Windsor Veterinary Service

05/21/2026

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.

05/21/2026

05/08/2026

It's MYTHBUSTER time! 🔎

The core vaccinations for every horse, regardless of their travel status, include Rabies, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE), West Nile Virus (WNV), and Tetanus.

Unfortunately, mosquitoes, bacteria, and rabid animals do not discriminate when it comes to infecting horses. Whether a horse is in a freshly bedded stall, wide open pasture, or on show grounds, mosquitoes can potentially infect your horse with life threatening diseases such as EEE, WEE, and/or WNV.

Tetanus is a common clostridial bacteria present in the dirt and can infect a horse who has never left its home just the same as a horse who shows every weekend if it doesn't have proper vaccine status.

Rabies is a 100% fatal disease once clinical signs are present and is easily transmissible to humans and other animals both at home and on the trails.

It's also important to note that different regions in the U.S. may have additional "core" recommendations so be sure to ask your veterinarian what is best for your horse!

Want to learn more about vaccinations? Visit our vaccination chart on our website here: https://aaep.org/resource/adult-horse-vaccination-chart/

Thank you to the Horse Owner Education Committee for providing this information!

05/06/2026

PET THEMED YARD SALE!! SATURDAY MAY 9th
9am to 2pm!!! DO NOT MISS IT! 🐾
MOST ITEMS $1 to $5!!!

PLUS…Farm Fresh Eggs for Sale! 🥚🍳

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05/05/2026

Spring is a pivotal season for equine wellness, as longer days and rising temperatures bring both opportunities and challenges for horse care. Fresh pasture begins to grow, offering valuable nutrients, but it must be introduced gradually to avoid issues like laminitis or digestive upset. Seasonal shedding also accelerates, making regular grooming essential to maintain skin health and monitor for parasites or injuries. Increased insect activity calls for proactive fly control and attention to conditions like sweet itch. Additionally, spring is an ideal time to reassess vaccination schedules, dental care, and overall fitness, ensuring horses transition smoothly from winter into a more active, healthy season.
For the month of May we would like to offer a free equine f***l exam with every equine wellness exam! We are accepting new clients! Call Windsor Veterinary Service today for an appointment! 410-848-1682

04/23/2026

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!

04/14/2026

Breeding season is ramping up here at Windsor Veterinary Service! We are also accepting new clients! Contact us for all your reproductive, dental, and other equine veterinary needs! Based in Westminster MD, 410-848-1682

04/14/2026

✨ SAVE THE DATE ✨
May 30th 2026

MOVING IN HARMONY
Saddle Fit & Biomechanics Clinic

Presented by Gracie McDonald & David Galentine

An elevated clinic experience exploring how saddle fit and biomechanics shape your horse’s comfort, movement, and long-term soundness. Learn to read what your horse is communicating through tack fit and body language.

🌿 Rain or Shine – Beautiful Indoor Facility

Participants: $200
Auditors: $80

📞 Register with Jess
717.446.6624
[email protected]

04/01/2026

DO YOU KNOW WHAT CAUSES GRASS FOUNDER?

Spring is a wonderful time of the year, but it may be the beginning of some serious problems for horses vulnerable to grass founder — like horses that are over the age of 10, easy keepers, overweight or cresty-necked.

Laminitis or founder, as it is commonly called, is inflammation of the laminae of the horse’s foot. Laminae are the delicate, accordion-like tissues that attach the inner surface of the hoof wall to the coffin bone (the bone in the foot). A horse suffering from laminitis experiences a decrease in blood flow to the laminae, which in turn begin to die and separate. The final result is hoof wall separation, rotation of the coffin bone and extreme pain. In severe cases, the coffin bone will actually rotate through the sole of the horse’s hoof where it becomes infected and can ultimately lead to the horse having to be euthanized.

Laminitis can be triggered by different causes, like repeated concussion on hard ground (road founder), grain overload, retained placenta, hormonal imbalance (Cushing’s syndrome), obesity, and lush grass.

In cases of grass founder, the sugar fructans produced by rapidly growing grass stimulates an overgrowth of bacteria in the horse’s large intestine. The bacteria produce and release toxins (endotoxins) that are carried by the bloodstream to the foot where they cause damage to the laminae and small blood vessels.

The best way to deal with laminitis is preventing and managing the causes under your control. Consult your equine practitioner for further information and to formulate a plan tailored to your horse's individual situation. If you suspect laminitis, consider it a medical emergency and notify your veterinarian immediately.