This week’s podcast emphasizes the significance of recognizing and managing toxic plants to prevent equine fatalities. Dr. Chris Mortensen shares a heartbreaking story of a seven-year-old Arabian gelding that died from ingesting oleander, highlighting the vital need for horse owners to identify toxic plants in their horses' environments.

Dr. Mortensen discusses resources and strategies for detecting, removing, and preventing toxic plant exposure, including utilizing the iNaturalist app for plant identification, engaging local officials or extension services for property inspections, and the importance of pasture management and proper feeding to discourage horses from ingesting harmful plants. The podcast aims to equip horse owners with the knowledge to protect their horses from plant toxicity, which is cited as a significant cause of death in horses worldwide. Dr. Mortensen underscores the podcast's mission of offering valuable educational content to improve equine health and welfare globally.

Resources

ASPCA Toxic & Non-Toxic Plants List HERE

Website on iNaturalist app for identification HERE

Podcast Timeline

00:00 Welcome and Gratitude: Engaging the Horse Enthusiast Community

00:38 The Dangers of Oleander: A Cautionary Tale for Horse Owners

05:01 Meet Dr. Chris Mortensen: An Introduction to Our Equine Expert

05:18 Understanding Plant Toxicity: The Serious Risks to Horses

06:06 Identifying Toxic Plants: Tools and Resources for Horse Owners

06:51 The Global Impact of Plant Toxicity on Horses

15:02 Why Horses Eat Toxic Plants: Exploring the Reasons Behind the Risk

21:21 Identifying and Managing Toxic Plants: Practical Advice for Horse Owners

27:21 Unlocking Plant Identification with Technology

27:39 Harnessing iNaturalist for Plant and Animal Identification

28:23 Practical Demonstration: Identifying a Toxic Plant

30:43 Understanding Plant Toxicity and Its Impact on Horses

32:32 Symptoms of Toxicity in Horses: What to Watch For

36:27 Strategies for Managing Toxic Plant Risks

40:38 Pasture Management and Preventive Measures

45:44 Concluding Thoughts and Resources

Visit https://madbarn.com/mad-about-horses/ to learn more about the Mad About Horses podcast.

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Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners, handlers and practitioners through research, training and education.

Visit us to learn more at ⁠⁠https://madbarn.com ⁠⁠

You can also find Mad Barn at: ⁠

Instagram ⁠⁠@madbarnequine⁠ ⁠⁠

Facebook ⁠⁠@madbarnequine⁠⁠

TikTok ⁠⁠@madbarnequine⁠⁠

⁠YouTube⁠⁠ @madbarn ⁠⁠

We would love to hear from you! Please send any questions or comments to ⁠podcast@madbarn.com

In this episode, Dr. Chris Mortensen shares his experiences and insights on recognizing equine emergencies, the life of an equine veterinarian, and the importance of telemedicine in equine care.

Dr. Mortensen recounts a personal story about his horse, Buck, who came up lame one evening, prompting him to reflect on whether to call his veterinarian after hours. Through his narrative, he discusses a typical busy day in an equine vet's life, the challenges they face, and the reasons behind the declining number of equine veterinarians. He emphasizes the critical role of forming a relationship with your vet and knowing when and how to contact them in case of an emergency.

In the podcast, Dr. Mortensen also provides guidance on assessing a horse's condition, what's considered an emergency, and the evolving field of telemedicine. The episode highlights the importance of understanding your horse's normal behavior and vital signs, being prepared for emergencies, and always expressing gratitude towards veterinarians.

Podcast Timeline

00:00 A Veterinarian's Long Day: Insights and Experiences

04:24 The Challenges of Being an Equine Veterinarian

05:35 Understanding Equine Emergencies: When to Call Your Vet

06:33 Building a Relationship with Your Veterinarian

08:53 Evaluating Your Horse's Health: Behavior and Vital Signs

21:19 Identifying and Responding to Equine Emergencies

28:00 A Personal Story of Equine Care: The Case of Buck

29:05 Understanding Equine Emergencies: When to Call the Vet

30:40 Practical Tips for Handling Injured or Distressed Horses

32:59 Identifying and Responding to Equine Health Emergencies

34:33 Navigating Non-Emergency Equine Health Concerns

37:46 The Outcome for Buck and Lessons Learned

39:20 Exploring Telemedicine in Equine Care

46:05 Global Perspectives and Legalities of Equine Telemedicine

47:30 Emergency Preparedness: What to Have in Your Barn

51:05 Concluding Thoughts and Encouragement

Visit https://madbarn.com/mad-about-horses/ to learn more about the Mad About Horses podcast.

---------------------------------

Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners, handlers and practitioners through research, training and education.

Visit us to learn more at ⁠⁠https://madbarn.com ⁠⁠

You can also find Mad Barn at: ⁠

Instagram ⁠⁠@madbarnequine⁠ ⁠⁠

Facebook ⁠⁠@madbarnequine⁠⁠

TikTok ⁠⁠@madbarnequine⁠⁠

⁠YouTube⁠⁠ @madbarn ⁠⁠

We would love to hear from you! Please send any questions or comments to ⁠podcast@madbarn.com

This podcast focuses on the importance of emergency management planning for horse owners, delving into personal experiences and expert advice to prepare for natural disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, and floods.

Dr. Chris Mortensen, an equine educator and scientist, shares insights from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and Rita, emphasizing the need for preparedness. He offers practical steps for developing an emergency management plan, including risk assessment, deciding whether to evacuate or not, preparing your horse for evacuation, and protecting your property.

Dr. Mortensen highlights the significance of having a plan for both before and after a disaster strikes, ensuring the safety of horses and horse owners alike. The podcast aims to equip listeners with the knowledge and tools to mitigate risks and enhance resilience against natural disasters, urging them to share the information and foster a community of prepared and informed horse owners.

Podcast Timeline

00:00 Introduction to Emergency Management for Horse Owners

00:52 Personal Experiences with Natural Disasters

03:33 The Importance of Emergency Management Planning

05:41 Comprehensive Guide to Preparing for Natural Disasters

13:10 Identifying Risks and Developing an Emergency Plan

19:06 Evacuation Strategies and Practical Tips

24:21 The Criticality of Planning Ahead

28:00 The Importance of Evacuation and Horse Preparedness

28:30 Critical Horse Evacuation Tips: Trailer Loading and Vaccinations

31:51 Non-Evacuation Strategies and Property Protection

33:03 Deciding Between Barn or Pasture During Disasters

44:20 Post-Disaster Safety and Recovery

48:14 Building a Comprehensive Disaster Plan

50:52 Sharing and Reflecting on Emergency Management Plans

Visit https://madbarn.com/mad-about-horses/ to learn more about the Mad About Horses podcast.

---------------------------------

Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners, handlers and practitioners through research, training and education.

Visit us to learn more at ⁠⁠https://madbarn.com ⁠⁠

You can also find Mad Barn at: ⁠

Instagram ⁠⁠@madbarnequine⁠ ⁠⁠

Facebook ⁠⁠@madbarnequine⁠⁠

TikTok ⁠⁠@madbarnequine⁠⁠

⁠YouTube⁠⁠ @madbarn ⁠⁠

We would love to hear from you! Please send any questions or comments to podcast@madbarn.com