When you have horses, dealing with manure is simply a fact of life. After all, an average-sized horse poops anywhere from 4 to 13 times each day. Other than cleaning stalls and paddocks, horse owners...
Habronematidosis or habronemosis, more commonly known as summer sores, is a parasitic skin infection that can occur in horses. As the name implies, summer sores usually occur during the summer months....
Looking for ways to reduce swelling in your horse's legs? Several factors can lead to leg swelling in horses, ranging from mild conditions such as "stocking up" to more severe issues such as celluliti...
Scratches in horses, also known as pastern dermatitis, is an inflammatory skin conditions that affects the lower limbs of horses. It is characterized by irritation and sometimes infection of the skin,...
Flunixin meglumine, often sold under the brand names Banamine®, Flunazine®, Vetameg™, and Prevail®, is a common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used in horses. Banamine® is prescrib...
Horse wounds can be alarming to deal with, especially when horses experience severe cuts or lacerations. Research indicates that wounds are the second most common emergency issue in equine care. Horse...
Dapples, the fascinating spots that add a unique pattern to a horse’s coat, have long captured the attention of equestrians, breeders, and horse owners. Dapples are rounded areas on a horse’s hair...
Horses need a balanced diet to maintain optimal health. Ensuring adequate intake of vitamins and minerals is important for many physiological and metabolic functions. However, a diet consisting solely...
Selenium and vitamin E are essential antioxidant nutrients for all mammals, including horses. Together with vitamin C, they help prevent the damaging effects of oxidative stress in all cells and tissu...
Supraspinous bursitis, more often known as fistulous withers, is not a common problem in horses — at least in North America. However, it is a serious condition that more often affects horses and don...
Wood chewing is one of several types of stereotypic behaviors or habits that horses can develop. Stereotypic behaviors, often referred to as stereotypies, are repetitive behavior patterns with no appa...
Muscle loss in horses is a worrisome problem and one that needs to be investigated promptly. This condition is also known as muscle atrophy or muscle wasting, and is defined as a decrease in muscle ma...
Enteroliths are calcifications or mineral masses that can form in the horse's intestines, sometimes resulting in impaction colic. These intestinal stones form when the horse consumes an indigestible o...
Full-time stall confinement isn’t good for a horse’s physical or mental welfare. Horses are social animals who, in the wild, move long distances and eat small, frequent meals all day long. Many do...
Respiratory problems are a common occurrence in horses, sometimes they occur in acute (short-term) bouts or can be chronic illnesses. Some respiratory diseases are communicable to other horses, while ...
In recent decades, slow feeding has gained popularity with horse owners. Slow feeders are nets or solid feeders with small to medium-sized openings for hay access. Their purpose is to slow down the r...
Horses are prone to hoof cracks for various reasons. Cracks can lead to the hoof chipping away in certain areas. Cracks can be a cosmetic problem that can be easily corrected, but sometimes, they ind...
It’s not uncommon for horses to experience eye problems. Several conditions and diseases can affect vision and eye health in horses, including uveitis, cataracts, and conjunctivitis. Horses experien...
Of the many skin conditions horses can develop, sarcoids are the most common. The term "sarcoid" was first used in 1936 in South Africa as a way to distinguish this skin lesion from other tumors. Sarc...
Horses are prone to a number of different skin conditions and diseases. Some are minor and resolve on their own, while others can be much more serious. Skin conditions may affect localized areas on th...
Pain is something that all horses deal with at some point in their lives. Horses can experience pain for many different reasons, including injury, illness, or a result of surgery. For example, castrat...
Are you considering setting up a track system such as the Paddock Paradise for your horse? In recent decades, many horse owners have shown interest in natural equine management and care practices. The...
Stagnation edema, also known as stocking up, is a common cause of leg swelling in stabled horses. It occurs due to impaired circulation from periods of reduced activity. This short-lasting form of ede...
Horses can experience a number of different dental issues over their lifetime, impacting their ability to chew and digest their feed. Unaddressed dental issues can affect your horse's health, conditio...
Equine pneumonia is a common respiratory illness that can be life-threatening. It can affect different parts of the horse’s lungs and may cause varied symptoms. Pneumonia refers to inflammation of t...
Equine sinusitis is the most common disease affecting the paranasal sinuses in horses. Sinusitis is an inflammatory condition that often involves excessive nasal discharge. Horses with sinus diseases ...
Strangles, also known as equine distemper, is a highly contagious disease caused by the bacteria Streptococcus equi. Young horses are most susceptible to developing strangles disease. This condition m...
Dehydration is a serious problem in competing and working horses, especially during hot weather. Horses competing in endurance racing or engaging in sustained or strenuous activities are at the highes...
Roaring is a condition that causes some horses to make a whistling or roaring sound during exercise. It can affect a horse’s performance during high-intensity exercises, such as racing. This conditi...
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 af...