Disease treatment in horses encompasses a range of medical interventions and management strategies aimed at addressing various health conditions affecting equine species. These treatments can include pharmacological approaches, such as the administration of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and antiparasitic medications, as well as non-pharmacological methods like physical therapy, dietary adjustments, and surgical procedures. The selection of appropriate treatments depends on the specific disease, its severity, and the individual needs of the horse. This topic brings together peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the efficacy, safety, and advancements in therapeutic options for equine diseases, providing insights into best practices and emerging trends in equine veterinary medicine.
Rendle DI, Hughes KJ, Farish C, Kessell A.A 6-year-old Standardbred mare that presented with bilateral palpebral swelling and a left corneal ulcer was diagnosed with a multicentric T-cell lymphoma. Other clinical findings included submandibular lymphadenopathy and oedema, pharyngeal oedema and rhinitis. Prior to euthanasia the horse developed keratomalacia, the onset of which was coincidental with the use of high doses of topical and systemic corticosteroids. Although an unusual presentation, palpebral swelling should be considered as a clinical sign of lymphoma.
Pettengill MA, Lam VW, Ollawa I, Marques-da-Silva C, Ojcius DM.Ivermectin is currently approved for treatment of both clinical and veterinary infections by nematodes, including Onchocerca cervicalis in horses and Onchocerca volvulus in humans. However, ivermectin has never been shown to be effective against bacterial pathogens. Here we show that ivermectin also inhibits infection of epithelial cells by the bacterial pathogen, Chlamydia trachomatis, at doses that could be envisioned clinically for sexually-transmitted or ocular infections by Chlamydia.
Schurink A, Wolc A, Ducro BJ, Frankena K, Garrick DJ, Dekkers JC, van Arendonk JA.Insect bite hypersensitivity is a common allergic disease in horse populations worldwide. Insect bite hypersensitivity is affected by both environmental and genetic factors. However, little is known about genes contributing to the genetic variance associated with insect bite hypersensitivity. Therefore, the aim of our study was to identify and quantify genomic associations with insect bite hypersensitivity in Shetland pony mares and Icelandic horses in the Netherlands. Methods: Data on 200 Shetland pony mares and 146 Icelandic horses were collected according to a matched case-control design. C...
Bartuś K, Sadowski J, Kapelak B, Wierzbicki K, Myć J, Bartuś S, Oleś K, Konstanty-Kalandyk J, Filip G.During years more and more advanced Technologies are used for treatment of severe aortic stenosis. One of them is equine pericardial stentless bioprothesis. Objective: the aim of the study was prospective assessment of circulatory sufficiency of the patients after 3F equine pericardial stentless bioprothesis replacement (ATS-Medtronic, Inc, Minneapolis, USA). Methods: Patients qualified to valve replacement were qualified to the study. The procedures were performed in general anesthesia and medial thoracothomy. The New York Heart Association (NYHA) scale was analyzed to estimate clinical resul...
Hendrickson DA.Minimally invasive surgery in the human was first identified in mid 900's. The procedure as is more commonly practiced now was first reported in 1912. There have been many advances and new techniques developed in the past 100 years. Equine laparoscopy, was first reported in the 1970's, and similarly has undergone much transformation in the last 40 years. It is now considered the standard of care in many surgical techniques such as cryptorchidectomy, ovariectomy, nephrosplenic space ablation, standing abdominal exploratory, and many other reproductive surgeries. This manuscript describes the hi...
Paillot R, Prowse L, Montesso F, Huang CM, Barnes H, Escala J.Equine influenza (EI) is a serious respiratory disease of horses induced by the equine influenza virus (EIV). Surveillance, quarantine procedures and vaccination are widely used to prevent or to contain the disease. This study aimed to further characterise the immune response induced by a non-updated inactivated EI and tetanus vaccine, including protection against a representative EIV isolate of the Florida clade 2 sublineage. Seven ponies were vaccinated twice with Duvaxyn IE-T Plus at an interval of four weeks. Five ponies remained unvaccinated. All ponies were experimentally infected with t...
Brommer H, Schipper P, Barneveld A, van Weeren PR.Records of lame horses (2004-2007) with (peri-)synovial pain of the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ, n = 53), digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS, n = 20), and distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ, n = 31) were evaluated (n = 104). Cases were grouped according to the following treatments: (1) systemic administration of NSAIDs (n = 40); (2) intrasynovial administration of glucocorticosteroids (n = 30); (3) combination treatment (n = 34). Outcome was defined as successful when the owner reported that the horse had returned to its previous level of performance within a period of up to six months aft...
Mula P, Pilo C, Solinas C, Pipia AP, Varcasia A, Francisco I, Arias MS, Paz Silva A, Sánchez-Andrade R, Morrondo P, Díez-Baños P, Scala A.From January to December 2008, 265 horses slaughtered in Sardinia (Italy) were examined for the presence of Rhinoestrus spp. (Diptera: Oestridae) through the examination of the nasal cavities and pharynges. Larvae were detected in 49% of the horses, with a mean intensity of infestation of 16.09 and abundance of 7.95. A total of 2108 larvae were collected, 66% of which were classified in first instar (L1), 22% in second instar (L2) and 12% in third instar (L3). The most frequent localization of larvae was the ethmoid, while the less one the larynx. According to the dynamics of Rhinoestrus larva...
Dunkel B, Corley KT, Johnson AL, Witte TH, Leitch M, Marr CM, Weller R.Pneumocephalus is occasionally encountered in horses but poorly described in the literature. The study aimed to describe historical, clinical and diagnostic imaging findings and outcome in horses to increase the awareness and recognition of the condition amongst equine practitioners, allowing appropriate management of these cases. Cases of pneumocephalus from 4 participating institutions were identified and case details extracted from the medical records. Five cases of pneumocephalus were identified. Head trauma with suspected or confirmed fractures of the sinuses was the underlying cause in 4...
DeRossi R, Módolo TJ, Maciel FB, Pagliosa RC.Short duration of analgesia is among the limitations of a single epidural injection with lidocaine in horses. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of epidural lidocaine in combination with either tramadol or neostigmine for perineal analgesia in horses. Methods: Epidural catheters were placed in 6 saddle horses that then were given 3 treatments: 2% lidocaine (0.2 mg/kg bwt) alone, 2% lidocaine (0.2 mg/kg bwt) plus tramadol (0.5 mg/kg bwt), and 2% lidocaine (0.2 mg/kg bwt) plus neostigmine (1.0 μg/kg bwt). The order of treatments was randomised. Haemodynamic variables, respirato...
Villarino N, Martín-Jiménez T.Macrolides are used for treatment of pneumonia and extrapulmonary conditions caused by Rhodococcus equi. In foals, macrolides have an extraordinary capacity to accumulate in different lung tissue compartments. These drugs show unique pharmacokinetic features such as rapid and extensive distribution and long persistence in pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (PELF) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells from foals. This article reviews the pharmacokinetic characteristics of erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, tulathromycin, telithromycin, gamithromycin, and tilmicosin in foals, with empha...
Aklilu N, Batten C, Gelaye E, Jenberie S, Ayelet G, Wilson A, Belay A, Asfaw Y, Oura C, Maan S, Bachanek-Bankowska K, Mertens PP.African horse sickness (AHS) is associated with high morbidity and mortality in equids, especially horses. A retrospective analysis was carried out concerning 737 AHS outbreaks that occurred during 2007-2010 in Ethiopia. A total of ten outbreaks were investigated in the study period. All four forms of the disease (pulmonary, cardiac, horse sickness fever and the combined form) were observed, with the cardiac form being the most prevalent. Multiple African horse sickness virus serotypes (AHSV-2, AHSV-4, AHSV-6, AHSV-8 and AHSV-9) were detected by molecular methods (type-specific real-time RT-PC...
Frederick J, Freeman DE, MacKay RJ, Matyjaszek S, Lewis J, Sanchez LC, Meyer S.Two geldings, aged 11 and 17 years, were examined for treatment of ureteroliths located approximately 10 cm proximal to the bladder. Results: Ureteral obstruction was an incidental finding in 1 horse that was referred because of urinary tract obstruction and a cystic calculus. This horse did not have clinical or laboratory evidence of renal failure, although severe hydronephrosis was evident on transabdominal ultrasonography. The second patient had a serum creatinine concentration of 6.3 mg/dL (reference range, 0.8 to 2.2 mg/dL) and mild hydronephrosis of the affected left kidney. Results: In ...
D'Arcy-Moskwa E, Noble GK, Weston LA, Boston R, Raidal SL.Newer NSAIDs that more selectively target the induced isoform of the cyclooxygenase enzyme (COX2) activity might reduce adverse effects while preserving therapeutic benefits of these drugs. Objective: To compare the effect of oral administration of multiple dose rates of meloxicam and phenylbutazone (PBZ) on gastric mucosal integrity in horses. Methods: Twenty-five light breed horses. Methods: In vivo toxicity study. Horses were randomly assigned to 5 treatment groups, receiving placebo, PBZ (4.4 mg/kg PO q12h day 1, 2.2 mg/kg PO q12h for 4 days, 2.2 mg/kg PO q24h for 9 days), or 3 dose rates ...
Bonilla AG, Smith KJ.A 4-month-old Standardbred colt was examined because of a fractured right calcaneus of 8 days' duration with increased distraction of the fracture fragment evident on sequential radiographs. Results: The foal was severely lame with diffuse periarticular tarsal swelling. Radiographically, a complete, displaced long oblique fracture of the right calcaneal body was evident. Because the fracture gap was increasing with time and lameness remained severe, despite medical management, surgical repair was recommended. Results: The foal was anesthetized, and minimally invasive fracture reduction and int...
Emmerich IU.In 2011, three newly developed active pharmaceutical ingredients for horses and food producing animals were released on the German market for veterinary drug products. Two of these new products represent different drug classes of antibiotics, the polypeptide antibiotic Bacitracin (Bacivet™) and the macrolide antibiotic Clorsulon (Levatum®). The third product represents an anticestodal antiparasitic (Tildipirosin, Zuprevo®). Furthermore, three established veterinary active pharmaceutical ingredients were modified to allow their application for additional species. Thus the nonsteroidal anti-...
Reschke C.The case report describes the surgical and photodynamic treatment (PDT) of an equine sarcoid in a 6-year-old gelding. A mass on the ventral prepuce, several tumours on the lateral aspect of the prepuce and one sarcoid on the front aspect of the chest were treated. For PDT, Temoporfin (Fospeg® Biolitec AG, Jena) at a concentration of 0.15mg/ml was injected locally. The subsequent irradiation was performed using a red-light laser (652nm) with an energy density of 10J/cm². The mass on the ventral aspect of the prepuce and some of the lateral tumours displayed total remission. The remaining tumo...
Kuwano A, Niwa H, Higuchi T, Mitsui H, Agne RA.A 3-year-old thoroughbred colt presented with canker on its left hind foot. Subsequent development of cottage cheese-like horns and dermatitis disturbed healing, despite the use of miscellaneous orthodox treatment approaches to the lesions. Histological examination revealed exudative and suppurative dermatitis, and proliferatively suppurative epidermitis infected with helically coiled treponemes. Total debridement under general anesthesia led to a temporary improvement, but the ground surface regenerated abnormal epidermis similar to that observed initially after surgery. Maggot debridement th...
Muttini A, Salini V, Valbonetti L, Abate M.The ideal strategy for tendon healing has not been identified to date. Recently, the use of stem cells based therapy has been proposed, due to their ability to proliferate and to differentiate towards specific connective tissues lineages. Embryonic stem cells should be considered the ideal cell source for regenerative therapies, but ethical factors limit their use in humans. Mesenchymal stem cells are more easily available and can be obtained by different sources. Amnion derived stem cells can differentiate towards all three germ layers, and can be used for allogeneic transplantation and store...
Montgomery K, Ortved K, DeVries J, Hackett R, Kern T, Irby N, Ducharme N.A 7-year-old Connemara stallion was presented with a 4 month history of blepharospasm, recurrent corneal ulcerations, mucopurulent ocular discharge, and keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) in both eyes unresponsive to medical therapy. Ophthalmic examination revealed lackluster corneas, axial corneal scarring and pigmentation with associated neovascularization, and absolute KCS in both eyes. Computed tomography scan and endoscopic evaluation of the upper airway and guttural pouches revealed no structural abnormalities to indicate neurogenic KCS. The stallion was diagnosed with immune-mediated dacr...
Hall MS, Pollock PJ, Russell T.To document the progression and outcome after surgical curettage of septic physes in foals. Methods: Case series of 17 foals, aged <9 weeks, with septic physitis. Methods: All foals were treated surgically with curettage of physeal lesions. Combinations of systemic antibiotics, intravenous regional perfusion of antibiotic and antibiotic-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate beads were used as adjunct medical treatments. Tissue removed from the physis of three foals during surgery was sent for pathological analysis. Results: At follow-up, 15 of the 17 foals were alive. In the two foals with sep...
Martins BC, Brooks DE, Plummer CE, Samuelson DA, Mangan BG, Laus JL.OBJECTIVE To describe the technique of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) with Descemet's membrane (DM) exposure in horse eyes. Also, to compare the efficacy and safety of viscodissection and big-bubble techniques for DALK. ANIMALS STUDIED Thirty-four ex vivo horse eyes. PROCEDURE Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty was performed in 34 ex vivo horse eyes. Two groups (Group V--viscodissection--2% sodium hyaluronate; Group A--air--big-bubble) of 17 eyes were studied. Other than the substance used, the surgical technique was similar for both groups. Nonperforated eyes were submit...
Kościuczuk EM, Lisowski P, Jarczak J, Strzałkowska N, Jóźwik A, Horbańczuk J, Krzyżewski J, Zwierzchowski L, Bagnicka E.Cathelicidins are small, cationic, antimicrobial peptides found in humans and other species, including farm animals (cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, rabbits and in some species of fish). These proteolytically activated peptides are part of the innate immune system of many vertebrates. These peptides show a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against bacteria, enveloped viruses and fungi. Apart from exerting direct antimicrobial effects, cathelicidins can also trigger specific defense responses in the host. Their roles in various pathophysiological conditions have been studie...
Onmaz AC, Stoklas-Schmidt C, van den Hoven R.The aim of the study was to analyse the day-to-day variability of the respiratory resistance (R(rs)) and the reactance (X(rs)) in 5 horses in a status of remission of recurrent airway obstruction by forced oscillometry system (FOS). Furthermore, the effects of stabling, outdoor and room temperature and humidity on these parameters were determined. Mean R(rs) at oscillation frequencies 1, 1.5, 2 and 3 Hz were all significantly higher in the morning than in the afternoon, while X(rs) was not significantly affected by time of the day. R(rs) was significantly different on various sampling days at ...
Neelis DA, Roberts GD.The many advancements in ultrasound technology, including spatial compounding, harmonic imaging, multidimensional and extended field-of-view images, and improvements in transducer capabilities, are used to enhance the ultrasonographic examination of the equine patient. The improvements in software and hardware capabilities help overcome artifacts, improve image quality, and allow better documentation of the examination for follow-up studies. In addition, the ability of smaller, more portable machines to produce better images is ideal for the ambulatory practice setting.
Ishizuka T, Itami T, Tamura J, Saitoh Y, Saitoh M, Umar MA, Miyoshi K, Yamashita K, Muir WW.Anesthetic and cardiorespiratory effects of medetomidine, lidocaine, butorphanol and propofol total intravenous anesthesia (MLBP-TIVA) were evaluated in horses undergoing an experimental surgery. Ten horses were premedicated with an intravenous injection (IV) of medetomidine (5 µg/kg) and butorphanol (20 µg/kg). Anesthesia was induced by administration of 1% propofol (3 mg/kg, IV) at a rate of 1 mg/kg/min (n=5, group-1) or 2% propofol administered at a rate of 6 mg/kg/min (n=5, group-2) following administration of lidocaine (1 mg/kg, IV) and then maintained by infusions of propofol, medetomi...
Minguet G, de la Rebière G, Franck T, Joris J, Serteyn D, Sandersen C.To investigate the effects of the volatile anaesthetic sevoflurane on the release of total and active myeloperoxidase (MPO) by non-stimulated and stimulated polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) in whole blood from healthy horses. Methods: In vitro experimental study. Methods: Adult healthy horses. Methods: Samples of whole venous blood were collected and incubated in air or in air plus 2.3% or 4.6% sevoflurane for 1 hour. PMNs were stimulated with N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), with a combination of cytochalasin B (CB) and fMLP or with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Total an...
Lo Giudice R, Rizzo G, Centofanti A, Favaloro A, Rizzo D, Cervino G, Squeri R, Costa BG, La Fauci V, Lo Giudice G.The use of equine bone blocks is widely reported for bone augmentation techniques. The block must be shaped according to the form of the defect that should be regenerated. The shaping could be performed by hand before or during the surgery, in a sterile ambient, or using a CNC milling machine that could not be sterile. The aim of our study was to evaluate if a steam sterilization could provide a medical grade sterilization of the blocks and to evaluate if bone microstructure and collagen structures change after different steam sterilization protocols provided by mainstream autoclave. Methods: ...
Knottenbelt DC.Skin disease in donkeys is less common than in horses, but is easily overlooked. Little published material exists on this important area of equine medicine. Skin tumors continue to challenge veterinarians working with donkeys. This article outlines the main disease entities that the author has encountered, although there are many other diseases and disorders that occur in different parts of the world that are not yet appreciated. When investigating a skin disease, a logical and comprehensive clinical approach should always be made; many conditions are similar in clinical presentation or are co...
Whitton RC, Kannegieter NJ.The clinical presentation and outcome of treatment is presented for 26 cases of osteochondral fragmentation of the plantar/palmar proximal aspect of the proximal phalanx. Twenty-three were racing Standardbreds and three were racing Thoroughbreds. The most common reason for presentation was an inability to run straight at high speed. Only eight horses presented for lameness, although on examination 19 were lame. A positive flexion test was recorded in 90% of affected fetlock joints and effusion in 48%. Arthroscopic fragment removal was performed on 23 occasions in 21 horses and arthrotomy in on...
Fisher RJ.Ketamine was used on 80 occasions to induce anaesthesia in 77 animals. Xylazine premedication was used alone on 75 occasions, in conjunction with methadone once, in conjunction with methadone and acepromazine once and, on three occasions, methadone and acepromazine only were used. Anaesthesia was maintained in seven cases with halothane and oxygen. Premedication with xylazine 5 mins previously or concurrently with ketamine gave similar results but an interval of more than 5 mins between the drugs produced less deep anaesthesia and this protocol is, therefore, not advised. Induction and recover...
McMullen RJ, Davidson MG, Campbell NB, Salmon JH, Gilger BC.To determine appropriate intraocular lens (IOL) implant strength to approximate emmetropia in horses. Methods: 16 enucleated globes and 4 adult horses. Methods: Lens diameter of 10 enucleated globes was measured. Results were used to determine the appropriate-sized IOL implant for insertion in 6 enucleated globes and 4 eyes of adult horses. Streak retinoscopy and ocular ultrasonography were performed before and after insertion of 30-diopter (D) IOL implants (enucleated globes) and insertion of 25-D IOL implants (adult horses). Results: In enucleated globes, mean +/- SD lens diameter was 20.14 ...
Hogan PM, McIlwraith CW, Honnas CM, Watkins JP, Bramlage LR.Subchondral cystic lesions (SCLs) in the condyle of the third metacarpal bone (MCIII) were surgically treated in 15 horses. The median age at presentation was 18 months (range 10 months-12 years) with 10 of 15 horses less than age 2 years. The SCLs were confined to the front limbs in all cases with 2 horses having bilateral lesions. Lesions were isolated to the medial condyle(s) of MCIII in 13 of 15 horses; a cystic lesion occurred in the lateral condyle in one horse and in the sagittal ridge in one horse. One horse with bilateral lesions had an additional cystic lesion located in the right me...
Niwa H, Anzai T, Izumiya H, Morita-Ishihara T, Watanabe H, Uchida I, Tozaki T, Hobo S.In this study, we examined the antimicrobial susceptibility of 16 Salmonella Typhimurium isolates obtained from horses, and applied several genetic methods, namely polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detecting class 1 integrons, multiplex PCR for detecting multidrug resistant S. Typhimurium definitive phage type 104 (MR-DT104), and fluorescent amplified-fragment length polymorphism (FAFLP). Seven isolates with an ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfonamide, and tetracycline (ACSSuT) type resistance pattern, harbored two class 1 integrons with sizes of 1.2 and 1.0 kb, and were identi...
Easton C, Fuentealba NA, Paullier C, Alonzo P, Carluccio J, Galosi CM.Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) is a major cause of epidemic abortion, neonatal mortality, respiratory disease and neurological disorders in horses. In South America, the virus has been isolated in Brazil, Argentina and Colombia. In Chile pathological findings from one aborted foetus have been reported, and in Uruguay only serological data about EHV-1 activity have been found. Some pathological findings were reported in Uruguay several years ago, but these data have never been officially confirmed. The present work describes the relevant findings of a study of EHV-1 infections in the Uruguayan eq...
van Maanen C, Willink DL, Smeenk LA, Brinkhof J, Terpstra C.An outbreak of EHV1 abortions occurred at a riding school in The Netherlands in 1991. Seven of twelve pregnant mares aborted, and another foal died at 8 days of age. Six abortions occurred within 12 days in March after an initial abortion on 8 February. Four mares delivered live foals. Virological examination of four aborted foals revealed an EHV1 infection. Serological results for paired sera from 17 horses suggested, that the initial abortion on 8 February was the index case, and probably caused the other six abortions. The index case could well have been caused by reactivation of latent vir...
van Hoogmoed L, Snyder JR, Pascoe JR, Olander HJ.This report describes the evaluation of uniformity of morphological injury of the large colon following severe colonic torsion in 17 horses presented to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. In 16 horses, twist occurred at the colonic base and in 1 at the sternal and diaphragmatic flexure. Eleven of the 17 horses were subjected to euthanasia at surgery and 6 of 17 following surgical correction within 4 days postoperatively. The objective of this study was to determine if the degree of histological changes present at the pelvic flexure were uniformly distributed throughout the regions of th...
Dixon PM, Savill D, Horbyl A, Reardon RJ, Liuti T.Infundibular caries of the equine maxillary cheek teeth is an important disorder that can lead to dental fracture or apical infection. Treatment by removing food debris and carious dental tissue from affected infundibulae using high-pressure abrasion with aluminium hydroxide micro-particles, followed by filling the cleaned defect with endodontic restorative materials is a recommended treatment. However, although anecdotally considered a successful treatment option, there is currently no objective evidence to support this claim. Forty maxillary cheek teeth (CT) that contained 55 infundibulae wi...
Animal-assisted interventions are considered an innovative rehabilitation approach to improve social, emotional, and physical domains in several diseases. Among such treatments, the equine-assisted activities and therapies have been developed to support the conventional approaches. There is growing evidence on the beneficial effects of hippotherapy, whereas few data are available regarding donkey therapy. Herein, we compare such treatments, hypothesizing their best application field to reach the proper therapeutic outcomes.
Thampi P, Samulski RJ, Grieger JC, Phillips JN, McIlwraith CW, Goodrich LR.With an intrinsically low ability for self-repair, articular cartilage injuries often progress to cartilage loss and joint degeneration resulting in osteoarthritis (OA). Osteoarthritis and the associated articular cartilage changes can be debilitating, resulting in lameness and functional disability both in human and equine patients. While articular cartilage damage plays a central role in the pathogenesis of OA, the contribution of other joint tissues to the pathogenesis of OA has increasingly been recognized thus prompting a whole organ approach for therapeutic strategies. Gene therapy metho...
O'Neill HD, Boussauw B, Bladon BM, Fraser BS.There are few published data regarding the success rates of cheek tooth (CT) removal by lateral buccotomy in the horse. Objective: A retrospective study of 114 horses admitted to 2 private equine referral hospitals over a 10 year period (1999-2009), which underwent CT removal via a lateral buccotomy. Methods: Hospital records were analysed and details including case details, presenting complaint and results of all diagnostic tests and surgical reports were documented. Information obtained during post operative reassessment was also available for analysis. Long-term follow-up information (>2 mo...
Trumble TN.The first month of life is a vulnerable time for foals. They must adjust to their environment while they are still compromised immunologically, and their musculoskeletal system is rapidly growing and adjusting to stresses from an increasing amount of exercise. Therefore, if a foal is born with or acquires an abnormality or disease related to the musculoskeletal system, rapid adjustments must be made to allow the foal to grow and respond so that future athletic performance will not be compromised. Problems must be identified early, which requires thorough examinations. This article summarizes t...