Rock N Oaks Stables

Commissioner Miller Alerts Texas Equine Industry of EHV-1 Outbreak Commissioner Sid Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) today issued an alert to Texas horsemen of an outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV-1) reported by Texas veterinarians after the recent World Championship Barrel Racing (WPRA) Finals in the Waco area on November 5-9. Commissi...

Rock N Oaks Stables

3 ways to prevent blanket injuries Protect your horse from common blanket-related problems this winter with these simple measures. Of all the things your horse could injure himself with, his blanket seems an unlikely candidate. But don’t rule it out. Blanket mishaps do happen and they can be serious. Here are three things you can d...

Talk with a Doc is officially LIVE!Bute vs. Banamine… what’s the difference? They’re both common pain meds for horses—but they aren’t the same! Dr. Whitaker breaks it down in under 2 minutes. Save it. Share it. And let us know what topic you want us to cover next!#TalkWithADoc #HorseHealthTips #ButeVsBanamine #EquineMedicine #VetTalk #BVEH #HorseCare101 #TexasHorseCare #EquineWellness

Here's an interesting comparison between human and equine anatomy from our friends at Barrow Veterinary Service:

"Did you know that horses are actually walking on the tips of their fingers and toes? 🐎👣

This diagram shows how the horse’s leg bones compare to ours. What looks like a single strong hoof is really the distal phalanx (or coffin bone) – the same bone that makes up the tip of your finger! The long and short pastern bones above it help absorb concussion, while the cannon bone provides strength and support.

Over time, horses evolved to lose most of their “extra toes” (shown in gray on the left). What remains is a highly efficient structure designed for speed, weight-bearing, and shock absorption.

Understanding this anatomy is one reason hoof care and regular farrier/veterinary visits are so important. Any imbalance or injury in these bones can affect the entire limb and your horse’s comfort.

So next time you watch your horse gallop, remember – they’re essentially running on a single finger, protected by a hoof! 💨🐴"

"Cool" hot weather tips! ☀️

The notion that a hot, recently exercised horse needs to walk until they are completely cooled off is a myth. A 2020 study found that out of the five methods tested, the quickest way to return to normal body temperature was stationary with continuous tap water application. This doesn't mean that you should abruptly stop exercise—finish your ride or training session with a slow walk to allow your horse's heart rate and breathing to gradually return to normal, but after that your sweaty, hardworking horse should be offered a cool shower and drinking water (small but frequent amounts) without delay.

Overall, enjoy your summer rides but be aware of signs of heat stress in your horse. When heat and humidity soar, even moderate exercise can push your equine friend's body temperature beyond safe limits! Be sure to contact your veterinarian for more information about heat stroke and for recommendations tailored to your horse's individual situation.
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Information brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee.

Say goodbye to algae and grime! 💦 Watch #howto deep clean your water troughs - and grab your own scrub brushes at Schneiders to do the same! 🧽🐴 #horsecare #barntips #horselover #barnlife

Here's another great question that was posed on our recent "Ask the AAEP Horse Doctors" post:

Are oral supplements better than joint injections?

Anything you give to your horse needs to be carefully evaluated for if it lives up to the claims it is making.

Oral supplements are not required to have studies that prove their marketing claims. That being said, some companies have invested in outside research and can provide you with peer-reviewed published research.

Products approved by the FDA (including some injectable joint medications) have to prove safety and effectiveness and can only market based on proven claims. There are many injectable products that are not FDA approved, however, so they should also be questioned for research on safety and effectiveness.

Make sure you are spending your money on a product that is backed by research as there are a lot of unproven options out there.

Before starting any supplement or medication, it is important to know what change you expect to see. It's recommended to evaluate your horse before you start and then again after 30 days. Do you see the change that the product said you would? If yes, continue on. If no, it's time to work with your veterinarian and decide on a potential new plan.