Triple Oaks Equine LLC

04/04/2026

WHAT IS LEPTOSPIROSIS? 🔎

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection horses can pick up from contaminated urine, reproductive fluids, or contaminated water/soil. Risk is higher with stagnant water, flooding/heavy rain, and exposure to wildlife/rodents.

Leptospirosis is most known for affecting the kidneys, pregnancy, and eyes. The main syndromes associated with it are:

• Kidney disease (acute renal failure): may include fever, not eating, changes in urine production, and abnormal kidney bloodwork; urine testing may show blood/inflammation.

• Pregnancy loss / foal illness: can cause placentitis, abortion (often late-term, typically after 8 months), or a sick newborn foal (weakness, jaundice).

• Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU): a painful, recurring eye inflammation that can happen months to years after the original infection and can threaten vision.

🩺 Symptoms of Leptospirosis can include:
• Fever, dullness, not eating
• Changes in urination or signs of illness consistent with kidney trouble
• Abortion, especially late in pregnancy (sometimes with no warning signs)
• Eye pain/squinting/recurring eye inflammation

Prevention:
An equine-approved vaccine is available. Talk to your veterinarian to discuss your horse's suitability and the appropriate vaccination protocol for your specific situation.

⚠️Human safety note:
Some types of Leptospira serovars can infect people. Use care while handling urine or aborted tissues/fluids and involve your veterinarian promptly.

If you have questions or concerns about Leptospirosis in regard to your equines, contact your veterinarian.

01/12/2026

Did you know horses are especially sensitive to tetanus? Tetanus is caused by a toxin from the bacteria Clostridium tetani, which lives in soil and manure. It can enter your horse’s body through wounds, hoof abscesses, or even the umbilical area in foals.

What to Watch For (note this is not an exhaustive list):
• Stiffness and trouble walking
• “Sawhorse” stance (legs stiff and spread apart)
• Difficulty eating or swallowing
• Protruding third eyelid
• Agitation
• Trismus (lock jaw)
• Muscle spasms, especially after noise or touch

Tetanus is often fatal, but it’s almost 100% preventable with annual vaccination. Even small or unseen wounds can lead to infection, so don’t take chances! It's also important to note that the vaccine takes weeks to start working, so once a wound is present the tetanus antitoxin (TAT) is necessary. However, availability of TAT is variable, so do not rely exclusively on its use.

Protect your horse:
• Keep up with yearly tetanus shots
• Clean and monitor wounds right away
• Call your vet if your horse is injured or showing any signs of illness

If you have questions or concerns about tetanus, be sure to reach out to your equine veterinarian.

01/01/2026

Happy New Year!

12/13/2025

EHV-1 in Washington County.

Correction: Equine Disease Alert Minnesota Board of Animal Health sent this bulletin at 12/12/2025 02:08 PM CST A previous version of this bulletin misstated the quarantine procedures outlined in the second paragraph. Equine Disease Alert A Washington County horse tested positive for Equine Herpesvi...

11/27/2025

🦃Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours

11/20/2025

The Equine Disease Communication Center is monitoring an outbreak of EHM that originated at the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) World Finals and Elite Barrel Race event Nov 5-9. To date, officially confirmed cases have been reported in the following states-

11/20/2025

HORSE OWNERS: EHM (Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy) has been confirmed in Texas and Oklahoma. The disease had a rapid progression, high clinical severity, and a concerning number of mortalities among suspected EHM cases.

**No cases currently suspected or confirmed in Minnesota.**

Cases were confirmed at the 2025 WPRA World Finals and Elite Barrel Race event in Waco, Texas Nov. 5 - 9, 2025, and in horses who traveled from Waco to the BFA World Championship 2025 at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma.

Please contact the Board of Animal Health immediately if you or your horse had known contact with animals that were at these events.

Read the full Equine Disease Alert: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNBAH/bulletins/3fc306a

11/11/2025

Thank you Veterans

10/31/2025

Most people know that a long, curly haircoat that doesn’t shed properly is a classic sign of Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID; equine Cushing's disease) in horses. But did you know there are other, less obvious symptoms to watch for?

Other signs to watch for (note this is not an exhaustive list):

• Muscle Loss: Horses may lose muscle, especially along their topline (the back and rump), even if they seem to be eating well.

• Fat Pockets: You might notice unusual fat deposits, like above the eyes or along the crest of the neck.

• Frequent Infections: Horses with Cushing’s can get skin infections, hoof abscesses, or other illnesses more often than healthy horses.

• Slow Healing: Wounds or sores may take longer to heal.

• Lethargy: Your horse might seem more tired, less energetic, or just “not themselves.”

• Drinking and Urinating More: Increased thirst and urination can be a subtle sign.

• Abnormal Sweating: Some horses sweat more than usual, even when it’s not hot or they haven’t exercised.

If you notice any of these changes, especially in an older horse, it’s a good idea to talk to your veterinarian. Early detection and management can help your horse stay healthy and comfortable!

In addition, it's important to note that all horses are different, if you have questions specific to your animal, please contact your vet.

08/27/2025

Have you ever been told that alfalfa makes horses "hot"?

Well, when we take a closer look at this statement, the truth is much more nuanced, and it depends on several factors.

First, it's important to discuss which definition of "hot" you are referring to. The horse's core body temperature? Or, "hot" as in the horse's behavior?

Taking a look at the nutrient content of alfalfa hay vs. grass hay, alfalfa hay has higher digestible energy; meaning it will have more energy per pound, but less fiber. In addition, it also has lower hydrolysable carbohydrates than grass hay, thus lessening its effects on insulin levels.

Alfalfa hay is also higher in protein. This is where an increase in core body temperature comes into play, because protein increases metabolic heat generation when used for energy compared to fats and carbohydrates.

However, protein conversion to energy is less efficient, therefore horses typically aren't utilizing protein in large amounts as their energy source. Excess protein will be excreted through the urine instead of being stored in the body.

In terms of making a horse "hot" in behavior, as mentioned earlier, alfalfa does have more energy per pound than grass hays. So, if alfalfa is introduced to a horse's diet WITHOUT properly balancing for energy (calories), there is a potential for increased reactivity.

In addition, feeding alfalfa alters the gut microbiome compared to grass hay. Alterations in the gut microbiome can be linked to changes in behavior. Therefore, owners may observe behavioral changes that are reactions to the change in the gut microbiome and not the alfalfa itself.

All this considered, IF the diet is balanced properly for energy and protein, there is no evidence that supports that there will be alterations in terms of horses becoming super reactive and "hot" behaviorally when they are on alfalfa hay. However, it can slightly increase their core body temperature due to its high protein content.

If you have questions regarding your horse's diet and feeding alfalfa, contact your veterinarian.

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

07/04/2025

Have a safe and enjoyable 4th. Keep an eye on your animal friends to make sure they are staying safe, cool and hydrated.

05/26/2025

Today we honor those who gave all. Have a safe Memorial Day.