Dominion Equine Welfare

08/13/2026

The nitric-zinc treatment appeared comparable in effectiveness to imiquimod while requiring fewer treatments and producing no observed side effects, researchers concluded.

08/12/2026

Missing horse

**** UPDATE: Unfortunately, Izzy was found deceased. Thank you for sharing the post to try to bring her home. ****

***Holly Fork Rd/Ware Creek Wildlife Area***

MISSING HORSE – PLEASE SHARE

On August 10, 2026, this beautiful horse, Izzy, was startled while in the area of the Ware Creek Wildlife Management Area and jumped into the creek. Izzy was last seen swimming toward the mouth of the York River and has not been seen since.

Several extensive searches have been conducted by boat and drone, but unfortunately, there have been no sightings or additional information.

At the time she disappeared, Izzy was wearing a halter with her name and her owner’s phone number on it.

Please keep an eye out, especially if you live, work, boat, or spend time around Ware Creek, the York River, or surrounding areas.

If you see Izzy or have ANY information that may help locate her, please call her owner immediately at 757-570-1829.

Please share this post and help us bring Izzy home!

08/04/2026

Adequan recall

If you use this please check your supply.

American Regent Animal Health has issued a nationwide recall of select Adequan canine and equine injections (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan) distributed to veterinary practices, pharmacies, and wholesalers across the US.

07/23/2026

Virginia horse owners…your participation is needed in this survey.

Your participation is essential to accurately represent Virginia's horse industry. If you own a horse or manage an equestrian business in Virginia, your input is critical for policymakers and funders. Without your input, the industry's economic impact may be underestimated. Take the survey here: https://gmu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1AH2Lzc81fuZWqa

Virginia Horse Industry Board

07/21/2026

Equine metabolic syndrome causes weight issues, fat deposits, and insulin dysregulation, which can lead to laminitis. However, this endocrine disease has a much larger impact on the whole horse than most owners realize.

This article, based on a 2025 webcast hosted by The Horse and featuring expert Dr. Jane Marie Manfredi, discusses how endocrine disease affects your horse’s entire well-being.

“We absolutely should worry about laminitis,” said Dr. Manfredi. “But there’s so much more.”

Learn more at the link in the comments.

07/17/2026

What a great breakthrough!

🐴 New research from our team is helping horses survive one of the most feared diseases in the industry.

A new study led by Drs. Megan Marchitello, Krista Estell, Elsa Ludwig, and Professor Emeritus Nathaniel White of Virginia Tech's Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center and former Virginia State Veterinarian Abby M. Sage found that combining valacyclovir (an antiviral) with heparin (an anticoagulant) significantly reduced the incidence of equine herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM), the severe neurologic form of EHV-1 — and improved survival during naturally occurring outbreaks.

Looking back at a real-world EHV-1 outbreak, the team found that horses treated with the combination therapy had dramatically better outcomes than those who didn't receive it, including several EHM-affected horses that survived and returned to work.

This is exactly the kind of applied outbreak-informed research that keeps the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center at the forefront of equine infectious disease medicine — turning real clinical challenges into treatment protocols that protect horses everywhere.

📖 Published by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the full article can be accessed by clicking on this link:
https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/aop/javma.26.02.0118/javma.26.02.0118.xml

07/17/2026

To all the barn managers, veterinarians, farriers, caretakers and others who have to be out in these conditions, as you care for your animals please also take care of yourself.

07/17/2026

Bad air quality tomorrow. Please limit outdoor activity and keep an eye on your horses, pets.

A weak front dropping south this evening is aiding in an increase of Canadian wildfire smoke across the region. This is due to a wind shift out of the northwest dragging the higher concentrations of smoke in aloft and down to the surface. Air Quality Alerts have ben issued for the dirty air Friday per state partner. More: weather.gov/lwx.

07/16/2026

Very interesting study on oxidative stress experienced by trailered horses and how long it takes for them to recover.

Researchers found horses hauled about 186 miles experienced biochemical signs of oxidative stress for up to 48 hours after transport, while a shorter trip produced only minor changes.

07/15/2026

While we are not experiencing wildfires in Virginia or surrounding states, smoke from wildfires in Canada is making its way to the U.S. and with the oppressive heat and stagnant air we are experiencing, may be cause for concern for some horses and people.

Here is a great Infograph from the University of Minnesota Equine Extension Office that provides information on how to keep your horses healthy if such conditions occur.

🔥 Wildfire Smoke & Horse Health 🐴💨

Poor air quality can be harmful not only to us but our horses too. Smoke from wildfires can irritate a horse's respiratory system and cause fatigue, coughing, difficulty breathing, etc.

You can monitor local air quality at www.airnow.gov. During periods of poor air quality, you can protect your horse's health by:

🐎 Limiting or avoiding exercise.
💧 Providing free access to fresh water.
💦 Controlling dust such as watering dry lots and soaking or feeding dust-free hay.
🕰 Allowing time for recovery: airway damage from wildfire smoke takes 4 to 6 weeks to heal after air quality returns to normal.
☎️ Consult your vet if you notice signs of smoke irritation.

For more information visit: ceh.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/health-topics/wildfire-smoke-and-horses