Horse Health

Keeping stallions happy, healthy, and appropriately managed requires an understanding of their unique behavior compared to mares and geldings. Stallions often exhibit instinctive behaviors shaped by evolutionary pressures and social dynamics in the wild. Contrary to their natural environment with...

Fibrotic myopathy is a rare condition in horses characterized by the development of fibrous (scar) tissue within the muscles, typically affecting the inner thigh muscles of one or both hindlimbs. Affected horses develop hindlimb stiffness, a distinctive hoof-slapping gait, mechanical,...

Sidewinder Syndrome, also known as sidewinder gait or crab walking, is one of the more perplexing and challenging equine health conditions for horse owners and veterinarians alike. This syndrome is characterized by a distinct sideways drift of the horse's trunk...

Seizures, while relatively rare in horses compared to dogs and humans, pose significant challenges for both horse owners and veterinarians. These neurological episodes, characterized by abnormal electrical activity in the brain, can manifest in various forms. During a seizure, a...

Tyzzer's disease, while rare, is a highly fatal hepatic condition that can affect all foals, including those which are healthy and well-nourished. The disease is not believed to be contagious, but the presence of bacteria in a contaminated environment can...

Wry nose is a congenital condition in foals where the nose appears twisted or crooked due to malformations that develop during gestation. This condition involves significant changes in the shape and direction of the upper jaw, nasal bones, incisive bones,...

Sesamoid injuries are a common and often serious equine injury. The small sesamoid bones play a large role in reducing tension on the muscles and tendons of the body. The proximal sesamoid bones (PSBs), located in the fetlock joint, play...

Horse racing is a thrilling sport, demonstrating the power and speed of equine athletes performing at their absolute best. From the raw speed and acceleration of Quarter Horses, to the impressive staying power of Thoroughbreds, to the jumping ability of...

Parrot mouth is a common equine dental condition typically identified at birth or shortly after. It is characterized by a pronounced overbite where the upper front teeth protrude beyond the lower row of teeth, causing the upper lip to overlap...

A properly functioning urinary system plays a vital role in maintaining the overall health and well-being of a horse. It acts as a filter, removing waste and toxins from the bloodstream and preventing harmful substances from accumulating in the body....

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, or NSAIDs, for short, are a type of medication commonly administered to horses for a variety of conditions. Veterinarians most often prescribe NSAIDs for soft tissue and musculoskeletal injuries, as well as for abdominal inflammation and pain. [ref...

Hoof health is one of the pillars of overall horse health and well being. There are numerous conditions that can impact the horse's hooves, including quittor. Quittor is an infection in the collateral cartilage of the hoof often resulting from...

Atypical Myopathy (AM) and Seasonal Pasture Myopathy (SPM) are highly fatal muscle disorders in horses caused by the ingestion of seeds of the box elder or sycamore trees. Seeds of these species contain a compound called hypoglycin A that converts...

Glanders is one of the oldest diseases known to affect horses. It is a highly contagious and fatal disease that affects horses, donkeys, and mules, caused by the bacterium Burkholderia mallei. It poses a significant zoonotic threat, as it can...

Theiler's disease, also known as equine serum hepatitis, is a viral infection likely caused by equine parvovirus-hepatitis. Horses most commonly develop Theiler's disease after administration of an equine-origin biologic product, such as serum or blood. Theiler's disease causes rapid onset...

Monensin is a type of antibiotic commonly found in livestock and poultry feed that is highly toxic to horses. Monensin belongs to a medication class called ionophore antibiotics. These antibiotics are frequently used in feed as parasite control and to...

Salmonellosis refers to infection with Salmonella, a bacterium that primarily causes intestinal infections and diarrhea. Salmonella can affect numerous species, including horses and humans. Horses typically acquire the bacteria through the ingestion of contaminated feed or water. Common symptoms of...

Bucked shins is a condition that affects the cannon bones of young race horses in the first 6 to 8 months of their speed training. Since the horse's bones are still developing, the strain of the training results in a...

Bog spavin is a common term for effusion in the horse's tarsocrural joint. This painful condition describes inflammation and fluid accumulation in the joint capsule between the tibia and the tarsal bones in the hock. Bog spavin is characterized by...

The horse's gastrointestinal system is evolved for processing forage and fiber. Domestic feeding and management strategies often challenge the horse's natural digestive process. Significant disruptions can lead to bloating - a condition where gas accumulates in the gut, causing abdominal...

A 21 year old mare received dietary intervention from Mad Barn to resolve persistent hay belly and coat and hoof quality issues with an aim to return to light exercise. After two months of dietary intervention, the mare had improvement...

During fetal development, the testicles form near the kidneys and gradually descend into the scrotum through a passage called the inguinal canal. In some cases, this descent is incomplete, resulting in one or both testicles being retained within the abdomen...

Staphylococcus bacteria are a common member of the equine microflora, found on the skin, in the nasal passages, and in the intestines. These bacteria typically do not cause infection or disease. However, under certain circumstances, the bacteria may take advantage...

Anthrax is a rapidly fatal disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. This bacterium can infect horses, other livestock species, and humans. Anthrax cases occur globally every year, including sporadic outbreaks in North America. B. anthracis primarily exists as spores...

In recent years, extensive and persistent wildfires have been a growing concern for horse operations everywhere. Evacuation and preventive protocols are often challenging and put a great deal of strain on livestock and their human caretakers. Equally as concerning is...

Liver health is paramount to the overall well-being and performance of horses. It is one of the largest and most vital organs in the equine body. This organ plays a crucial role in numerous physiological processes including metabolism, digestion, detoxification,...

Hives, also known as urticaria, are a common skin reaction in horses characterized by the sudden appearance of raised, swollen wheals on the skin. These wheals can vary in size, and may be accompanied by itching or discomfort. Hives in...

Selenium (Se) is a micronutrient that horses require in trace amounts to support cellular function. The selenium content in soil contributes to its final concentration in plants. Worldwide, selenium levels in soil vary widely. Selenium imbalances are common in horses....

Parasites are organisms that live in or on the horse, and rely on the horse for sustenance while often causing harm or disease. These include worms like roundworms, tapeworms, and bots, as well as external parasites such as ticks and...

Keratosis is an equine skin condition where patches or bands of skin become thickened, rough, dark, and oily. The patches are not painful nor itchy, are not contagious, and do not impact the overall health of the horse. There are...