Horse Health

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...

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...

Foxglove poisoning in horses is a potentially fatal emergency caused by ingesting Digitalis purpurea, a toxic ornamental plant that can severely disrupt heart function. Although cases are uncommon, foxglove sometimes grows near pastures and paddocks or ends up in contaminated...

Tail rubbing is a common problem in horses, ranging from mild, occasional scratching to persistent rubbing that damages the tail and skin. Horses may rub the tail head, dock, or hindquarters against fences, walls, trees, feeders, and other surfaces. Over...

Midazolam is a prescription drug that veterinarians may incorporate into anesthesia, sedation, or emergency protocols. Owners are most likely to encounter this medication when a horse requires a procedure involving controlled muscle relaxation or when a foal needs sedation or...

Pentoxifylline for horses is a prescription medication that veterinarians may use as part of a broader treatment plan for conditions involving poor microcirculation or inflammatory responses. In equine practice, it is most often discussed as an adjunct therapy rather than...

Lameness in horses can range from a barely noticeable change in performance to an inability to bear weight, making early recognition an important skill for every owner. When a horse begins moving differently, owners must determine whether veterinary care is...

Even when your horse appears healthy, regular veterinary examinations are an important part of preventive care. Horses can hide early signs of illness, and a veterinarian may detect subtle changes in body condition, dental health, heart and lung function, or...

Muscle soreness in horses commonly develops after strenuous or unfamiliar exercise. Affected horses may feel stiff, take shorter strides, or seem less willing to perform as their muscles recover from the increased workload. Mild exercise-related soreness is usually temporary and...

Clostridial myositis is a rare but life-threatening bacterial infection that causes rapid damage to a horse's muscle tissue. Also known as clostridial myonecrosis, the condition is sometimes called gas gangrene because some infections produce gas within the affected tissues. The...

Neurological signs in horses are observable changes that suggest the brain, spinal cord, or nerves are no longer coordinating normal movement, sensation, behavior, or awareness. These signs can range from subtle changes in performance to a sudden loss of strength...

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a life-threatening complication of many serious illnesses and injuries in horses. It most commonly develops in horses with severe colic, colitis, infection, or major trauma, as well as after surgery. However, any condition that...

Hoof Wall Separation Disease (HWSD) is an inherited hoof disorder in horses that primarily affects Connemara Ponies and horses with Connemara ancestry. The condition weakens the hoof wall, causing it to crack, separate, and break away as the hoof grows...

Cycad toxicosis in horses is a potentially fatal poisoning caused by ingesting cycads, a group of palm-like ornamental plants that includes the sago palm. Although exposure is uncommon, these plants may be found near paddocks, barns, gardens, and landscaped properties,...

Fetterbush toxicosis in horses is an uncommon but potentially serious form of plant poisoning caused by ingesting shrubs from the Leucothoe genus and related species. These plants may be found in wooded environments or used in landscaping around farms and...

English ivy toxicosis in horses occurs when horses consume the leaves, vines, or berries of this common ornamental plant. Although its bitter taste typically discourages horses from eating large amounts, exposure can occur along overgrown fence lines, in wooded paddocks...