It can be frustrating and discouraging when you have a mare that is not getting pregnant. Breeding success in horses is influenced by many factors including the mare's age, reproductive history, and overall health. We had Westhills own Dr. Sarah Malenchak dive deeper into each category to better understand why success rates vary - including young maiden mares, older maiden mares, barren mares and mares with a foal at side. Young Maiden Mare (<7 years old): Highest Success Rates Young mares who have never been bred before are at their reproductive peak. Their reproductive systems are usually ..read more

It’s the time of year again that all the anticipation for the upcoming breeding season starts to arise! At Westhills Equine Veterinary Services, we offer specialized reproduction services by dedicated, reproduction focused veterinarians. We have made it our passion to create the next superstar that our clients dream of. To curb that overwhelming feeling of wanting the best for your broodmare going into the breeding season but not knowing what is required, we have created a “Pre-Breeding Checklist” for mare owners convenience. We highly recommend that your mare arrives to be bred in optimal con ..read more

Living in Alberta means that several months of cold, winter temperatures is often inevitable. It is important to be prepared so that your equine friends can remain happy and healthy in the cold. If you’re wondering, “Do horses get cold in the winter?” the answer is yes, they can. However, with the appropriate winter care tactics in place, they are typically able to fare through the winter months quite comfortably. Food, Water and Shelter The most important way to ensure your horse remains healthy and warm throughout the winter months is making sure their basic needs of food, water and shelter ..read more

The most beneficial way to enjoy your horse well into thier golden years is to stay on top of senior care strategies. The four main areas of focus to ensure optimal health and condition of an older horse are: Dental Health Horses have hypsodont teeth - meaning they continually erupt throughout thier lifetime. After years of often uneven wear as the horse ages, the tooth roots can run out at different rates and the teeth eventually fall out, leaving gaps or sharp points in the mouth. This can lead to further dental problems that cause issues chewing, dropping feed, infections, discomfort and we ..read more

Dermatologic (skin) conditions are prevelant throughout the equine species and can effect absolutely any horse, whether they are a performance ahtlete or a pasture pet. There could be a strange-looking bump or bald spot on your horse’s skin that looks harmless and doesn’t seem to bother them, but how do you know if it’s safe to ignore or should be treated? The answer depends on whether the spot or bump in question is caused by a bacterial, fungal or viral infection, an insect bite, sunburn, allergic reaction, bruise, abrasion or any number of other possibilities. The catch is that in order to ..read more

If you are a horse owner, there’s a chance you will have already heard about atleast one of the medical conditions we will discuss below. The old saying “no hoof, no horse” is well worn for a reason, as proper care and maintenance of your horses feet is one of the key components to keeping them sound and comfortable. Having the appropriate team members on your horses side, as well as implementing the proper daily care, can help ensure your horses hooves remain in healthy condition. There are a few common medical conditions that can affect your horses feet, that as a horse owner are important t ..read more

Potomac Horse Fever has become a growing concern amoung horse owners in our region, especially over the last few years. To ensure that it is an illness that can be fully understood, we have Dr. Ashley Vanderburgh-Oakley on the blog this month to break down the syndrome that causes signs of colic, fever and diarrhea and can be life threatening. What is Potomac Horse Fever? Equine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis, more commonly known as Potomac Horse Fever (PHF), is a serious illness caused by a bacterium called Neorickettsia risticii. Infection with this bacterium can be fatal and therefore is the r ..read more

Your horse has been diagnosed with arthritis (also known as osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease)… so now what? There are a variety of different treatment options available depending on where that arthritis is, the severity of the arthritis and of course, budget for treating the specific problem. One of the first lines of treatment for arthritis can be oral supplementation of products like glucosamine, MSM, green lipped mussel and a variety of natural products. The benefit of these products is that they are usually readily available over the counter and easy for owners to administer wi ..read more

With so many feed and supplement choices available out there, many people find themselves wondering exactly what their horses need for adequate nutrition. It is easiest to start by understanding that when feeding an equine, there are six basic categories that need to be met: carbohydrates, fats, protein, vitamins, minerals and water. A normal, healthy horse will consume 10-15 gallons of water per day depending on temperature, humidity and activity level, so clean water should be available to them at all times. The rest of the nutrients will be acquired from what is consumed in their feed. The ..read more

Here at Westhills EVS, we continually express how important it is to have your horses mouth examined at least once a year, as dental diseases are common and many horses end up suffering silently. Last week when discussing anatomy, we talked about the abnormal wear and sharp points that can develop naturally due to a horses chewing motion, but there are several other dental issues that can cause problems for horses in all life stages. Some of these can include: 1.    Fractured, displaced, loose or missing teeth Much like with your own teeth, a horse having a fractured or loose ..read more