Standing sedation and general anesthesia are two primary methods veterinarians use to immobilize horses for medical and surgical procedures. From routine dental care to complex colic surgery, selecting the appropriate anesthetic approach is a critical part of equine medicine due...

Nasopharyngeal sampling is a commonly performed diagnostic procedure in equine practice, used to identify infectious agents affecting the upper respiratory tract. It involves inserting a deep nasal swab into the nasopharynx to collect samples for testing for viral or bacterial...

Bacterial infections are a common cause of illness in horses and can affect nearly every body system, from the skin and respiratory tract to the gastrointestinal tract, urinary system, and joints. These infections may develop after wounds or surgical procedures,...

Twitching is an equine restraint technique that is sometimes used during veterinary and husbandry procedures. Most often applied to the upper lip, a twitch is designed to limit movement and improve safety when a horse reacts to brief discomfort or...

The equine respiratory system plays a critical role in athletic performance and overall health, and even subtle abnormalities can significantly impact a horse’s comfort, stamina, and ability to perform. Because many respiratory problems are located deep within the nasal passages,...

Effective parasite control is a cornerstone of equine health management. While routine deworming once served as the mainstay of parasite prevention, increasing evidence of anthelmintic resistance has shifted the focus toward diagnostic testing and targeted treatment. Diagnostic tests provide valuable...

Nasogastric intubation is one of the most fundamental and frequently performed procedures in equine practice. It serves both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes and is a critical component of evaluating horses with gastrointestinal disease, particularly those presenting with signs of colic....

Abdominal ultrasound is a valuable, non-invasive diagnostic tool that allows veterinarians to visualize the organs and soft tissues within a horse’s abdomen. Using high-frequency sound waves, the technique produces real-time images that can reveal both normal anatomy and subtle abnormalities....

Rectal examination remains one of the most valuable and informative diagnostic tools available to equine practitioners when evaluating gastrointestinal conditions. In cases of colic, it is often the single most informative procedure for identifying the underlying cause, determining the severity...

Joint disease and injury are common causes of lameness and poor performance in horses, particularly in athletic or young growing animals. Conditions such as osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), synovitis, and traumatic fractures of joint surfaces can significantly affect a horse’s comfort,...

Neurologic disease in horses often presents a diagnostic challenge, as clinical signs can be vague or difficult to narrow down to one disease. A valuable tool available to veterinarians handling neurologic cases is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. By providing a...

Fungal diseases in horses represent a diverse group of conditions that can affect the skin, respiratory tract, eyes, and internal organs. While less common than bacterial or viral infections, fungal infections are often more insidious and challenging to diagnose. Because...

Abdominal disease is a common and sometimes life-threatening problem in horses, with colic being one of the most frequent emergencies encountered in equine practice. One valuable tool in the diagnostic process for colic cases is abdominocentesis, also known as a...

The equine heart is a remarkable organ, designed to support athletic performance, endurance, and overall health. However, like any system, it can be affected by disease or structural abnormalities that compromise its function. Detecting heart problems in horses can be...

An ophthalmic examination involves more than simply looking at the surface of the eye. A complete assessment evaluates the cornea, lens, anterior and posterior chambers, tear production, ocular pressure, and reflexes. Special diagnostic tools, such as fluorescein dye, Schirmer tear...