Equine complex vertebral malformation (ECVM) is a congenital abnormality of the lower cervical spine in horses that affects the shape of the sixth and sometimes seventh cervical vertebrae. Interest in ECVM has grown in equine veterinary medicine as researchers investigate...
Winter diarrhea in horses is a common concern, as seasonal changes in feeding, management, and daily routines can affect a horse's digestive health during the colder months. Although diarrhea can occur at any time of year, it may become more...
Teeth grinding in horses, also known as bruxism, is an abnormal behavior that often indicates pain, discomfort, or an underlying medical condition. Although the sound may be most noticeable while a horse is eating or resting, persistent grinding is a...
Horse teeth are specialized structures adapted for continuous grazing and the breakdown of fibrous forage. Unlike human teeth, equine teeth have long reserve crowns that extend deep into the jaw and gradually erupt throughout much of the horse’s life to...
Jaundice in horses is a yellow discoloration of the eyes, gums, or skin that develops when bilirubin builds up in the body. Bilirubin is a pigment produced during the normal breakdown of red blood cells, and it is typically processed...
Sweeney shoulder in horses is a nerve-related shoulder condition that occurs when the suprascapular nerve is damaged, causing nearby muscles to weaken and waste away. This muscle loss can create a hollowed appearance around the shoulder and may affect the...
Finding a missing horse is an urgent and stressful situation for any owner or caretaker, but a calm, organized response can improve the chances of a safe recovery. Horses most often go missing after escaping from a pasture, paddock, stable,...
Excessive tail swishing in horses can be more than a normal behavioral response. While horses commonly swish their tails to repel insects or communicate irritation, persistent, forceful, or unusual tail movement can be a sign of discomfort, stress, pain, or...
A swollen umbilicus in a foal is a common abnormality that may involve the external navel, deeper umbilical structures within the abdomen, or both. While some cases are relatively minor, others can indicate infection, persistent fetal structures, an umbilical hernia,...
A hot hoof in horses is a common symptom that owners may find during routine grooming, hoof cleaning, or after exercise. While warmth can be a normal response to increased blood flow, work, or hot weather, it can also be...
Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare inherited muscle disorder in horses that affects how muscles regulate calcium. When calcium regulation becomes abnormal, the muscles become overactive and produce excessive heat, carbon dioxide, and acid within the body. The condition is...
The equine stress response is a normal part of how horses recognize and react to challenges in their environment. Sudden noises, travel, social changes, unfamiliar surroundings, physical demands, pain, illness, and changes in routine can all activate biological systems that...
Ataxia refers to a loss of normal coordination and is one of the most common signs of neurological disease in horses. Because normal movement depends on the coordinated function of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and balance systems, many...
Elbow lameness in horses refers to pain or dysfunction arising from the elbow joint or nearby soft tissues. Although the elbow is not a common source of forelimb lameness in horses, problems in this region can have a major impact...
The horse shoulder, also called the equine shoulder joint, connects the shoulder blade to the front limb and plays an important role in weight-bearing, balance, and forward movement. Unlike the human shoulder, which is built for a wide range of...
Horse height is one of the most important and widely used measurements for describing horses. Measured from the ground to the top of the withers, height provides a standardized reference point for comparing horses of different breeds, body types, and...
Limb fractures in horses are serious bone injuries that require prompt veterinary assessment and careful stabilization. A fracture is any break in the bone, ranging from a small crack to a complete break with multiple fragments or involvement of a...
Drooling in horses can be a normal response to eating, but excessive salivation may also signal irritation, dental disease, swallowing difficulty, toxic plant exposure, or another underlying health concern. Because saliva supports chewing, swallowing, and digestion, changes in how much...
Aging horses by their teeth is a practical way to estimate a horse's age by evaluating patterns of tooth eruption, replacement, and wear. Because equine teeth change throughout life, they can provide useful clues about a horse's stage of development,...
Free-roaming horses still live in North America, and the wild herds that survive today have a complex history. These horses are generally descended from domestic horses brought by European explorers and settlers, some of which escaped or were released and...
Western saddle pads are an essential part of western tack, helping protect the horse's back while supporting saddle stability, rider balance, and overall comfort during riding. Western disciplines vary widely in speed, duration, movement, and workload. As a result, saddle...
Insect control is an important part of horse management. While insects are unavoidable in the environment, some species can irritate horses, disrupt normal behavior, damage skin and eyes, or transmit disease. A good control plan helps protect the horse while...
Respiratory noises in horses can signal a problem with airflow through their nose, throat, or lungs. While some breathing sounds are subtle, persistent or unusual noises may suggest irritation, inflammation, mucus buildup, airway narrowing, or another respiratory concern that needs...
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in horses is a paired joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull and helps coordinate the movements needed for chewing. Working together with the teeth, tongue, cheeks, and chewing muscles, the TMJ allows the...
The horse's jaw is a complex structure that plays a central role in eating, chewing, digestion, and overall wellbeing. Every jaw movement relies on the coordinated action of bones, teeth, muscles, joints, nerves, and soft tissues working together to process...
Global horse populations are shaped by agriculture, transportation, sport, recreation, and cultural traditions across many regions of the world. For horse owners, understanding where horses live and how their numbers are changing provides useful insight into the broader role of...
Milkshaking in horses, is a controversial practice often associated with performance enhancement. It involves the administration of certain substances to a horse to manipulate blood chemistry, particularly to boost stamina and delay fatigue. While some view milkshaking as a shortcut...
Halters are an essential piece of horse tack used to safely lead, train, and manage horses from the ground. Made of interconnected straps that sit around the horse’s poll, cheeks, and nose, this equipment allows handlers to guide a horse’s...
Stall gates are a core feature of modern horse barns that support healthier stall conditions and give horses a more engaging environment. Well-designed gates help maintain cleaner air conditions by keeping stalls open to natural ventilation, and allowing horses to...
Autologous Protein Solution (APS) is a biologic therapy that has emerged as an innovative treatment for managing joint and soft tissue injuries in horses. This biologic therapy uses the horse's own blood to create a concentrated solution of anti-inflammatory proteins...