Horse Sicknesses & Diseases

All animals can suffer from disease. The majority of diseases that horses can suffer from occur around the hooves or the abdomen. Many of these diseases run their course, while other diseases must be treated with a variety of medicines. Some diseases are so severe that horse owners often euthanize the horse.

Hoof Diseases

There are three main horse hoof diseases: brittle hoof, club-foot, ringed or ribbed hoof and spongy hoof. Horses that have had their hooves in water for long periods of time might get brittle hoof, which is where the hooves become very dry and are likely to fracture. Club-foot is a hereditary condition in which the hoof is deformed, making it difficult for the horse to run without stumbling. Spongy foot occurs when horses with flat feet in which the hoof becomes soft. Then there is a mild chance that the hoof gets detached from the foot.

Navicular Horse Disease

The navicular bone of the horse sometimes becomes inflamed. This is caused by genetics, poor horseshoe selection, excessive body weight or forcing the horse to work excessively on a hill that is sloping up. The horse will walk on the toes of his hooves and will often stumble. This disease is prevented by trimming the hoof and by exercising the horse frequently. This disease is treated by removing the horseshoe temporarily in order to improve circulation and by administering a variety of medications like vasodilators, anticoagulants, anti-inflammatory drugs and bisphosphonates.

Indigestion or Gastro-intestinal Catarrh

The mucous-membrane lining of the digestive system of the horse hemorrhages and becomes swollen. This leads to ulcers and erosion in the digestive system. Like people, the stomachs of different horses are irritated by certain foods. The symptoms if this is a refusal to eat, weight loss, irregular stools and the consumption of foods that the horse shouldn't be eating like wood and the horse's feces.

Diseases of the Bones

Periostitis and ostitis are usually diseases that occur together. Periostitis is an inflammation of the connective tissue around the bones of the horse. Ostitis is when excessive blood flows to the inflamed area. This leads to excess tissue forming in the inflamed area over the long term. This inflammation is usually caused by injury or infection caused by a flesh wound. In mild cases, the inflammation runs its course. But in severe cases, anti-inflammatory medication might be needed.

Anasarca or Purpura Hemorrhagica

These diseases are caused by influenza. This leads to sores and swelling on the horse's body. The parts of the body usually affected are the legs, the under belly and the side of the head. There are also usually sores on the horse's tongue. The horse can also develop a fever. These diseases are cured through rest.

Rabies

Horses can get rabies like other animals. This disease is transmitted through fluids. The primary fluid it is transferred through is saliva. The place where the horse was bit begins to itch. The horse then becomes more easily irritable. The horse might hallucinate and will likely become violent. The horse is likely to bite himself and might injure himself to an extent that might prematurely end his life. Paralysis eventually occurs.

Horse Colic

Horse colic is an umbrella term for deadly diseases of the abdomen that the horse can get. These diseases are all painful for the horse. The horse will often jerk around and twist his body in different ways in order to relieve the pain. The pain is not constant. During horse colic, the horse will often sweat profusely.