Blog

Angular limb deformities (ALDs) and flexural deformities (FDs) frequently affect foals’ legs. When severe, they are deemed clinically significant and require conservative management or veterinary intervention to achieve correction.

Tetanus, or lockjaw, is a non-contagious neurological disease that results from a bacterial infection. Horses are particularly vulnerable to tetanus, with individuals of all ages and breeds affected worldwide. Tetanus spores are particularly dangerous for horses as they survive for long periods and can be found everywhere in the environment, including in soil, dust, manure and even the digestive tract. The smallest wound can make a horse susceptible to tetanus once these spores enter the body. Fortunately, tetanus is entirely preventable with regular immunization and other protective measures.

Botulism is a fatal neuroparalytic disease that affects horses, humans and other animals worldwide. Botulism interferes with nerve signalling, weakening and often paralyzing the horse. This disease is caused by the ingestion of botulinum toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. Horses are particularly susceptible to botulism and only need to consume a small amount of botulism neurotoxin to become seriously infected. When botulism occurs in foals, it is known as Shaker Foal Syndrome or toxico-infectious botulism. Botulism outbreaks occur sporadically but are fortunately rare. Feed or forage can be contaminated with botulism and infect multiple horses with access to that feed. Silage and haylage are the most common sources of botulism in equine diets.

Alopecia or hair loss in horses can occur for several different reasons and may be temporary or permanent. Alopecia refers to the partial or complete absence of hair that occurs in any area of the body where hair is normally present. Congenital alopecia is a condition that is present at the time of birth. This form of alopecia is non-inflammatory and may occur due to genetic factors, resulting in damage to the hair follicles. Acquired alopecia refers to a partial or complete loss of hair that occurs at any stage of life. It is the most common form of hair loss that affects horses.

Photosensitization, or light-induced dermatitis (photodermatitis), is a noncontagious condition in horses where the skin becomes extremely sensitive to sunlight. This condition often mimics a sunburn, but it is much more serious and painful. Photosensitization is most commonly caused by ingesting toxic plants containing pigments, which are absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and transported to the skin. When exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight, the pigments cause a complex photosensitivity reaction in the horse's skin. Non-pigmented (i.e. white) skin is especially sensitive to reactive compounds, as is skin with little hair cover (i.e. muzzle, eyelids, ears).

It’s not uncommon for horses to experience eye problems. Several conditions and diseases can affect vision and eye health in horses, including uveitis, cataracts, and conjunctivitis. Horses experiencing eye issues may have symptoms such as swelling, tearing, drainage, discoloration, cloudiness, or sensitivity to light. Some conditions may not affect the eye, but instead, the eyelid or area around the eye. If your horse is affected by vision problems, this may result in poor performance, reluctance to move, nervous behavior, stumbling or clumsiness and an increased risk of injuries.

Myosin Heavy Chain Myopathy (MYHM) is a muscle disease that can affect Quarter Horses and related breeds with the associated mutation in the MYH1 gene. MYH1, also called myosin heavy chain 1, is a gene that encodes a type of myosin found in fast-twitch muscle. Myosin is a protein responsible for muscle contraction and other motor functions. Horses with the MYH1 mutation have myosin with an altered amino acid sequence which interferes with the function of myosin in muscle tissue.