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.

Enteritis is a serious condition in horses, characterized by inflammation of the intestinal tract, which can disrupt the digestive system and lead to symptoms such as diarrhea, colic, and weight loss. This condition can affect horses of all ages, though it is more commonly seen in younger horses, those who are stressed, and those who have been in contact with horses that are affected by the condition. The causes of enteritis are diverse and include both infectious and non-infectious agents including bacteria, toxins, viruses, and nutritional disruption. Proper management is important for the horse's recovery, though diagnosing the exact cause can be challenging.

Migrating grass awns, commonly referred to as foxtails, pose a significant health risk to horses. These sharp, barbed seeds can become embedded in a horse's ear, mouth, nose, or skin. Once they have entered the animal's tissue, they can migrate within the animal's body, leading to inflammation, infections, and potentially life-threatening complications. This article explores the biology of grass awns, the risks they pose to horses, and the clinical signs of grass awn migration.

The liver is the largest organ in the horse's body, making up one percent of its total body weight. Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver and is a non-specific term used to describe liver disease. The liver is a vital organ, responsible for many critical functions including metabolizing toxins, medications, fats, proteins and carbohydrates. It also aids in the production of red blood cells (hematopoiesis) and stores glucose and other sugars in the form of glycogen. Some forms of liver disease are progressive and lead to liver failure. ^[4] The liver has the ability to regenerate; if cell loss is slow then liver failure does not necessarily occur. Whether liver disease is reversible depends on the location, duration, pattern and extent of the damage. Liver disease can also be chronic, acute, toxic, undefined or infectious.

Purpura hemorrhagica (PH) is a severe immune-mediated condition in horses characterized by widespread inflammation of blood vessels, known as vasculitis. This condition often develops as a secondary complication of infections, particularly those caused by Streptococcus equi, the bacterium responsible for strangles. Horses affected by PH typically exhibit extensive swelling (edema) in the legs, neck, head, and abdomen, along with small red or purple spots (petechiae) and larger bruises (ecchymoses) on the skin and mucous membranes.

Unlike the explosive speed of racehorses or the poised collection of hunter-jumpers, the endurance horse has a more specialized skillset. Endurances horses – and riders – work hard to go the distance. Riding in the range of 80 or more km a day over variable terrain and an exposed environment requires long-term physical preparation and a steady mental commitment. Like all horse sport disciplines, equestrian endurance riding comes with its unique set of risk factors and likely injuries that can affect horse performance and overall health. Read on to learn some of these risks and the common injuries that are associated with endurance horses. Understanding these issues, and how to prevent or deal with them, can help alleviate stress for horse and owner alike and help to keep our beloved endurance horses on course.

Small intestine volvulus is a serious condition in horses, characterized by a twisting of the intestine around itself and the root of the mesentery. This twist can cause a blockage, restricting blood flow and leading to severe damage to the intestinal tissues. The main symptoms of small intestine volvulus are colic and a distended abdomen. Horses with these signs require prompt veterinary attention. Small intestine volvulus primarily affects the jejunum and ileum, sections of the small intestine that are particularly mobile. Horses with other conditions such as lipoma, mesenteric rents, and impactions are at greater risk, as are those that are involved in activities such as endurance racing and swimming and foals adapting to new feeding habits. Diagnosis often requires exploratory surgery due to the non-specific nature of the symptoms. While surgical intervention can save the horse, the prognosis depends heavily on the extent of the intestinal damage.

Warts in horses, also known as equine papillomatosis, are small, benign growths caused by equine papillomaviruses (EPVs). These growths primarily affect young horses under the age of three, as their developing immune systems are more susceptible to the virus. EPVs target the epithelial cells of the horse's skin, leading to lesions with a rough, cauliflower-like texture. Typically, gray or flesh-coloured, these warts commonly appear on the muzzle, lips, or around the eyes. Although EPV is highly contagious, spreading through direct contact or contaminated equipment, the condition is generally self-limiting. As the horse’s immune system matures, it usually mounts an effective response, leading to the resolution of the warts. Most horses will recover fully within a few months without the need for extensive treatment. Proper management practices, including good hygiene and isolating affected horses, can help control the spread of the virus and reduce the risk of new infections.

Ticks are small, blood-feeding arachnids with specialized mouthparts that allow them to attach to a variety of hosts, including humans, birds, reptiles, and mammals like horses. After attaching to a host, ticks use their mouthparts to feed on the host’s blood, a process that can last from several hours to days. They pose a significant health risk as they transmit pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, which can cause serious diseases such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and piroplasmosis. Early detection and effective management of tick bites are crucial for horse health. Regular tick checks help identify and remove ticks before they can transmit harmful pathogens. Additionally, using acaricides (chemicals that kill and repel ticks) along with regular grooming can significantly reduce tick infestations and the risk of disease. Routine inspections aid in early tick detection, preventing disease transmission.