Equine
Horses and tummy aches…Colic with Dr. Bellefeuille, DVM, MS
By contributing writer Dr. Molly Bellefeuille
Colic is a general term referring to abdominal pain. Signs of abdominal pain in the horse range from mild (fidgety, pawing, flank watching, kicking at their belly) to severe (rolling, dog- sitting, throwing themselves on the ground). Colic in a horse is an emergency and should be tended to quickly so the horse doesn’t hurt itself or the humans around it. Horses exhibiting these signs should be examined by a veterinarian immediately. Often times horses can be treated medically; however, some require surgical therapy. A delay in treatment can decrease the prognosis for survival.
The severity of the colic is often gaged by the amount of pain the horse is in. The pain level of a horse is often measured by their heart rate. An average heart rate in the normal horse is between 28-44 beats per minute (bpm). Horses experiencing severe pain will have a heart rate of 60-80 bpm. Other physical exam parameters evaluated are respiratory rate, presence of gastrointestinal sounds, color of mucous membranes and the amount of abdominal distention. Rectal examination is often performed; this allows the veterinarian to get a brief idea of what is going on.
The organs/intestines can be palpated rectally and it is noted if they are in the correct anatomical location or if they are distended with manure/gas. An abdominal ultrasound is another procedure done to help the veterinarian gain an insight as to what is causing the pain and what structures are involved. To read more pick up the September 2014 issue of North Texas Farm & Ranch.
By Krista Lucas Wynn
Each year, when the professional rodeo season wraps on Sept. 30, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association announce the Nutrena Horse of the Year, presented by the American Quarter Horse Association, in each event. This is a prestigious award, voted on by the members of the associations. To be named Horse of the Year by fellow competitors is a high honor only a few achieve.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Krista Lucas Wynn | Copy Editor
The name, “Daddy of ’em All,” instantly brings to mind the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and western celebration. Cowboys and cowgirls from all across the country dream of competing on the iconic Cheyenne arena dirt.
Every July, pro rodeo contestants travel to Cheyenne, Wyom. to vie for the title of champion of the Cheyenne Frontier Days. The rodeo is steeped in western tradition and celebrated the 125th year this summer. With nearly two weeks of rodeo action, fans watched bareback riding, calf roping, breakaway roping, saddle bronc riding, team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, bull riding, and steer roping.
Steer roper, Tuff Hardman, knew winning “the Dad” was a tall order, but with a good horse and a few prayers he left no doubt who the best steer roper at Cheyenne was when it was all said and done. After two rounds, Hardman qualified back for the finals tied for ninth place with a time of 30.8 seconds.
To read more, pick up a copy of the September issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
Utilizing the horse to human connection.
By: Hannah Claxton | Editor
Deep in the heart of Texas, both humans and horses at Stable Strides Farm in Pilot Point, Texas aer demonstrating just how big their hearts really are. Founded by Mandy Cleveland in 2001, Stable Strides Farm serves dozens of Equestrians with Disabilities and Veterans each week.
Deep in the heart of Texas, both humans and horses at Stable Strides Farm in Pilot Point, Texas aer demonstrating just how big their hearts really are. Founded by Mandy Cleveland in 2001, Stable Strides Farm serves dozens of Equestrians with Disabilities and Veterans each week.
“My boys have been riding since they were 18 months old, and for the first 17 years they had a leader and sidewalker. When we moved here, and Mandy started teaching them, she just said, ‘Let’s see what they can do,’ and they ride independently now,” Danielle Frank explained, whose two sons, Adison and Aiden, ride with Stable Strides Farm. “Mandy is amazing beucase she doesn’t place any limits on them, she always wants to see what they can do.”
It is her dedication to never setting limits that earned Cleveland a spot as a national finalist for the NSBA 2024 Dianne Eppers Cowgirls Reaching-Out-to-Community Award. The award was established by the NSBA Foundation to recognize cowgirls across the industry for their selfless contributions to the equestrian community.
To read more, pick up a copy of the September issue of the NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
(Photos Courtesy of Hannah Claxton)
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