Castle Gate Farm, LLC

06/18/2026

The Castle Gate Security Team: Chimichanga, Taco, Queso & Fajita. Heading to night watch (bed) in the feed room.

06/17/2026

TRAILER LOADING:

If your horse won’t load onto a trailer, you’re putting yourself and the horse at serious risk in an emergency. And if you refuse to use tranquilizers or don’t have them available, that risk becomes even bigger.

You can spend months watching videos and training slowly if you want, but understand that in a real emergency you may not have that luxury. If you want a polished, methodical loading technique, hire a qualified trainer.

But in the meantime, be prepared to step up, get some experienced help from neighbors-or friends use appropriate sedation when necessary, and get the horse safely on the trailer. Emergencies don’t wait for perfect training.

06/11/2026

Rhodococcus
- a respiratory infection in foals that has been wide spread this year due to our historically dry conditions prompted me to put together something that can be helpful to other farms and breeders that have not yet researched or experienced this bacteria.

Rhodococcus
is one of the most dangerous ⚠️ infections a young horse can face. Not because it spreads fast, but because it hides. 🙈 By the time a foal “looks sick,” 🤢🤢🤢🤢the disease is often advanced.
Knowing where it comes from, how horses get it, and the early warning signs can literally save a foal’s life. 🚑 🚑🚑🚑🚑🚑🚑🚑🚑🚑🚑🚑🚑🚑🚑🆘🆘

R. equi is a soil‑dwelling bacteria that lives naturally in manure, dirt, dust, and the environment of any horse farm. It is worldwide everywhere.

This year Florida has seen an historic record dry season right during prime
foaling months.

• It thrives in dry, dusty soil and manure from foals and adult horses.
• It can survive over 12 months 🗓️ in soil.
• Farms with many foals or high traffic tend to have higher environmental loads.

🐴 How horses — especially foals — get Rhodococcus

Foals are exposed within the first days of life, but only some develop disease.

Main route of infection 🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗

• Inhalation of dust particles contaminated with virulent R. equi is the #1 cause of pneumonia.

Other routes

• Swallowing contaminated manure or sputum (can lead to intestinal or abdominal abscesses).
• Rarely, through wounds.

Why foals are so vulnerable

• Their immune systems are still developing.
• They cannot yet control the bacteria with their underdeveloped immune systems.
• Disease peaks at 1–3 months of age.

Adult horses almost never get sick unless severely immunocompromised.

Is Rhodococcus contagious?😷 😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷

Not in the traditional sense.
It does not spread like strangles or influenza.

• Sick foals shed the bacteria in manure and respiratory secretions (boogers and mucus), which contaminate the soil and dust, increasing environmental load.
• Other foals then inhale the contaminated dust.
So the disease is environmentally contagious, not directly contagious

🆘🆘🆘Why early recognition is absolutely critical🆘🆘🆘🆘🆘🆘

Rhodococcus is slow‑growing but devastating. By the time a foal shows obvious respiratory distress, the lungs may already be full of abscesses.

🌅💡Early signs 💡🌅
• Mild fever🌡️
• Slight lethargy🤤
• Reduced nursing🍼
• Subtle increase in respiratory rate😮‍💨
🌡️🌡️🤒Everyone🌡️🌡️should always have a thermometer and stethoscope in the barn.
🩺🩺🩺🩺🩺🩺🩺🩺🩺 🌡️🌡️🌡️🌡️🌡️🌡️

😈Advanced symptoms:😈
• Cough🤧
• Nasal discharge🤧
• Labored breathing, nostril flaring😮‍💨
• Abdominal effort to breathe
Know your horses!!!
The clock ⏰ is ticking⏰

• 🫁 R. equi forms abscesses deep in the lungs, which take weeks to develop.
• Once severe, treatment requires 4–6+ weeks of antibiotics 💊 and still carries a risk of DEATH. ☠️ ☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️
• Early detection via ultrasound screening on farms dramatically improves survival. 🧑‍⚕️ 🥼👩‍🔬🔬🧪

🧪 How it’s diagnosed 🌡️🥼🥼🥼🥼🥼

The gold standard is a tracheal wash with:
• Bacterial culture🧪
• PCR for the vapA virulence gene (confirms pathogenic strain)
Some vets will perform tracheal washes at the farm.
Ultrasound 🩻is used for early detection of lung abscesses before clinical signs appear & should be re-checked frequently if treating at the farm rather than a clinic. Be sure your vet is available for this.

🪧🪧🪧🪧🪧🪧🪧🪧🪧🪧🪧🪧🪧🪧Every breeder must know the 🪧 SIGNS

• Up to 90% of foals on farms are exposed, and many are infected subclinically.
• The disease is fatal ☠️ if untreated, but highly survivable when caught early. 😃Treatment at the farm is achievable at the early stage but must be treated diligently.
• Environmental contamination builds over time.

06/06/2026

www.castlegatestables.farm

06/05/2026

Thoroughbreds give everything they have — on the track, in training, and in the hands of the people who guide them. When their racing days are over, they deserve safety, dignity, and a chance at a new beginning. Sadly, not all of them get that opportunity.

We’re committed to changing that.

Every quarter, 25% of all profits from our store will be donated to a legitimate, reputable Thoroughbred rescue chosen by our biggest supporter of the quarter.
To keep the process transparent and trustworthy, we provide a fully vetted list of approved 501(c)(3) Thoroughbred rescues. The quarters top supporter may choose from this list, ensuring that every donation goes to an organization with a proven record of responsible, ethical care.

It’s our way of empowering the community, honoring the horses, and keeping our mission meaningful and accountable.
Visit us at www.castlegatestables.farm and click the SHOP button.

Castle Gate Farm is a premiere equine haven in South Ocala, Florida, offering high quality equine care. Check out our thoughtfully designed horse‑inspired goods. Our company store features whimsical equestrian designs, farm‑themed merchandise, and creative pieces crafted to celebrate the beauty,...

06/03/2026

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