Stafford Equine Veterinary Services

05/27/2026

05/27/2026

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

05/22/2026

Putting the horse first — in every decision, every conversation, every step forward.

This week, we honor 𝐃𝐫. 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧 “𝐒𝐮𝐳𝐢” 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞, whose career has been defined by education, advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to both the horse and the people who care for them.

From her work in large animal internal medicine at the University of Georgia to her leadership within the American Association of Equine Practitioners, Dr. White has spent decades advancing equine health and welfare. A champion for working equids and a voice for ethical care, she has played a key role in efforts to end the illegal practice of soring Tennessee Walking Horses — helping ensure that the horse’s well-being always comes first.

But perhaps her greatest impact is found in the countless individuals she’s mentored along the way.

“Suzi taught me how to trust my instincts, never forget the powerful impact of the physical exam, and to pay attention to details. I would not be who I am today without the internal medicine smarts that she passed long. For that, I am eternally grateful, along with the thousands of veterinary students, interns, residents, and veterinarians she taught over the decades. Thank you, Suzi, for making all of us better veterinarians for the horse.” – Michelle Barton, DVM, Ph.D., DACVIM, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine

Through her teaching, mentorship, and example, Dr. White has influenced generations of veterinarians — instilling knowledge, confidence, and a deep sense of responsibility to the horse.

Because of Dr. White, her positive impact carries forward — into every decision and every horse cared for with those same values.

👉Read more about Dr. White: https://www.foundationforthehorse.org/susan-l-white-dvm-ms-dacvim/

✨ Honor someone who shaped your journey: https://www.foundationforthehorse.org/support/mentor-honor-program/

05/22/2026

As the temperatures rise and the sun stays out longer, make sure your equine friends are adequately protected from harmful UV rays. ☀️

Hot summer weather puts horses at risk not only for dehydration and heat stress but also the skin damage and discomfort that accompany a sunburn— just like humans.

A lot of equestrians love some chrome on a horse, but it's important to remember that those beautiful white markings and the non-pigmented pink skin underneath are more likely to suffer from sunburn, especially in areas where the skin is more sensitive — like around the eyes and the nostrils.

In addition to the pain and discomfort, horses that are prone to recurrent sunburn may also face other long-term consequences, like the increased likelihood of developing squamous cell carcinoma (a common cancer).

If your horse is susceptible to sunburn, contact your veterinarian for more information about sun damage and recommendations to keep your equine protected this summer.

05/20/2026

HOW AND WHY DO HORSES GET ULCERS?

Equine gastric ulcers can affect any horse of any age. Up to 90% of racehorses and 60% of show horses, as well as non-performance horses and even foals are affected by equine gastric ulcers. Gastric ulcers result from the erosion of the stomach lining due to a prolonged exposure to the normal acid present in the stomach.

Unlike ulcers in humans, bacteria do not appear to cause equine gastric ulcers. Instead, this condition is often a man-made disease. Stall confinement alone can lead to the development of ulcers. A horse’s feeding schedule and high-grain diets can also contribute to the development of ulcers.

Stress, both environmental and physical, can increase the likelihood of ulcers, as can hauling, training, and mixing groups of horses. Strenuous exercise can decrease the emptying of the stomach as well as the blood flow, thus further contributing to the problem.

The treatment and prevention of gastric ulcers is directed at removing these predisposing factors, therefore decreasing acid production within the horse’s stomach. Prevention of ulcers is the key in helping your horse, as neutralizing the production of stomach acid is nature’s best antacid.

Please note that the only way to definitively diagnose ulcers is through a gastroscopy. An equine veterinarian should always be consulted in any case of suspected gastric ulcers to determine the best course of action and treatment for the individual horse.

05/20/2026

Authorities in the Upstate are investigating after a horse was believed to have been shot and had to be put down. FULL STORY⬇️

05/18/2026

05/16/2026

Save the Date!

The Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover Arrival Exam Team will once again invite veterinary students to join us for a beloved hands-on high-volume learning experience. The team will meet in Lexington, KY October 4, 5, and 6, to examine hundreds of competition horses. The final application for participation will be released in August.

Interested students can add their names to receive the application now by filling out this survey: https://tamu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3f4PAIHZkmZvmrs

Please contact Dr. Shannon Reed at [email protected] with any questions.

05/16/2026

Practical environmental management steps can make a big dent in insect populations around horse farms, often without needing pesticides. 🪰🦟

🦟 REDUCE MOSQUITO BREEDING
• Dump standing water routinely.
- Mosquitoes need water to complete their life cycle. Empty water that collects in flowerpots, buckets, barrels, etc.
- Drill drainage holes in tire swings and keep children’s wading pools empty and stored on their side when not in use.
• Refresh water troughs frequently. Change water troughs at least twice weekly to discourage mosquito breeding.
• Mosquito-proof barns and stables:
- Install and maintain secure screens on windows and doors.
- Use fans (mosquitoes/flies avoid strong air movement because they can’t control flight well).
- Consider lighting choices. In barns, swapping incandescent bulbs for fluorescent-type fixtures can make the area less attractive to mosquitoes.

🪰 SANITATION & FACILITY MANAGEMENT
• Manure and waste handling (sanitation) is foundational. Remove stall and paddock litter and dispose of it properly.
• Stacking manure to reduce surface area is recommended; for small facilities, covering stacks with plastic film can help reduce fly breeding.
• If hay is fed in paddocks, avoid allowing hay to get trampled into the footing/substrate near feeders—flies can develop in that material, sometimes even beneath the soil surface.

⚠️ REMEMBER: not all flies come from your manure pile. “Feed-through” fly products are only potentially helpful if the flies are actually breeding in manure from horses on-site; in contrast, face flies, horn flies, and tabanids do not breed in horse manure, while house flies and stable flies can.

TRAPS & NON-CHEMICAL TOOLS
• Use traps to monitor and help manage flies. Traps can be useful to track fly numbers, but placement matters.
- Put traps where flies are numerous, and for stable flies, as close to the animals as possible.
• Use fans inside barns as pesticide-free protection. This is one of the simplest, most effective barn strategies for flies that enter.
• UV light traps can help indoors. If used, they’re recommended inside barns; avoid placing them outside or running them after dark.

05/14/2026

This goes for horses as well.

Wild cherry trees—especially black cherry (Prunus serotina) and chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)—are important in livestock production mainly because of their toxicity risk to grazing animals. They are common along fence rows, wooded pasture edges, and hedgerows throughout much of North America.

When cherry trees become dangerous:

Standing healthy trees are usually less of a problem because livestock rarely consume enough fresh leaves. The greatest danger occurs when:

Storms break limbs
Trees are cut or trimmed
Leaves wilt after falling
Drought or frost stresses the tree

Wilted leaves are especially toxic.

Clinical signs of poisoning
Symptoms can appear within minutes to a few hours after ingestion:
Rapid breathing
Salivation
Muscle tremors
Bright red mucous membranes
Convulsions
Sudden death

Often producers simply find dead animals because poisoning progresses rapidly.

Toxic dose
Research and extension data suggest that:
*About 1.2–4.8 lbs of wilted black cherry leaves may kill a 1,200-lb cow
Sheep and goats require much less plant material for toxicity

The key management principle is:
Prevent livestock access to wilted cherry leaves.

Routine pasture inspection and prompt cleanup of fallen branches greatly reduces risk.