Heart disease in horses, as in humans, encompasses a broad range of conditions that affect the heart's structure, function, or electrical activity, potentially compromising the horse’s health and performance. The heart is responsible for pumping oxygen-rich blood throughout the body, making it essential for a horse’s overall vitality. Equine cardiac disease can be categorized into two primary forms: congenital and acquired. Congenital heart disease refers to defects present at birth, which can range from minor abnormalities to severe, life-threatening conditions. Acquired heart disease, on the other hand, develops later in life due to factors such as aging, infections, or trauma. Both forms can have significant impacts, from subtle performance decline to life-threatening cardiac events. While not all heart conditions are fatal, they can seriously impair a horse’s athletic abilities and, in some cases, make them unsafe to ride. Understanding the different types of heart disease and their causes is essential for effective management and treatment, helping horse owners and veterinarians safeguard equine health.

Equine lung health may not be something many people think about until their horse is affected by a respiratory condition. However, awareness of common respiratory problems that can affect horses, as well how to prevent these types of illness, is important for all horse owners. After lameness issues, veterinarians report that respiratory problems are the largest reason for seeing equine patients. Lung and airway disorders can have a number of different causes including viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, immune-mediated reactions, or inhalation of irritants or toxic substances. Equine athletes are especially prone to respiratory disease, which is the second most important cause of lost training days. That said, respiratory disease is also a common cause of illness in foals and non-athletic adult horses. In some cases, it can even prove deadly. In this article, we’ll discuss the anatomy of the horse’s respiratory tract, symptoms of respiratory disease, how respiratory disease is diagnosed, as well as a number of common respiratory conditions that affect horses.

Ascarids (Parascaris equorum) are significant parasitic threats to equine health, particularly in young horses. These large, robust roundworms can grow up to 15 inches long and are most commonly found in foals and yearlings, whose developing immune systems make them especially vulnerable. If left untreated, these resilient parasites can cause serious health issues. Infections may lead to various clinical problems, including weight loss, poor growth, colic, and respiratory complications, which can profoundly impact a horse's overall health and development. Understanding the life cycle, clinical signs, and effective management of ascarid infections is essential for horse owners and caretakers. Properly addressing ascarid infestations not only helps prevent the spread of these parasites but also ensures the healthy development and well-being of young horses.

From the cow sense needed for roping and cutting, to the sheer thrill of barrel racing, to the controlled athleticism of reining, the Western performance horse is skillful and sure-footed on the ranch and in the ring. In addition, these horses demonstrate remarkable compliance and steadfast nerve against the rugged demands of spectator-fueled sport. Explosive acceleration, abrupt stops, high-speed turns, rapid spins and, for the Western pleasure horse, ultra-slow gaits, impose unique stresses on these fantastic athletes. These factors come together, giving Western performance horses their own risk profile for sports-related injuries. By understanding how these factors put Western horses at risk of injury, owners and riders can take steps to prevent the worst. Read on to learn some of the unique demands of Western riding disciplines and prevention strategies so you and your equine partner can keep the legacy of the range alive together for years to come.

Mesenteric and omental rents are rare but potentially serious conditions that can affect horses. These rents are tears or openings in the mesentery or omentum, two structures within the abdomen. While these tears often go unnoticed, they can lead to life-threatening situations if another part of the horse’s anatomy, particularly the intestines, becomes trapped within them. This entrapment can block blood flow, causing tissue death, or obstruct digestion, leading to colic—a common symptom of these conditions. Pregnant mares and previously pregnant mares are at higher risk due to the damage caused by the foal during pregnancy and delivery. Diagnosis typically involves exploratory surgery, and treatment ranges from manually freeing the trapped structure to more complex surgical interventions depending on the severity of the entrapment.

Sepsis is a severe and rapidly life-threatening condition that develops in response to an infection of the horse’s bloodstream, triggering a widespread inflammatory response that affects multiple organs. Any infection has the potential to cause sepsis if left untreated. Signs of sepsis include fever, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, and dark red gums. Veterinary intervention is necessary to prevent organ failure and death, which can occur within a matter of hours or days. Horse owners should be familiar with common equine diseases and their signs and symptoms to ensure prompt treatment before sepsis can develop. This article covers terminology surrounding sepsis, causes of the condition, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies.

Internal entrapments in horses involve the trapping of a segment of the small intestine within other structures in the abdomen. This can lead to serious complications, including blockage of food, gas, and fluids, and in severe cases, disruption of blood flow to the intestine, which can eventually cause tissue death and lead to serious harm or death to the horse. Various types of entrapments occur in different locations within the abdominal cavity, including mesenteric rent entrapment, epiploic foramen entrapment, gastrosplenic entrapment, and nephrosplenic entrapment. These conditions often present with symptoms of colic and require prompt veterinary attention. The causes are not fully understood, and risk factors and diagnostic methods vary somewhat between the specific entrapments. Early detection and surgical intervention improve the horse's prognosis and help to prevent severe complications.