This article discusses the common parasites of horses and ways to control them.

The following are some general recommendations to follow when developing a feeding program for horses.

By providing good care, horsemen can minimize the costs of health care and maximize their enjoyment of their horses.

Images of major poisonous plants are presented to assist livestock owners with plant recognition. Toxic effects are also mentioned.

Blister beetles are ¾- to 1¼-inch-long, narrow-bodied, broad-headed insects that may be found in alfalfa hay originating from certain parts of the United States. One beetle alone won't caust toxicity, but they can gather in large numbers in concentrated clusters of harvested hay.

Cattle, goats, horses, pigs and sheep surviving Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita are vulnerable to several diseases, including infectious diseases and toxicities, according to a veterinarian with the LSU AgCenter.

Showy crotalaria is a significant toxic plant in Louisiana. It contains alkaloids that cause liver damage in horses and livestock. The seeds may remain viable in undisturbed soil for 60 years or longer.

Photosensitization, also known as photodermatitis, occurs when the liver is unable to excrete a metabolite of chlorophyll from forages the animal has eaten. The metabolite accumulates in the skin and is activated by sunlight. The reaction yields free radicals that "burn" the skin.

The horse industry is alive and well in Louisiana. Purses for racing Thoroughbreds and quarter horses are high, and quality show horses are found in nearly every barn. Knowledge of horse owners and their ability to care for their animals is also increasing. Neurologic diseases and how to best prevent them continue to present challenges to our horses as well as their humans.

The large amount of media attention on human obesity in the past several years has made most of us keenly aware of the health hazards associated with carrying too much body fat. In the world of domestic farm animals, however, emphasis has typically been on how poor nutrition, and specifically poor body condition (little body fat), affect productivity and reproductive efficiency.