Barb Crabbe, DVM
Top 10 Blood Tests
Learn what blood tests are most meaningful to your veterinarian—and what basic lab work will (or won’t) tell you about your horse’s health.
The Equine 401(k)
Do you have a plan for your horse’s retirement? Follow my tips for easing your horse out of work during his golden years.
She’s an Angel… She’s a Devil… She’s a Mare!
Is your mare perfect one day and a demon the next? If so, you’re not alone. Learn steps that you can take to help manage your mare’s moods.
Deworming Strategies
Careful parasite assessment and a five-day deworming treatment may help a thin mare gain weight.
Horse Health by the Season
Winter, spring, summer, or fall…all you’ve got to do is remember what your horse needs to stay healthy. Our seasonal guide will help you.
'Why Does He Do That?'
Learn when your horse’s odd behaviors might mean something’s really wrong, and what you should do about it.
Sarcoid Tumors: On Alert!
Learn how to recognize these common skin tumors, and what steps you should take if you suspect you’ve found a sarcoid on your horse.
Stocking Up
It may look worrisome, but in most cases swelling in a horse’s lower legs can be managed with a few simple steps.
Crooked Tails
Whether a horse’s crooked tail carriage is permanent depends on the cause.
Own the Perfect Patient
Teach your horse seven essential skills that will put him right on top of your vet’s ‘favorite patient’ list.
Rehab Right!
Fact or fiction? Learn the truth about safe and effective rehabilitation strategies.
Health Woes of Easy Keepers
Learn why obesity is a real health risk, and what steps you can take to help your easy-keeping horse.
The Scoop on Poop
You pick it up. You toss it out. But do you ever take the time to pay attention to your pony’s poop? Find out what you can learn about your horse’s health by reading his manure.
Dangerous Diets
Learn do’s and don’ts for feeding your horse, and how to avoid making dangerous diet choices.
Vet Call 911
Learn about the 10 most common horse emergencies—and when it’s time to call for a lights-and-siren response from your vet…or not.
Feed Wisely: 5 Rules
Feeding for good health doesn’t have to be complicated. Just follow these simple rules.
7 Signs of Saddle-Fit Trouble
Learn to recognize the subtle signs of saddle-fit problems, and how you can prevent them.
10 Tips for Hot Trips
Planning a summer trip that involves a long haul? Learn what it takes to keep your horse safe on the road when temperatures soar.
Living With Cushing's Disease
Learn how your horse with incurable Cushing’s disease can still enjoy a long, productive life.
Protect Your Horse After He Sells
What happens to a horse when no one wants him anymore? Abandonment? Starvation? Slaughter? Find out how you can protect the ones you love.
Horse Health: Vitamins and Minerals
Learn how to make the most of what little we really know about vitamin and mineral needs for your horse.
Fix Your Needle-Phobic Horse
Does your horse panic at the sight of a needle and syringe? Learn why he says "whoa, no way!" to needles and how to solve this frustrating (sometimes dangerous) problem.
Check Your Horse's Vital Signs
Here’s a clip-and-save summary of how to assess your horse’s basic state of health.
Vaccine Wars: The Great Debate
Are you over- or under-vaccinating your horse? Hear both sides of the debate surrounding horse vaccinations to decide what's best in your situation.
Horse Heaves: Symptoms and Treatment
This condition, commonly known as heaves, is the most prevalent lung disease seen in horses. Horse heaves is chronic and can threaten your horse's long-term health and performance. Although your horse's heaves can't be cured, and severe cases are difficul
Trail Riding First Aid Part 9: Snakebite
Veterinarian Barb Crabbe offers help for your snake-bitten horse. Find out what you can do when you're on the trail to prevent snakebites and how to treat your horse if he does get bitten.
Trail Riding First Aid Part 8: Lameness
Veterinarian Barb Crabbe guides you on the trail--as you administer first-aid to your lame horse. Find out what to do when it happens and what you can do to prevent it.
Trail Riding First Aid Part 7: Allergies
Veterinarian Barb Crabbe guides you through the first-aid process when your horse suffers from allergies on the trail.
Trail Riding First Aid Part 6: Wounded on the Trail
What to do if your horse is wounded on the trail and what you can do to prevent injuries.
Trail Riding First Aid Part 5: Tying Up
Veterinarian Barb Crabbe discusses what "tying up" is and to watch for and what to do when your horse ties up on the trail.
Trail Riding First Aid Part 4: Heatstroke
How to recognize the signs of heatstroke when out riding on the trails, what to do if it happens and how to prevent it.
Trail Riding First Aid Part 3: Eye Injury
Barb Crabbe discusses eye injuries: How to recognize them, how to prevent them, and how to treat them if your horse is injured out on the trail.
Trail Riding First Aid Part 2: Colic on the Trail
How to recognize the signs of colic when you're out on the trail or on an overnight trip and what to do about it.
Trail Riding First Aid Part 1: Assembling Your First Aid Kit
Part One of a nine-part series, First Aid on the Trail will guide you in assembling your first aid kit and explain what each item does and how to use it safely and effectively.
Horse Vaccination and Deworming Primer
Learn how vaccines and dewormers work, how to make the most of them and what type of rotation schedule to use to keep your horse healthy.
Keep Your Horse Cool in the Summer Heat
It's getting into the hottest days of summer. Here's a quick heat-stress reference that'll help you know when your horse is overheated--and what to do to help him chill.
Prevent Lameness, Keep Your Horse Sound
Here's a handy summary of recommendations to prevent lameness and keep your horse sound.
Longeing Do's and Don'ts
Seven tips to make sure longeing your horse is the safe and helpful exercise it was meant to be.
Trail Terrors, Part 9: Snakebites
Veterinarian Barb Crabbe offers help for your snake-bitten horse. Find out what you can do when you're on the trail to treat snakebite.
Trail Terrors, Part 7: Allergies
Veterinarian Barb Crabbe guides you through the first-aid process when your horse suffers from allergies on the trail.
Trail Terrors, Part 6: Wounds
Veterinarian Barb Crabbe lists what to do when your horse is wounded on the trail. From Horse & Rider magazine.
Trail Terrors Part 5: Tying Up
Trail Terrors Part 5: Tying Up on a Trail Ride, How to Recognize it and What to Do
Trail Terrors, Part 3: Eye Injury
Barb Crabbe discusses eye injuries, how to recognize them, how to prevent them and how to treat them if your horse is injured out on the trail. From Horse & Rider magazine.
Trail Terrors, Part 2: Colic During Trail Rides
How to recognize the signs of colic when you're out on the trail or on an overnight trip and what to do about it.
Trail Terrors, Part 1: First-Aid Kit
Learn what to pack in your trail first-aid kit.
How to Take Your Horse's Digital Pulse
First Aid: A simple four-step method for finding your horse's pulse at the fetlock joint.
