Horse Health

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...

Lidocaine is best known as a local anesthetic used to numb tissues during medical procedures, but this versatile drug has applications beyond local pain control. In equine medicine, lidocaine is administered intravenously as a systemic therapy to manage pain, reduce...

Horses do not cry tears in the same way humans do. As highly social animals, horses can form strong bonds and attachments, and they do respond to changes in their social or physical environment. However, these responses are expressed through...

A swollen umbilicus in a foal is a common abnormality that may involve the external navel, deeper umbilical structures within the abdomen, or both. While some cases are relatively minor, others can indicate infection, persistent fetal structures, an umbilical hernia,...

A hot hoof in horses is a common symptom that owners may find during routine grooming, hoof cleaning, or after exercise. While warmth can be a normal response to increased blood flow, work, or hot weather, it can also be...

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...

Can you use Tylenol® for horses? Acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol and sold under the brand name Tylenol®, is an analgesic and antipyretic (fever-reducing) medication. Although acetaminophen is widely used in human medicine, its use in horses remains off-label and...

The equine stress response is a normal part of how horses recognize and react to challenges in their environment. Sudden noises, travel, social changes, unfamiliar surroundings, physical demands, pain, illness, and changes in routine can all activate biological systems that...

A tracheostomy in horses refers to a surgical opening created in the windpipe to help a horse breathe when airflow through the upper airway is severely restricted. It may be performed as an emergency procedure for sudden airway obstruction or...

Cannabis sativa poisoning in horses is uncommon, but increasing cannabis cultivation and product availability have made accidental exposure more likely for horses. Cannabis sativa is an annual herbaceous plant in the Cannabaceae family with a long history of industrial, medicinal,...

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...

Hoof balance refers to the shape of the hoof capsule and its alignment with sensitive internal structures of the foot and the bony column of the leg. It is influenced by multiple factors, including biomechanics, conformation, posture, and trimming or...

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...

Ataxia refers to a loss of normal coordination and is one of the most common signs of neurological disease in horses.  Because normal movement depends on the coordinated function of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and balance systems, many...

The equine gut microbiome plays a key role in a horse's digestive health, immune function, and overall performance. A healthy gut helps horses digest feed efficiently, absorb nutrients, and maintain normal immune defenses. The foregut, which includes the stomach and...

Elbow lameness in horses refers to pain or dysfunction arising from the elbow joint or nearby soft tissues. Although the elbow is not a common source of forelimb lameness in horses, problems in this region can have a major impact...

The horse shoulder, also called the equine shoulder joint, connects the shoulder blade to the front limb and plays an important role in weight-bearing, balance, and forward movement. Unlike the human shoulder, which is built for a wide range of...