EquiConnect Equine Podcast: Recent Episodes
McKee-Pownall Equine Services
EquiConnect Equine Podcast brought to you by McKee-Pownall Equine Services. Case-based conversations, interesting news & information focussing on equine health. This podcast is not a substitute for regular & emergency veterinary care. Our purpose is to inform & educate horse people not to diagnose & treat medical conditions without a valid veterinary-client-patient relationships.
In this episode, Karen Foell hosts Dr. Marisa Markey as they introduce a new fear-free behavioral service for equine patients at McKee-Pownall. Dr. Markey, a seasoned associate at the clinic, recently obtained a fear-free equine certification and discusses the importance of using positive reinforcement and behaviour modification techniques to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in horses during veterinary visits. The episode wraps up with valuable resources for further understanding and implementing equine behaviour modification so take a listen to learn more! Visit www.mckeepownall.ca for more details.
Join Dr. Mike Pownall, Karen Foell, and McKee-Pownall associate veterinarian, Dr. Alejandra Garza as they share valuable tips for ensuring your horse is prepared to perform at its best during the summer months. From preseason examinations to personalized care tailored to your horse's unique requirements, this episode covers a comprehensive range of topics. Gain insights into joint injections, equine asthma treatments, and the importance of avoiding steroids for metabolic horses. Grab your earbuds and tune in to get informed and prepared for a successful summer riding season.
Visit www.mckeepownall.ca for more information or email info@mpequine.com
Time Stamps:
00:00 Welcome to EquiConnect: A Podcast on Equine Health
00:51 Summer Riding Prep: Getting Your Horse Ready
02:59 Deep Dive into Preseason Exams and Horse Health
04:34 Mid-Season Check-ups: Ensuring Ongoing Equine Wellness
15:21 Addressing Equine Asthma: Tips and Treatments
18:19 MythBusters: Debunking Equine Health Myths
24:19 Closing Thoughts and Podcast Wrap-Up
In this exciting episode of the Equiconnect podcast, join hosts Dr. Mike Pownall and Karen Foell as they welcome guest veterinarians Dr. Kate Robinson and Dr. Marisa Markey for a deep dive into the world of Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy (VSMT). Get ready to uncover the secrets of VSMT as the episode introduces its significance and all the amazing benefits it brings to equine health. You'll hear inspiring stories of how VSMT transformed the lives of horses, improving their performance and overall well-being. Don't miss out on the exclusive prepaid VSMT package offers from McKee-Pownall Equine Services.
Time Stamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:34 Introducing the Hosts and Guests
00:48 Understanding Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy (VSMT)
02:03 The Process and Benefits of VSMT
05:37 Real-life Experiences with VSMT
11:19 Mythbusters: Debunking Common Misconceptions about VSMT
15:40 Special VSMT Packages and Offers
16:47 Closing Remarks and Contact Information
Welcome to a special edition of the Equiconnect podcast! Join Dr. Mike Pownall, Dr. Melissa McKee, Dr. Maggie Turner, and Stephanie Keeble as they share news about the new partnership between McKee-Pownall Equine Services and the Altano Group. The collective goal of this partnership is to make a positive impact and secure the future of equine medicine.
During this discussion, they delve into the many benefits of being a part of the incredible Altano Group. At McKee-Pownall we value transparency and want to address any misconceptions that might arise about this partnership. Rest assured, the McKee-Pownall team believes that this collaboration will only strengthen our practices. Increased collaboration, specialization, and educational opportunities will propel us forward.
We are here to address any questions or concerns you may have. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at info@mpequine.com. We're excited to embark on this journey together!
00:07 Introduction to the EquiConnect Podcast
00:34 Announcement of Partnership with Altano Group
00:51 Discussion with Founders and Leaders of the Practice
01:09 Reasons for Partnering with Altano Group
01:54 Impressions of Altano Group
04:20 Addressing Concerns
08:11 Discussion on Pricing and Quality of Care
16:14 Challenges in the Equine Veterinary Profession
18:54 Conclusion and Contact Information
19:57 Podcast Disclaimer
Get ready to saddle up for an exciting episode of the EquiConnect podcast! Our hosts, Dr. Mike Pownall and Karen Foell, are joined by the knowledgeable Dr. Rafael Gomez who is passionate about the fascinating world of equine reproduction.
During this conversation, they highlight the importance of careful planning and consideration when it comes to horse breeding. They also shed light on the surprising influence of daylight on mares' reproductive cycles and various breeding methods.
And that's not all! Get ready to have your mind blown as they bust some common myths about equine reproduction. This episode is both educational and entertaining, so join us for a delightful journey through the world of horse breeding!
Find out more at www.mckeepownall.ca
Join hosts Karen Foell and Dr. Mike Pownall on this episode of the Equiconnect podcast as they delve into the topic of gut health in horses. They are joined by Dr. Claudia Cruz and Dr. Kate Robinson from our Caledon practice, as they highlight the vital role that gut health plays in a horse's overall well-being. When gut health is compromised a wide range of issues can develop like infertility, eye problems, allergies, performance issues, and body condition score. Do not miss out on the opportunity to learn more about this crucial topic.
Learn more at www.mckeepownall.ca
In this episode of the EquiConnect podcast, Dr. Mike Pownall and Karen Foell are joined by Dr. Jim Welsh to discuss the importance of pre-purchase exams. The three delve into the value of pre-purchase exams and how they can help horse owners make informed decisions when buying a horse. Tune in to learn more about the benefits of pre-purchase exams in ensuring the health and well-being of your equine companion.
Learn more at www.mckeepownall.ca
In this episode of the EquiConnect podcast, equine sports medicine experts Dr. Alejandra Garza and Dr. Viviana Hernandez join hosts Dr. Mike Pownall and Karen Foell to talk about lameness exams. Dr. Garza and Dr. Hernandez share their personal and professional backgrounds in high-performance equestrian sport and equine sports medicine. Hear their perspectives on the importance of equine lameness exams for the most accurate diagnosis to treat lameness issues most effectively.
On this episode of EquiConnect Podcast, hosts Dr. Mike Pownall and Karen Foell welcome resident bodyworker, Marnie Raymond. She shares her journey in equestrianism starting with her days as a full-time FEI show groom in Toronto more than twenty years ago. Marnie expresses her passion for providing massage therapy services for horses she groomed which, in time, led her to become a massage therapist. She delves into the importance of being in touch with the horses and their bodies and the many benefits that regular massage therapy can bring to them. Listeners will gain insight into the emphasis of maintaining equine health and the main roles of various equestrian professionals in providing such. For more information, visit www.mpequine.com
Timestamps[00:01:06] Marnie’s voyage through the horse world.
[00:04:49] Equine massage therapy.
[00:08:15] PEMF therapy explained.
[00:11:43] The magic of equine physiotaping.
[00:15:19] Osteopathy and horse health.
[00:18:50] Collaborating with Veterinarians.
[00:23:46] Horses that benefit from massage.
[00:27:00] Listening to your horse.
[00:28:42] Consent in horse bodywork.
In this episode of the EquiConnect podcast, Dr. Mike Pownall is joined by esteemed colleagues Dr. Marissa Markey and Dr. Claudia Cruz-Villagran to discuss the importance of vaccines for horses. They provide an informative overview of the science of immunology and explain how vaccines work to train the immune system to recognize and fight off specific viruses and bacteria. They go on to discuss the recommended vaccines for horses in Ontario, and why they're so important for equine health. Horse owners and anyone with an interest in equine health should be sure to tune in to this invaluable episode.
Timestamps:
[00:01:49] Immunology and vaccines.
[00:04:18] Choosing the Best Vaccines.
[00:07:46] Core vaccines for horses.
[00:11:28] Multivalent versus Monovalent Vaccines.
[00:15:00] Vaccinating horses against diseases.
[00:21:25] Tetanus and rabies vaccine.
There have been a lot of additions to the veterinary team at McKee-Pownall, with most of them coming from other countries. We have been fortunate as there is a global shortage of equine veterinarians so for us to find so many excellent new vets is a real rarity.
We thought our clients would be interested in hearing about the challenges facing the equine veterinary profession and some of the stories from our newer vets of how they came to MPES and their immigration and licensing hurdles so that they could practice in Ontario.
In today’s episode, Dr. Mike Pownall welcomes Drs. Kate Robinson and Melanie Pfeffer from McKee-Pownall Equine Services as they discuss winter care tips for your horse.
Having spent her previous years working in Saskatchewan, Dr. Robinson has dealt with winters perhaps worse than Ontario. As for Dr. Pfeffer, having grown up in Bavaria, Germany, she also has experience in a very wet, cold climate. They discuss important topics such as hydration, feed and blanketing, dental care, how to manage temperature fluctuations and more.
Please enjoy the latest episode hosted by Dr. Mike Pownall! In this episode, he is joined by Dr. Rafael Gomez and they discuss everything you need to know about breeding your mare/
WATCH: Estrus Cycle of the Mare Webinar
Everything You Need To Know About Breeding Your Mare Webinars With Dr. Rafael Gomez
Breeding the Problem Mare
Register Here
Jan 16th, 2023 at 7 pm
· Infertility vs subfertility
· Principal causes of subfertility
· Diagnosing the problem mare
· Overview of treatment plans
Insemination of the Mare
Register Here
Jan 30th, 2023 at 7 pm
· Difference between Fresh, Cooled, and Frozen semen
· Breeding plans with fresh and cooled semen
· Breeding plans with Frozen semen
Embryo Transfers
Register Here
Feb 21st, 2023 at 7 pm
· History
· Selecting the donor mare
· Preparing the donor mare
· Selecting the recipient mare
· Synchronization of mares
Foaling
Register Here
Mar 21st, 2023 at 7 pm
· Stages of parturition
· Newborn assessment
· Examination of the placenta
· Owners foaling Kit
In today's episode, Dr Kathryn Surasky and Dr Kate Robinson sit down with Dr Ruby Chow for a discussion about her upcoming internship with McKee-Pownall! Dr. Ruby Chow will be joining our practice for a 13-month internship. Dr. Chow previously worked with us in the summer of 2020 as a technician in our Uxbridge practice and we are delighted to welcome her back as our first intern after her recent graduation from The Ontario Veterinary College. We are excited to start this program at a time when the equine industry is suffering from a drastic decline in veterinarians. Our ability to provide a good experience for an intern will help ensure that the equine veterinary industry has new practitioners entering the profession and will help us to identify future veterinary associates for MPES. An intern is a graduated and fully licensed veterinarian who is seeking additional time after completing vet school to be mentored in additional aspects of the veterinary industry. In our case, an intern is seeking mentorship, experience, knowledge and skill-building in equine practice. Interns may be newly graduated veterinarians, or they may be experienced veterinarians who have decided to pursue specialized training in a specific area of the industry. So what is an internship? An internship is the term used to describe the position an intern takes. An internship is intended to be a year of mentorship where at the end the intern has gained significantly more confidence, experience and skills in a specific area of veterinary medicine (like equine practice) than they would after a year of practice on their own. In return, equine practice (in general) gains a confident, experienced and skilled veterinarian to join the workforce. Almost every veterinarian at McKee-Pownall has come through an internship program of some sort and we are excited to be able to give back to our industry by offering this program.
Please enjoy today's episode with, McKee-Pownall associate veterinarian, Dr. Viviana Hernandez. She talks about relationships with horses, her background in horses, her thoughts on physiotherapy and her experience since coming to Canada. She is an amazing storyteller and we hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did! Dr. Viviana Hernandez graduated in 2012 from the Veterinary Faculty at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Since graduating, Dr. Hernandez has worked with different species, from small animals to lions and zebras. However, her passion has always been equine medicine. Dr. Hernandez’ mother and grandfather are both Olympians and being raised with sport horses and knowing first-hand the influence they can have in the lives of their owners, she strongly believes in the importance of high quality preventive and sports medicine. She believes in the rider-horse-trainer-veterinarian partnership in order to get the most from horses and their riders at the discipline of their preference. Previously, Dr. Hernandez managed to balance her life as head veterinarian in a competitive equestrian team in Mexico and her life as a professional rider.
In today's episode, we talk to Dr Kathryn Surasky, a long-time associate veterinarian with McKee-Pownall. We have a case-based discussion surrounding a common theme in our industry "Spooky Horses!" Also, we have some promotions happening soon. Check out our 2022 https://www.mckeepownall.ca/wellness-packages (Wellness packages.) Purchase in full before December 31, 2021 to get 2021 prices. December, January and February we will be once again having our https://www.mckeepownall.ca/dentistry-month-promotion (No-Call Fee on Dentistry) promotion. Book your horses dentistry, in our regular call areas, and don't pay a call fee!
In this episode, Karen Foell takes to Dr. Melanie Pfeffer who joined our team in April 0f 2021. Dr. Melanie Pfeffer grew up in a small town in Bavaria, Germany. Melanie worked and travelled through Canada for a year after high school, where she landed at an Ontario horse farm for three years raising, racing and training Standardbreds. She has been involved in one way or another with horses ever since. Dr. Pfeffer spent time in Canada for her externships at Milton Equine Hospital, Henderson Equine Services and Barrie Equine Clinic, followed by a one-year equine rotating internship at the University of Vienna, Austria. Following her internship, she spent over 2 years practicing at an ambulatory Equine Clinic just outside of Munich, Germany (Pferdeklinik in Parsdorf) Dr. Pfeffer’s interests lie in equine podiatry, ophthalmology as well as Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy.
Dr. Sara Stewart is the newest associate veterinarian to join the McKee-Pownall team however she has been part of the family for many years. Join Karen Foell as she catches up with Dr. Stewart.
In this episode, Dr Kyle Goldie talks to board-certified ophthalmologist, Dr Tara Richards. We are fortunate to have Dr Richards consult and work on horses at our Rehab Facility in Schomberg, Ontario. She gives some great insights into equine eyes. Listen to the end to learn some super interesting facts!
Dr. Tara Richards is a board-certified ophthalmologist with the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO). She grew up in northern Ontario and has been involved with horses since she was a little girl. After completing her DVM degree from OVC, she worked in private practice for a couple of years before pursuing her ophthalmology residency and PhD also at the OVC. As an ophthalmologist, Dr. Richards treats all species big and small, but she has a particular love for her equine patients.
We are thrilled to announce that our very own Mike Pownall, DVM has been nominated as an Ontario Equestrian Board of Directors Candidate.
If you are a member of Ontario Equestrian and plan to vote, we would be honoured if you would listen on to see if Dr Pownall represents the best candidate for you.
Sincerely, The McKee-Pownall Team
"The health of the Ontario equestrian industry is something I am particularly interested in and would value the opportunity to work with this organization to ensure that we continue to develop a flourishing industry.
While we live in challenging times, there are still numerous opportunities for all people in Ontario to consider equestrian sports as an accessible and valued activity." Mike Pownall DVM MBA
Learn more about Dr Pownall HERE
Grab your Ontario Equestrian number and click HERE to vote
Your horse benefits from the knowledge and experience from a team approach by equine health care workers. We would like to welcome Marnie Raymond to our team and to this podcast episode to introduce new https://www.mckeepownall.ca/equine-body-work (Equine Body Work) services offered by McKee-Pownall Equine Services: Equine Massage PEMF Equine Physio Taping
Marnie has been a Certified Equine Massage Therapist for 16 years and adds PEMF and Equine Physio Tape to her modality toolbox. Our veterinarians and Marnie work closely to ensure your horse benefits from continuity of care. She will provide these services at your farm and our Rehabilitation Facility. Whether your horse is getting ready for the show season, recovering from an injury or you just want to pamper them for the hard work they do talk to Marnie or one of our veterinarians to create a plan right for your horse. If you have any questions about Equine Body Work or would like to book an appointment please reach out to info@mpequine.com
In today's episode, Dr. Goldie and Karen Foell welcome Dr. Kate Robinson to the show. Dr. Robinson joined our ambulatory team working out of our Rehabilitation Farm in Schomberg in the Fall of 2020 and sees patients at their home farms and at our farm.
Dr. Robinson grew up in Bracebridge and is a 2009 graduate of St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine (Grenada, West Indies). Following graduation, Dr. Robinson completed an internship in equine ambulatory practice at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (University of Saskatchewan). Dr. Robinson stayed on at WCVM to complete a three-year combined Masters/Residency program to further her training and specialization in equine ambulatory practice. She has been an assistant professor at WCVM since 2013, providing clinical service in the equine ambulatory division. Dr. Robinson enjoys all facets of equine practice, with a keen interest in imaging, podiatry and lameness.
When not at work Dr. Robinson can be found at the barn working with her young WB x filly, or spending time with her husband dogs, and cat.
Enjoy!
In today's episode, we have repurposed the audio from an amazing webinar that was done with Dr. Tovah Caldwell on Equine Behaviour And Performance Issues. The audio quality isn't perfect however the content is so valuable we thought it was worth it!
If you are interested in watching the original recorded version of the webinar you can find it here: http://www.mpequine.com/wednesdaywebinars
In today's episode, Dr. Kyle Goldie and Karen Foell welcome Sarah Shaw DVM, DACVIM for a conversation on Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome. Dr. Shaw combines her equine ambulatory practice with her equine internal medicine consulting service and is such an asset for our local equine community. Throughout the show, they talk about different types of ulcers, diagnostics, and treatments in horses.
In this episode, we welcome our very own Dr Jim Welsh to talk about embryo transfer. Dr Welsh has taken dedicated training in this area and has had a super successful reproduction season this year. He shares a lot of great information today. If you are thinking of breeding your racehorse or showhorse next year this is the episode for you. If you have further questions or have an interest in breeding your mare please reach out to us at info@mpequine.com
We are also excited about our latest initiative to recognize those that care for our horses. Please check out our Heroes For Horses initiative and nominate your equine caregiver https://www.mckeepownall.ca/heroes-for-horses-virtual-award
In this episode, we have adapted a recorded webinar with Dr. Samantha Molson that was done earlier this Spring on Colic. The content was not originally designed for audio but it has some really great content that we wanted to share. Enjoy!
Here is a link to the actual webinar recording if you are interested as well as the videos she discusses in the webinar.
Equine Colic Webinar With Dr Samantha Molson May 13, 2020
Equine gastroscopy video courtesy of Boehringer- Ingelheim: youtube.com/watch?v=mKZy8PL2XJo
Signs of equine colic: youtube.com/watch?v=f3dcJP6e9m4
In today's episode, Kyle and Karen have Dr. Mike Pownall on the hot seat telling the McKee-Pownall story. They take us back to the very beginning and ask the hard questions of Dr. Pownall such as why the practice is designed the way it is; from size to culture and everything in between.
In this episode, Dr Kyle Goldie, shares information for horse and farm owners about deworming and equine parasitology. It is a valuable listen for new and experienced horse owners alike as he has a way of explaining things so that they make sense! Thank you Dr Goldie.
In this episode, we had a remote recording session with Dr. Melissa McKee. We talk a bit about the current state of affairs in veterinary care due to COVID-19 and then we get serious about pre-purchase exams. We may all be horse shopping online at the moment but it is some great information for the future!
In this episode, Dr. Kyle Goldie and lead veterinary assistant, Karen Foell talk with Dr. Marisa Markey about all things dental health; scenarios, myths and truths, and changing the language around oral exams. February is typically Dental Health month for equine and companion animals and gives us an extra opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of oral health in our animals for overall health.
The next live in-between-isode from our Open House features our very own Dr. Maggie Turner. Definitely worth the listen as she reveals some things you may not know about her even if she is your regular veterinarian!
In advance of our Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) and Gastroscopy Clinic next week, Dr Kyle Goldie and Karen Foell discuss EGUS in this episode. They touch on clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment options as well as a case-based discussion.
If you are local and interested in joining us at our Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) and Gastroscopy Clinic it takes place at our facility at 14175 8th Concession, Schomberg on October 17th at 9:30 am. You can purchase tickets here https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/equine-gastric-ulcer-syndrome-and-gastroscopy-clinic-tickets-73419320163 and all proceeds are used to support the Canadian Cancer Society.
Dr. Kyle Goldie and Karen Foell, Lead Veterinary Assistant start out the episode with some valuable information on Cushing's Testing (PPID Testing). The main topic of the episode is Muscle Diseases in horses. The episode is chalk full of information on several different diseases as well as breeds that they are more likely observed in, things to look for, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. They round out the hour with a case-based discussion. Special thank you and credit to Dr. Stephanie Valberg of Michigan State University and her research on these diseases.
Please let us know if there is a topic that you would like covered in an upcoming episode!
In this episode Dr. Kyle Goldie and Karen Foell, Lead Vet Assistant discuss management of both horses and riders in the HOT weather! Lots of great information about the difference between how horses and humans sweat and why that is important, electrolytes and dehydration, signs and symptoms of heatstroke, what to do and a case-based discussion to top it off!
In this episode, Dr. Kyle Goldie and Karen Foell, our lead veterinary assistant, welcome Dr. Tovah Caldwell to the show. Dr. Caldwell joined MPES in 2010 and has spent her time with us developing her interests in lameness and sport horse medicine. She has a particular interest in back and spinal pain as a cause for behavioural issues, poor performance and lameness, and this interest lead her to become certified in both spinal manipulation therapy (Veterinary Chiropractic Learning Center) and acupuncture (Curacore Medical Acupuncture for Veterinarians). She routinely incorporates these alternative therapies into traditional treatment plans to achieve a balanced, well-rounded approach to her cases.
In this episode Dr. Kyle Goldie and Karen Foell, Lead Veterinary Assistant talk with their first guest, Molly Atkinson, Veterinary Assistant at McKee-Pownall Equine Services. Before joining the McKee-Pownall Team Molly was a full-time groom on the A Circuit; she reminisces about the value of that experience, her affinity for that career choice and her peers. Supporting our industry grooms has always been important to McKee-Pownall and last year, Molly joined our group to add her experience and insights to our Groom's initiatives.
In this episode, Dr. Goldie and Karen Foell discuss biosecurity protocols, they touch on equine nutrition and have some case discussions about sore feet!
It is repro season! In this episode, Dr. Goldie and Karen Foell discuss babies, exciting news from McKee-Pownall and an important case discussion for all horse owners!
Dr. Goldie and Karen begin this episode discussing continuing education and roll into a case discussion with an interesting ending!
In this episode Dr. Goldie and Karen discuss what keeps them up at night and what a day in their work life looks like! They also discuss an interesting case that presented itself in a way Dr. Goldie had never seen before.
Welcome to season one episode one of the EquiConnect podcast! Meet Dr. Kyle Goldie and Karen Foell, Lead Veterinary Assistant from McKee-Pownall Equine Services.
This episode also talks about lameness exams and an interesting case with a horse name Sage and her lameness experience. Listen to find out more!