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.

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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

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

This episode delves into the fascinating history and science behind horse transportation, exploring how equine transport has evolved from ancient times to the present day. It begins with a captivating story to draw listeners into the topic before transitioning to a comprehensive exploration of horse transportation methods, including trailering and air travel.

Dr. Mortensen covers various aspects such as the stress horses experience during travel, international transport regulations, and the costs associated with flying horses for competitions like the Olympics. Practical advice on trailering horses safely and ensuring their well-being during transport is also provided. Enriched with scientific studies and personal anecdotes, this podcast offers a deep dive into the logistics, welfare considerations, and historical context of moving horses across the globe.

Podcast Timeline

00:00 Introduction: How to Help Horses

00:47 A Tale of Adventure

07:46 From Fiction to Reality: The Journey of Horse Transportation

14:51 Historical Perspectives on Horse Transportation

20:46 Modern Horse Transport: Trailers, Airplanes, and Beyond

25:14 The Importance of Trailer Training for Horse Safety

29:57 The Logistics of Transporting Horses to Tokyo

30:40 Understanding Transportation Laws for Horses

32:10 The Process of Flying Horses Internationally

33:20 Pre-Flight Preparations and Quarantine Protocols

35:35 During the Flight: Managing Horse Stress and Care

36:26 Post-Flight Care and Quarantine for Horses

37:06 Costs and Considerations for Horse Transportation

38:19 Impact of Transport on Horses: Studies and Observations

38:53 Road Transport Stress on Horses

43:26 Transport's Effect on Sport Horses' Performance

45:07 Air Transport: Stress Levels and Adaptation

46:40 Trailering Stress and Diagnostic Testing for Horses

48:29 Essential Horse Trailering Tips

53:16 Concluding Thoughts on Horse Transportation

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