David W. Ramey, DVM | Horsesense to the Horse World

Although southern California is a pretty balmy place in which to keep a horse, not everyone is so lucky. Fortunately, while wintertime means that people are breaking out the down parkas and long johns, horses are built to handle just about…

How the Zebra Got Its Stripes

Discovery News has published a fascinating article about zebras. Turns out that the stripes may be a way for them to avoid flies – who knew? CLICK HERE to read the article in Discovery News. DR. RAMEY NOTES: Zebras are among the toughest…

USEF Approves New Medication Rules – 8.3.2017

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) approved three important new medication rules for show horses, which will be effective on September 1, 2017. First, starting September 1, 2017, all competitors in USEF shows will be required to file a…

Acupuncture No Better Than Placebo for Back Pain – 4.10.2016

The United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has concluded that acupuncture is no better than a placebo in treating low back pain and sciatica. Its draft guidance report also said that enough studies had been…

New USEF Vaccination Rules – 11.23.2015

Beginning Dec. 1, all horses entering the grounds of a USEF-licensed competition must be accompanied by documentation of equine influenza virus and equine herpesvirus (EHV, also known as rhinopneumonitis) vaccinations within six months prior to…