Equine Innovators

Short Summary: Dr. Holly Helbig and Dr. David Levine describe how they use SAA and other biomarkers to spot infection early, guide treatment, support biosecurity, and monitor horses in real time.Landing page copy: Acute phase proteins such as serum amyloid A (SAA) give veterinarians an early look at inflammation, infection, and how a horse responds to treatment. In this Equine Innovators episode, we dig into how SAA and other key biomarkers guide everyday decisions—from biosecurity on busy farms and showgrounds to managing postoperative cases, colic, and foal exams.Host Stephanie Church, editorial director at The Horse, talks with Dr. Holly Helbig of Zoetis and Dr. David Levine from the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center about when they reach for SAA, how it compares with fibrinogen and white blood cell counts, and why serial testing often matters more than any single number. They share stall-side and hospital protocols, real-world case examples, and ways biomarker trends support smarter antimicrobial use and quarantine decisions.In this episode, Drs. Helbig and Levine discuss:What acute phase proteins are and how SAA reflects early inflammation in horsesHow fast SAA and fibrinogen rise and fall, and how that timing shapes testing plansWhen stallside SAA testing shines in ambulatory practice, at horse shows, and on the farmUsing SAA to help sort out joint flares vs. septic joints and guide post-surgical monitoringPractical cutoffs and patterns for foals, including how vaccination and IV plasma affect SAAWhere SAA fits into antimicrobial stewardship and cost-conscious biosecurity strategiesEmerging research and what might come next for biomarkers in equine practiceTune in to hear how two equine veterinarians lean on SAA and other biomarkers to clarify tough calls, support horse owners, and keep diagnostics and treatments on the right track.GUESTS AND LINKS – EPISODE 23:Host: Stephanie L. Church, editorial director at The Horse: Your Guide to Equine Health Care/TheHorse.com | @stephlchurch on Instagram | Email Stephanie (schurch@thehorse.com)Links: (SAA and other Biomarker resources from TheHorse.com) SAA: A Magic 8 Ball for Detecting Infection in Horses?, SAA: Infection Detection in Horses (Infographic), SAA Measurements Can Help Detect Surgical Implant Infection, Advances in Equine Infectious Disease DetectionGuest: Holly Helbig, DVM, joined Zoetis in 2023 as an equine technical services veterinarian. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a focus in lameness and sport horse medicine. Helbig was the official veterinarian for The World Equestrian Center Ohio; The Kentucky Horse Shows series; and various FEI competitions for 10 years prior to joining Zoetis. She also had an ambulatory practice serving patients...

In this episode of Equine Innovators, host Stephanie Church talks with Dr. Lori Bidwell—board-certified veterinary anesthesiologist and co-founder of East West Equine Sports Medicine—about how veterinarians use sedation to keep horses and handlers safe during procedures. Bidwell explains the difference between sedation and general anesthesia, offers examples of standing surgeries that once required full anesthesia, and shares how Dormosedan Gel has changed how owners manage stressful situations such as clipping or fireworks. She also offers practical tips on safety, storage, and monitoring, and describes recent innovations and where sedation practices are headed in the years to come.GUESTS AND LINKS – EPISODE 21:Host: Stephanie L. Church, editorial director at The Horse: Your Guide to Equine Health Care/TheHorse.com | @stephlchurch on Instagram | Email Stephanie (schurch@thehorse.com)Links: (Stories on sedation from TheHorse.com) Sedation for Standing Procedures | Open Up and Say Zzz: Why Horse Dental Exams Require Sedation | Horse Sedation with an Oral Gel (AAEP 2010–when The Horse reported the presented research on Dormosedan)Guest: Lori Bidwell, DVM, Dipl. ACVA, co-founder of East West Equine Sports Medicine | Facebook (@EastWestEquineVet) | Instagram (@EastWestEquineSportsMedicine)Link: Register for free newsletters from TheHorse.comPlease visit our sponsor, who makes this podcast possible: Zoetis Equine | @zoetisequine on Instagram and Facebook

Dr. Kara Brown, assistant professor of equine sports medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center, describes osteoarthritis in horses, its causes, traditional treatments, and regenerative therapies such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), stem cells, and autologous protein solution devices. She highlights recent research on these approaches, their benefits over corticosteroids, and the importance of early detection and advanced imaging in managing joint health.GUESTS AND LINKS – EPISODE 19:Host: Stephanie L. Church, editorial director at The Horse: Your Guide to Equine Health Care/TheHorse.com | @stephlchurch on InstagramLinks: Stories on orthobiologics from TheHorse.com: The State of Equine Orthobiologics, Infographic: Orthobiologic Options for Treating Horses, Research-Based Advances in Equine Orthopedic TherapiesGuest: Kara Brown, VMD, Dipl. ACVSMR, Assistant Professor of equine sports medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center  | @newboltoncenter on Instagram and FacebookPlease visit our sponsor, who makes this podcast possible: Zoetis Equine | @zoetisequine on Instagram and FacebookResearch News Releases: Research From the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center Informs the Use of NSAIDs Alongside Regenerative Medicine Devices, Pro-Stride APS Device Shown to Offer Protection Against Synovitis in Horses , New Research Provides Clarity Around the Treatment of Equine OsteoarthritisConnect With the Host: Stephanie Church, schurch@thehorse.com

Equine herpesvirus-1 can infect horses and cause mild respiratory disease, abortion in mares, and severe neurologic deficits. Dr. Lutz Goehring, the World Organization of Animal Health’s Reference Laboratory expert on equine rhinopneumonitis, weighs in on what researchers have learned about EHV-1, how it spreads, and how to prevent infection.This podcast series is brought to you by Zoetis. About the Researcher: Lutz Goehring, DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, is the Warren Wright, Sr.-Lucille Wright Markey Endowed Chair in Equine Infectious Diseases at the University of Kentucky’s (UK) Gluck Equine Research Center, in Lexington. He has an extensive background in research, scholarly journals, refereed book chapters, advising, mentoring, and service. Goehring is a specialist in equine internal medicine and a member of the European College of Equine Internal Medicine, and his research expertise has been equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV1).

As horse owners, we have our rhythms and routines around the barn. But why do we do farm chores the way we do them, and could we—and our horses—benefit from changing our approaches? Steve Higgins, PhD, the director of Animal and Environmental Compliance for the University of Kentucky’s (UK) Agricultural Experiment Station, in Lexington, describes ways horse farm owners and managers can optimize daily horse farm tasks for efficiency, cost-savings, and environmental soundness.This podcast series is brought to you by Zoetis. Show notes:Using Drylots to Conserve Pastures and Reduce Pollution PotentialUsing Soil-Cement on Horse and Livestock FarmsEconomics of Round Bale Feeders ExaminedHay Feeder Height Affects Neck, Back, and Jaw PosturesGroup or Individual Horse Housing: Which is Less Stressful?Does Your Horse Need Rest? Give Him More Bedded Space.Winter Can Mean Poor Footing for HorsesAbout the Expert: Steve Higgins, PhD, is the director of Animal and Environmental Compliance for the University of Kentucky’s (UK) Agricultural Experiment Station, in Lexington. During his time at UK, Higgins has helped establish the university’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environment as a leader in animal welfare and environmental stewardship and has cultivated a new way of thinking for managing UK’s Experiment Station farms. Through his extension publications, presentations, and demonstrations throughout the state, Higgins shares his unique perspective and working knowledge of water quality, farm efficiency, and resource management issues with Kentucky landowners and farm managers.

In this episode Dr. Barry Ball of the University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Center describes what he and his colleagues have learned about reproductive endocrinology, placental function, feeding broodmares, and equine contraception during his time as the Clay Endowed Chair in Equine Reproduction. Ball, who retires this month, also reflects on 35 years of equine reproduction research. This podcast series is brought to you by Zoetis. Show notes: Nocardioform Placentitis September 2020 Workshop (Lectures curated by Dr. Barry Ball) Identifying High-Risk Pregnancies Seminar Anti-Mullerian Hormone Helps Assess Aging Mares’ Fertility New IUD for Suppressing Estrus in Mares (June 2019) About the Researcher: Dr. Ball received his DVM degree from the University of Georgia in 1981. He completed a theriogenology residency at the University of Florida and his graduate training at Cornell University. He was a member of the faculty at Cornell University from 1987 to 1996. In 1996 he was appointed as the first Hughes Endowed Chair in Equine Reproduction at the University of California, Davis. In 2010 he was appointed as the first Clay Endowed Chair in Equine Reproduction at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Ball’s research has been directed toward reproductive endocrinology and pregnancy loss in mares. His research is documented in more than 200 refereed research publications. He has served as primary mentor for ten PhD students, six MS candidates, and 17 postdoctoral or visiting scholars. He also mentored 16 clinical residents who are board-certified by the American College of Theriogenologists. Of his trainees, ten serve as current or past faculty members in veterinary medicine in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and South America. Dr. Ball is a diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists (ACT). He has received numerous awards, including the SmithKlineBeecham Award for Research Excellence, the Excellence in Equine Research Award from the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Schering-Plough Award for Outstanding Research from the World Equine Veterinary Association, the Norden–Pfizer Distinguished Teacher award from UC Davis, and the Theriogenologist of the Year award. Ball was a Fulbright Distinguished Scholar at the University of Cambridge 2004-2005. He is a past chair of the International Equine Reproduction Symposium Committee, and he is a past president of the ACT.

How many American horse owners are willing to adopt wild horses and what type would they select? Jill Stowe, PhD, of the University of Kentucky, recently found out.Show notes:Can Horse Owners Absorb the Surplus of Wild Horses?Contact Dr. Stowe if you’re interested in studies on incentive programs and wild horse training competitions.This podcast is the eleventh episode in our “Equine Innovators” podcast series, brought to you by Zoetis.About the Researcher: Jill Stowe, PhD, is a full professor in the University of Kentucky’s Department of Agricultural Economics (UK Ag). She previously served as director of the UK Ag Equine Programs. Her areas of specialization include economics of the equine industry, decision-making under risk and uncertainty, and neuroeconomics.

In this episode Drs. Ernie Bailey and Ted Kalbfleisch of the University of Kentucky and Dr. Jessica Petersen of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln discuss genetic variation in horse breeds, why it is important, and what we will learn from the Thoroughbred Genetic Diversity project.This podcast is the ninth episode in our “Equine Innovators” podcast series, brought to you by Zoetis.About the Researchers: Dr. Ernie Bailey is a professor at the University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Center, in Lexington, where he trains graduate students, teaches, and conducts research into the genetics of horses.Dr. Ted Kalbfleisch has been working in the field of animal genetics for nearly 20 years. He is an associate professor at the University of Kentucky where his research focuses on the use of genetic sequence data to understand the genetic basis of health and disease susceptibility in horses. He led the work that culminated in the 2018 publication of an improved reference genome for the horse and has authored or co-authored more than 60 scientific publications.Dr. Jessica Petersen has led genetic studies to define the relationships among and within horse breeds and works to understand how genes of the horse are regulated. She is an associate professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and has led or contributed to over 40 scientific publications and the textbook, The Horse (3rd edition).

Good barn and indoor arena ventilation are crucial for both horse and human health. Dr. Morgan Hayes of the University of Kentucky, in Lexington, describes what can go wrong with ventilation in each of those spaces, and how farm owners and managers can combat those issues. She also lets us in on results of her study on stall fans. Hint: They might not be accomplishing what you think.This podcast is the seventh episode in our “Equine Innovators” podcast series, brought to you by Zoetis.Dr. Morgan Hayes joined the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at the University of Kentucky as an Extension Assistant Professor in July 2016. She is working in the area of animal facilities. Her interests are ventilation design, heat stress management and resource (energy, fuel, and water) use on farms. Her current work includes extension and research efforts on indoor air quality in equine barns and arenas, appropriate ventilation rates for modern swine, design considerations in beef cattle confinement and opportunities to reduce energy usage on farm.

Dr. Amanda Adams of the University of Kentucky, in Lexington, describes her senior horse research, which focuses on EMS, PPID, and immune system health.This podcast is the fifth episode in our “Equine Innovators” podcast series, brought to you by Zoetis.Amanda A. Adams, PhD, is an associate professor at the University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center. She’s authored 25 peer reviewed scientific publications and presented her research at more than 40 national and international scientific meetings. Her research interests include the geriatric horse’s immune system; adiposity’s effects on horses’ inflammatory responses, particularly in EMS horses; and the mechanisms responsible for and pathways involved in EMS to identify potential treatments that target both the inflammatory and metabolic component of the disease.

University of Kentucky researcher Dr. Peter Timoney talks about the deadly African horse sickness and what it will take to prevent its arrival in unaffected countries. This podcast is the third episode in our new “Equine Innovators” podcast series, brought to you by Zoetis. Peter J. Timoney, MVB, MS, PhD, FRCVS, is a professor and Frederick Van Lennep Chair in Equine Veterinary Science at the University of Kentucky's Gluck Equine Research Center, in Lexington. He received a MVB degree in veterinary medicine from National University of Ireland (UCD), MS in virology from the University of Illinois, PhD from the University of Dublin, and Fellowship from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, London. He has worked at the Veterinary Research Laboratory in Dublin, Ireland; Cornell University; and the Irish Equine Centre, and has specialized in infectious diseases of the horse since 1972.

University of Kentucky researcher and leading equine parasitologist, Dr. Martin Nielsen, talks about his research and the future of equine internal parasite control. This podcast is the premier episode in our new “Equine Innovators” podcast series.Martin Krarup Nielsen, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVM, is an associate professor of parasitology and the Schlaikjer professor in equine infectious disease at the University of Kentucky’s Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, in Lexington. His research focus includes parasite diagnostic measures and drug resistance. Known as a foremost expert in the field of equine parasites, Dr. Nielsen chaired the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ (AAEP) parasite control task force, which produced the “AAEP Parasite Control Guidelines.”