All Creatures, All Questions

Veterinary Compendium
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All Creatures, All Questions is a Veterinary Compendium podcast hosted by Dr. Kevin Haussler, DVM, DC, PhD, DACVSMR, exploring the science, medicine and stories behind animal health and well-being. Each episode features engaging conversations with veterinary experts, researchers, clinicians and educators who answer important questions, share practical insights and make complex topics clear and accessible. Created for veterinary professionals, students, animal-health specialists and anyone curious about how animals move, heal and thrive.

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    Balance Pads for Horses: Does Softer Mean Harder?

    Learn More with our Webinars: Equine Axial Skeleton Disorders: Review of Scientific Literature Special Senses: Touch – The Neurobiology, Behavior, and Clinical Relevance of Tactile Stimulation in Horses Does a softer balance pad create a greater challenge for a horse, and does it matter which hooves you place it under? In this Science Bites episode of All Creatures, All Questions, Dr. Kevin Haussler examines a study exploring how balance pad density and limb placement affect postural sway in horses. The findings challenge a familiar assumption: progressing from firm to soft pads does not necessarily make a standing exercise more demanding. Discover why pads under all four hooves produced the greatest overall sway, why medium-density pads often produced larger responses than softer ones, and what these results could mean when selecting rehabilitation exercises. Dr. Haussler also explains the study’s limitations—and why greater sway should not automatically be interpreted as better rehabilitation or evidence of long-term improvement. A practical, thought-provoking look at the science behind balance pads for veterinarians, rehabilitation professionals, and horse owners interested in making informed, individualized care decisions. Scientific Article: Evaluation of postural sway in horses standing on balance pads of varying densities and limb placementJournal of Equine Rehabilitation, Volume 3 (2025) Explore more educational resources at vetcompendium.org. All Creatures, All Questions is a Veterinary Compendium podcast. This podcast is intended for educational purposes and does not replace individual veterinary assessment or advice.

  2. Oct 27

    Understanding Equine Dental Care with Wayne Needham

    What makes a thorough equine dental examination—and how might problems in a horse’s mouth relate to comfort, movement and performance? In this episode of All Creatures, All Questions, Dr. Kevin Haussler speaks with equine dental practitioner and educator Wayne Needham about the standards, training and collaboration behind quality equine dental care. Together, they explore how to find a qualified practitioner, what certification involves, and why veterinarians and dental practitioners need to work closely together. Wayne explains his approach to a complete oral examination, including sedation, lighting, dental charting and evaluating individual teeth. The conversation also examines sharp enamel points, restricted jaw movement and the possible connections between oral discomfort, head position and performance. Kevin challenges assumptions about attributing musculoskeletal problems to the teeth, opening a thoughtful discussion about where dental assessment fits within a broader clinical evaluation—and why regular examinations do not necessarily mean a horse needs floating every time. A practical, thought-provoking conversation for veterinarians, equine dental practitioners, rehabilitation professionals, students and horse owners interested in equine health and welfare. Learn more at vetcompendium.org Recommended Webinars to Learn More: Equine Dental DisordersDiagnosis, Treatment, and Preventative Care Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: Diagnosis and Management This podcast is intended for educational purposes and does not replace individual veterinary assessment or advice.

  3. Oct 20

    Acupuncture for Back Pain in Horses: What Does the Evidence Show?

    Acupuncture for Back Pain in Horses: What Does the Evidence Show? Could electroacupuncture or laser acupuncture help horses with back pain, and how do we distinguish improvement over time from a treatment effect? In this episode of Veterinary Compendium’s All Creatures, All Questions - Science Bites episode, Dr. Kevin Haussler examines a 2025 study comparing electroacupuncture, laser acupuncture and no treatment in horses with thoracolumbar pain. Exploring the findings and limitations of this small randomized trial, he explains what changes in pressure sensitivity can tell us, why comparisons with untreated horses matter, and why a lack of significant difference between treatments does not establish equal effectiveness. He also considers how these findings fit into a broader clinical assessment focused on the horse’s comfort, movement and function. A practical, thought-provoking look at interpreting research for veterinarians, rehabilitation professionals, students and anyone interested in equine musculoskeletal health. Learn more at https://vetcompendium.org Article discussed:Comparison of Electroacupuncture vs. Laser Acupuncture in Horses with Thoracolumbar Back PainCaitlin Sebring and colleagues, Journal of Equine Rehabilitation, 2025. This podcast is intended for educational purposes and does not replace individual veterinary assessment or advice.

  4. Oct 14

    Conditioning Young Horses with Jessica Howell

    How can we prepare young horses for athletic careers—and balance fitness, soundness and long-term development? In this episode of All Creatures, All Questions, Dr. Kevin Haussler speaks with Thoroughbred trainer Jessica Howell about her individualized approach to developing young equine athletes, bringing together classical horsemanship and modern exercise physiology. They explore the distinction between conditioning and cardiovascular fitness, the role of balance and self-carriage, and how bones, tendons and ligaments respond to different exercise demands. Jessica shares how she uses heart-rate monitoring to guide training progression, while discussing recovery, the challenges of introducing new approaches into traditional racing programs, and her aim of supporting both physical and mental readiness for competition. A practical, thought-provoking conversation for veterinarians, rehabilitation professionals, trainers, horse owners and anyone interested in equine athletic health. Guest Resource: The Zen Racehorse Facebook Page Learn more at https://vetcompendium.org

  5. Oct 6

    Busting Myths About Animal Pain and Rehabilitation with Dr. Kevin Haussler

    Do abnormal X-rays always mean pain, and does an animal that isn’t limping necessarily feel comfortable? In this myth-busting episode of All Creatures, All Questions, Dr. Kevin Haussler challenges eight common beliefs about animal pain, movement and rehabilitation, drawing on examples from horses and dogs. He explores why imaging findings don’t always match symptoms, how apparent stubbornness can signal discomfort or fear, and why rest alone may not resolve musculoskeletal injuries. He also re-examines claims that massage removes toxins, chiropractic treatment puts bones back into place, perfect symmetry equals soundness, and declining comfort is simply an unavoidable part of ageing. A practical, thought-provoking discussion about looking beyond assumptions, recognizing subtle signs of pain and taking a whole-animal approach to care, for veterinarians, rehabilitation professionals, students and anyone interested in animal musculoskeletal health. Learn more at https://vetcompendium.org

  6. Sep 29

    Recognizing Back Pain and Dysfunction in Dogs with Dr. David Lane

    How often is back pain recognized in dogs, and what influences whether veterinarians identify it? In the premiere episode of All Creatures, All Questions, Dr. Kevin Haussler speaks with canine sports-medicine specialist Dr. David Lane (Points East West Veterinary Services) about the challenges of detecting back pain and axial dysfunction in canine patients. Drawing on their clinical experience and newly published collaborative research, they explore how professional training and examination techniques can influence the recognition of back pain, the signs clinicians may encounter, including lameness and reduced performance, and why standardized assessment methods and further objective research are needed. A practical, thought-provoking conversation for veterinarians, rehabilitation professionals, students and anyone interested in canine musculoskeletal health. Learn more at https://vetcompendium.org Link to open-access article: Factors affecting veterinary perception of the prevalence of back pain and dysfunction in dogs and horses Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2026 This podcast is intended for educational purposes and does not replace individual veterinary assessment or advice.

  • 6 Episodes

About

All Creatures, All Questions is a Veterinary Compendium podcast hosted by Dr. Kevin Haussler, DVM, DC, PhD, DACVSMR, exploring the science, medicine and stories behind animal health and well-being. Each episode features engaging conversations with veterinary experts, researchers, clinicians and educators who answer important questions, share practical insights and make complex topics clear and accessible. Created for veterinary professionals, students, animal-health specialists and anyone curious about how animals move, heal and thrive.

Information

  • Creator
    Veterinary Compendium
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Veterinary Compendium
  • Show Website
    All Creatures, All Questions

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