Horses 101
We have ever increasing responsibility to the horse as a species and as individuals—for life. Learn the history of the horse, and our responsibilities to them.
New Year's Resolutions
With Fall easing its way into the forefront, and Winter lurking in the wings, it's time think again your new year's resolutions for your horse, to make sure that their next year is a good one too.
First Aid
A short handout with quick first-aid information for wound care, acute lameness, or eye problems.
Deworming and Your Horse
Horses should have a microscopic fecal flotation exam done at the beginning of spring (by the middle of April in this area) to best plan a parasite control strategy.
Colic Handout
Colic is not a specific disease, but is a set of symptoms indicating abdominal pain in the horse. The pain may come from a variety of sources but the outward manifestations of these problems are very similar. Colic is always an urgent situation. An owner should call for veterinary advice at the first signs of trouble.
Equine Behavior Update
Read about some of the newer research coming out in regards to your horse.
The Prepurchase Exam
Even though the gist of the prepurchase exam is often lameness, that isn't really the big picture. Read what is involved in a thorough prepurchase exam. Published in modified form in EQUUS magazine
Travel Documents
Before hauling your horse it is prudent to be aware of state and federal transportation requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions Mailbag
Please send your questions to pattylathamdvm@gmail.com and we’ll get you an answer.
Abuse, Neglect and the Unwanted Horse Update 2010
An estimated 168,000 horses are unwanted in the US, each year. It is going to take time, education, and caring…
Equine Nutrition
The healthy resting horse can get all required nutrients from good quality hay and/or pasture along with supplemental vitamins and minerals, including salt, and water.
Feeding and Maintenance of the Geriatric Horse
Horses over 16 years of age are considered senior citizens. Poor dentition, arthritis, and age-related diseases such as liver or kidney insufficiency or pituitary dysfunction (Cushing’s Disease) may cause weight loss in these older horses
The Low Carb Story in Equine Nutrition
We all like to feed that extra supplement. So when do we have to worry, and what is safe?
Beet Pulp
Beet Pulp is a emerging feed option for horse owners, is it right for your horse?
Low Carb Products in Pagosa Springs
A brief list of low-carb equine feed products available in the Pagosa Springs area.
Cyathostomes (strongyles)
Cyathostomes, more frequently known as small strongyle worms, are the most common and ubiquitous parasite of the equine large intestine and are one of the biggest challenges in horse husbandry today.
2012 Nutrition Update
With the new year, it's time to post some nutrition information updates
"Tying Up" in Horses
Information on the biochemical basis of "Tying Up", AKA "Monday Morning Sickness" in Horses

A Moment In Time
A prepurchase exam does not predict the future performance or the resale value of a horse and it cannot predict whether a given horse will perform well for a new owner. Published in modified form in EQUUS magazine
A Second Chance
Because there was no known history of a sore back or lameness in the right hind leg and because Maggie had only recently been brought back into use, we advised a trial period and a recheck before purchase. Published in modified form in EQUUS magazine
Third Time's A Charm
After two heartbreak horses, talk about a great partnership for mountain riding. Published in modified form in EQUUS magazine

Foaling Management
Welcome to the preparation period for the foaling season. We wanted to take the time to give you some pointers for preparing your farm and your mare for the arrival of a new baby. In addition, we have included the latest on foal management.
The Normal Horse
Handy reference table of normal vital stats and information for mature horses as well as foals.
Waiting For Foals
We’ve all spent many a night losing sleep and gaining anxiety while watching a pregnant mare stretch her gestation from the average expected 335-340 days to a long 355 days or more. Here's how to get yourself some sleep.
Equine Castration
A short handout with the basics on equine castration, and what to expect.
Equine Cushing's Disease (Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction)
As better care increases the geriatric population of horses, Equine Cushing’s Disease, PPID, is a frequent issue in the management of older horses
Equine Metabolic Syndrome (Peripheral Cushing's).
A hormonal disease caused by overproduction of an enzyme produced by fat cells resulting in elevated cortisol in the body tissues.
Weight Management in Horses
A discussion of Body Condition Score (BCS), and how to manage underweight and overweight horses.
Poisonous and Problem Plants in the Pagosa Springs Area
Some wild flowers and native plants in this area can cause poisoning in horses. Pasture management may be critical to protect them.
Advanced Wound Care
From time to time, unfortunately, we all have to deal with cuts or scrapes on our horses, and wounds come in all ages, sizes and shapes, depths and complications. There are some basic tenets of wound care.
Prevention of Proud Flesh
Summary of an article from the 2011 AAEP convention covering prevention of granular, raised flesh on long-lived wounds.

Midnight
Laminitis (founder) can have many causes, but Equine Cushing's Disease can predispose a horse to recurrent atacks of laminitis. Medical management and consistent farriery are essential for the comfort and longevity of the patient
A Picture Worth a Thousand Words
The urgency of ultrasound exams on newborn foals when there are signs of umbilical infection.
A Horse for a Day
Barbed wire, “The Devil’s Rope” since its first manufacturing in 1882, still guards the western range, fencing out eager bovine sampling of spreading lawns and gardens. The pronged and twisted metal fence still disciplines the naive horse who strikes or kicks out against the fence, or seeks to join the others of his kind who play just out of range, teasing on the other side.
Star Gazing
Serious injury led to loss of an eye but a prosthetic implant gave Star a permanent wink.
The Lessons of Dusty
Senecio is prevalent in pastures all along the Highway 84 corridor. Recognition of the plant is critical to protect horses in this area. Published in modified form in EQUUS magazine
Trust
Congenital cataracts and early surgery gave vision back to a young horse for only a matter of weeks. But trust in his caretaker and in a companion “seeing-eye” horse gave GoGo a lifetime of happiness Published in modified form in EQUUS magazine

Introduction to Equine Dentistry
Regular dental care is essential to your horse’s health. Properly maintained, horses can have good functional teeth well into their 20’s. Many of the severe abnormalities seen in older horses can be prevented when diagnosed and treated early.
The Dental Exam
A dental examination is much more than just parting the lips to look at the incisors and putting a finger in the mouth to feel the edges of the first few cheek teeth.
Dental Checklist
Use this checklist to track milestones and important procedures for your horse.
Dentistry and the Geriatric Horse
Special considerations and checks are needed as your horse ages past 15 years or so.
Dental Warning Signs
Use this brief list of possible signs to help yourself be aware of a developing issue in your own horse.
Dental Glossary
A brief glossary of dental terms, specifically as they relate to horses.
Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis
Chronic incisor periodontal disease of the horse was first known as hypercementosis. At the 2006 AAEP meeting, 4 cases of the disease in older horses were described by Dr Robert Gregory from Washington.
Dental Fun Facts
"brace" yourself for some "foal-filling" tooth facts you'll enjoy, no matter your "extraction."
Case Based Observations in Equine Dentistry
A few short observations on various aspects of equine dentistry, from 2011's casework.
The Finer Points of Floating
A discussion of some of the finer "points" of floating teeth.

Home Again
Persistent searching and dental care give a horse with a history a final resting place
Windy - A Senior Challenge
An infected tooth eroded into the sinus and Windy presented with a snotty nose...
Missy
Loose, painful teeth severely effect the quality of life and a horse's ability to maintain condition.
Baby Bites
Examination and treatment of horses at an early age can set the stage for a lifetime of good teeth. Published in modified form in EQUUS magazine
Old Exclusive
Increasing numbers of cases of EOTRH (chronic incisor periodontal disease) have been recognized and the disease is now considered to be fairly common in aged horses, like the true campaigner, Old Exclusive. Published in modified form in EQUUS magazine
Cameo—For the Life of a Horse
Cameo had been kicked on the right side of her face one year before and the resulting displacement of her teeth would require a lifetime of dental equilibration.
When Little Bella Danced into the Exam Room
Little Bella. A Welsh pony mare bought at sale is saved by Colorado State University. Her issues included periodontal disease and deep infundibular cavities eroding into her nasal passage as well as a chronic hind limb lameness.

Introduction to Equine Lameness
Our practice frequently gets called to examine a horse for a lameness problem. Horses are exposed to numerous perils in athletic events and activities that can cause injury resulting in lameness.
Hoof Care Checklist
Most horse owners entrust hoof trimming or shoeing to a skilled farrier, although some prefer to do their own work. In either case, there are some basic principles that should be adhered to.
Palmar Foot Pain (Navicular Syndrome)
Navicular Syndrome is a term that has been used to describe a painful condition in the heel region of the horse that causes lameness. It has also been called Navicular Disease, or more accurately, Palmar Foot Pain.
Laminitis
Laminitis is an extremely painful condition of the feet which causes severe lameness and is potentially a career or life-threatening situation
Hoof Care for the Horse Owner
The importance of proper hoof care can not be overemphasized. Trimming and Shoeing from the owner’s perspective.

Independence Day
fat derived stem cells injected into a deep flexor tendon tear inprove the quality of healing in a 4th of July Parade champion. Published in modified form in EQUUS magazine
Kodiak and the Recurring Keratoma
Surgery to remove an unusual tumor inside the hoof wall allowed Kodiak to get back on the trail. Published in modified form in EQUUS magazine
Guardrail
Advanced equine orthopedic surgery salvages a tried and true trail horse Published in modified form in EQUUS magazine