-
Aural (Ear) Conditions
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Chronic Conditions
If you’ve ever marveled at the responsiveness of your horse’s ears — the way they prick up for tiny sounds or flatten when it feels in danger — you realize how important these structures are for processing information and communication. Without good hearing, your horse will miss your vocal cues.
Horse
Read more
-
Arthritis and Degenerative Joint Disease
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Diseases and Viruses
Arthritis has several names — degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis — but, whatever you call it, your horse has stiff and painful joints. This common chronic condition often affects older horses, as the cartilage around their joints deteriorates, especially around their knees, coffins, fetlocks,
Read more
-
Anhidrosis
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Chronic Conditions
Horses with anhidrosis lack the ability to sweat. Sometimes, they start out capable of this normal bodily function, and then suddenly lose it. Horses of all breeds, ages, colors and genders are at risk. Also called drycoats or puffers, victims of anhidrosis are most often active horses who live in hot,
Read more
-
Angular Limb Deformities
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Orthopedics
Many young foals have crooked hind or front legs. Lax ligaments and weak muscles usually cause this discrepancy between legs, which is often self-correcting as the horse grows. However, this deviation makes the young horses more likely to crush the cuboidal bones during exercise. If this happens, once
Read more
-
Abscesses and Cysts
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Chronic Conditions
Cysts and abscesses can both form lumps on a horse’s body. However, they stem from different causes. Infections cause abscesses, which are full of pus that accumulates under the skin. Cysts are typically present from birth or form during a horse’s development. In some cases, a veterinarian will recommend
Read more
-
Equine Movement Disorder
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Chronic Conditions
Several conditions can affect how horses move. This includes ones that affect the spinal cord and nerves that run to the muscles as well as to the hooves.
Stringhalt
Stringhalt shows up in horses as a jump, jerk or hop in the one or both hindlimbs, with the legs tucked up high. Symptoms often start suddenly.
Read more
-
Degenerative Problems
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Chronic Conditions
Degenerative disorders are conditions that worsen over time. Some can be improved, or at least slowed, if caught early on. Here are a few common degenerative conditions that horses may face.
Myelopathy
Myelopathy is also called wobbler syndrome because of the affected horse’s unstable gait. This condition
Read more
-
Dentistry
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Digestive and Oral Health
Dentistry for Horses
Like people, horses can develop dental problems. Also like people, some horses can be stoic in the face of major dental pain while a minor dental issue may compromise the performance of a more sensitive horse. This is why horses need regular exams to maximize their dental health.
Foals
Read more
-
Deworming and Internal Parasites
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Pests and Parasites
Like any animal, horses are susceptible to a wide range of parasites. Of the approximately 150 species of internal equine parasites, some can cause serious harm while others are more of an annoyance.
Usually parasite eggs or larvae arrive on the ground from the manure of infected horses. Another horse
Read more
-
Diagnostic Imaging
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Digestive and Oral Health
Diagnostic imaging allows veterinarians to see inside a horse’s body without the need for surgery. X-rays are probably the best-known type of diagnostic imaging, but many others are available to help diagnose illnesses and other health problems in horses.
Each type of diagnostic imaging has its own
Read more
-
Digestive Health
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Digestive and Oral Health
A horse’s digestive system begins with the mouth, ends with the anus and incorporates all the organs in between that are involved in consuming and processing food. Its purpose is fourfold: to digest food, absorb nutrients, move food through the digestive tract and eliminate waste products in the form
Read more
-
Equine Motor Neuron Disease
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Diseases and Viruses
This relatively new disease was first diagnosed in 1990 in the state of New York. It’s still a rare condition and mostly confined to the United States.
Symptoms
Horse owners might first notice that their horse is eating plenty, but still managing to lose a lot of weight. He might have a short gait,
Read more
-
Viral Infectious Diseases
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Diseases and Viruses
Infectious diseases are those that one horse passes to another, or that mosquitoes or other vectors transmit. Some are more common than others. Treatments and prognoses vary, but your veterinarian can help by recommending appropriate vaccinations. Here are some of the more common viral diseases.
Equine
Read more
-
Venereal Disease
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Diseases and Viruses
Venereal diseases, also known as sexually-transmitted infections or diseases, are infections that can be passed during sexual contact. In horses, the two most common ones include:
Equine viral arteritis
Contagious equine metritis
Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA)
Equine viral arteritis is a contagious sexually-transmitted
Read more
-
Uveitis (Moon Blindness)
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Diseases and Viruses
Equine recurrent uveitis (also known as Moon Blindness or periodic ophthalmia) is one of the most common diseases that affect the eyes of adult horses. It is also the most common cause of blindness in horses, which makes prompt diagnosis and treatment of this condition essential.
Causes of Equine Recurrent
Read more
-
Arthritis in Horses
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Orthopedics
Arthritis is one of the most common conditions causing lameness in older horses; in fact, arthritis is responsible for up to 60 percent of all lameness. Arthritis can affect the knee, joint, fetlock, coffin and hock. Arthritis that affects the pastern is also known as “ringbone.”
Arthritis is the
Read more
-
Seizures
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Chronic Conditions
A seizure is caused by a period of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Seizures tend to come on suddenly and end by themselves. They also sometimes occur again. There are three main types of seizures:
Partial (or focused) seizures affect one part of the brain, which, in turn, leads to symptoms
Read more
-
Thyroid Problems
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Chronic Conditions
The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system and consists of two lobes located on the front of a horse’s neck. This gland produces hormones that regulate the body’s metabolism and affect most of the body’s tissues.
When functioning normally, the thyroid is not visible, but certain diseases
Read more
-
Physical Exam
Category:
Equine, Living With Your Pet, Providing Care
Your horse might look as healthy as, well, a horse, making you wonder whether he really needs an annual exam. However, if anything is wrong with your horse’s health, it’s always better to detect a problem earlier rather than later. Your equine veterinarian can also advise on preventive measures to
Read more
-
Ringbone
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Orthopedics
Ringbone is a lameness condition that affects the pastern and coffin joints in horses. This is a degenerative disease that continues to worsen over time. The right treatment and ongoing management, though, can slow the progression of the condition.
Types of Ringbone
Ringbone causes an enlargement around
Read more
-
Respiratory Conditions
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Chronic Conditions
Horses are highly susceptible to a wide variety of respiratory conditions. These can be bacterial, viral or mechanical in nature, or they may be caused by allergies. Some are temporary; others are chronic. Some are serious while others are less serious. Upper airway problems are usually mechanical while
Read more
-
Nutrition
Category:
Equine, Living With Your Pet, Providing Care
You can divide horse nutrition into six categories: carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and water. If you get the right feed for your horse, it might take care of the first five. Supplement the feed with plenty of water, and your horse should have all of its needs met. However, to be sure
Read more
-
Metabolism
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Chronic Conditions
Metabolism in horses — and in other animals — refers to all the body’s complicated processes that break down food, drink and drugs to provide nutrients and energy for living. Anabolic reactions generally happen soon after eating, to build structural parts of the body, such as muscles. Catabolic
Read more
-
Limb Conditions
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Orthopedics
Several disorders can affect the hindlimbs, forelimbs or hooves of horses. Some of these can lead to lameness or changes in gait.
Hindlimb Conditions in Horses
Stringhalt is a condition that causes the horse to jerk or hop, with the hind legs pulled up high before taking the next step. This results
Read more
-
Ligament and Tendon Injuries
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Orthopedics
Ligaments and tendons are important parts of the musculoskeletal system, which also includes the muscles and bones. Together, all these components provide support for the body and enable the horse to move and exercise.
Tendons are very tough bands of connective tissue that connect muscles to bone. Tendons
Read more
-
Immunodeficiency Disorders
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Chronic Conditions
Immunodeficiency disorders in horses are rare conditions that prevent the immune system from protecting the horse against viral, bacterial or other types of infections. These disorders can affect different parts of the horse’s immune system. They may be present at birth or develop later on in the horse’s
Read more
-
Kidney and Liver Problems
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Chronic Conditions
Horses are rarely prone to kidney or liver problems. Damage to both organs is much less common in horses than it is in cats or dogs. However, some aging horses do suffer from progressive and irreversible diseases of the liver or kidneys. Unfortunately, problems with these organs are seldom diagnosed
Read more
-
Where Do You Look For a Horse?
Category:
Equine, Choosing Your Pet, Horses
A good place to buy a horse is the stable where you ride or plan to keep the horse. The stable owner has an interest in keeping you satisfied, and knowing your abilities and temperament he or she can suggest a suitable animal. Riding instructors are also good agents for locating a suitable horse since
Read more
-
Horse Health
Category:
Equine, Living With Your Pet, Providing Care
Looking after a horse is a complicated and, at times, trying experience. Part of a well horse health program includes routine vaccination and deworming. In addition to caring for the inside, however, two simple ways to maintain horse health are regular grooming and equine massage.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations
Read more
-
Hoof Health and Care
Category:
Equine, Living With Your Pet, Providing Care
Horse hooves are complex structures that tell you a lot about your horse’s health and wellbeing. They’re also susceptible to many problems. Here are a few hoof basics as well as some of the major hoof issues your horse faces.
Anatomy
If you look at the bottom of a horse’s hoof, you’ll see two
Read more
-
Hives and Skin Allergies
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Chronic Conditions
The skin is the largest organ in the body and serves many important functions. In spite of its usefulness, a horse’s skin can also develop redness, itchiness or hives in response to various substances in the environment. These kinds of allergic reactions can be caused by things eaten, inhaled or touched
Read more
-
Hernias
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Chronic Conditions
Hernias
A hernia is a tear in the body wall of a horse that allows the internal organs to push through to a place where they don’t belong. There are several types of hernias. They can affect horses of any age or breed.
Horses may have a defect at birth (congenital) that increases the risk of a hernia,
Read more
-
Headshaking
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Chronic Conditions
Head shaking shows up in horses as uncontrollable shaking, jerking or flicking of the head, with no obvious physical irritation causing the condition. While some cases may be mild, head shaking can be severe enough to make a horse dangerous or unsuitable for riding.
Other symptoms that may occur alongside
Read more
-
Fractures
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Orthopedics
Fractures, or breaks, can potentially occur in any bone in a horse’s body. Some types of fractures, however, are more common, especially among very athletic horses, such as racehorses.
Causes of Fractures
Fractures fall into several categories:
An incomplete fracture (also known a “green stick,”
Read more
-
Food and Nutrition
Category:
Equine, Living With Your Pet, Providing Care
From your point of view, as the caregiver, it is important to familiarize your horse with being handled-and of course, it is always gratifying to have a horse with a clean and smart appearance. Feeding your horse correctly is a vital element of effective horse care. A horse's natural grazing pattern
Read more