Horse Health

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...

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...

Drooling in horses can be a normal response to eating, but excessive salivation may also signal irritation, dental disease, swallowing difficulty, toxic plant exposure, or another underlying health concern. Because saliva supports chewing, swallowing, and digestion, changes in how much...

Insect control is an important part of horse management. While insects are unavoidable in the environment, some species can irritate horses, disrupt normal behavior, damage skin and eyes, or transmit disease. A good control plan helps protect the horse while...

Respiratory noises in horses can signal a problem with airflow through their nose, throat, or lungs. While some breathing sounds are subtle, persistent or unusual noises may suggest irritation, inflammation, mucus buildup, airway narrowing, or another respiratory concern that needs...

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...

SGLT2 inhibitors are emerging as a novel therapeutic option in equine medicine, particularly for horses and ponies affected by severe insulin resistance and endocrinopathic laminitis. Interest in these medications has increased rapidly in recent years as veterinarians look for additional...

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...

Halitosis, or bad breath, in horses is an unpleasant odor coming from a horse’s mouth or nostrils. While occasional odor associated with horse feed is normal, persistent foul-smelling breath in your horse is often a sign of an underlying health...

The horse's jaw is a complex structure that plays a central role in eating, chewing, digestion, and overall wellbeing. Every jaw movement relies on the coordinated action of bones, teeth, muscles, joints, nerves, and soft tissues working together to process...