Valley of Refuge Horse Rescue

04/15/2023

Horses can go lame for a variety of reasons. Learn about 4 common causes of lameness and their treatment options in this visual guide.

12/03/2022

: Did you know a horse with a moderate hair coat starts requiring additional calories for body temperature regulation when the outside temperature drops to approximately 50°F?

Cold weather prompts special considerations for your horse's diet and care, particularly when it comes to the older members of the herd; consult your primary horse doctor to formulate a plan to keep your horses happy and healthy this winter! For more tips, visit https://aaep.org/horsehealth/cold-weather-nutrition

08/12/2022

We have moved locations and are not currently accepting rescues. We will continue to post horse tips and tricks.

07/20/2022

Horses travel every day for a number of reasons—to be bought and sold, for competition, for breeding purposes, etc. Whether your horse travels by road or by air, horse owners need to be aware of the complications that may occur due to transportation, including traumatic injuries, diarrhea, muscular problems, respiratory problems, overheating, colic, and even laminitis (in the case of overweight horses).

Following are a few tips to help your equine friend maintain good health and welfare during transport. This list is by no means complete and we encourage you to read "Practical Guidelines to Assess Fitness for Transport of Equidae” to find additional advice. This document will also help you understand regulations and avoid penalties for being out of compliance: https://tinyurl.com/yck9cz86

• Inadequate management of feed and water intake during travel could cause colic, gastric ulceration and heat stress. Food and water should be provided prior to transport, during regular rest breaks and upon arrival at destination.
• Ensure your horse’s immunizations are up to date against respiratory pathogens to protect your animal from these diseases.
• The horse should be rested before the journey, given rest stops during travel and have time to recover on arrival at the destination.
• The vehicle should be well-ventilated to help prevent respiratory problems or overheating.
• Drive slowly and carefully (NO TEXTING, avoid driving when fatigued or eating while driving, etc.) to provide a comfortable journey for the animal and reduce the risk of injury and fatigue.

As always, your veterinarian remains your best resource. If you have questions, consult your horse doctor about preparing your equine friend for travel and keeping them safe!

03/11/2022

We donated to help our equine friends in Ukraine.

You can help too!

While many residents fleeing Ukraine are trying to take their pets and animals with them, thousands of displaced horses, donkeys, burros and other animals remain behind and, like the people of Ukraine, need your help.

The Foundation for the Horse, the AAEP's charitable arm, will be donating all disaster gifts received in March 2022 to trusted veterinary and equine organizations it identifies in Europe providing emergency relief to horses and animals in impacted areas with the capabilities to provide care on the ground.

Visit The Foundation’s Disaster Relief page to donate and learn more about how we are connecting with veterinary groups and animal charities that are supporting those in need: https://www.foundationforthehorse.org/impact/disaster-relief/

12/10/2021

We don't know whether to 😂 or 😭!

08/12/2021

Happy hump day! Hopefully this handy tip will help you get through the rest of the week. 😅

08/10/2021

Obesity can severely affect your horse's health and, as a horse owner, you play an important role in controlling your equine companion’s weight. Sound nutrition management, a regular exercise program and veterinary care are key to keeping your horse fit and healthy. However, maintaining the ideal weight is not always easy (humans should know).

When implementing a weight-loss program for the overweight horse, remember the importance of doing it gradually and under the supervision of an equine veterinarian; the graphic below includes some tips that can help you get started. Be sure to schedule regular check-ups with your horse doctor, especially during the weight reduction process!

As always, for more information about caring for the obese/overweight horse, consult your equine veterinarian or visit our website at www.aaep.org.

07/21/2021

Reports have shown that the tick population has expanded in recent years, and that tick-borne illnesses in the U.S. have more than doubled in the past two decades.

A wider distribution of ticks means more chances for your horses (or yourself and your family pets) to encounter this parasite, so tick control remains an important management practice for horse owners. Despite their diminutive size and appearance, ticks are highly equipped to carry and transmit many serious diseases including Equine Piroplasmosis, Lyme Disease, Equine Granulocytic Anaplasmosis (Ehrlichiosis) and Tick Paralysis.

Because ticks infected with serious diseases do not usually transmit those pathogens immediately and often must feed for a period of time before disease transmission, removing them from your horse as soon as possible is important. Check your horses for ticks thoroughly after a ride, and at least daily if they’re out on pasture in order to prevent disease transmission. From a pasture management perspective, you can decrease the number of ticks your horse may pick up by removing brush and mowing tall grass where ticks like to live, and discouraging wildlife such as deer that tend to reintroduce ticks to grazing areas.

Read more about tick control on our website at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/tick-control-horses. As always, if you have questions on tick control or the diseases they can transmit to your horses, talk to your local horse doctor!
Additional information about Lyme disease in horses is available on the
Equine Disease Communication Center's website athttps://www.equinediseasecc.org/Content/ContentDocs/DiseaseFactsheet_Lyme%20Disease%20Cobranded_final%207-1-2020.pdf

07/15/2021

Rescue Horse Rehab: Step 2
Treat any illness or conditions discovered in the veterinary exam👨🏼‍⚕️🐴

Full article⬇️
bit.ly/rescue-horse-rehab-step2

07/13/2021

DID YOU KNOW?

Puncture wounds in the foot qualify as medical emergencies, due to the amount of vital structures just beneath the sole that can be physically damaged and/or contaminated with bacteria when they are penetrated by a sharp object.

If your horse steps on a nail or other sharp object and it remains embedded in the hoof, resist the temptation to pull the nail out and consult with your veterinarian regarding a recommendation first. Leaving the nail in place will allow the vet to take x-rays of the foot before removal, which helps to identify exactly what structures have been penetrated, and to plan the most appropriate strategy for dealing with the situation.
If your veterinarian advises, carefully remove the nail to prevent the horse from stepping on it and driving it deeper into the hoof cavity. As you remove it, be sure to mark the exact point and depth of entry with tape and/or a marker so the veterinarian can assess the extent of damage. Apply antiseptic to the wound, and wrap to prevent additional contamination.

Penetrating hoof wounds can be extremely serious and shouldn’t be underestimated. The prognosis for successful recovery depends on quick action to identify the path of the nail, treatment of potential infection and mechanical damage to the foot, and proper aftercare.

As always, consult your veterinarian for more information and advice. Additional guidelines to follow during equine emergencies can be found on our website at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/guidelines-follow-during-equine-emergencies