Horse Health

Horses can be allergic to one or more elements in their environment. Your horse may have never experienced allergic symptoms to a particular element before, but now the same trigger is causing an...

Equine shingles is caused by the herpes zoster virus. It manifests as lameness, and can make the whole body sensitive to the touch. Other symptoms include fever, nasal discharge and miscarriage...

According to Horse Owner's Veterinary Handbook, horses should never be given antibiotics unless they are sick, injured or undergoing surgery. This is because of the risk of side effects from...

Most horse owners don't realize their horse has an abscess until it "blows out" or the horse comes up lame. Abscesses typically run a predictable course. Caused by a puncture wounds and small...

Trying to medicate an animal that might weigh half a ton or more can be no easy feat. There are a few ways to help the medicine go down, which will ensure that the horse gets the treatment it needs.

The purpose of a male horse's sheath, also known as prepuce, is to protect the penis while retracted. The sheath is made up of folds of skin. The internal layer secretes lubricating oils from the...

Many older horses fall prey to arthritis and other joint problems as they age, and it is important for horse owners to be on the lookout for signs of discomfort in their equine companions....

Many horse owners and vets are increasingly concerned about their horse’s digestion and colic related symptoms caused by poor nutrient absorption in the horses of all ages which is often combined...

According to the Merk Veterinary Manual, mange in horses is extremely rare in the United States. The three main types of mange exist. Sarcoptic Mange is the rarest, but most severe. Psoroptic...

Gypsy horses have been the friends and companions of travelers for centuries, and their gentle nature and laid-back attitude makes them perfect mounts for both adults and children. In fact, many...

Equine remedial therapy is also known as equine massage therapy and is an emerging practice for treating sports injuries in horse athletes. The horses used for races and other athletic events...

Treating a horse with ear mites can be a challenge to say the least. Most horses aren't particularly fond of having their ears prodded and poked--nor do they like the pain and irritation caused by...

According to Horse Owner's Veterinary Handbook, horses and ponies suffer from seizures for many reasons, including poisoning, brain injury, a sudden drop in blood calcium, colic and epilepsy. ...

If your veterinarian has recommended or prescribed eye drops for your horse, you might be worried about your horse acting up and flinging his head around while you are trying to give the...

Detecting eye problems in a horse is not as simple as it sounds. As prey animals, horses are quite good at hiding any discomfort they may feel, since predators in the wild are always on the...

Magnetic therapy has been used for over 25 years in horses. Magnetic therapy works by increasing the electric potential in the cells and dilating blood vessels, allowing for improved circulation...

Cushing's disease is a hormonal disorder that affects the pituitary gland. While this disorder is incurable, horses diagnosed with it can lead a productive life with the correct treatments if...

Winstrol-V, formerly known as Stanozolol, is considered an anabolic steroid. When administered to horses, its tissue-building (anabolic) properties are much greater than its masculinizing...

Horse's teeth grow their entire lives. Senior horses, in particular, need to have their teeth floated (filed) as needed for this reason. It also means that as horses age, their teeth can literally...

Equine chiropractors diagnose and treat muscular and skeletal ailments in horses. Although there is no specific chiropractic license for care of horses, licenses for animal chiropractic in the...

Equine Cushing's disease is a hormonal imbalance caused by problems in the pituitary gland. According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the average age of the horse at diagnosis...

Contracted tendons is a congenital limb deformity in which the tendons and/or attached musculature are too short for a foal's legs. According to a report published by the University of Illinois...

Cushing's disease is caused by a small tumor in a pony or horse's pituitary gland. The pituitary gland controls the endocrine system, so the disease can cause a number of symptoms including the...

Thrush is an infection that develops in a horse's hooves after being in prolonged contact with wet surfaces such as mud or urine. It is caused by bacteria and eats away at the delicate frog of the...

When a horse develops diarrhea, it can be an extremely unpleasant experience for both horse and owner. In order to reduce the discomfort and mess of diarrhea, many horse breeders choose to use...

Pergolide is a prescription medication that was used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease in humans until its discontinuation 2007. Veterinarians still use the medication to treat Cushing's...

When it comes to equine steroid therapy, treatments come in two classifications: anabolic and corticosteroids. Anabolic steroids will help to build muscle mass in your horse while the latter can...

An occasional nosebleed is not cause for concern with horses. Most nosebleeds that don't occur on a regular basis result from dry weather or a scratch on the inside of the nose. These nosebleeds...

If you suspect your horse has gassy colic, contact your veterinarian immediately. Symptoms of colic include your horse lying down, curling his upper lip, biting at his sides and rolling...

Just like humans, horses are susceptible to certain diseases that can be prevented by vaccinating your horse. The vaccines you give and how often depend a lot on what type of horse operation you...

Many horses are overweight. Diet, exercise, environment and health issues can all contribute to your draft horse's obesity. Horses are designed to eat all day, so it can be difficult to restrict...

A sand stall floor is a good choice for a stable because it is easy on the horse's legs and provides a lot of drainage. However, sand alone has a lot of problems. The flooring is prone to...

Thrush is an anaerobic bacteria that affects horses who spend a lot of time standing in dirty stalls. Anaerobic means that the bacteria doesn't survive well when surrounded by air. Normally it...

When a horse's muscle tears, it is because of muscle fibers rupturing, according to Peter Gray, equine veterinary surgeon. When this occurs, the horse slips or falls and has a hard time keeping...

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...