Monensin is a type of antibiotic commonly found in livestock and poultry feed that is highly toxic to horses. Monensin belongs to a medication class called ionophore antibiotics. These antibiotics are frequently used in feed as parasite control and to...
The 2024 Paris Olympics is the next major sporting event on every equestrian’s calendar. This competition will bring together 200 horse and rider combinations to compete in the disciplines of […]
Para equestrian is the only equestrian sport held at the Paralympics, including at the upcoming Paris 2024 Paralympics in September. Para equestrian athletes demonstrate precision and harmony with their equine counterparts as they perform different dressage movements in the Paralympic...
Salmonellosis refers to infection with Salmonella, a bacterium that primarily causes intestinal infections and diarrhea. Salmonella can affect numerous species, including horses and humans. Horses typically acquire the bacteria through the ingestion of contaminated feed or water. Common symptoms of...
Bog spavin is a common term for effusion in the horse's tarsocrural joint. This painful condition describes inflammation and fluid accumulation in the joint capsule between the tibia and the tarsal bones in the hock. Bog spavin is characterized by...
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...
Anthrax is a rapidly fatal disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. This bacterium can infect horses, other livestock species, and humans. Anthrax cases occur globally every year, including sporadic outbreaks in North America. B. anthracis primarily exists as spores...
In recent years, extensive and persistent wildfires have been a growing concern for horse operations everywhere. Evacuation and preventive protocols are often challenging and put a great deal of strain on livestock and their human caretakers. Equally as concerning is...
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...
Selenium (Se) is a micronutrient that horses require in trace amounts to support cellular function. The selenium content in soil contributes to its final concentration in plants. Worldwide, selenium levels in soil vary widely. Selenium imbalances are common in horses....
Keratosis is an equine skin condition where patches or bands of skin become thickened, rough, dark, and oily. The patches are not painful nor itchy, are not contagious, and do not impact the overall health of the horse. There are...
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....
The Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHPE) is a list of 24 behaviours associated with musculoskeletal pain in the ridden horse. Dr. Sue Dyson et al. developed this ethogram as a means of identifying low-grade lameness and horses experiencing discomfort during...
Hendra virus (HeV), also known as equine morbillivirus, is a frequently fatal viral infection that can affect both horses and people. All reported cases of human Hendra virus infection occurred after exposure to an affected horse, emphasizing the significance of...
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...
Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is an autoimmune disease and the leading cause of blindness in horses. The disease results in the immune system repeatedly attacking the structures of the eye causing tissue damage, inflammation, and eventually blindness. The underlying cause...
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...
When a horse lies down for extended periods, especially with long-heeled horseshoes or on shallow bedding, prolonged pressure and "squishing" from the hoof on the elbow can occur, leading to a condition known as shoe boil. Shoe boils, otherwise known...
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...
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...
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...
Glaucoma refers to increased intraocular pressure, the fluid pressure within the eyeball that gives the eye its shape. [ref n="1"] Glaucoma in horses develops when there is an imbalance in fluid drainage at the front of the eye, leading to...
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...
Degenerative joint disease (also called arthritis) refers to degeneration and loss of the articular cartilage, cartilage within a joint space that protects the bones on either side of a joint. As the articular cartilage degenerates, the bones contact each other,...