Bacterial infections are a common cause of illness in horses and can affect nearly every body system, from the skin and respiratory tract to the gastrointestinal tract, urinary system, and joints. These infections may develop after wounds or surgical procedures, as a complication of another illness, or simply from exposure to contagious bacteria in the environment. A key component of diagnosing bacterial infections is bacterial culture and sensitivity testing. By growing bacteria from a sample collected from the horse—such as pus, nasal discharge, urine, or joint fluid—veterinarians can determine exactly which organism is responsible. Sensitivity testing then identifies which antibiotics are most effective against that organism. This targeted approach is crucial in an era where antimicrobial resistance is a growing concern, ensuring that horses receive the most appropriate therapy while preserving the effectiveness of vital drugs.

Twitching is an equine restraint technique that is sometimes used during veterinary and husbandry procedures. Most often applied to the upper lip, a twitch is designed to limit movement and improve safety when a horse reacts to brief discomfort or stress. While it has been used for centuries, many horse owners question whether twitching is truly necessary and whether it affects horse welfare. Research suggests that lip twitching may temporarily alter heart rate and behavioral responses, possibly through endorphin release. However, responses vary between horses, and the apparent calming effect does not always indicate true relaxation. As understanding of equine behavior and welfare continues to evolve, twitching is increasingly evaluated alongside alternatives such as sedation, training, and environmental management.

The equine respiratory system plays a critical role in athletic performance and overall health, and even subtle abnormalities can significantly impact a horse’s comfort, stamina, and ability to perform. Because many respiratory problems are located deep within the nasal passages, throat, or trachea, they are not visible on a routine physical exam. Respiratory endoscopy, also known as upper airway endoscopy, provides veterinarians with a powerful diagnostic tool to directly visualize these structures and assess how well they function. Respiratory endoscopy is most often recommended for horses with abnormal breathing noises, unexplained exercise intolerance, coughing, nasal discharge, or poor performance. In some cases, problems only become apparent when the horse is working, and a specialized form of the procedure—dynamic or overground endoscopy—can be performed during exercise to capture abnormalities that are missed at rest. The procedure is generally safe and well tolerated, with most horses requiring little to no sedation. It is quick, provides immediate results, and carries minimal risk, making it one of the most useful diagnostic tools in equine medicine. By offering a direct view into the horse’s airway, respiratory endoscopy allows veterinarians to make accurate diagnoses, develop targeted treatment plans, and ultimately help horses breathe easier and perform to their full potential.

Effective parasite control is a cornerstone of equine health management. While routine deworming once served as the mainstay of parasite prevention, increasing evidence of anthelmintic resistance has shifted the focus toward diagnostic testing and targeted treatment. Diagnostic tests provide valuable insight into which parasites are present in a horse or herd and the extent of infection, allowing veterinarians to design evidence-based control programs that preserve drug efficacy and protect equine well-being. The most common diagnostic approach involves examining fecal samples for parasite eggs, larvae, or oocysts using fecal egg counts (FECs). These tests identify individuals shedding the highest numbers of eggs and help monitor the effectiveness of deworming treatments over time.

Nasogastric intubation is one of the most fundamental and frequently performed procedures in equine practice. It serves both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes and is a critical component of evaluating horses with gastrointestinal disease, particularly those presenting with signs of colic. Although it might look uncomfortable, when performed correctly by a trained professional, it is safe and often provides crucial information about what is happening inside a horse's digestive system. Because horses are unable to vomit, the ability to safely decompress the stomach and assess gastric contents is lifesaving in certain situations. Beyond its emergency applications, nasogastric intubation is also used for medication administration, nutritional support, and gastric lavage.