing heat and humidity than humans. And among horses, foals usually cannot handle as much heat as adult horses. A mare may be fine, but her foal may be getting sick from being out on a hot day.

Horses with heavy muscling or excess fat or in poor condition will also be more susceptible to heat exhaustion. Keep in mind that exercise is a major source of body heat and strenuous work on a hot, humid day can lead to problems in a short period of time for even the best-conditioned horse.

Does this mean you should not ride on a hot and humid day? Not necessarily. It just means you should take precautions and use common sense. And remember: don't push it! If your horse looks tired, it’s time for a drink, a cold bath, and a break in the shade.

06/05/2026

Please reference the following resources for additional information regarding New World Screwworm (NWS):

1. Equine Disease Communication Center Factsheet: https://equinediseasecc.org/handler/managedfilehandler.ashx?id=103&ext=pdf

2. USDA Map of Current Outbreak: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animals/animal-health/livestock-and-poultry-disease/current-status?page=1

3. USDA Myth Buster Sheet:https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/nws-myth-busters.pdf

4. USDA New World Screwworm Webinar for Animal Industry: https://youtu.be/0ZdBU0mBXKE?si=Vi7_Aqe8V-3Jy72X

5. AAEP Alert to Equine Practitioners: New World Screwworm Enters the United States:https://aaep.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Alert-to-Equine-Practitioners-FINAL.pdf

06/05/2026

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

03/13/2026

Excellent opportunities for learning!

We are excited to announce our 2026 Equine Health Webinar Series!

Free registration using the QR code below OR by visiting : www.tinyurl.com/MSUEquineHealth

12/16/2025

12/02/2025

Remember you can add a tablespoon of plain salt (average adult horse) two times daily to their feed to help maintain water consumption.

Water remains as important for your horse in cold weather as it is in the summer. As a matter of fact, decreased water consumption in the winter is thought to be the primary inducing factor for impaction colic — although there are other predisposing factors such as poor hay quality, lack of exercise, internal parasites and dental problems.

Impaction colic is essentially constipation and most often includes the accumulation of hard, dry f***l material in the colon. The usual signs of impending impaction colic are depression, a decreased appetite, and decreased production and dryness of manure.

Studies demonstrate that you can increase your horse's winter water consumption if you provide access to heated water, but ONLY if that is the only source of water available. As always, if you have any questions about preventing colic in your horse, your equine veterinarian remains your best source of information!

12/02/2025

Great information here explaining why our horses handle the cold better than we do. Remember to provide shelter, fresh unfrozen water and extra hay (if appropriate) as digestion generates internal heat.

THE COLD WEATHER IS UPON US! ❄️

Are you familiar with the many adaptations that help your horse stay warm during the cold winter months?

🌾 Hindgut digestion of hay produces the most heat, acting as a small furnace inside of the horse. This is why free choice; good quality hay is so important in the winter.

💪 Horses have a huge muscle mass and muscle activity produces heat. This includes running and playing and even shivering if their body temperature starts to drop. It is important to remember that these activities also will result in a bigger caloric demand so free choice hay and in some cases, grain, is often needed.

🧥 To blanket or not to blanket is a constant debate but either way, as it starts to get cold your horse will grow a thicker coat. If you decide to leave your horse unblanketed you may notice that they look “fluffy”. This is due to a phenomenon called piloerection where the hair stands up to better trap air within. Two layers of the coat also help with warmth. The inner layer is softer and has air pockets to create an insulating layer. The outer layer is coarse and has oils that keep moisture from penetrating the insulating layer and keep the horse warm.

⚖️ Wild horses go into the winter heavier than ideal, and the fat serves as an extra layer of insulation. However, if a horse is going to be kept heavily blanketed and in a barn during the cold weather months this is unnecessary and can lead to obesity related issues.

🦵Their distal limbs (below the knees and hocks) are made of mostly bones and tendons, tissues that are resistant to the cold temperatures.

🦶The hooves have an alternative route of blood circulation through larger vessels that can be used in low temperatures. This is why horses can stand in snow without detrimental effects.

👃A horse’s nose has a robust blood supply and is rounded so that it is less susceptible to frostbite than a human’s nose.
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Courtesy of the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

11/26/2025

If you weren't able to join the live EHV-1 Updates webinar last night, be sure to take advantage of our on-demand recording. Please remember that the situation is evolving rapidly and the best place to get up-to-date information is the Equine Disease Communication Center's website, or ask your local veterinarian!

You can find the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XzuuYmIEQY

Thank you to our speakers for joining us and providing all of this invaluable information.

11/22/2025

In light of the current EHV-1 outbreak, the AAEP and the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) have organized a horse owner education webinar to bring you the most up to date information on this issue.

Next Tuesday, join specialists Lewis R. “Bud” Dinges (Texas Animal Health Commission Executive Director and Texas State Veterinarian), Dr. Krista Estell (AAEP/EDCC) and Dr. Katie Flynn (USEF) for an informative discussion about what EHV-1 is, how to recognize it, and most importantly, how to prevent its spread.

This webinar is FREE, but registration is required. Register here: https://events.zoom.us/ev/AnIoJrASj0vuX7Q_K87mKEjg5bxeMAkqp7fpSoOgVtVm_Zgo1g5m~AiiV7ZQ3bbmlEW2iSkeRTSAfMCYf2QhFMoprr7WRbM_MsiJRcBGT1oLj0Q

*PLEASE NOTE: the attendee limit for this session is capped at 1,000. However, all who register will be emailed a link to an on-demand recording that will become available 24 hours after the live session ends.