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GW Performance Horses, TX-108, Stephenville, TX (2026)

06/19/2026

🐴 Pigeon Fever: The Disease That’s More Common Than You Think

Despite the name, Pigeon Fever has absolutely nothing to do with pigeons. 🐦❌

Pigeon Fever is caused by the bacteria Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and is commonly spread by flies. It’s seen most often in the western and southern United States, especially during warm weather.

🔍 Why Is It Called “Pigeon Fever”?

Many horses develop large abscesses in their chest muscles, causing swelling that resembles the breast of a pigeon.

⚠️ Common Signs:

✔️ Fever
✔️ Lethargy
✔️ Loss of appetite
✔️ Painful swelling on the chest, belly, or along the body
✔️ Abscesses that eventually rupture and drain

🦠 How It Spreads:
• Flies carrying bacteria from infected drainage
• Contaminated soil
• Contact with infected discharge

🚨 Not All Cases Are External

While many horses develop visible abscesses, some develop internal abscesses, which can be much more serious and require extensive veterinary treatment.

🩺 Treatment:

Treatment varies depending on the location and severity of infection. Your veterinarian may recommend:
✔️ Draining abscesses when appropriate
✔️ Supportive care
✔️ Antibiotics in certain cases
✔️ Ultrasound or additional diagnostics if internal abscesses are suspected

💡 Prevention:
• Aggressive fly control
• Promptly isolate horses with draining abscesses
• Disinfect contaminated areas
• Practice good biosecurity

🚫 Common Myth:

“Once the abscess bursts, the horse is fine.”

Not always. Some horses recover quickly, but others may develop additional abscesses or internal infections that require veterinary care.

Pigeon Fever can look scary, but early recognition and proper management can make a huge difference.

🐴 Have you ever had a horse with Pigeon Fever? If so, how did their case present?

06/18/2026

🌾 Forage First: Why Hay and Pasture Should Be the Foundation of Your Horse’s Diet 🐴

Horses weren’t designed to eat two big meals a day from a feed scoop. They were designed to graze for 16–18 hours a day, consuming small amounts of forage almost constantly.

In fact, the majority of a horse’s diet should come from forage—whether that’s pasture, hay, or a combination of both.

🩺 Why is forage so important?

🌿 Digestive Health
A horse’s digestive system relies on a healthy population of microbes in the hindgut to break down fiber. Adequate forage helps keep that system functioning properly.

❤️ Ulcer Prevention
Chewing forage produces saliva, which helps buffer stomach acid. Since horses produce stomach acid continuously, long periods without forage can increase the risk of gastric ulcers.

🚽 Reduced Colic Risk
Sudden diet changes and inadequate fiber intake can contribute to digestive upset and certain types of colic. Consistent access to appropriate forage supports normal gut motility.

⚖️ Mental Well-Being
Horses are natural grazers. Long stretches without something to chew can lead to boredom, stress, and undesirable behaviors like cribbing, weaving, or wood chewing.

💪 Healthy Weight Management
Contrary to popular belief, more grain isn’t always the answer. Many horses maintain excellent body condition on quality forage with minimal concentrates.

📏 How much forage does a horse need?

A general recommendation is that horses consume 1.5–2% of their body weight in forage each day.

For a 1,000-pound horse, that’s approximately:
✔️ 15–20 pounds of hay daily

Some horses may require more or less depending on age, workload, health conditions, and the quality of the forage being fed.

🥣 What about grain?

Concentrates have their place. Growing horses, lactating mares, hard keepers, and horses in heavy work may require additional calories and nutrients.

But for many horses:
🌾 Forage is the meal.
🥣 Grain is simply the supplement.

⚠️ Remember: Not all hay is created equal. The type, quality, and nutritional value of your forage matter. If you’re unsure whether your horse’s diet is meeting their needs, consider working with your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist.

💙 When it comes to feeding horses, think “hay before grain.”

Their digestive systems have been perfected over thousands of years to process fiber—not feed room buffet lines. 😉

🐴 A happy gut often makes for a happier horse.

06/16/2026

🧬 PSSM in Horses: What Every Owner Should Know 🐴

You may have heard someone say a horse is “tying up” or that they have PSSM, but what exactly does that mean?

PSSM (Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy) is a muscle disorder that affects how a horse stores and uses energy. Essentially, horses with PSSM accumulate abnormal amounts of glycogen (sugar) in their muscles, which can lead to pain, stiffness, and exercise intolerance.

⚠️ Common signs of PSSM:

✔️ Muscle stiffness, especially after exercise
✔️ Reluctance to move forward or engage from behind
✔️ “Tying up” episodes (painful muscle cramping)
✔️ Sweating or trembling with light work
✔️ Difficulty maintaining topline muscle
✔️ Changes in attitude under saddle
✔️ Trouble backing up or picking up certain leads
✔️ In severe cases, dark-colored urine after exercise

🧬 Is it genetic?

There are different forms of PSSM:

• PSSM Type 1 (PSSM1) is caused by a known genetic mutation and can be diagnosed with a simple DNA test. It has been identified in many breeds, including stock horses, draft breeds, and some warmbloods.

• PSSM Type 2 (PSSM2) is more complicated. The term has historically been used to describe horses showing PSSM-like symptoms that tested negative for PSSM1. Research into these muscle disorders is ongoing, and our understanding continues to evolve.

🩺 How is it diagnosed?

Diagnosis may involve:
🔹 Genetic testing for PSSM1
🔹 Veterinary examination and bloodwork
🔹 Muscle biopsy in some cases
🔹 Evaluation of clinical signs and history

🌾 Can horses with PSSM be managed?

Absolutely! Many horses with PSSM go on to have successful careers with the right management plan.

Management often includes:
✅ Consistent, regular exercise
✅ Minimizing long periods of stall rest
✅ Dietary adjustments recommended by your veterinarian or equine nutritionist
✅ Careful monitoring for changes in performance or comfort

❤️ The takeaway:

A PSSM diagnosis isn’t the end of a horse’s usefulness or quality of life. With proper veterinary guidance and individualized management, many affected horses thrive.

If you suspect your horse may have PSSM, talk with your veterinarian before making major changes to their diet or exercise program.

📚 Knowledge is one of the best tools we have as horse owners. The more we understand these conditions, the better advocates we can be for our horses.

Have you owned or worked with a horse diagnosed with PSSM? Share your experiences below—your story may help another horse owner navigating the same journey. 👇🐎💙

06/14/2026

🩸 What is a Coggins Test, and Why Does It Matter? 🐴

If you’ve owned horses for any length of time, you’ve probably heard someone ask, “Do they have a current Coggins?” But what exactly is it?

A Coggins test is a blood test used to detect Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), a viral disease that affects horses, donkeys, and mules.

💉 Why is EIA such a big deal?
• There is no cure for EIA.
• There is no vaccine to prevent it.
• Infected horses become lifelong carriers of the virus.
• The disease can spread through the transfer of infected blood, most commonly by biting flies such as horse flies and deer flies.

Some horses with EIA become severely ill, showing signs like:
🔹 Fever
🔹 Weight loss
🔹 Weakness
🔹 Swelling of the lower limbs and abdomen
🔹 Anemia

Others may appear perfectly healthy while still carrying the virus and posing a risk to other horses.

📋 Why do events, boarding facilities, and state lines require a current Coggins?

Because it’s one of the most effective ways to protect the equine community. Requiring proof of a negative Coggins test helps reduce the spread of EIA and ensures that horses gathering at rodeos, shows, trail rides, boarding barns, and sales are less likely to expose one another to this devastating disease.

In Texas, a negative Coggins is required for:
✔️ Crossing state lines
✔️ Most horse shows and rodeos
✔️ Many boarding facilities
✔️ Some sales and public events

💙 It’s not just “barn rules.” It’s good horsemanship.

Having an up-to-date Coggins isn’t about making life difficult or creating extra expenses—it’s about protecting your horse, your neighbor’s horse, and the entire equine community.

The small inconvenience of an annual blood draw is far better than dealing with a disease that has no treatment and lifelong consequences.

🐎 Responsible horse ownership means doing the little things that keep all of our horses safe.

06/12/2026

🐴🧬 IMM EXPLAINED 🧬🐴

Let's talk about a genetic condition that's becoming more recognized in the Quarter Horse and Paint Horse world:

IMM (Immune-Mediated Myositis)

Sounds complicated, but let's break it down.

🌟 WHAT IS IMM?

IMM is a genetic mutation associated with an immune system disorder that causes the horse's body to attack its own muscle tissue.

Instead of protecting the horse, the immune system mistakenly targets healthy muscles.

🚨 WHAT DOES AN IMM EPISODE LOOK LIKE?

Common signs include:

• Sudden muscle loss
• Rapid weight loss
• Muscle soreness
• Weakness
• Difficulty moving
• Swelling under the jaw in some cases

Many owners describe affected horses as "melting away" almost overnight.

It's often alarming because it can happen very quickly.

🧬 HOW IS IMM INHERITED?

IMM is inherited as a dominant trait.

That means:

✅ N/N = Clear
⚠️ IMM/N = At risk
❌ IMM/IMM = At risk

A horse only needs one copy of the mutation to carry the risk.

🌟 DOES A POSITIVE HORSE ALWAYS GET SICK?

No.

This is one of the most important things to understand.

Many IMM-positive horses never experience an episode.

Others may only experience symptoms after a trigger such as:

• Illness
• Vaccination
• Stress
• Infection

Researchers are still learning why some horses are affected while others never show symptoms.

💡 WHY DO PEOPLE TEST FOR IMM?

Testing helps owners and breeders make informed decisions.

A positive result doesn't mean a horse is unhealthy, unusable, or destined to become sick.

It simply means the horse carries a genetic mutation associated with increased risk.

🐴 The goal of genetic testing isn't to create panic.

It's to give us information so we can make better breeding, management, and healthcare decisions for our horses.

Knowledge is power—and genetics are one more tool in the toolbox

06/10/2026

🐴✨ GREY HORSES EXPLAINED ✨🐴

Or as I like to call them:

"The horses that spend their entire lives changing colors just to keep us confused."

🌟 WHAT IS A GREY HORSE?

A grey horse is born a normal color and then gradually loses pigment over time.

That's right!

Grey horses are NOT born grey.

They are born another color and slowly lighten as they age.

Some common examples:

🐴 Black foal → Grey horse
🐴 Bay foal → Grey horse
🐴 Chestnut foal → Grey horse
🐴 Palomino foal → Grey horse

The grey gene doesn't create a color.

It removes color over time.

🧬 THE GREY GENE

Grey is a dominant gene.

This means a horse only needs ONE copy to turn grey.

If a parent is grey, there is a chance they can pass the gene to their foals.

🌟 "BUT MY HORSE WAS BORN GREY!"

Probably not. 😅

Many people see a young grey horse and assume it was born that way.

What actually happened is the horse started greying out very early.

If you look closely at baby photos, you'll often find evidence of their original color.

💡 HOW DO YOU TELL WHAT COLOR A GREY HORSE WAS BORN?

Look for clues!

• Dark skin stays dark
• Mane and tail roots may reveal original color
• Baby photos are gold
• Genetic testing can tell the story

Many white-looking horses are actually genetically black, bay, chestnut, palomino, buckskin, or something else entirely hiding underneath the grey.

🌟 STAGES OF GREY

Most greys go through several phases:

🔹 Dark Grey
🔹 Dapple Grey
🔹 Fleabitten Grey
🔹 Nearly White Grey

Not every horse follows the same timeline, and some keep dapples for years while others turn white quickly.

🐴 WHAT IS A FLEABITTEN GREY?

A fleabitten grey is a horse that has become mostly white but develops tiny colored specks throughout the coat.

These little spots are called "fleabites."

They're completely normal and often appear as the horse ages.

🌟 IMPORTANT HEALTH NOTE

Grey horses have an increased risk of developing melanomas as they age.

Many are benign for years, but owners should monitor any growths and discuss concerns with their veterinarian.

🐴 FUN FACT

The famous white horse in the movie?
The stunning "white" dressage horse?
The gorgeous white ranch gelding?

There's a very good chance they're actually GREY.

Because genetically speaking...

Most "white horses" aren't white at all. 😂

📸 Drop a picture of your grey horse below!

Bonus points if you can show us their baby color and what they look like now. Those before-and-after photos never get old!

Pictured below:
Kings Last Playgirl, owned by Julia D'Alessio

06/08/2026

🐴🧬 MALIGNANT HYPERTHERMIA (MH) EXPLAINED 🧬🐴

If you've spent any time looking at horse genetics, you've probably seen horses listed as:

✅ MH/N
❌ MH/MH
or
✅ N/N

But what exactly does that mean?

Let's talk about it!

🌟 WHAT IS MH?

MH stands for Malignant Hyperthermia, a genetic muscle disorder that affects how a horse's muscles respond to stress, exercise, illness, anesthesia, or certain medications.

In affected horses, muscle cells can essentially become "stuck" in overdrive, creating dangerous amounts of heat and causing severe muscle damage.

🚨 POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS

• Rapid rise in body temperature
• Excessive sweating
• Muscle rigidity
• Elevated heart rate
• Muscle tremors
• Collapse in severe cases

MH episodes can be life-threatening.

🧬 HOW IS IT INHERITED?

MH is a dominant gene.

That means:

✅ N/N = Clear
⚠️ MH/N = Affected
❌ MH/MH = Affected

A horse only needs ONE copy of the mutation to be affected.

If an MH-positive horse is bred, there is always a chance of passing the mutation to its foals.

🌟 DOES EVERY MH POSITIVE HORSE HAVE PROBLEMS?

Not necessarily.

Many MH/N horses live normal lives and may never show obvious symptoms.

However, they still carry the mutation and can pass it on to future generations.

💡 WHY DO BREEDERS TEST FOR IT?

Testing allows breeders to make informed decisions and avoid producing more affected horses.

Knowledge isn't about judging a horse—it's about managing risk and protecting future generations.

🐴 Remember:
A positive genetic test doesn't make a horse "bad."
It simply gives us information we can use to make responsible breeding and management decisions.

Genetics are tools—not labels

06/07/2026

🐴✨ ROAN vs. RABICANO ✨🐴

One of the most common color questions I get is:

"Is my horse roan or rabicano?"

And honestly? It can be tricky because they can look VERY similar at first glance!

🌟 ROAN

A true roan is caused by a specific genetic pattern that mixes white hairs evenly throughout the horse's body while usually leaving the head, mane, tail, and lower legs darker.

Things you'll notice:
✅ White hairs spread evenly over the body
✅ Head is usually darker than the body
✅ Legs often stay darker
✅ Color doesn't "creep" from the belly upward
✅ Present from birth (though foal coats can be deceiving)

Common examples:
🔹 Blue Roan = Black base coat + roan gene
🔹 Red Roan = Chestnut base coat + roan gene
🔹 Bay Roan = Bay base coat + roan gene

Fun fact: Roans often develop "corn marks"—dark patches where an injury healed after the hair grew back!

🌟 RABICANO

Rabicano is a completely different pattern.

Instead of white hairs being evenly distributed, rabicano usually starts around the flanks, barrel, and tailhead. Many rabicanos have what people call a "skunk tail"—white hairs mixed into the base of the tail.

Things you'll notice:
✅ White ticking concentrated around the ribs and flanks
✅ White hairs often spread upward from the belly
✅ Tail often has white hairs at the dock
✅ Can range from barely visible to very dramatic
✅ Doesn't create the uniform body pattern seen in true roans

Some rabicanos are so heavily marked that they get mistaken for roans!

🔍 QUICK TRICK

Ask yourself:

➡️ Is the white spread evenly over the entire body?
Likely ROAN.

➡️ Is the white concentrated around the flanks, belly, and tail?
Likely RABICANO.

Of course, horses love to make things complicated, and some can carry BOTH patterns at the same time. 😅

📸 Drop a picture of your horse below and let's play:
ROAN, RABICANO, BOTH, or "horse color genetics are trying to ruin my life.

Here are some of our Roany Ponies!
GW Thnks Fr Th Mmrs and GW Lemon Drop Queen

06/02/2026

🧬🐴 HERDA Explained 🐴🧬

One thing that’s become incredibly important in responsible horse breeding is genetic testing — and one condition many Quarter Horse breeders are familiar with is HERDA.

So let’s break it down simply!

✨ WHAT IS HERDA? ✨
HERDA stands for:
Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia

(Which is a VERY fancy way of saying the horse’s skin is unusually fragile.)

Horses affected by HERDA have a defect in the connective tissue that helps hold the skin together.

As a result, their skin can:
⚠ Tear easily
⚠ Stretch abnormally
⚠ Scar badly
⚠ Become painful or damaged from normal handling/tack

In severe cases, even everyday riding can cause skin injuries.

✨ HOW IS IT INHERITED? ✨
HERDA is a recessive genetic condition.

That means:
✔ N/N = clear
✔ N/HRD = carrier (healthy, but carries the gene)
✔ HRD/HRD = affected

A horse must inherit TWO copies of the gene to actually have HERDA.

This is why genetic testing matters so much in breeding programs today!

✨ IMPORTANT THING TO KNOW ✨
A carrier horse is NOT automatically unhealthy or unusable.

The issue happens when TWO carriers are bred together, which can produce an affected foal.

Thanks to modern testing, breeders can make informed decisions and dramatically reduce the risk of producing affected horses. 🤠

🧬 FUN FACT 🧬
HERDA is most commonly associated with certain cutting horse bloodlines, especially descendants of the stallion Poco Bueno.

And honestly?
This is one of the best examples of how genetic testing has helped the horse industry become more responsible and educated over time.

Horse genetics may be complicated…
but knowledge helps protect future horses. ❤️🐴

Picture courtesy of Signature Equine Hospital

05/31/2026

🐴 Splash White Explained 🐴🌊

If you’ve ever looked at a horse and thought:
“Why does this horse look like it walked face-first into white paint?”
…there’s a good chance you were looking at Splash White. 😂

✨ WHAT IS SPLASH WHITE? ✨
Splash White is a white pattern gene that gives horses crisp, dramatic white markings.

These horses often look like they were:
✔ “Dipped” into white paint from the bottom up
✔ Wearing aprons or tall stockings
✔ Sporting huge facial white

Common Splash White traits include:
✨ Blue eyes
✨ Bright white legs
✨ White underbellies
✨ Smooth-edged markings
✨ Big blazes or completely white faces

Some horses have very minimal Splash…
while others are almost entirely white!

🌊 WHY IS IT CALLED “SPLASH”? 🌊
Because the pattern often looks like the horse literally splashed through white paint. 🤠

Unlike Frame Overo, Splash White often creates:
✔ cleaner edges
✔ more symmetrical markings
✔ and LOTS of facial white

🧬 FUN FACT 🧬
There are actually MULTIPLE Splash White mutations (SW1, SW2, SW3, etc.) — because horse genetics apparently enjoy being complicated for fun. 😂

⚠ IMPORTANT NOTE ⚠
Some Splash White horses can be partially or completely deaf, especially horses with a lot of facial white and blue eyes.

Not ALL Splash horses are deaf!
But the connection exists because the genes involved affect pigment cells, which also play a role in hearing development.

And honestly?
Some of the prettiest, most eye-catching horses out there carry Splash White genetics. 👀✨

Horse genetics are basically:
science + art + chaos.

Pictured below:
GW Up In Flames, now living in Wyoming
Sucha Tacoma Trick, now home in Stephenville with me

Drop your favorite Splash White horse pictures below 👇🐴

GW Performance Horses

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