It's the same deal every year. You're getting ready to leave for an event, then you realize your Coggins test is out of date. Or you've lost it. Or maybe you never got it in the first place. This test is seemingly pointless, as horses NEVER come back positive, right? So, it begs the question: Why is Coggins testing in horses so important? With a positive test in North Carolina this week (click here for info), it brings to the forefront the importance of Coggins testing. This

Heaves is a persistent condition that affects the lungs of horses. It is a similar condition to COPD in people. It occurs due to an inflammatory reaction from particles found in the horse's environment. When a horse inhales these particles, the small airways in the horse's lungs narrow and eventually become obstructed. How can you tell your horse has heaves? Coughing Labored breathing Increased breathing rate Nasal discharge Flaring the nostrils Exercise intolerance What shou

What is choke? In horses, choke is a condition that occurs when food or some other material becomes stuck in the esophagus. The term choke can be a bit confusing since in people, choking can refer to having something lodged in the trachea (airway). A few reasons this occurs are because the horse is not chewing properly or the horse is eating too quickly. What are signs of choke? Discharge (sometimes containing feed material) coming from both nostrils and/or mouth. Difficulty

Summer is the time of year we always see pokeweed growing everywhere throughout the Grand Strand. You can't miss it. It's big. It's got a bright red stem and dark berries when mature. Although most horses will not eat this, it is toxic, and horses will eat it if they run out of better feed options. The roots are the most toxic part of the plant, but horses can become poisoned from eating the leaves and berries. The toxin in this plant can cause burning in the mouth, diarrhea,