Conditions

Gait abnormalities in horses can lead to compromised performance, increased risk of injury, and in some cases, may necessitate early retirement from work. These disorders often present similarly to lameness, but do not necessarily involve pain. While minor conformational faults...

Contagious equine metritis (CEM) is a bacterial infection in horses caused by Taylorella equigenitalis. CEM is highly contagious and primarily spreads through venereal transmission and contact with contaminated breeding equipment. CEM is characterized by severe inflammation of the reproductive tract...

Equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE) is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Lawsonia intracellularis. EPE mainly affects young horses during the fall and winter months. EPE is characterized by thickening of the lining of the small intestine due to excessive...

Rattles, clinically known as Rhodococcus equi pneumonia, is a serious respiratory condition that affects growing foals. This disease is a leading cause of severe illness in young foals, and is characterized by coughing, nasal discharge, and rapid breathing. The rattle...

The time around foaling (periparturient period) is a high-risk period for mares, as their bodies undergo many changes associated with delivery of the foal. Breeders must closely monitor their mares for signs of medical emergencies before, during, and after foaling....

Colic, defined as abdominal pain in horses, is a condition that ranges from mild discomfort to severe, life-threatening situations. In foals, colic presents unique challenges and concerns, due to their physiology and development. Colic in foals can be challenging to...

Enlarged ovaries are frequently observed in mares, especially those used for breeding. This enlargement often stems from an ovarian cyst. In most instances, these cysts are benign and resolve spontaneously, typically not affecting the mare’s fertility. However, it’s crucial for...

Urolithiasis is a rare condition in horses that involves the formation of bladder stones within the horse’s urinary tract. These urinary stones or uroliths are hard collections of crystals or mineral deposits, which can lead to various health complications. The...

Infectious diarrhea in foals is a significant health concern that can lead to dehydration, weight loss, and systemic illness. Without timely intervention, it can lead to severe complications and even be life-threatening. Diarrhea in foals can be caused by a...

Lymphoma, also known as lymphosarcoma, is the most common malignant cancer in horses. Lymphoma is a cancer that forms when lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, become malignant and grow uncontrollably. Clinical signs of lymphoma in horses vary widely,...

Rabies is a fatal viral disease that can affect horses and is present in wildlife mammals all over the world. Rabies is a zoonotic disease, which means it can be transmitted from animal to humans, and can be fatal if...

Equine viral arteritis (EVA) is a serious infectious disease that affects all equine species. EVA is particularly significant within breeding herds, as the disease causes abortion in up to 60% of affected pregnant mares. Many horses with equine viral arteritis...

Neonatal isoerythrolysis (NI) is a potentially fatal, but preventable, condition affecting newborn foals. Foals develop NI when they consume colostrum containing antibodies against their blood type, resulting in destruction of their red blood cells. This condition will only occur if...

Melanomas are a type of skin tumor most commonly observed in aging grey horses. Up to 80% of gray horses aged 15 or older develop melanomas during their lifetime. Melanomas in gray horses often appear as benign blemishes and remain...

Windpuffs develop due to the accumulation of fluid within the digital sheath, which envelops and protects both the Deep Digital Flexor Tendon (DDFT) and the Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon (SDFT). Although windpuffs are not typically associated with lameness or soreness,...

Primary immunodeficiencies are disorders where some component of the immune system does not develop properly, leaving the horse at risk of infection. Examples of primary immunodeficiencies in horses include severe combined immunodeficiency, foal immunodeficiency syndrome, and selective IgM deficiency.

Dystocia, or difficulty giving birth, is a relatively rare complication in horses occurring in less than 10% of foalings. Dystocia carries significant risks for both the mare and foal, including damage to internal organs, nerves, and blood supply for the...

Lavender Foal Syndrome (LFS), or coat colour dilution lethal (CCDL), is a rare and lethal disorder in Arabian horses and crossbreeds. Foals with LFS are born with neurological problems and a lightened coat colour. Lavender Foal Syndrome is a genetic...

Vitiligo in horses is a disorder that causes patches of skin and hair to lose their normal colour or pigmentation. This condition is not contagious, painful, or life-threatening, but it can be disconcerting to see your horse's skin or hair...

Mare reproductive loss syndrome (MRLS) is an enigmatic condition first described in Kentucky in 2001, when an estimated 3,500 foals were either aborted, stillborn, or died shortly after birth. Research revealed that abortions and foal death was closely associated with...

Fescue toxicosis in horses results from ingestion of fescue grass contaminated with the fungus Neotyphodium coenophialum. The fungus produces ergot alkaloid toxins which cause changes in hormone concentrations and blood flow in pregnant mares grazing contaminated pastures or hay. Nearly...

Endometritis is a condition involving inflammation of the uterine lining, and is a very common cause of infertility in broodmares. Mares with endometritis develop fibrosis and inflammation that prevent embryonic development, resulting in failure to conceive or early embryonic loss....

Placentitis is a common cause of foal loss and neonatal sepsis in horses. Mares with multiple previous foals, older mares, and mares with poor perineal conformation are most at risk of developing placentitis. Most cases of placentitis arise from bacteria...

Epistaxis is a common condition in horses that refers to bleeding from the nostrils. Nosebleeds can range in severity and may result from trauma, underlying health conditions or exercise. The majority of nosebleeds in horses are caused by minor trauma...

Equine piroplasmosis (EP), or babesiosis, is an infectious tick-borne disease that affects all equid species, including horses*, mules, donkeys and zebras. It is caused by protozoan parasites that are transferred to the horse via tick bite. The protozoan parasites, Theileria...

Proud flesh, also known as granulation tissue, is a type of healing tissue in horses that forms naturally as part of the wound repair process. This tissue aids in wound healing by closing the gap between exposed soft tissue and...

Type 1 Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM1) is a hereditary muscular disorder in horses that results in abnormal accumulation of glycogen (a stored form of sugar) and an abnormal polysaccharide in the muscles. Horses with this condition produce too much glycogen...

Ringbone is a degenerative condition that affects the bones and joints in the horse’s lower limbs. It is characterized by the inflammation of surrounding connective tissue, triggering the formation of bony growths around the affected joints. [ref n="2"][ref n="5"] These...

Strongyles are considered the most significant internal parasite that affects horses. It is estimated that these parasites affect between 80 – 99% of equids worldwide. There are two main types of strongyles: large strongyles and small strongyles. Both types can...

Congenital hypothyroidism and dysmaturity (CHD) syndrome is a common manifestation of hypothyroidism in foals, resulting in dysmature foals that are born weak with contracted tendons, poor ossification of the cuboidal bones, and poor muscular development. The basic cause of CHD...