FiveM Farm

09/27/2026

Sunday snoozing ☀️😴

09/18/2026

🧠🐴 EPM: THREE LETTERS EVERY HORSE OWNER SHOULD KNOW

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis, or EPM, is a neurologic disease that can affect a horse’s brain and spinal cord. In the U.S., the best-known culprit is the protozoan Sarcocystis neurona, which horses can encounter when feed or water is contaminated by infected **opossum f***s**. Importantly, exposure is common, but only a fraction of exposed horses actually develop neurologic disease.

🔎 KNOW THE SIGNS: EPM can look different from horse to horse. Watch for stumbling or incoordination, weakness, toe dragging, unusual lameness, muscle wasting, head tilt, difficulty swallowing, or other unexplained neurologic changes. Signs are often asymmetrical, affecting one side more than the other.

🩺 A positive blood test does NOT automatically mean EPM. Many healthy horses have antibodies from previous exposure. Diagnosis involves a veterinary neurologic exam, ruling out other conditions and, when appropriate, comparing antibodies in blood and cerebrospinal fluid.

💊 The good news? EPM is treatable, and FDA-approved medications are available. Earlier recognition and veterinary evaluation can give your horse the best opportunity for a favorable outcome.

🦝 HELP REDUCE EXPOSURE: Keep feed securely stored, discourage opossums from accessing barns and feeding areas, and protect feed and water from f***l contamination. Complete prevention can be difficult because the parasite can persist in the environment.

The takeaway: If your normally coordinated horse suddenly seems not quite right, don’t ignore it. Neurologic changes deserve a call to your veterinarian.

09/10/2026

🐴💊 **BUTE vs. BANAMINE: WHICH ONE WHEN?**

They’re probably two of the best known medications in the horse world. Both relieve pain and inflammation, but they aren’t necessarily the first choice for the same problems.

Here’s an easy barn trick for remembering the difference:
🦴 BUTE = BONES, JOINTS & FEET
🤢 BANAMINE = BELLY & FEVER

🦴 BUTE | Phenylbutazone: Think musculoskeletal pain and inflammation. Bute is commonly used for things like arthritis, hoof pain, laminitis, strains, soreness, and other causes of lameness. If your horse hurts when he MOVES, your veterinarian may reach for BUTE.

🤢 BANAMINE | Flunixin Meglumine: Think visceral pain, meaning pain coming from the internal organs. Banamine is especially useful for **colic and abdominal pain** and is also commonly used for fever and inflammation associated with systemic illness. If your horse hurts in his GUT, your veterinarian may reach for BANAMINE.

🐴 BUT WAIT...
Bute doesn't have a GPS programmed for the legs, and Banamine doesn't magically drive straight to the intestines. 😂

Both are systemic NSAIDs, and both can reduce pain and inflammation throughout the body. There’s plenty of overlap. The difference is that each has situations where veterinary evidence and experience make it a more logical first choice.

⚠️ DON’T STACK THEM. Giving Bute and Banamine together can increase the risk of ulcers, intestinal injury, and kidney damage.

⚠️ Banamine may make a horse with a serious intestinal problem appear much more comfortable temporarily. If the pain returns, breaks through the medication, or your horse continues showing colic signs, call your veterinarian.

🦴 My horse hurts when he MOVES. Think BUTE.
🤢 My horse hurts in his GUT. Think BANAMINE.
🤷 I don't know WHY my horse hurts. Think VET. ☎️

And remember, pain relief isn't the same thing as fixing the problem.

09/06/2026

The talking block is usually way bigger 🤓

lols. How do you spend your time at the barn, for reals?

09/04/2026

08/28/2026

Lovely summer afternoon on the trails ☀️🐴

08/20/2026

08/18/2026

Friday Funny! Hats off to a great weekend.