Conditions

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...

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...

Equine coital exanthema in horses is an EHV-3 infection with an important practical consequence: a mare or stallion may appear healthy yet still need to be withdrawn from breeding. Even a mild case can cause significant discomfort and disrupt breeding...

Day blooming jasmine toxicosis in horses is a progressive form of poisoning caused by repeated ingestion of the ornamental shrub Cestrum diurnum. The plant grows in tropical and subtropical regions and may be found in landscaped areas, along fence lines,...

Death camas toxicosis in horses is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening form of plant poisoning caused by ingesting death camas. These highly toxic plants grow across much of North America and may be consumed when pasture forage is sparse or...

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...

Desert rose toxicosis in horses is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening poisoning caused by ingesting Adenium obesum, a succulent ornamental plant. Unlike many toxic pasture weeds, desert rose is typically found in landscaped gardens, container plantings, and discarded yard waste....

Castor bean (Ricinus communis) is a highly toxic flowering plant that can pose a serious poisoning risk to horses, especially when seeds are chewed or crushed.The plant is widely distributed throughout tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate regions worldwide. Castor bean...

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...

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), often incorrectly referred to as acacia, is a deciduous tree in the bean family (Fabaceae) that can pose a toxic risk to horses. Native to parts of eastern North America, black locust grows rapidly and spreads...

Avocado toxicity in horses occurs when horses ingest leaves, fruit, stems, bark, or seeds from the avocado tree (Persea americana). Although avocado fruit is commonly consumed by humans, the plant contains compounds that can cause illness in several animal species,...

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...

Allium plants are a bulb-forming species that include onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, and chives. Although these plants are common in human diets, they can pose a toxic risk to horses when consumed in sufficient amounts or repeatedly over time. Exposure...

Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale), also known as meadow saffron, is a highly toxic plant that can pose a serious risk to horses in pastures, hay fields, and contaminated forage. This small herbaceous perennial is native to Europe and parts of...

Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) is a widespread toxic plant that can pose a serious risk to horses when consumed repeatedly in pasture or contaminated hay. This adaptable perennial fern grows throughout North America and many other regions, often establishing dense...

Blue-green algae poisoning in horses is a serious and potentially fatal toxicosis caused by cyanobacteria, microscopic aquatic organisms that can produce potent toxins in contaminated water sources. Harmful cyanobacterial blooms occur worldwide in freshwater and brackish water systems. Under favorable...

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease in horses caused by Leishmania protozoa and transmitted primarily through the bites of infected sandflies. Although the disease is more common in humans and dogs, horses can also become infected in regions where these parasites...

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...

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...

Tularemia is a bacterial disease that affects a wide range of mammals, birds, and reptiles. Also known as rabbit fever, the disease is caused by Francisella tularensis, a bacterium that is commonly found in rabbits, rodents, and other wildlife. Infection...

Laminitis is one of the most common and serious hoof conditions affecting horses. This painful disease damages the laminae, the specialized tissues that help suspend and support the coffin bone within the hoof capsule. In severe cases, laminitis can result...

Periodontal disease in horses is a common dental condition involving inflammation and infection of the tissues that support the teeth, including the gums, ligament, and surrounding bone. It often develops gradually and may go unnoticed in the early stages, allowing...

Equine rhinitis viruses A and B (ERAV and ERBV) are contagious respiratory viruses that commonly infect horses worldwide. These infections are a frequent cause of mild respiratory illness, particularly in young horses and those housed in group settings such as...

Spasmodic colic is one of the most common — and typically milder — forms of colic in horses. It occurs when the muscles of the intestines contract suddenly and irregularly, causing brief episodes of abdominal discomfort. This type of colic...

Caffeine toxicity in horses is an uncommon but important condition that can occur when horses are exposed to coffee by-products, cocoa materials, or contaminated feed. While caffeine is widely recognized as a stimulant in humans, its effects in horses have...

Tooth root abscesses, or apical infections, are a painful and relatively common dental condition in horses that often develop gradually before more obvious signs appear. Because equine teeth are long and closely connected to surrounding structures like the sinuses, infection...