McKey Equine Hospital

11/27/2025

This is well written. I agree with the information. My farrier team sees this everyday. Hoof balance is imperative to whole body balance and function. If you have questions about your horses foot? Let us take a look. Woody Click Brian Klatt

11/26/2025

Interesting conversation. Woody Click. Brian Klatt

🙌 Why I DO NOT trim to the hard sole plane 🙌

In summary, because any method imposed on horses is dangerous when it is focused on imposing an action, and not necessarily based upon truly addressing the horses individual welfare needs, if this is the priority (which it SHOULD be, but in reality, according to the objective evidence I have seen, and IMO, is rarely achieved).

let me explain. A trimmer is trained to apply a trimming method which involves trimming all wall above the sole. They are trained to foillow the steps, and make a hoof look a certain way.

The trimmer arrives to see a horse for the first time, sees the wall growth and removes it. Job done, human satifsaction all round.

The trimmer comes back 5 weeks later, the owners says the horse was footy for 2 weeks after the trim, and the trimmer is utterly convinced they just need to stick to the trimming method “because it works and is the best thing for horses”, and the same thing happens.

Then the trimmer comes back, same conversation, same outcome.

You ge the picture?

This might seem ridiculous, BUT THIS HAPPENS A LOT!

The horse featured here was from an online consult with a concerned and diligent owner who told me this story just last night. She tried 2 different trimmers, both qualified with the same organisation, both trained with other professionals post qualification, and while their trims were slightly different, they both trimmed to the hard sole plane. The horse was “lame for 2 weeks post trim - to the day”.

There are many, many reasons I do not advocate for trimming to the hard sole plane, and some of the worse cases of deformed and distorted hooves and compensatorted horses have been trimmed this way.

This example may look ‘okay’ to the untrained eye, and the poisture ‘not too bad’ which is why this is so disturbing… for a horse to be lame for 2 full weeks after every trim is a serious welfare concern, and consistent lameness post trim without resolve, reason, or solution offered by the owners current hoof care providers is the #1 cause for customers contacting us for assistance.

Lameness itself is a welfare concern, but what about the micro damage done to the foot and tissues above the digit? What happens when the circulation is reduced to the coffin bone? Once P3 bone mass is lost, it’s gone forever. It does not grow back. Permanent damage can be inflicted.

Hoof care providers - if you are welfare focused, please consider assessing the horses welfare parameters before imposing a trim method or any intervention on a living, vulnerable animal. Use objective evidence based on credible scientific resources upon which to make informed decisions and stop imposing a method on horses which is hurting them, no matter how well intended you are.

This means assessing the horses physiological, postural and behavioural welfare parameters and seeking to optimise neutral posture and healthy load on hooves, which takes far more skill than simply removing wall above the sole, especially on the 99% of horses which (IMO) already have distortions and compensatory posture as a result of domesticicity and previous hoof care imposed.

To summarise, trimming methods which trim to the hard sole plane in my opinion, in my experience, and according to the objective evidence I have seen, doesn’t create the environment to optimise welfare and performance in horses over time.

The 2.5 hour detailed and comprehensive online consult recording featuring this horse, including objective assessment and recommendations will be available to VIP subscription members as part of their membership or to purchase as a 2 part video very soon.

Resources and links for help in the comments as usual.

A big thank you to our clients and supporters who grant permission for us to share their stories for educational purposes.

Copyright rules apply - Please do not share images or content here without sharing the complete post, or from our website, without the author's explicit consent.

Www.holisticequine.co.uk - supporting and promoting compassionate equestrianism for the benefit of all 💚🙏🐴

11/25/2025

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞’𝐬 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦

With the recent concerns surrounding 𝐄𝐇𝐕-𝟏 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐬, now is the time to focus on your horse’s overall immune health and defense.

Nature designed horses to thrive on nutrient-rich forage high in 𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐠𝐚-𝟑 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐬 and 𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 both crucial for maintaining a strong immune response, aiding recovery, and promoting resilience. However, modern diets often lack these vital components, leaving horses more vulnerable to inflammation and stress.

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐦 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞® 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞, available here at 𝐌𝐜𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥, provides essential nutrients designed to:
‣ Support immune balance with a healthy ratio of 𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐠𝐚-𝟑 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐠𝐚-𝟔 fatty acids
‣ Deliver powerful 𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 to protect cells from damaging free radicals
‣ Supply key 𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐬 and 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐬 that strengthen your horse from the inside out

A resilient immune system begins at the cellular level. Ensure your equine athlete has the nutritional foundation needed to stay strong, recover efficiently, and defend against illness.

𝐌𝐜𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥
mckeyequine.com • (918) 773-6460

11/23/2025

𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐜𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝

With everything going on right now, we want to reassure our clients that 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 here at McKey Equine Hospital. Every surface, stall, and piece of equipment is disinfected and maintained to the highest standard… not because of what’s happening now, but because it’s what we do 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲.

Our team continues to go above and beyond to provide a 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝, 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 for every patient.

When arriving for your appointment, please 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐧 from your vehicle so our staff can guide you through the process and maintain smooth, minimal-contact transitions.

We appreciate your cooperation and continued trust as we do our part to keep the clinic and our community as safe as possible.

𝐌𝐜𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥
mckeyequine.com • 918- 773- 6460

11/22/2025

Go to rope? Stay informed.

11/22/2025

Sign up to learn more

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.

11/20/2025

𝐌𝐜𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥

𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐬𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐮𝐬–𝟏 (𝐄𝐇𝐕-𝟏) 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐇𝐌 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬

EHV-1 continues to be monitored closely across the equine industry. The following recommendations outline appropriate isolation practices, monitoring protocols, and risk-reduction strategies for barns and owners. McKey Equine Hospital also provides in-house diagnostic testing to support rapid evaluation of respiratory and neurologic concerns.

𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒

Any horse returning from a futurity, race, rodeo, clinic, or large gathering should be managed as potentially exposed, regardless of symptoms.

Clinical recommendations:
• Place the horse in a dedicated isolation area separate from the resident herd
• Use individual equipment (buckets, feed tubs, halters, grooming supplies)
• Employ strict hygiene between isolated and non-isolated horses, including clothing changes and handwashing
• Consult with your veterinarian regarding isolation length; a minimum of 21 days is typically advised

Monitoring protocol:
• Record re**al temperatures twice daily
• Fever above 101.5°F warrants immediate evaluation and PCR testing
• Monitor for respiratory signs, behavioral changes, or neurologic abnormalities

𝐈𝐅 𝐀 𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐒𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐘 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐄𝐍 𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐃

If exposure is suspected:

• Move the horse to isolation immediately
• Separate remaining horses into small, stable groups to limit potential spread
• Take temperatures twice daily for all horses on the premises
• Any febrile horse should be isolated and tested for EHV-1

Segregation is one of the most effective tools in limiting barn-wide disease development.

𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐄𝐇𝐌 (𝐍𝐄𝐔𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐈𝐂 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌)

Neurologic EHV-1 (EHM) requires immediate veterinary involvement.

Management typically includes:
• Anti-inflammatory therapy
• Strict stall rest and supportive nursing care
• Assisted mobility or sling support when indicated
• Hydration and metabolic stabilization

Antiviral therapy may be considered for:
• Horses developing fever after exposure
• PCR-positive horses
• Horses exposed to confirmed neurologic cases

Your veterinarian may utilize:
• Valacyclovir (Valtrex™) for prophylactic use in high-risk horses
• IV ganciclovir in horses exhibiting neurologic signs

Emerging data suggests zinc supplementation may help reduce progression to neurologic disease.

𝐄𝐇𝐕‐𝟏 𝐕𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒

Current vaccines do not prevent EHM; however, they may help reduce nasal shedding and decrease viral load in the bloodstream.
A booster may provide benefit during periods of elevated risk if the horse is clinically healthy.

Vaccination should not be administered to febrile or symptomatic horses.

𝐈𝐍-𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐄 𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐓 𝐌𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐘 𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐍𝐄

Our hospital provides immediate, on-site diagnostic testing, including:
• EHV-1 PCR
• EHV-4
• Equine Influenza (EIV)
• Strep equi (Strangles)

Rapid testing supports faster clinical decisions and stronger biosecurity outcomes.

𝐌𝐜𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥
mckeyequine.com • (918) 773-6460

11/19/2025

This is a great explanation. Be diligent in your husbandry. Take temperatures daily if your horse has been exposed at any event. Isolate for 2 weeks. Watch for depression, inappetance . Call your veterinarian for consultation.

EQUINE HERPESVIRUS MYELOENCEPHALOPATHY (EHM) & EHV-1- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. How do we handle horses returning from events where they may have been exposed to EHV-1?

• These horses should be isolated from any other horses when they return to their home facility. Isolation requires housing them away from other horses, using different equipment to feed, clean and work with them than is used with non-isolated horses, and rigorous hygiene procedures for horse handlers (hand hygiene, wearing separate clothes when coming in contact with isolated horses, etc.). Please discuss this with your veterinarian.

• We strongly advise owners to call their veterinarian to discuss how long to keep the horses isolated at home. A minimum recommended isolation period is 21 days.

• These horses should have their temperature taken twice a day, as elevated temperature is typically the first and most common sign of infection. Horses with elevated re**al temperatures (greater than 101.5 F) should have a nasal swab and blood submitted by your veterinarian for EHV-1 PCR.

• If a horse develops a fever and is found to be shedding EHV-1, then the level of risk to other horses on the premises increases significantly. Affected farms should work closely with their veterinarian to manage the situation.

• The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) has an extensive set of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV) Control Guidelines that veterinarians can use as a resource.

2. What do we do if we already have a potentially exposed horse on a farm?

• The exposed horse should still be isolated, even if it may have already been in contact with other horses. Start isolation procedures to stop further exposure.

• It is very important to separate horses from different groups to accomplish this. Try to isolate the suspect horse without moving other horses from one group to another. Segregation of horse groups is the key, because this will help reduce spread if an outbreak starts.

• Check temperatures of all horses on the farm twice daily (fever spikes can be missed if you check once daily). If fevers are detected, then isolate the horse and test for EHV-1.

3. What anti-viral treatments can I use against EHM on a farm?

• If EHM is present on a farm, then the risk of other horses developing EHM at that farm is greatly increased. Stringent quarantine and biosecurity procedures must be implemented immediately.

• Treatment of horses with clinical neurological disease (EHM) is largely supportive—the use of anti-viral drugs is not known to be of value at this stage, but are often administered. Use of anti-inflammatory drugs and good nursing care with sling support if necessary is recommended.

• For horses that develop fever, test EHV-1 positive, or have been exposed to an EHM horse, anti-viral drugs may decrease the chance of developing EHM.

• Speak with your veterinarian regarding all medications and their suitability for your horse. We currently recommend Valacyclovir (Valtrex™) for prophylactic therapy at a dose of 30 mg/kg q 8 hr for two days, then 20 mg/kg q 12 hr for 1–2 weeks.

• The use of valacyclovir in horses that have already developed signs of EHM is questionable at this time. In that circumstance, the use of intravenous ganciclovir is preferable as it may have greater potency against the disease. The dose of ganciclovir is 2.5 mg/kg q 8 hr IV for one day then 2.5 mg/kg q 12 hr IV for one week.

• Administration of a zinc-containing supplements may be beneficial based on one epidemiologic study that found a decreased risk of EHM associated with owner-reported dietary zinc supplementation.

4. Is there any value to using booster vaccination against EHV-1 at this time?

• Unfortunately, there is not a licensed EHV-1 vaccination product with a label claim for prevention or control of EHM.

• EHV-1 vaccines have been shown to reduce nasal shedding and, in some cases, reduce viremia. These products may therefore have some theoretical value against EHM by reducing viremia, and certainly against spread of the virus by reducing viral shedding in the environment.

• If horses on the farm are previously vaccinated against EHV-1 then booster vaccination should quickly increase immunity, and perhaps reduce spread of EHV-1, if it is present.

• Vaccination in these circumstances is controversial, as some authorities speculate that immunity to EHV-1 may play a role in the development of EHM. While this is unproven, it remains a possibility. The use of vaccination is therefore a risk-based decision.

• Vaccination has no value as a treatment in affected horses.

Check the EDCC alerts page at https://equinediseasecc.org/alerts for updates regarding reported cases of EHM.

11/19/2025

We are addressing the newest outbreak of EHV1 at recent barrel events. I have spoke with several of my clients this morning.

We will take necessary precautions and continue to provide care for everyone.

What is Equine Herpesvirus (EHV)?

You've probably heard it called Rhinopneumonitis, a respiratory tract disease that results in "snotty noses," but EHV is more than that. Depending on the strain, this virus can also cause abortion in broodmares, and equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) — the often-deadly neurologic form of the disease.

Because EHV is endemic in many equine populations, most mature horses have developed some immunity through repeated natural infection. However, they remain a source of infection for other susceptible horses, like weaned foals and yearlings, who usually display symptoms of the respiratory form of the disease in autumn and winter. Performance and show horses are also more vulnerable to the disease, as they commingle with unfamiliar equines in close quarters while under stress from travel and competition.

Proper biosecurity protocols can help reduce EHV outbreaks and other disease transmission. A variety of vaccines are also available for protection against both the respiratory and abortive form of the disease, but there is no equine licensed vaccine at this time that has a label claim for protection against the neurologic form (EHM).

Consult your primary equine veterinarian to learn more about this disease and work with them to determine the optimal vaccine protocol for your horses.

You can learn more about all three forms on the Equine Disease Communication Center's website here: https://equinediseasecc.org/infectious-diseases

11/19/2025

Great information.

11/14/2025

Horses can be mildly sore afterwards. But should be only a few days. If anything more consult a veterinarian v

An odontoplasty, or “float”, should only be done following a thorough visual oral examination to look for any pathology. If your horse doesn’t have any malocclusions, or abnormalities in his or her bite, the only part of your horse’s teeth that should be reduced are the sharp enamel points along the cheek edge of the maxillary teeth and the tongue edge of the mandibular teeth.

There should not be any sensitivity associated with this portion of the teeth if odontoplasty is performed correctly. Severe reduction of these points can occur just as easily with either hand floats or motorized equipment. If your horse does appear uncomfortable or begins quidding following a dental visit, your veterinarian should be informed and will likely recommend a follow-up appointment.

Thank you to the Horse Owner Education Committee for providing this information.