Horse Health

Surgical intervention is, unfortunately, necessary for many horses that experience colic, with 4 - 10% of colic cases requiring surgery. The term colic refers to abdominal pain of any cause.

To ensure you are making an educated decision, you should contact a veterinarian and book a pre-purchase examination (PPE). Pre-purchase exams shed light on current or potential health and soundness issues.

Equine anemia is a condition that significantly impacts the health and performance of horses. It is a reduced number of red blood cells in circulation. Horses with anemia typically experience low energy levels, elevated heart rate, poor coat quality, depression...

Colostrum is the first milk that a mare produces after foaling. It is particularly rich in antibodies, which provide immunity for newborn foals. Foals are born without a fully developed immune system and rely on a passive transfer of antibodies...

A medical condition necessitating urgent attention, equine choke refers to obstruction of the esophagus. The condition most frequently occurs due to rapid feed consumption and the subsequent lodging of feed or other matter in the esophagus.

Equine anhidrosis is a performance-limiting condition that refers to the reduced ability to sweat in horses. The condition most frequently affects horses living in hot and humid climates. Anhidrosis occurs because the sweat glands fail to function normally when body...

Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) is a medicinal plant that is frequently used to soothe skin irritations. The gel of the inner leaf is also commonly fed to reduce or prevent gastric irritations and ulcers in horses. Aloe vera gel contains...

Lameness is a general term that refers to a horse with an abnormal gait or stance. This is a common issue that requires assessment by a veterinarian to determine the cause and best course of action. Common causes of lameness...

Rain scald is a relatively common skin infection caused by the bacteria Dermatophilus congolensis. The infection often affects the skin on the back and rump of horses. Rain scald can develop when skin is exposed to excessive moisture which weakens...

With higher temperatures in the summertime, horses are prone to heat stress. This can contribute to an increased risk of colic, ulcers, weight loss, fatigue and dehydration during this time of year. Horse owners should be vigilant for signs their...

Sweet Itch is a common skin condition in horses that is caused by an allergic reaction to insect bites. It is also known by the names Queensland itch, summer dermatitis, insect-bite hypersensitivity, summer eczema, recurrent seasonal pruritus, and equine Culicoides...

Laminitis is a common but serious condition that involves separation of the laminae, which connect the coffin bone to the horse's hoof wall. A bout of laminitis can cause mild to severe pain in affected horses and result in lasting...

Acute laminitis refers to the first few days of a laminitis episode during which clinical signs are observed. Laminitis is a painful condition that causes damage to the hoof laminae, which anchor the coffin bone to the hoof wall.

Pasture-associated laminitis (PAL) is a form of insulin-induced laminitis that can occur after horses have grazed on grasses and legumes that are high in hydrolyzable carbohydrates (HC). This condition causes pain and stretching and weakening of the laminae of the...

If your horse is showing signs of acute laminitis, they require emergency veterinary attention and prompt treatment. Laminitis affects the soft structures of the equine hoof, known as the laminae, and can cause significant pain and lameness.

One in ten horses is affected by laminitis each year. This painful condition involves inflammation of the hoof laminae, leading to varying degrees of lameness. Although laminitis affects the hooves, the condition is often initiated by dietary and metabolic factors.

Sucralfate is an FDA-approved drug for use in humans that is used off-label for the treatment of equine gastric and hindgut ulcers. It is typically used in conjunction with omeprazole. Sucralfate (Carafate® Sulcrafate®) helps to protect the lining of the...

Do you struggle with your horse’s stress levels? Horses are creatures of habit and are uneasy when in new environments, changing social groups, or when their routine is disrupted. Stress and anxiety can also be caused by boredom or a...

Equine pastern dermatitis - also known as mud fever or greasy heel - is a reaction or infection that occurs on the skin of the pastern. In mild forms, it is characterized by itchiness, redness and hair loss on the...

If your horse is an easy keeper, sometimes it can seem like they get fat off of air. Some equine breeds are known for being more metabolically efficient than others. These horses may have metabolisms that preferentially favour fat storage....

Nutritional Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (NSH) - also known as Big Head Disease - is an uncommon problem in horses that stems from a mineral imbalance. This skeletal condition develops due to a calcium deficiency or an imbalanced ratio of dietary calcium...

Horses involved in endurance riding require appropriate fitness training, careful management, and balanced nutrition to support stamina and recovery. Endurance racing may involve horses covering up to 100 miles or 160 kilometres in a single day. This poses challenges with...

Gastric ulcers are lesions in the horse's stomach that can cause pain, recurrent colic, poor exercise tolerance, weight loss and behavioural changes in your horse. Ulcers in the squamous (upper) region of the stomach form when gastric acids come into...

To blanket or not to blanket? In the colder winter weather, that is the question facing many horse owners. Like blankets, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Whether you should blanket your horse depends on the individual horse and management situation....

Joint wear and tear is a part of every equine athlete's life. As your horse ages, joints naturally become stiff and sore - a process that is accelerated with heavy exercise. Joint injections deliver medication directly to the affected joints.

Up to 90% of horses treated for gastric ulcers with omeprazole can experience a recurrence of ulcers when they stop taking this drug. Horses can develop rebound acid hypersecretion (RAHS) after the discontinuation of omeprazole. Higher levels of stomach acid...

Ponies and horses have different nutritional requirements and need to be fed in different ways. The feeding program you use for your horse may not work for your pony, even if you adjust feeding rates to match body weight. Ponies...

Iodine is an essential trace mineral required by horses and all mammals. It is used to make thyroid hormones that control metabolism in all cells of the body. Forages and grains are typically low in iodine because most soils have...

What are the advantages of steaming or soaking hay before you feed it to your horse? There are pros and cons for each method of preparing hay. Both steaming and soaking are beneficial for reducing dust in hay.

Bartonella is a type of bacteria that can infect humans as well as other mammals, including horses and donkeys. The resulting infection, known as bartonellosis, has been documented in many regions throughout the world.