Veterinary Vertex
Veterinary Vertex
AVMA Journals
Draft Horse Colic Myths, Debunked
19 minutes Posted Nov 27, 2025 at 6:00 am.
Sponsor Message: Dog Wellness
Meet The Hosts And Guest
Study Focus And Myth To Tackle
Jennifer’s Path To Equine Medicine
Why Study Draft Horses And Colic
Do Drafts Truly Fare Worse
Key Finding: Later, Sicker Presentations
Data Limits And Modeling Choices
Practical Advice: Intervene Early
Takeaways For Referral Decisions
Memorable Cases That Shaped The Work
Owner Fears: Surgery And Survival Rates
Future Research Priorities
What We Still Don’t Understand
Training, Collaboration, And Research Approach
Fun Questions: Speak To Horses
Dream Barn Tech And Closing
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Show notes
Send us Fan Mail Think draft horses “do worse” with colic? We put that belief on trial and let the data speak. With equine practitioner and researcher Dr. Jennifer Burns as our guest, we unpack why survival isn’t about breed status—it’s about when the horse arrives and how quickly we act. Drafts are famously stoic, which can mask early pain and delay referral. By the time they reach the hospital, heart rate, lactate, and abdominal protein often paint a sicker picture. The takeaway is both pra...