Kremer Equine & Canine Therapy

Have you ever felt confused by saddle seat size?
It might be because 17.5” ≠ 17.5”

Let me explain: Just because two saddles are both stamped 17.5” does not mean they offer the same space for the rider. Not even close.

This is one of the most common misconceptions we see when riders are saddle shopping. You rode in a 17.5”? Great. But assuming you’ll need a 17.5” in every other saddle you try is like assuming every “medium” shirt will fit the same, regardless of brand, cut, or stretch. Spoiler, it won’t.

Yes, both saddles might technically measure 17.5” from the seat nail to the middle of the cantle (the standard method). But what that number doesn’t tell you is how much actual usable space exists for you, the rider. Pommel shape, cantle height, seat curve, foaming, twist, seat width, all of these influence how much room your body really has to move.

This is why you could be riding in something that technically “measures” right but feels completely wrong. So no, not all 17.5” saddles are created equal. Not by brand, not by model, and definitely not across disciplines.

The next time you try a new saddle, remember, the number stamped under the flap means very little and real rider fit takes more than a tape measure.

Let the fun begin. Start of in-barn assignments for CEE through Saddlefit4Life.

Equine asthma is a breathing problem caused by inflammation in the airways. It can range from mild to severe, but across all forms, one thing matters most: reducing dust and irritants in the horse's environment.

What many owners think of as "dust" is more than just visible dirt. It can include bacteria, mold and fungal spores, mites, endotoxins, and other tiny particles that trigger inflammation in the lungs. Some of the worst particles are actually too small to see.

The key is the horse's breathing zone - the air right around the nose. Dust in that area matters much more than dust elsewhere in the barn. Even a stable that looks clean can still have harmful tiny particles in the air.

Common dust and irritant sources can include:
• Hay
• Bedding
• Sweeping or mucking stalls
• Barn blowers
• Round bale feeding
• Very dry, windy conditions
• Pollens or other allergens
• Unusual triggers like nearby manure piles, chemical sprays, chickens, or certain bedding materials

Management often focuses on lowering dust exposure:
• Reconsidering hay and bedding
• Using wood shavings
• Feeding a pelleted diet or hay cubes
• Soaking hay
• Steaming hay correctly
• Considering haylage
• Avoiding round bale feeding in horses prone to severe asthma

Note that medication may help control inflammation or open the airways, but there is no replacement to environmental management. Long-term improvement depends on reducing dust in the horse's environment, especially in the breathing zone.

If you have questions or concerns about your specific equine, contact your veterinarian.

Soo funny

TikTok · Schleese & Saddlefit 27 likes, 3 comments. “If saddles fit the way excuses make it sound like they do… 🤨 Saddle fit is a nonnegotiable component of welfare for ridden horses. Just like us, no two horses are built exactly the same, so we can’t expect one saddle to work for every horse, or even for the same horse...

One Tick. One Bite. One Very Sick Horse.

Anaplasmosis in horses is one of those diseases that can look terrifying at first — high fevers, swollen legs, jaundice, lethargy — but thankfully with prompt treatment, most horses recover very well.

Anaplasmosis is caused by a bacteria called Anaplasma phagocytophilum and is spread primarily through tick bites. Deer ticks (the same ticks associated with Lyme disease) are the main culprit. Horses become infected when an infected tick feeds on them and transfers the bacteria into the bloodstream. Cases are most common in spring and fall when ticks are especially active, but they can occur anytime ticks are present.

One important thing to understand is that there is typically an incubation period between the tick bite and when the horse actually starts showing symptoms. The incubation period for Anaplasmosis is usually around 6-12 days after exposure to an infected tick. This means horses can appear completely normal for days or even weeks before suddenly becoming sick. Because of this delay, owners often never actually see the tick responsible for the infection.

Once inside the body, the bacteria infect white blood cells and trigger a widespread inflammatory response. Symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on the horse’s age, immune system, and how quickly treatment is started.

Common symptoms include:
• Sudden high fever
• Depression or extreme lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Reluctance to move or stiffness
• Swollen legs (especially hind legs)
• Ataxia/incoordination in more severe cases
• Yellowing of the gums or eyes (jaundice/icterus)
• Petechiae (small red pinpoint hemorrhages on gums)
• Increased heart rate
• Colic-like discomfort in some horses

Many horses look profoundly sick very quickly. Owners often describe them as going from “normal” to “seriously ill” in 24–48 hours.

Bloodwork is extremely helpful in diagnosing Anaplasmosis. Typical findings often include:
• Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
• Low white blood cell count
• Mild anemia
• Elevated inflammatory markers such as SAA or fibrinogen
• Elevated bilirubin causing jaundice

Veterinarians can sometimes actually see the bacteria inside white blood cells on a blood smear, but the most accurate diagnostic test is usually a PCR test run on blood. This detects the DNA of the bacteria and confirms infection.

The good news is that Anaplasmosis generally responds very well to treatment. The antibiotic of choice is usually oxytetracycline given intravenously. Many horses improve dramatically within 24–48 hours of starting treatment. In milder cases or after IV treatment, horses may also be placed on oral doxycycline.

Supportive care is also important and may include:
• Anti-inflammatories to control fever and discomfort
• Fluids if dehydrated
• Careful monitoring of appetite, hydration, and temperature

Recovery expectations are generally excellent when treatment is started early. Most horses recover fully within a couple of weeks, although some may take longer to regain full energy and muscle condition after being very sick. Severe untreated cases can occasionally become life-threatening, particularly in older horses or horses with complications, which is why early veterinary intervention is so important.

One important thing to know is that horses do not directly spread Anaplasmosis to each other. The disease is transmitted through ticks, not horse-to-horse contact.

The best prevention is good tick control:
• Daily tick checks
• Keeping pastures trimmed
• Reducing brush and wooded overgrowth
• Using veterinarian-recommended tick repellents or prevention products
• Monitoring horses closely during heavy tick seasons

If your horse suddenly develops a high fever, swollen legs, depression, or jaundice — especially during tick season — Anaplasmosis should absolutely be on the list of possibilities to discuss with your veterinarian. The earlier it’s caught, the smoother recovery usually is.

I’d love to hear of other symptoms you’ve experienced with your Anaplasmosis positive horses.

Merch has arrived! Sooo happy with it 😊. Check out Hannah’s page for the amazing work she does.