Dr. Robert Miller's Articles - Dr. Robert Miller

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Feed Can Be Fatal

by Robert M. Miller, DVM

Posted over 3 years ago

During my practice career I treated countless hundreds, perhaps thousands of horses for colic (acute gastric or intestinal pain). Most survived, but many died. A majority was due to human error. The caretakers made avoidable mistakes. Similar errors...
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Why Many People Pick the Wrong Horse

by Robert M. Miller, DVM

Posted over 3 years ago

The largest group of horse owners in the U.S.A. ride purely for recreation. For pleasure. For the relationship with the horse. To enjoy the out of doors activity. The people involved in the competitive riding disciplines (Western, English, Dressage...
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The Visiting Horseman

by Robert M. Miller, DVM

Posted over 3 years ago

I heard you ring, come in my friend! I was watching TV news, The price of gold, the rioting, and politicians' views. There's been another murder, a plane crash, an earthquake, too. Come in and watch this rocket launch, It's been long since...
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Fred Stone

by Robert M. Miller, DVM

Posted over 3 years ago

Fred Stone, the world’s foremost painter of horses, has been a client, neighbor and friend for half a century. Fred’s paintings, mostly, but not exclusively, are of Thoroughbred racehorses. Living in a modest rural home as long as I have...
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More Horse Calls

by Robert M. Miller, DVM

Posted over 3 years ago

I am a compulsive reader. Always have been. I keep a book in each bathroom, next to my bed, on the dinner table, in my car, several where I watch TV (I read during commercials), and I even carry my own books or periodical journals to my doctor’s...
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The Importance of Hoof Care

by Robert M. Miller, DVM

Posted over 3 years ago

One of the things that I have noticed horse owners to be the most negligent about is foot care. Proper and regular care of the feet is an essential part of good horse care. Now, that does not necessarily mean shoeing. Many horses are not worked enough...
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The Urban Mentality

by Robert M. Miller, DVM

Posted over 3 years ago

I read, recently, that 90% of the population of the U.S.A. now lives in large cities. How different from the first half of this nation’s history, when a majority of the inhabitants lived in a rural environment, either on farms, or in small communities...
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“X” Used in Naming Pharmaceuticals

by Robert M. Miller, DVM

Posted over 3 years ago

Okay! I normally watch only four TV channels, two to get opposing political positions, one for its veterinary and wildlife programs, and one for its once a week reality humor. So it has been a drag for me to watch otherwise wasteful TV in order to collect...
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Flies Can Transmit Disease

by Robert M. Miller, DVM

Posted over 3 years ago

Transmissible Diseases, also known as Contagious Diseases, are those which are commonly spread from one infected individual to another, usually of the same species, but also frequently of another species. This occurs because of direct physical contact...
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My Experience With Mules

by Robert M. Miller, DVM

Posted over 3 years ago

Before 1944 my equine experience was limited to horses. This included draft horses, Morgans, and other breeds. Then, as a senior in high school I was told that the National Ski Patrol was accepting volunteers from high school seniors for the Tenth Mountain...
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Success with Fly Predators

by Robert M. Miller, DVM

Posted over 3 years ago

I will be forever grateful to the Spalding Labs company for their Fly Predators. I have previously described how our relationship began many years ago. It was 1978. I had read about the Predator Flies, and my practice partner, Dr. Larry Dresher, was using...
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Lulu, the Donkey

by Robert M. Miller, DVM

Posted over 4 years ago

Lulu was the only Donkey I have owned. She was one of my patients in a petting zoo, which was part of the facilities at a children’s summer camp in the mountains not far from my home. The petting zoo included miniature horses, pot-bellied pigs...
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The Unwanted Horse Problem

by Robert M. Miller, DVM

Posted over 4 years ago

The dog has been called "Man's Best Friend", and I do not dispute this. The cow has been called "The Mother of Mankind". I can accept this. But, if these things are true, then surely the horse has been "Man's Best Servant"...
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Fly Predator Humor

by Robert M. Miller, DVM

Posted over 4 years ago

Ever since I became a regular user of Spalding Labs’ Fly Predators, over 40 years ago, I have recommended them for fly control to my clients, my neighbors and my seminar audiences. Invariably, those who heed my advice are satisfied with the results...
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How to Teach Horses (or other Equines) to Enjoy Dentistry

by Robert M. Miller, DVM

Posted over 4 years ago

I have had several people ask me how I am able to teach horses or other equines, to allow dentistry (teeth “floating”) without resistance, using no means of restraint such as a twitch, or sedation or tranquilization. I will explain. You will...
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Ronald Reagan

by Robert M. Miller, DVM

Posted over 4 years ago

Ronald Reagan was one of my clients before he went into politics. He owned a horse ranch just a few miles from my clinic. I only saw him twice, both times when he was riding and jumping in his arena. I never spoke to him. I dealt with his ranch manager...
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Rhinos in Kenya

by Robert M. Miller, DVM

Posted over 4 years ago

In 1998 I celebrated my retirement from practice by signing up for a veterinary C.E. and camera safari in Kenya. As a boy, reading the books written by naturalist and explorer Carl Akeley left me with a passion to see the wild animals of east Africa...
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The “Barnsour” Horse

by Robert M. Miller, DVM

Posted over 4 years ago

It is easy to understand why so many horses are “Barnsour” or “Herdbound”. They are reluctant to leave home. Going out for a ride means a slow pace. Conversely on the way home, they are in a hurry, have to be restrained, and want...
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Horse Wrecks to Avoid

by Robert M. Miller, DVM

Posted over 4 years ago

Because horses are flight animals, when they get involved in accidents they often worsen the situation and increase the damage that is done because of their frantic attempts to flee. Every veterinarian who does horse practice is familiar with this fact...
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What the Revolution in Horsemanship Means to Humans

by Robert M. Miller, DVM

Posted over 4 years ago

Isn’t it interesting how the revolution in horsemanship, which began in the late 20 th century and which is now flourishing internationally, began with the efforts of a few cowboys in the Pacific Northwest of the United States? Who would have expected...
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Pre-Purchase Exams

by Robert M. Miller, DVM

Posted over 4 years ago

I never had a specialty in veterinary medicine. I worked on every conceivable species during my practice career, even dolphins and whales. We did a lot of zoo and circus practice. You name it; livestock, pets, birds, elephant. However more than any other...
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Math and Practical Jokes

by Robert M. Miller, DVM

Posted over 4 years ago

I was an average student up until I finished high school. Why was I just “average”? Well, you see, I was top of the class in English, a born writer. I won every spelling bee in grammar school. I made A’s in history and geography and...
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The Blind Horse

by Robert M. Miller, DVM

Posted over 4 years ago

Blindness is not uncommon in horses, sometimes the result of trauma, but more often caused by “Moon Blindness”. I am doing theses stories to show how remarkably well many totally blind horses get along. The horse’s other senses are...
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A Review of a Book About a Hybrid Animal

by Robert M. Miller, DVM

Posted over 5 years ago

In 2006 the Skyhorse Publishing Company produced a beautifully illustrated (with both photos and artwork) book titled The Natural Superiority of Mules . Other editors followed, in 2014, and in 2016. I was asked to do the forward to the 2016 edition, which...
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Two of My Favorite Poems

by Robert M. Miller, DVM

Posted over 5 years ago

Just A Dog “From time to time, people tell me, “lighten up, it’s just a dog.” or “that’s a lot of money for just a dog.” They don’t understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved...
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