Thrush describes an infection that develops in the frog of one or more of the horse's hooves, caused by a fungal or bacterial pathogen. Fusobacterium necrophorum is the bacterium most often associated with thrush infections. Hooves with frogs that have deep sulci are prone to becoming infected with pathogens that cause thrush.
Uveitis in horses is a condition in which the uvea layer of the eye becomes inflamed. It is the most common cause of blindness in horses. It is estimated that as many as 25% of horses worldwide are affected by some form of uveitis.
Misoprostol is a drug used in horses to prevent ulcers from developing in the hindgut and stomach. It is commonly prescribed to horses that require regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), which can cause ulcers to form.
Producing high-quality milk for the foal requires a lot from your mare. Lactation puts higher energy demands on a mare’s body than any other stage of her life. To keep up with the milk requirements of a growing foal while maintaining her body weight, your mare requires a calorie- and protein-rich diet.
Equine Motor Neuron Disease (EMND) is a disease that causes progressive damage to nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord of adult horses. The disease damages cells that are involved with muscle movement, rendering them dysfunctional and leading to muscle wasting.
Equine rotavirus is a potentially deadly virus that causes severe gastrointestinal symptoms in foals. Rotavirus is one of the most common causes of diarrhea in foals less than 6 months of age.
Surgical intervention is, unfortunately, necessary for many horses that experience colic, with 4 - 10% of colic cases requiring surgery. The term colic refers to abdominal pain of any cause.
To ensure you are making an educated decision, you should contact a veterinarian and book a pre-purchase examination (PPE). Pre-purchase exams shed light on current or potential health and soundness issues.
Equine anemia is a condition that significantly impacts the health and performance of horses. It is a reduced number of red blood cells in circulation. Horses with anemia typically experience low energy levels, elevated heart rate, poor coat quality, depression and loss of appetite.
Colostrum is the first milk that a mare produces after foaling. It is particularly rich in antibodies, which provide immunity for newborn foals. Foals are born without a fully developed immune system and rely on a passive transfer of antibodies from their dam to help build their immune defenses. Consuming enough high-quality colostrum in the first 6 - 12 hours of life is critical for the foal's health and survival.
A medical condition necessitating urgent attention, equine choke refers to obstruction of the esophagus. The condition most frequently occurs due to rapid feed consumption and the subsequent lodging of feed or other matter in the esophagus.
Equine anhidrosis is a performance-limiting condition that refers to the reduced ability to sweat in horses. The condition most frequently affects horses living in hot and humid climates. Anhidrosis occurs because the sweat glands fail to function normally when body temperature increases.
Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) is a medicinal plant that is frequently used to soothe skin irritations. The gel of the inner leaf is also commonly fed to reduce or prevent gastric irritations and ulcers in horses. Aloe vera gel contains several active ingredients with anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-microbial effects. This herbal remedy also stimulates mucous production and influences gastric acid production.
Lameness is a general term that refers to a horse with an abnormal gait or stance. This is a common issue that requires assessment by a veterinarian to determine the cause and best course of action. Common causes of lameness include strain or injury, acute or chronic laminitis, genetic traits, infection, metabolic issues, or neural disorders.
Rain scald is a relatively common skin infection caused by the bacteria Dermatophilus congolensis. The infection often affects the skin on the back and rump of horses. Rain scald can develop when skin is exposed to excessive moisture which weakens and damages the skin.
With higher temperatures in the summertime, horses are prone to heat stress. This can contribute to an increased risk of colic, ulcers, weight loss, fatigue and dehydration during this time of year. Horse owners should be vigilant for signs their horse is overheated.
Sweet Itch is a common skin condition in horses that is caused by an allergic reaction to insect bites. It is also known by the names Queensland itch, summer dermatitis, insect-bite hypersensitivity, summer eczema, recurrent seasonal pruritus, and equine Culicoides sensitivity.
Laminitis is a common but serious condition that involves separation of the laminae, which connect the coffin bone to the horse's hoof wall. A bout of laminitis can cause mild to severe pain in affected horses and result in lasting damage to the hooves.
Acute laminitis refers to the first few days of a laminitis episode during which clinical signs are observed. Laminitis is a painful condition that causes damage to the hoof laminae, which anchor the coffin bone to the hoof wall.
Pasture-associated laminitis (PAL) is a form of insulin-induced laminitis that can occur after horses have grazed on grasses and legumes that are high in hydrolyzable carbohydrates (HC). This condition causes pain and stretching and weakening of the laminae of the hooves. If it is not treated promptly, it can progress to founder – a life-threatening condition that involves displacement of the coffin bone in the hoof capsule.
If your horse is showing signs of acute laminitis, they require emergency veterinary attention and prompt treatment. Laminitis affects the soft structures of the equine hoof, known as the laminae, and can cause significant pain and lameness.
One in ten horses is affected by laminitis each year. This painful condition involves inflammation of the hoof laminae, leading to varying degrees of lameness. Although laminitis affects the hooves, the condition is often initiated by dietary and metabolic factors.
Sucralfate is an FDA-approved drug for use in humans that is used off-label for the treatment of equine gastric and hindgut ulcers. It is typically used in conjunction with omeprazole. Sucralfate (Carafate® Sulcrafate®) helps to protect the lining of the stomach and colon, reducing pain and allowing ulcers to heal without sustaining further damage.
Do you struggle with your horse’s stress levels? Horses are creatures of habit and are uneasy when in new environments, changing social groups, or when their routine is disrupted. Stress and anxiety can also be caused by boredom or a lack of stimulation, inappropriate exercise programs, pain and discomfort, or changes in their feeding program.
Equine pastern dermatitis - also known as mud fever or greasy heel - is a reaction or infection that occurs on the skin of the pastern. In mild forms, it is characterized by itchiness, redness and hair loss on the back of the pasterns and heels. In more severe cases, skin lesions form and produce oily secretions.
If your horse is an easy keeper, sometimes it can seem like they get fat off of air. Some equine breeds are known for being more metabolically efficient than others. These horses may have metabolisms that preferentially favour fat storage. Any excess energy in the diet can result in weight gain.
Nutritional Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (NSH) - also known as Big Head Disease - is an uncommon problem in horses that stems from a mineral imbalance. This skeletal condition develops due to a calcium deficiency or an imbalanced ratio of dietary calcium to phosphorus.
Horses involved in endurance riding require appropriate fitness training, careful management, and balanced nutrition to support stamina and recovery. Endurance racing may involve horses covering up to 100 miles or 160 kilometres in a single day. This poses challenges with maintaining energy, hydration and soundness. During intense training and competition, endurance horses can have 60% higher energy demands compared to horses at maintenance.
Gastric ulcers are lesions in the horse's stomach that can cause pain, recurrent colic, poor exercise tolerance, weight loss and behavioural changes in your horse. Ulcers in the squamous (upper) region of the stomach form when gastric acids come into direct contact with the stomach lining, resulting in erosion of this barrier.
To blanket or not to blanket? In the colder winter weather, that is the question facing many horse owners. Like blankets, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Whether you should blanket your horse depends on the individual horse and management situation. According to a survey completed by 1450 respondents, 54% reported blanketing their horses during the winter.
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