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The disease has no cure and is under-reported. Development of illness is a slow process, possibly making you wonder for days what is wrong with your horse.

West Nile Virus (WNV) is transmitted to horses via bites from infected mosquitoes. Equine mortality rate can be as high as 30-40%. The virus is not contagious and can only pass through the bite of an infected mosquito. Your horse is at greater risk of contracting WNV if he hasn’t been vaccinated. Vaccines will not […]

The Facts About Iodine

In 2007, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) passed a law stating the distribution of Iodine over 2.2 % concentrations, would require regulatory control. This came about after it was found that drug traffickers were using iodine in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine (Meth). The regulation controls iodine crystals and strong iodine tinctures/solutions (e.g., 7 percent iodine) or […]

How To Apply Sole Pack Dressing For Maintenance and Prevention

The application for Sole Pack Dressing for maintenance and prevention program is applying the dressing to the frog (the “V” shaped area on the bottom of the hoof see attached photo), sole (the bottom of the hoof) and heel bulb (back heel area of the hoof) area. I also recommend applying the Sole Pack Dressing to the cornet band (where […]

Don’t get stuck on the sidelines

These photos show what Hawthorne Products can do to treat dry, hard, cracked and sore hooves. Consistent, routine use of Sole Pack can prevent this entirely. Quarter cracks are a big issue in all disciplines. They sideline the average horse to the superstar. Most vets and farriers will tell you it takes a year to grow […]

Using Gelatin to Promote Hoof Growth and Health

Studies in Europe now show that gelatin provides building blocks of cartilage; effectively providing nutritional support required for cartilage regeneration. A study published in Therapiewoche by Adam ET. Al. (1991), using randomized double-blinded crossover trial of 52 patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis, found that gelatin supplements improved symptoms related to joint pain compared to […]

Do you wash mud off legs daily?

I have a new boy for this winter. He’s a heavy weight cob. His feathers have all been trimmed off, ( by previous owner). Now with all the recent rain, he and my little pony have churned up the field and gateways, and it’s all becoming rather muddy. Everyday both horses come in to have […]

What causes Mud Fever or Scratches?

I would like to tell you I know what the cause of Mud Fever is, but I honestly think there are different causes. Not all cases are the same, and this is why some treatments work on some and not others. Sometimes it is contagious as in all the horses get it and other times […]

What is Mud Fever?

Mud Fever, also known as the Scratches, dew poisoning, pastern dermatitis, grease heel, or greasy heel, rain rot, is conflicting but putting them all together concludes that Scratches is dermatitis, or inflammation of the skin, and the most common cause seems to be fungus which can be complicated by a bacterial infection. The fungus lives […]

My mare is due at the end of April. Since I know you just had a new fillly (April) and your other mare (LA) is due in days, what are you looking for to know that foal is coming soon?

Usually a mare’s udder will get larger, and there will be some waxing on the teats and possibly a little milk dripping (the droplets are colostrum), but our mare (LA – Lady Afleet) has suffered from mastitis at some earlier point in her life, and it has made it rather difficult to predict. They usually […]