Horse Health

Urinary tract infections in horses are very rare. Fortunately, horses with UTIs exhibit recognizable signs and, once the condition is definitively diagnosed, it is easily treatable.

Cushing's disease is a condition where the horse's endocrine system produces too much of the corticosteroid hormone cortisol. The high level of cortisol has many effects on the horse, including...

You can help your horse recover more quickly from bruises and injury by using the homeopathic remedy Traumeel. Traumeel has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-suppurative properties. It helps...

Equine influenza is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. The infection can cause many symptoms. Although there is no treatment to rid the horse of the virus, the treatment of influenza...

Equine dermatologists examine horses to diagnose problems with the horse's skin, ears, mouth and coat. Dermatologists may also help with allergies in horses. To become an equine dermatologist, the...

Pinworms are parasites found in the horse's rectum that are thin and about an inch and three-quarters long. Most of the dewormers available on the market for horses are effective against pinworms,...

Pharmaceutical products like phenylbutazone are the standard way to treat equine pain. Like many pharmaceuticals, bute can have side effects and long-term risks. For this reason, many horse...

Like any animal, horses sometimes experience wounds, whether brought on by other horses, insects or some other injury. If you see your horse is wounded and it's a situation that you can handle...

Although red maple trees (Acer rubrum) are beautiful to look at, their wilted leaves are poisonous to horses. Horses can die within days of eating wilted red maple leaves, according to David...

Several topical preparations are used to assist in the treatment of joint pain in horses. Different topical ointments and balms are used for everything from cuts to degenerative joint disease.

Stall mats improve the mental and physical health of horses and are safer than traditional dirt or cement flooring. Stall mats are an advance in smart equine management, reducing costs in several...

Horse colic, a form of abdominal distress, can be caused by stress, gas, changes in diet or weather, or by other variables, and can range from mild to life-threatening. The most serious form is...

Equine warts (also referred to as viral papillomatosis or viral papillomas) are bumps that appear in clusters around a horse's face and sometimes the genitalia. Usually, warts only affect horses...

Cushing's disease, more formally known as hyperadrenocorticism, is caused by an overproduction of corticosteroid hormones by the adrenal glands. The disease occurs in horses and dogs, with a...

When dealing with horses that have allergies, there are several warning signs you need to look for, such as hives, edema, difficulty breathing and swelling in the lower jaw area. If you begin to...

Avoiding equine muscle injuries or quickly treating them are crucial for horse owners. Cod liver fish oil supplements are being used to treat horse injuries related to sports, because of their...

Pneumonia affects nearly every species of mammal on the planet, although it is rare in horses. Pneumonia is an inflammatory illness affecting the respiratory system, causing swelling of the...

Equine Metabolic Syndrome, also known as EMS, is a disease that can slowly wear away the health of your horse. Similar in many ways to human diabetes, it is a condition that affects some breeds of...

Dandelions, a bright yellow flower, grow just about anywhere, including in your horse's pasture. Children commonly catch and release dandelion seeds for fun. Dandelion seed contains no nutrients,...

Over the span of an equine athlete's career, the risk of injury is ever present. Stress and trauma can cause damage to soft tissue or bone. Bone spurs are a frequent side effect of injury. In an...

If your dog suffers from chronic inflammatory liver disorders, liver tumors or cancer, liver congestion or any liver-related problem, you do not want to administer medications that could leave her...

Horses can get infections of the middle ear, inner ear or the outer ear flap, or pinna. Not only are ear infections painful, they also can greatly impair a horse's coordination and lead to deafness.

Pinkeye is an older term for what is now referred to as conjunctivitis. Pinkeye and conjunctivitis both refer to an eye infection that affects the inside of the eyelid and the eye surface. Pinkeye...

If your horse is going to be competing during the winter, or if you are going to maintain heavy training, you don't want it to grow a long, heavy, winter coat. It will still grow a winter coat if...

Milk thistle weed has been used for liver illnesses since the 17th century. Milk thistle weed, a weed with a purple flower, is the source of an herbal remedy hailed as a liver protector. It also...

Horses, ponies, donkeys and mules need their teeth checked twice a year. Any sharp edges need to be floated (filed) or the animal will not be able to eat properly and may contract dental disease....

Sweet itch is a seasonal skin condition in horses. It occurs when a horse has an allergic reaction to the bite of the Culicoides pulicaris midge fly. Any horse is at risk, but sweet itch is most...

The extensor tendon of a horse runs down the front of each cannon bone in the lower leg and allows the horse to extend the foot and lift the toe. Because the leg of a horse is so vascular (full...

A horse's body and skeleton function much like a human's; each piece works in concert to generate movement. The combination of muscle, cardiovascular system, flesh, nervous system, cells,...

According to the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, equine massage is allowed as an alternate, nonstandard therapy under the supervision of a veterinarian for the purpose of diagnosis...

Equine muscle release therapy is a whole-body technique that, like accupressure, relies on the guidance of energy throughout the horse's body by directing energy through a special pattern of...

Botulism in horses is very serious. According to the "Horse Owner's Veterinary Handbook," equine botulism is caused by bacterial poisoning, often in the form of rotten food or hay that has been...

The suspensory ligament runs vertically from the cannon bone to the fetlock on a horse's fore and hind limbs, preventing hyperextension. Prolonged exertion or traumatic injury can damage the...

Verrucous sarcoids ("fleshy warts") are often misdiagnosed tumors that can be found all over a horse's body, but most often around the face on the eyes. Although they are benign, it is best to...

Most people think abuse and neglect are synonymous. They are not. Neglect of horses is more common than outright abuse. Defining neglect or abuse is not as simple as it sounds. What one person...

Equine obesity has become a major concern of horse owners throughout the United States. In 2006, researchers from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (VMRCVM) and the...

Club foot is a genetic disorder that occurs in horses, causing the angle of the hoof to exceed 60 degrees instead of the average 45 degrees. This deformity is caused by anomalies in the flexor...

The equine shoulder is a large muscle mass on the horse's body, but most of the injuries that affect the shoulder are minor compared to more common equine injuries.

Able to see nearly 360 degrees, the equine eye is a wonder in the animal world. But because of its size and shape, it is also prone to injury.

Two of the injectable joint medications available for horses are Polyglycan and Adequan. Adequan is available as a systemic muscular injection, called Adequan i.m., or an injection directly into...

Sarcocystis neurona is a microscopic, single-celled, protozoan parasite. It is the most common cause of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, or EPM. The protozoan can infect all regions of the...

Cushing's Disease is an age-related disease that affects horses. The disease was identified about 70 years ago as one that attacks horses in their 20s. The disease is caused by a malfunction in...

Grape seed extract, or GSE, contains such healthy compounds as gallic acid, catechins, polyphenols and proanthocyanidins. It is also a powerful antioxidant. GSE is water-soluble and nontoxic;...

Equine back pain is a complex and challenging problem that can manifest in a horse's muscles, ligaments, or vertebrae through injury or irritation. If left untreated, the condition can contribute...

Navicular disease affects the front feet of horses. It is caused by the navicular bone deteriorating, brought on by arthritis, creating soreness and swelling in the surrounding tissues. This bone...

Farrier Matt Taimuty of FairHillForge.com says thrush is caused by anaerobic bacteria, which means the bacteria thrives in the absence of oxygen. It attacks the V-shaped frog of a horse's hoof as...

Sweet itch is an allergic reaction that horses experience toward Culicoides midge, gnat or fly bites. It affects all breeds of horses and is a recurrent condition. This condition causes itching...

Horses are huge animals that are revered for their power and grace. Able to run at speeds of up to 35 mph and weighing up to 1200 lbs, they are an animal to be reckoned with. They can also sustain...

Horses have the largest eyes of any land animal. These huge eyes make it easier to spot predators but also make it easier to become injured and then diseased. Horses are also prone to equine eye...

The horse can weigh over 1,200 pounds and run at speeds of 35 mph and greater. Its size and strength make it one of the more overwhelming and majestic of the animals we have domesticated for our...