Reagan Equine MVS

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

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, in 2024 there have been 16,940 reported wildfires in the U.S. to date. As we head into the hottest time of the year, make sure your farm has a fire prevention plan and an evacuation strategy in place to keep both horses 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 horses than any other type of disaster, so being prepared is only in your best interest!

Alex wants to remind everyone to stay hydrated on these warm spring days!

Hoof abscesses can cause sudden, severe lameness as it feels like you're walking on a pimple. However, an abscess doesn't always drain as easily as a pimple would. Here are some tricks to prevent and treat a hoof abscess!

It's allergy season! If you suspect your horse has hives or other signs of an allergic reaction, consider one of the antihistamines we offer at Reagan Equine!

Happy Mother’s Day!!

BUG SEASON IS HERE!

Besides being very irritating, it's important to remember that some of these insects can spread infection and disease to your horse (and, in some cases, to you as well). Therefore, a smart strategy is to control the problem before it gets out of hand and minimize populations from the beginning.

The attached infographic contains some suggestions to get you started. Please keep in mind that there are many variations of these suggested programs that will still meet the same goals and follow the same principles.

As always, reach out to your veterinarian for recommendations suitable for your horse’s specific situation!

Shrub would like everyone to have a great day!

Whether it's as a precaution, or your horse is already showing signs of lameness, lameness exams can be a great way to determine whether your horse is sound or if there are any underlying issues! Contact us to book an appointment with one of our vets now!

: Unlike humans, horses don’t have collarbones. Their shoulders are held to the rest of their skeleton via a sling of muscles and ligaments instead, often referred to as the “thoracic sling.”

Why is this important? We often ask our equine athletes to perform complex movements that require tremendous strength and coordination, and horses carry the majority of their weight in their front end. Therefore, it is imperative that the bulk of the muscles that support the front end are kept healthy and conditioned, and the horse is trained to use their “motor” — that is, engaging the large hind end muscles as much as possible to avoid excessive weight bearing on the front end.

If the front end of the horse is consistently overweighted or not at an appropriate level of fitness, repetitive biomechanical stresses get transferred down the leg to the smaller ligaments and tendons that were not designed to bear this weight, which can then lead to injury.
•
Brough to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

Today's Feature: Navicular Syndrome!

Staff Highlight: Beth!

Beth is part of our barn crew as well as a vet assistant! She worked as a small animal vet tech for many years. When she's not working, she loves spending time with her grandson, 2 dogs, and her cat. Beth also enjoys taking her horses to rodeos!

Have a happy Easter!

We will be closed tomorrow for Good Friday! For emergencies only please call the office at 910-792-6001

Our last vaccination feature for this month is Equine Herpesvirus!

Staff Highlight: Emily!

Emily is currently a sophomore at UNCW, studying English and Creative Writing. She grew up around horses, specifically American Saddlebreds, and has worked at numerous farms over the last three years. We are so lucky to have Emily and her positive energy as part of our barn crew here at Reagan Equine!

Shrub is always here to help out!

Today's topic: West Nile virus! Consider vaccinating your horse against it this spring!

Join us in wishing Dr Grace Scott a Happy Birthday!! Thanks for all you do for our team! 🥳🎂🎉🎈

UNDERSTANDING HOOF ABSCESSES
Sooner or later (and especially at this time of year), nearly all horse owners will deal with a hoof abscess. But what does "hoof abscess" actually mean? The diagram below shows a simplified view of the equine hoof to help you visualize the structures involved in this process.

Although most commonly seen during the wet winter and spring months, hoof abscesses can plague horses year-round and usually occur when debris and bacteria enter the foot through hoof cracks and wounds, even horseshoeing holes. The bacteria then get trapped between the sensitive laminae (the tissue layer that bonds the hoof capsule to the coffin bone) and the hoof wall or sole and create pus; the pus builds up over the course of time and puts pressure behind the hoof wall or sole, until it causes the sudden onset of acute lameness when the pain finally becomes too great.

Hoof abscesses can mimic other more serious diseases or injuries, so involving your veterinarian early on in the diagnosis and prompt treatment of this condition is always a good idea. Some abscesses will be uncomplicated and rupture on their own like a large pimple at the coronary band or heel bulbs; other abscesses, however, could require radiographs and will need to be surgically drained.

As always, consult your horse doctor for more information and advice!

Today we're highlighting Equine Influenza!

Today's disease and vaccine feature is Tetanus!

Staff Highlight: Kerry

Kerry is from Long Island, NY. She graduated with a bachelors of science in animal science at the University of Vermont in the Patrick Leahy Honors College, with a minor in chemistry and a concentration in equine studies. Kerry developed an interest for equine chiropractics and rehabilitation. During her college years she raised and trained service dogs. Kerry moved to North Carolina after graduating to pursue her career in equine medicine. She has been riding since 2015 and enjoys jumping.

Let's talk about vaccines! Over the course of this month we will be highlighting many of the equine diseases and viruses that have corresponding vaccines! First up is EEE and WEE!

We are doing the vaccine clinic tomorrow morning rain or shine. So come on out!😊

Don't forget! Its just over two weeks away!

Last few days to sign up for this year's Wellness Plan at Reagan Equine! Sign up now and you'll be set for the year!

Staff Highlight: Melissa!

Melissa lives in Wilmington with her husband and 3 children. She grew up in Durham, NC, spending most of her spare time trail riding and caring for her family's small herd of horses. She has always had a passion for working with horses that started at 9yrs old when her parents bought her a horse. That passion continued when Melissa assisted with the family's small breeding program, and she was given her very own foal to raise and train. Melissa was a member of the first group of riders that founded The Appalachian State Equestrian Team and competed with the first ASU IHSA show team. When she isn't busy being a mom, Melissa enjoys working part time for Reagan Equine and caring for her own horse, German Shepard, and chickens.

Let's talk dental!

Shrub has been promoted to vet tech in training!