Horse Health

Chronic inflammation in horses is a prolonged immune response that can accompany disorders affecting the joints, airways, digestive tract, metabolism, and other body systems. When inflammatory activity continues beyond its useful role in healing, it may contribute to tissue damage...

Rifampin for horses is a prescription antibiotic used primarily in the treatment of *Rhodococcus equi* pneumonia in foals. Because no rifampin product is labeled specifically for horses, it is prescribed extra-label under veterinary supervision and is commonly paired with a...

Guaifenesin for horses is used primarily as an intravenous muscle relaxant during anesthesia, although it is also included as an expectorant in some products used to manage respiratory symptoms. These distinct applications involve different formulations, doses, and levels of veterinary...

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an EHV-3 infection with an important practical consequence: a mare or stallion may appear healthy yet still need to be withdrawn from breeding.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...

Equine health certificates are often required when horses travel for competition, sale, breeding, relocation, or international export. Issued after a veterinary examination, these official documents confirm that a horse met applicable movement requirements and showed no clinical signs of contagious...

Blood glucose and insulin testing for horses helps veterinarians identify insulin dysregulation and assess a horse's risk of endocrinopathic laminitis. Because affected horses may have few outward signs and normal blood glucose, test results require careful interpretation. For horse owners,...

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...

Reiki is a practice some horse owners use to support relaxation and overall well-being in their horses. During a session, a practitioner places their hands lightly on or near the horse while maintaining a calm, quiet presence. Owners may incorporate...

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....

Ibuprofen toxicity in horses is a serious risk because this common human pain medication is not approved or recommended for equine use. Although ibuprofen is widely available over the counter and commonly used in people for pain, inflammation, and fever,...

Enrofloxacin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used off-label to manage selected bacterial infections in horses. In equine medicine, enrofloxacin is generally reserved for infections that are unlikely to respond to more commonly used antibiotics. Bacterial culture and susceptibility testing can help...

Doxycycline for horses is an oral antibiotic that veterinarians may prescribe for certain bacterial infections, including some tick-borne, respiratory, reproductive, and eye infections. Its use is off-label in horses and requires veterinary oversight. Although doxycycline can be useful in selected...

Ceftiofur is an antibiotic used to treat certain bacterial infections in horses under veterinary supervision. In the United States, its approved equine use is for lower respiratory infections caused by certain strains of Streptococcus zooepidemicus. Several injectable formulations are available,...

Equine osteopathy is a hands-on manual therapy used to support mobility, comfort, and whole-body function in horses. Rooted in anatomy, biomechanics, and the relationship between structure and function, osteopathy focuses on identifying restrictions or imbalances that may affect how a...

Phenobarbital is a prescription anticonvulsant medication used to help control recurrent or severe seizures in horses. It may be administered intravenously when longer-lasting seizure control is needed or given orally as maintenance therapy to reduce the frequency and severity of...

Fluticasone for horses is an inhaled corticosteroid medication used under veterinary guidance to help manage chronic airway inflammation associated with equine asthma. Unlike systemic corticosteroids given by mouth or injection, inhaled fluticasone is designed to act locally in the lower...

Acepromazine is one of the most commonly used sedatives in equine veterinary medicine. It is valued for its ability to reduce anxiety and make horses easier and safer to handle during veterinary procedures, farrier care, transportation, and other potentially stressful...

Local anesthetics are among the most commonly used medications in equine veterinary medicine. These drugs temporarily block nerve conduction, preventing pain signals from traveling from a specific area of the body to the brain. By providing targeted pain relief without...

Penicillin G, also called benzylpenicillin, for horses is a prescription antibiotic used under veterinary direction for selected bacterial infections. It has long been used in equine practice, but its value depends on choosing the right formulation, route, and treatment plan...

Gentamicin for horses is a prescription antibiotic used to help manage certain bacterial infections, particularly those involving gram-negative bacteria. Gentamicin is an important treatment option in cases of serious equine infections, and must be used carefully. The correct route, dose,...

Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used under veterinary direction to help manage pain and inflammation in horses. Horse owners may encounter meloxicam as part of a treatment plan for musculoskeletal discomfort, post-surgical pain, or other situations where controlling...

Winter diarrhea in horses is a common concern, as seasonal changes in feeding, management, and daily routines can affect a horse's digestive health during the colder months. Although diarrhea can occur at any time of year, it may become more...

Teeth grinding in horses, also known as bruxism, is an abnormal behavior that often indicates pain, discomfort, or an underlying medical condition. Although the sound may be most noticeable while a horse is eating or resting, persistent grinding is a...

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...

Horse teeth are specialized structures adapted for continuous grazing and the breakdown of fibrous forage. Unlike human teeth, equine teeth have long reserve crowns that extend deep into the jaw and gradually erupt throughout much of the horse’s life to...

Jaundice in horses is a yellow discoloration of the eyes, gums, or skin that develops when bilirubin builds up in the body. Bilirubin is a pigment produced during the normal breakdown of red blood cells, and it is typically processed...

Levothyroxine for horses is a synthetic thyroid hormone. While this drug is approved for veterinary management of hypothyroidism, advances in equine medicine have demonstrated this condition is rare in horses. Today, levothyroxine is most commonly discussed in horses for its...

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...