Ashley Troncatty, DVM

02/04/2026

Don’t miss out on a free webinar happening tomorrow night!

HORSE OWNER WEBINAR ALERT! 📢

Join us for the first Horse Owner Education Committee webinar of 2026! Our topic will be "Equine Dentistry – A Closeup Look Inside Your Horse’s Mouth."

If you've ever wondered what your veterinarian is looking for inside your horse’s mouth, this is your chance to find out! Learn what makes horse teeth unique and why oral exams and odontoplasty, or “floating,” are performed. We’ll also review what to expect during a dental appointment, common pathologies and diseases, and how dental management will often change as your horse ages.

Registration is FREE but required. A recording of the webinar will be available if you miss the live event. Register at: https://events.zoom.us/ev/Au79KIEGlUQNYp3MIwhImixtX96-V_4BY6zUczb-JyUAmnaMAMOO~AmWA7Q-adjl446fnk29Fr5TyD20L79wemxDsn628LwZjZ4BHVqqEh-rjTA

This informative session is brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee.

11/22/2025

For my horse owners that would like to know more info on EHV, check it out and sign up! Should be informative!

In light of the current EHV-1 outbreak, the AAEP and the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) have organized a horse owner education webinar to bring you the most up to date information on this issue.

Next Tuesday, join specialists Lewis R. “Bud” Dinges (Texas Animal Health Commission Executive Director and Texas State Veterinarian), Dr. Krista Estell (AAEP/EDCC) and Dr. Katie Flynn (USEF) for an informative discussion about what EHV-1 is, how to recognize it, and most importantly, how to prevent its spread.

This webinar is FREE, but registration is required. Register here: https://events.zoom.us/ev/AnIoJrASj0vuX7Q_K87mKEjg5bxeMAkqp7fpSoOgVtVm_Zgo1g5m~AiiV7ZQ3bbmlEW2iSkeRTSAfMCYf2QhFMoprr7WRbM_MsiJRcBGT1oLj0Q

*PLEASE NOTE: the attendee limit for this session is capped at 1,000. However, all who register will be emailed a link to an on-demand recording that will become available 24 hours after the live session ends.

10/18/2025

🌟 Happy Veterinary Assistants Week to the one and only Meghan O'Daly! 🌟
I am beyond lucky to have you by my side. You are a true rockstar, and I honestly don’t know how I’d manage without you. From field work to book work, you do it all with grace, skill, and an unwavering dedication. 🐴🧲🐎
Not only are you a superhero in the clinic, but you’re also a mother of three and still manage to find time to help me with the practice. Your ability to balance it all is nothing short of incredible!
A huge shout-out also goes to your amazing husband, who is the ultimate super dad, supporting you so that you can be the incredible help to me that you are. 👏💪
Meghan, your hard work, commitment, and positive energy make all the difference, and I am forever grateful for everything you do. Thank you for being the heart of this practice and for always going above and beyond. 💖
I truly couldn’t do it without you. You’re a gem, and I appreciate you more than words can say! 🙌

09/02/2025

🚨 Attention Horse Owners! 🚨

A positive West Nile Virus case has been confirmed in Santa Barbara County. 🦠🐴

Is your horse up to date on their West Nile Virus vaccine? 🐎💉

👉 Don't wait! Protect your horses from this potentially deadly virus.
✅ Schedule a vaccine today with your vet.
✅ Ensure their safety and well-being!

🗓️ Call Dr. Ashley Troncatty at 818-414-2040
Stay safe, and keep your horses healthy! 🌿

West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus. WNV primarily causes disease in birds, humans, and horses and is transmitted by many different species of mosquitoes. Since 1999, more than 27,600 U.S. horses have been confirmed with WNV neuro-invasive disease with an estimated average case fata...

08/30/2025

✨Celebrating 1 Year of growth and dedication with Morgan! ✨

It’s hard to believe it’s been one year since Morgan joined our team!🎉🐴 In that time, they’ve not only mastered the skills of an equine veterinary assistant but have also significantly grown both professionally and personally.
From learning new techniques and taking on more responsibility, to developing a deeper understanding of equine care, Morgan has truly become an indispensable member of the team. Their dedication, hard work, and passion for horses have made a real impact on our practice and it’s been incredible to watch them evolve over the past year.
Thank you, Morgan for everything you do! We’re lucky to have you on our team! 🐴🏇🏾

08/20/2025

The term "fat leg" is pretty self-explanatory, but do you know the difference between stocking up and cellulitis?

Many horses will "stock up" with subcutaneous edema (fluid swelling) in two or more legs (usually the hind limbs). Stocking up generally results from a significant decrease in exercise and usually resolves as the horse starts exercising again.

Lymphangitis (or vasculitis, big leg disease, staph infection, or cellulitis), however, is a bacterial infection and a dramatically different condition. While its causes may vary, it’s easy to spot once it sets in. The swelling will be extreme, hot, very painful to the touch, and the horse will be depressed due to the fever and discomfort.

If you think your equine friend has cellulitis or even if you're not sure, we encourage you to seek professional help promptly. Your equine practitioner will make the best treatment recommendations, both to reduce swelling and to address any sort of bacterial infection that might be active or that could occur due to the edema in the soft tissue.

02/24/2025

Congratulations!! 🐎🏇🏾🏆

02/01/2025

01/29/2025

FUN FACT FRIDAY!

Are you familiar with the many adaptations that help your horse stay warm during the cold winter months?

🌾 Hindgut digestion of hay produces the most heat, acting as a small furnace inside of the horse. This is why free choice; good quality hay is so important in the winter.

💪 Horses have a huge muscle mass and muscle activity produces heat. This includes running and playing and even shivering if their body temperature starts to drop. It is important to remember that these activities also will result in a bigger caloric demand so free choice hay and in some cases, grain, is often needed.

🧥 To blanket or not to blanket is a constant debate but either way, as it starts to get cold your horse will grow a thicker coat. If you decide to leave your horse unblanketed you may notice that they look “fluffy”. This is due to a phenomenon called piloerection where the hair stands up to better trap air within. Two layers of the coat also help with warmth. The inner layer is softer and has air pockets to create an insulating layer. The outer layer is coarse and has oils that keep moisture from penetrating the insulating layer and keep the horse warm.

⚖️ Wild horses go into the winter heavier than ideal, and the fat serves as an extra layer of insulation. However, if a horse is going to be kept heavily blanketed and in a barn during the cold weather months this is unnecessary and can lead to obesity related issues.

🦵Their distal limbs (below the knees and hocks) are made of mostly bones and tendons, tissues that are resistant to the cold temperatures.

🦶The hooves have an alternative route of blood circulation through larger vessels that can be used in low temperatures. This is why horses can stand in snow without detrimental effects.

👃A horse’s nose has a robust blood supply and is rounded so that it is less susceptible to frostbite than a human’s nose.
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Courtesy of the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

12/31/2024

A huge congratulations is a little overdue for this amazing horse I have the pleasure of working with! 🐎🐴🥰🏆💕

11/05/2024