A 21 year old mare received dietary intervention from Mad Barn to resolve persistent hay belly and coat and hoof quality issues with an aim to return to light exercise. After two months of dietary intervention, the mare had improvement...
During fetal development, the testicles form near the kidneys and gradually descend into the scrotum through a passage called the inguinal canal. In some cases, this descent is incomplete, resulting in one or both testicles being retained within the abdomen...
Staphylococcus bacteria are a common member of the equine microflora, found on the skin, in the nasal passages, and in the intestines. These bacteria typically do not cause infection or disease. However, under certain circumstances, the bacteria may take advantage...
Liver health is paramount to the overall well-being and performance of horses. It is one of the largest and most vital organs in the equine body. This organ plays a crucial role in numerous physiological processes including metabolism, digestion, detoxification,...
Hives, also known as urticaria, are a common skin reaction in horses characterized by the sudden appearance of raised, swollen wheals on the skin. These wheals can vary in size, and may be accompanied by itching or discomfort. Hives in...
Ringworm, or dermatophytosis, is a common fungal skin infection. Despite its name, ringworm isn't caused by a worm but rather by various fungi, or dermatophytes, that infect the skin. This fungal infection presents circular hair loss patches with crusty, scaly...
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are a naturally occurring type of compound found in many species of plants. When ingested, PAs are toxic to horses. Some of the most common plants that contain high concentrations of PAs include Ragwort (Senecio spp.), Rattlepod,...
Quarantine refers to the practice of separating infected or potentially infected animals to reduce the risk of disease spread. Horse farms, boarding facilities, and show facilities commonly use quarantine protocols to protect the health of their equine population. Quarantine is...
As horse owners the world over know, equines are prone to many forms of gastrointestinal disease and dysfunction. Strangulating lipomas are among the varied and complex risks of GI disruption in horses. A lipoma is a tumor made of fat...
Diagnostic analgesia, commonly referred to as a "nerve block," refers to numbing an area using an analgesic, such as lidocaine, for diagnostic purposes. Diagnostic analgesia is a crucial component of lameness examinations, as numbing certain areas of the horse's limbs...
Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia (HERDA), or Hyperelastosis Cutis (HC), is a genetic degenerative skin disease that primarily affects Quarter Horses. It's characterized by a collagen deficiency, a crucial protein responsible for maintaining the strength and elasticity of the skin....
In August 2023, a diet evaluation was requested for a 46 year old Welsh/Quarter Horse gelding weighing 700 lb (320 kg) in Ontario, Canada. Reported health concerns included acute weight loss, free fecal water syndrome, dentition issues, Cushing's Disease and a...
Proximal Enteritis (also known as Anterior Enteritis) describes inflammation of the first two parts of the horse's small intestine. Proximal Enteritis (PE) is a serious concern for horse owners, as it can block passage of food and water through the...
Horses are susceptible to a variety of external pests and parasites. Most equine pests are either insects or arachnids, some of which can cause irritation, discomfort, and even life-threatening reactions. Several species of external parasite can cause severe health problems...
African horse sickness (AHS) is a viral infection transmitted by biting midges. Up to 90% of horses infected with the virus die after initial infection. [ref n="1"] Due to international trade and climate change, there is a risk of AHS...
Horse eyes are prominent, making them prone to injury. This is especially true of the cornea, which is the outermost layer of the eye. An injury to this layer is known as a corneal ulcer or keratitis. Corneal ulcers can...
Promoting healthy weight gain can be a challenge for some underweight horses. Whether they are recovering from illness, not eating enough, or simply a hard keeper, some horses need extra nutritional support to counteract unwanted weight loss. The main goal...
Iron is a trace mineral that is required in the horse’s diet. Iron is involved in many bodily processes, including transporting oxygen in the blood and producing energy in cells. Supplementation with this mineral is usually not recommended because it...
Mange is a skin and coat condition in horses caused by microscopic parasites called mites. Although mange is not common in horses, specific conditions can lead to a mite infestation that can spread rapidly between horses in direct contact. Mange...
In addition to its well-known cardiovascular and muscle building benefits, regular exercise promotes digestive function and healthy weight management in horses. Fitness training also helps reduce the risk of injury and improves bone mass in working horses. Exercise also influences...
Colic, pain in the abdomen, is one of the most common equine emergencies. [ref n="1"] Some types of colic are life-threatening, requiring immediate veterinary intervention. Currently, colic is one of the leading causes of death in horses. Some studies suggest...
The horse's digestive system is both large and sensitive. It has evolved over millennia to absorb nutrients from grazing pastures and meet the unique energy needs of a free-roaming, incredibly athletic animal. As the horse evolved on the Steppes of...
As with other parasites that feed on blood, mosquitoes can transmit diseases between hosts. In horses, Eastern, Western, and Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis (EEE, WEE, and VEE, respectively) and West Nile Virus are mosquito-borne illnesses. Equine encephalitis and West Nile viruses...
Fiber is one of the most important components in the equine diet, providing up to 70% of a horse’s energy needs. Fiber in equines diets predominantly originates from forages such as hay and pasture grass. Fiber can also be obtained...
Lice are an external parasite found on the hair or fur of mammalian hosts, including horses. A lice infestation is also referred to as pediculosis. There are different species of these small, wingless insects, and horses are usually infested with...
Forage should constitute the bulk of your horse's diet, but not all of it needs to be provided as long-stemmed forages like baled hay. Forage cubes and pellets are other options that may be beneficial for horses in different management...
Cataracts are cloudy areas within the horse's lens, the structure within the eye that directs light to the retina. [ref n="1"] The lens must be clear to allow light to pass through correctly, meaning that cataracts can cause blindness in...
Equine herpesvirus-1 myeloencephalopathy (EHM) is a potentially fatal consequence of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) infection in horses. EHV-1 spreads through contact with an infected horse or surfaces contaminated with the virus. Affected horses develop incoordination, weakness, and paralysis 6-10 days after...
A Breeding Soundness Exam (BSE) aims to evaluate your stallion’s overall health, reproductive anatomy, ability to perform in the breeding shed, and semen quality. This exam ensures your stallion is […]
Equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (EDM) is a degenerative neurologic disease affecting the brain and spinal cord in horses. [ref n="1"] The precise cause of EDM is unknown, but it may be related to a combination of vitamin E deficiency in the...
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