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Horses have special places in our lives, and we feel their losses deeply. The Equine Tribute and Memorial Fund provides a unique and thoughtful way to show support for a friend or family member grieving the loss of a special horse. It can also be a distinctive way to pay tribute to an individual equestrian, group,  or program. Contributions can be made in any amount.

Welcome to the fall issue of the Horse Report, focused on caring for older horses!

When I was a 2nd year veterinary student, I purchased my now 24-years young horse, Kaiden, off the track. For 21 years, he has been my eventing partner and friend, traveling with me from Minnesota to UC Davis, back to Minnesota, and back again to UC Davis as I have navigated my career. 

The J.D. Wheat Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine is the leader in advancing knowledge of equine musculoskeletal problems. It houses state-of-the-art equipment and fosters a creative environment for basic and clinically applied equine musculoskeletal research. Dr. Susan Stover, a former trainee of Dr. Wheat, has directed faculty work in collaboration with other clinicians and scientists to continue improving our understanding of equine musculoskeletal diseases.

Dr. Sue Stover delivered the Frank J. Milne State-of-the-Art Lecture at the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Convention in December 2022. The presentation included her top myth busters about equine orthopedic injuries.

1. Myth: Equine performance sports, such as racing, are invulnerable.

Fact: Equine performance sports are vulnerable.

What led you to a career in veterinary medicine?

Dean Stetter’s August video update featured discussions with Dr. Stover, CEH Director Carrie Finno, and others about our researchers’ contributions to improving equine health and welfare.

My first horse was from the Navajo Indian Reservation in Arizona, which is where our family lived at the time. That experience eventually led to a show horse, which led to my participation in rodeos in college. 

The California Thoroughbred Foundation Louis R. Rowan Fellowship was awarded to Dr. Christina Rohlf. A recent doctoral graduate in biomedical engineering, Rohlf conducted her research at the J.D. Wheat Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory under the direction of Dr. Susan Stover. 

The fellowship, funded by the California Thoroughbred Foundation with financial assistance from the Oak Tree Racing Association, was established in memory of Louis R. Rowan, a founder of the California Thoroughbred Foundation.

By Carolyn Sawai

Jonathan Ferrini, a dedicated philanthropist, has made a tremendous impact on advancing animal health at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine since 2005. Most recently, with his bequest, he will establish the Dante and Sharon Ferrini Endowed Chair—honoring his late parents who were Thoroughbred horse enthusiasts. 

“Some of my fondest memories growing up are when my parents took my sister and me horseback riding and to the racetracks,” Jonathan said. “We enjoyed the competition and the athleticism of these magnificent Thoroughbreds.”

To say that it is an honor to know and work with Dr. Sue Stover would be an understatement. She is a world-renowned expert on equine orthopedics and musculoskeletal injuries and has made significant contributions to these fields over the years. It has been a privilege to witness the breadth of her research program and all that she has accomplished during her career.

Advances in equine diagnostic imaging have expanded rapidly in recent years. We consulted with UC Davis radiologists Dr. Kathryn Phillips and Dr. Mathieu Spriet, and ultrasonographers Dr. Betsy Vaughan and Dr. Mary Beth Whitcomb, to uncover 10 Things You Might Not Know about Equine Diagnostic Imaging.

Diagnostic imaging services for horses at the UC Davis veterinary hospital include radiography (X-ray), ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear scintigraphy (“bone scan”), and positron emission tomography (PET). Imaging is fundamental to patient care across multiple specialties, including surgery, neurology, and ophthalmology.

Equine standing positron emission tomography (PET) has been a game changer for monitoring racehorse health and guiding training and medical care, which has contributed to reduced injuries and fatalities. However, PET is not just for racehorses.

A horse’s head can account for up to 10% of its total body weight. It is a complex structure composed of 34 different bones and houses the brain, eyes, nose, and mouth. Unfortunately, the large size and complicated anatomy can make diagnosing conditions of the equine head challenging.

For Woodland-based upper level dressage rider Pam Englund,diagnostic imaging has made a significant impact in the lives of her horses. As a long-time client of the UC Davis veterinary hospital, she has utilized diagnostic imaging services at UC Davis for her horses for everything from suspensory ligament injuries to heart conditions.

“I put my animals in the center of the equation,” said Englund. “I want to do whatever will impact their prognosis in the most positive way, which is why I have done the diagnostics that I have done.”

I hope that the longer days and sunnier spring weather have been translating into more time with your horses. I am personally enjoying a return to three-day eventing competitions after a very wet winter here in Northern California.