Danielle Hockenson Veterinary LLC

05/10/2026

If your horse has allergies, it's important to combine medical and environmental management for the best results. Learn how at the link in the comments.

05/10/2026

Have you ever guessed your horse's weight and wondered if you were correct? This infographic outlines practical methods to stop the guessing game and get an accurate measurement, ensuring you manage their health and medication dosages with confidence.

05/10/2026

05/10/2026

What measures have you taken to reduce fire risks in your barn? 🧯

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, in 2025 there were 77,850 wildfires reported, consuming 5,131,474 acres in the U.S.

As we approach summer and the weather becomes warmer, make sure your farm has a fire prevention plan and an evacuation strategy in place to keep both equines and people safe.

Check out the graphic for ten fire prevention measures to get you started on the right track to a safer facility. This list is NOT meant to be exhaustive, and we invite you to contact your local fire department and your veterinarian for guidance on designing a prevention and response plan tailored to your specific situation.

Barn fires are the number one local emergency affecting agricultural facilities. They can cause horrific injuries and kill more equines than any other type of natural disaster, so being prepared is only in your best interest!

05/10/2026

Research update: Slowing feed intake of concentrates 🔬🐴

When feeding concentrates or grain, maximizing the time spent chewing can improve saliva production, nutrient absorption, and gut health. It can also reduce the risk of choke—especially in horses that bolt their feed.

A Colorado State University study evaluated how feeder type influences eating behavior and feed waste. Four geldings were fed three pounds of pelleted feed twice daily, with each meal divided into three one-pound portions and offered one after another in a four-quart, plastic ground pan; a three-gallon plastic hanging feeder; and a shallow trough (40-gallon polyethylene stock tank). Researchers measured total eating time, the number of continuous eating bouts (without lifting the head), and the amount of feed left in the feeder or wasted on the ground. They collected data over 10 days in spring and 5 days in late summer.

Key takeaways:

✅ Shallow troughs slowed eating and promoted more consistent intake
⏱️ Ground feed pans and hanging feeders led to faster consumption
🧹 Ground feed pans led to the most feed waste on the ground
🐴 Hanging feeders resulted in less feed left behind

Overall, shallow troughs and other feeders with large surface areas are common, economical feeder options that will slow the feed consumption rate while also minimizing feed waste. Although these feeders can benefit many horses, they can especially help in cases where horses are prone to choke, consume large amounts of feed, or bolt their feed.

Want to learn more about this study? ⬇
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2026.105811

🖊📸: Jessica Prigge, PhD, University of Tennessee

05/01/2026

Alfalfa: Is hay or a pellet product better before riding? Click the link in the comments to find out. 👇

05/01/2026

Have you heard of the Madigan Squeeze?

The Madigan foal squeeze is a veterinarian-performed technique that uses a soft rope arranged in a specific way to apply steady, snug pressure around a newborn foal’s chest/ribcage. Many foals respond to this firm pressure by lying down (“flopping”) and entering a quiet, sleep-like state (slow-wave sleep).

It’s used as an aid for foals with neonatal maladjustment syndrome (“dummy foal”), and it’s also used in healthy foals (typically < 3 days old) to make procedures like plasma administration, ultrasound exams, or other minor procedures easier and less stressful. The squeeze is usually maintained for about 20 minutes (generally limited to 20–30 minutes) while the foal’s breathing, heart rate, and mucous membrane color are monitored.

After the squeeze, the rope is released, and the foal is allowed to stay down or get up on its own. For maladjusted foals, the team then observes alertness and nursing behavior; in some cases, the squeeze may be repeated every 2–4 hours if needed.

Important safety note: this is not anesthesia, and a foal can arouse and kick, so it should only be done by skilled clinicians. It’s not recommended with suspected rib fractures, respiratory distress, septic shock, severe prematurity with floppy chests, severe neuromuscular disease affecting breathing, or congenital anomalies.

If you have questions or concerns about your own foal, contact your veterinarian.

📸 Photo courtesy of Pine Ridge Equine Hospital

05/01/2026

05/01/2026

Strangles is one of the most commonly contagious diseases of the horse (worldwide) and in 2017 it became a nationally monitored disease.

This condition is caused by bacterial infection with "Streptococcus equi subspecies equi" (referred to as "S. equi”), which typically infects the upper airway and lymph nodes of the head and neck, and is highly contagious in horse populations—particularly affecting young horses. Classic signs of the disease include sudden onset of fever as high as 106 degrees F, thick yellow nasal discharge, and swollen lymph nodes under the jaw.

Transfer from horse to horse usually involves direct face-to-face contact, or exposure to things such as contaminated feed, water, hands, veterinary instruments or grooming tools. A stall or van recently used to house or transport a horse that is shedding the organism may also be a source of infection.

WATCH OUT FOR ASYMPTOMATIC CARRIERS!

It is not uncommon for strangles infections to recur on a farm with previous outbreaks of the disease, and the primary source of recurrent infections are most likely asymptomatic carrier horses. These are animals who display no clinical signs but may continue to shed the bacteria for months to even years, serving as a continual source of new infections.

If you suspect a strangles outbreak, be sure to involve your veterinarian right away to determine the diagnosis and the best control practices for your particular farm. Without control and biosecurity measures, a strangles outbreak will ultimately affect all susceptible horses, last longer, and have a greater chance of leading to complications.
**Please note that strangles is a reportable disease in some states.**

And as always, contact your veterinarian for more information as they remain the best source of advice!

04/25/2026

Clean and disinfected footwear can help minimize costly disease risks both on and off your farm.

🥾 Download the boot cleaning guide and list of common disinfectants:
https://www.beefresearch.ca/topics/biosecurity/

04/25/2026

Over the last two decades, great strides have been made in standardizing beef cattle injection techniques.

Taking care to follow a few simple steps can have a big impact on the health and welfare of the animal being treated and keep dollars in the pocket of the producer.

⬇️ Download the new injection techniques guide for beef producers: https://www.beefresearch.ca/content/uploads/2026/01/beef-cattle-injection-key-recommendations.pdf