Horse Health

Leg poultices have been integral to equine care for centuries, offering therapeutic benefits to horses that aid in reducing inflammation, promoting healing, and providing relief from various leg-related conditions. Traditionally, poultices were crafted from natural ingredients like clay, herbs, and...

Equine physiotherapy plays a crucial role in supporting horses recovering from injuries, managing chronic conditions, and improving overall performance. With advancements in veterinary science, a wide range of physiotherapy tools are now available to aid in rehabilitation and conditioning. From...

Genetic disorders are an important consideration in animal breeding, especially in populations bred for specific traits over many generations such as the Quarter Horse. These conditions arise from mutations in the genetic material passed from parents to offspring. Depending on...

Carnitine is vital for energy production in horses, helping convert fat into usable fuel by transporting fatty acids into cell mitochondria. It supports high-energy tissues like muscle and heart. Horses naturally produce carnitine, but dietary sources like meat and dairy...

Praziquantel for horses is an antiparasitic medication used to control tapeworm infections. It is commonly included in combination dewormers with ivermectin or moxidectin, which provides coverage for tapeworms and other species of internal parasites in one product. Praziquantel has a...

Blepharitis in horses is inflammation of one or both eyelids that can cause swelling, redness, irritation, crusting, hair loss, and discomfort around the eye. Other identifying symptoms include excessive tearing, eye discharge, squinting, and sensitivity to light, particularly when inflammation...

Golden chain tree poisoning in horses is an acute toxic emergency caused by ingesting parts of Laburnum trees or shrubs. Although horses may avoid the bitter-tasting plant when adequate forage is available, fallen seed pods, discarded branches, and contaminated hay...

A runny nose in horses can range from a small amount of clear fluid to thick, foul-smelling, or bloody discharge. While occasional clear nasal discharge is not always a cause for concern, persistent or unusual discharge can indicate a problem...

Facial nerve paralysis in horses causes weakness or loss of movement in the muscles of the face. Depending on the location of the nerve damage, affected horses may develop a drooping ear or lip, an uneven muzzle, difficulty blinking, or...

An aneurysm in a horse is an abnormal widening or bulging of an artery caused by weakness or damage in the vessel wall. As the affected area expands, the artery may become more vulnerable to disrupted blood flow, blood clot...

Fentanyl is a prescription opioid that veterinarians may use to help manage moderate to severe pain in horses. In equine medicine, it is generally used as one component of a broader pain-management or anesthetic plan. Fentanyl can be administered intravenously...

Locoweed toxicosis in horses is a progressive poisoning caused by repeated ingestion of certain swainsonine-containing plants. Often called locoism, the condition primarily affects the nervous system and can lead to changes in coordination, behavior, and body condition. Early signs may...

Trazodone is a prescription medication used to reduce anxiety and promote calm behavior in horses. It alters serotonin signaling in the brain and may be included in a broader management plan when a horse's behavior could interfere with safe handling,...

Curb is swelling or thickening that develops along the back of a horse's hock. It is usually associated with strain or injury to the ligaments, tendons, or other supporting tissues in this area. A fresh curb may appear suddenly and...

Horsetail toxicosis in horses is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition caused by repeated consumption of horsetail plants, most often through contaminated hay. Early signs such as weight loss, weakness, and mild incoordination may be subtle, making a history of...

Fiddleneck toxicosis in horses is a form of plant poisoning caused by pyrrolizidine alkaloids found in species of fiddleneck plants in the genus Amsinckia. Horses may ingest the plant while grazing or consume its dried material and seeds in contaminated...

Hoary alyssum toxicosis in horses is a potentially serious condition caused by eating fresh or dried hoary alyssum (Berteroa incana). Equine exposure often occurs through contaminated hay, where the weed is more difficult to recognize after harvesting and baling. Affected...

Heliotrope toxicosis in horses is a potentially fatal form of plant poisoning caused by toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids that damage the liver. Because these compounds have cumulative effects, repeated consumption of small amounts may cause serious injury before a horse shows...

Jimsonweed poisoning in horses is a potentially life-threatening toxicosis caused by ingesting Datura stramonium, an invasive plant containing potent tropane alkaloids. These compounds disrupt normal nerve signaling and can severely impair gastrointestinal function. Exposure is difficult to detect when jimsonweed...

Amikacin for horses is an antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial infections, particularly those caused by aerobic gram-negative bacteria. In equine practice, amikacin is used for conditions such as neonatal sepsis and pneumonia, septic joints, localized limb infections, and uterine...

Morphine is a potent opioid used in equine veterinary medicine to manage moderate to severe pain. Veterinarians may use it for horses undergoing surgery or treatment for traumatic injuries and other painful conditions when nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or other...

Buttress foot, also known as pyramidal hoof disease, is a firm enlargement that develops at the front of a horse's coronary band. It is associated with changes in the bone around the extensor process of the coffin bone or the...

Metoclopramide is a prescription medication that veterinarians may use to treat gut motility issues in horses. In equine medicine, it has been used in selected cases of postoperative ileus, delayed gastric emptying, chronic gastric dilatation, and gastric impaction. The medication...

Fever in horses is a common symptom of infection and inflammation and can range from a mild, temporary temperature increase to a warning sign of serious illness. A horse's temperature can also rise after exercise or during hot weather, making...

Metformin is an oral antihyperglycemic medication approved for human use. It is sometimes used off-label in horses as part of a comprehensive management plan for insulin dysregulation associated with equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). No veterinary-labeled metformin products are available for...

Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), commonly known as equine Cushing's disease, is one of the most common endocrine disorders diagnosed in older horses. Many signs of PPID can develop gradually or overlap with normal signs of aging. As a result,...

Laurel toxicosis in horses is an uncommon but potentially serious poisoning caused by ingesting toxic Kalmia shrubs, including mountain laurel and sheep laurel. All parts of these plants can contain grayanotoxins, which disrupt normal nerve, muscle, and heart function. Horses...

Fenbendazole is a dewormer used to treat certain gastrointestinal parasites in horses. Although it has long been part of equine parasite-control programs, widespread anthelmintic resistance has reduced its effectiveness against some common parasites. The drug disrupts microtubule formation in target...

Vaccination helps protect foals from infectious diseases during the critical first year of life. Newborn foals receive temporary immunity through antibodies in their dam's colostrum, but this protection gradually declines over the first several months. As maternal antibodies wane, foals...

Horse chestnut toxicosis in horses is an uncommon but potentially serious poisoning caused by ingesting seeds or other parts of trees in the Aesculus genus. Fallen seeds, young shoots, leaves, bark, and flowers can all contain toxic compounds that affect...