Westwood Acres

I follow this trainer in the UK. She deals primarily with difficult horses. She is truly amazing! I love her comment at the end of this post, “vet first, training second” 🙌💜!

From Napa Equine:

🚨 Emerging Livestock Health Alert 🚨

To date, there have been no identified cases of New World Screwworm in California. However, its re-emergence after decades of successful eradication and prevention efforts in the United States is a significant disappointment and concern.

Education, vigilance, and continued collaboration between veterinarians, livestock owners, and public health partners will be critical as we all move forward from here.

Please take a moment to learn more about this issue below from the AAEP. 🐎

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has provided an important update on New World Screwworm which has been detected in a bovine in Zavala County, Texas. Read the full press release here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/usda-confirms-presence-new-world-screwworm-united-states

General information about New World Screwworm (NWS) can be found in the text below and in the attached infographic.

The adult screwworm fly is about the size of a common housefly (or slightly larger), with orange eyes, a metallic blue or green body, and three dark stripes along its back. It gets its name from the behavior of its larvae (maggots) as they burrow (screw) into the wound, feeding as they go. The maggots (larvae) cause extensive damage by tearing at the hosts’ tissue with sharp mouth hooks. The wound can quickly become enlarged and deeper as more maggots hatch and feed on living tissue.

Because they feed on live flesh, NWS maggots may burrow deep into wounds or openings, while other species of maggots may appear around the outer surface of the wound. In addition, even the smallest wounds have the potential to attract flies, so it is imperative that you keep a close eye on your animals for any signs of wounds.

Lastly, NWS infestations are a reportable disease! Immediately report any suspicious wounds, maggots, or infestations to a local accredited veterinarian, your State Animal Health Official, or a USDA veterinarian.

For more information, reference this resource from the U.S. Department of Agriculture: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animals/animal-health/livestock-and-poultry-disease/stop-screwworm

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Great news!!!!

A new way to get started in eventing is on the horizon 👀

The USEA Board has officially approved an Intro Level—designed to welcome more riders and horses into the sport and create a stronger foundation for the future. Get the full information in the article in the comments below 👇

What do you think about this new addition?

IT'S TIME FOR A MYTHBUSTER! 📢

Many people think that horses can safely eat grass clippings (grass is grass, right?) but that is a pretty common misconception and grass clippings actually pose a number of dangers to our equine friends.

While grass is meant to be slowly picked, ripped and chewed by the horse, grass clippings can quickly clump and cause choke if the animal ingests too many too fast. Grass clippings are also prone to fermentation which can cause colic, stomach and intestinal impactions, founder and laminitis.

Take-home message: Keep your horse away from grass clippings and in general never feed horses any food without the owner’s permission.

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