Horses

Horses are large, athletic animals whose bodies are often put under a lot of stress. This can lead to many problems with their muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Ultrasound therapy can be used in...

Tendon strains are dreaded by performance horse owners the world over. A strained tendon can put a horse out of work for months. If the injury heals improperly or incompletely, the horse may never...

Environmental triggers such as mold, dust and grass proteins are the most common causes of equine allergies. However, sometimes horses develop allergies with little or no warning. At the initial...

Diarrhea in horses, seen when the horse's stool becomes watery and loses its normal ball-like shape, could indicate an underlying disease process in the animal's intestinal tract. Because the...

Insulin resistance is a problem that has been around for a long time but has just recently been identified in horses. It is akin to Cushing's disease in that it causes many of the same problems in...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Horse allergies are difficult to diagnose because they can take years to develop. Healthy horses can be afflicted with allergies without warning. Symptoms of horse allergies include tearing eyes,...

Degenerative joint disease, or arthritis, is something that afflicts most horses to some extent during their lives. Though usually seen in older horses or high-level competition horses, even...

Horse wounds vary from mild to severe and require careful procedures to promote healing that prevents infection and permanent lameness. Depending on the location of the wound, the time it can take...

If you are the proud owner of a horse, you are lucky indeed! His well being depends entirely upon you, however. I always say, “You can park a boat for the winter and forget about it, but you...

Wobbler syndrome is a condition that causes horses to be clumsy and uncoordinated. According to the University of Kentucky, it is the result of a compressed spinal cord. If your horse has the...

Juvenile Epilepsy Syndrome usually occurs between 2 days to 6 months after birth. It is not usually a fatal affliction, and most foals outgrow the problem between 12 and 18 months of age. Although...

Colic is not only frightening for the horse owner but it can be deadly for the horse. Colic is a catch-all term for stomachache in horses. Some cases can be just a mild passing thing but in...

Horse colic is a common sickness that can strike any horse, no matter the breed, age or location. Colic is not a disease that is recurring, although any horse can colic several times for many...

For a horse, the term "colic" refers to abdominal pain that could signal anything from a mild problem to a life-threatening condition. Knowing what to give--and not to give--your horse could...

Knowing how to do the basic prepurchase exam for a horse is an important part of horse ownership. We highly recommend a veterinarian prepurchase exam prior to the purchase of your new equine...

Colic in horses can be a deadly ailment without quick and proper treatment. Caused by stress, incorrect diet or simply eating too much grains, colic promotes gas in the intestinal tract causing...

Colic is any type of belly pain in horses. There are many things that create colic: cramps, gas, impaction and, in the worst situations, twisted intestines. An experienced horseperson knows when a...

Horses are accident-prone creatures, and their veterinary care can be enormously expensive, especially for accidents that occur after office hours. Removing skin staples from cuts yourself is an...

Horse colic is a common but nonetheless frightening condition that afflicts horses of all ages and breeds. The term is somewhat generic--it simply indicates a condition that causes pain the...

Founder, also known as laminitis, is a potentially devastating equine foot disease characterized by inflammation and pain. If you suspect that your horse has founder, call your veterinarian---it...

Catastrophic injuries happen to horses all the time. Performance horses especially are prone to bone, tendon, and ligament injuries. So how do you rehabilitate your horse when the worse case...

Laminitis, also called founder, is the second leading cause of death in horses, and the number one cause of lameness and loss of use. It is a condition where the laminae of the hoof actually...

Older horse's need sufficient fat and nutrition, regular vet exams and should not live outside. Take care of an older horse through adjusted nutrition and veterinarian visits with tips from an...

After the birth of a foal, observe the mare to make sure that she and the foal look healthy, and bring her to the veterinarian if she hasn't discharged the placenta within 10 hours of delivery....

Colic in horses is a common, yet potentially serious, condition. Equine colic is stomach pain caused by a change in the feed given to a horse or from a blockage of the horse's intestines. Symptoms...

Miniature horses are friendly, fashionable pets that can be found worldwide serving as companion animals and working as service animals to those with disabilities. Though they are popular, they...

Horses have been a fixture in societies around the world for hundreds of years. The Romans used them as war machines, the Renaissance period saw them as workers, and they helped carry settlers...

It's easy to find a veterinarian who treats horses, ponies, donkeys and other equines. All you have to do is look in an online directory like the one listed in the Resources section or ask...

Colic is very dangerous to horses and when left untreated it can cause death. Colic is a sudden attack of abdominal pain. There are many causes of colic in horses; some are mild but some are not....

In this article I will explain how to treat a horse who has been bitten by a snake.

Tying-up syndrome is also called cording up and set fast disease, and it is also incorrectly referred to as exertion myopathy. It is a mild form of azoturia and manifests with similar symptoms,...

Renting a stable for your horse can be an emotional experience, especially if you're used to being able to see your horse anytime you want to. With a little planning and research, you can find a...

There are several different causes of skin disorders in horses, some of which can be cured with a mild shampoo or over-the-counter medicine. Parasites, bacteria, fungi, viruses, allergies,...

Horses that are purebreds, meaning they're usually bred for racing or showing, are required to have a registered name. This ensures that both the owner and animal are protected from unscrupulous...

The anticipation is over; your foal has finally arrived. A little creature that appears to be more legs than anything is wobbling around in the stall. There are things you can do to help her get a...

This condition is caused by a lethal virus called equine morbillivirus. First discovered in Australia in 1994, there's evidence that acute equine respiratory syndrome (AERS) is zoonotic, meaning...

There are several different situations in which it is more humane to euthanize a horse than to force it to live in agony. A broken leg (particularly a broken lower leg), severe colic, extensive...

Equine acupuncture has become an increasingly valid diagnostic tool for horses, particularly for rear leg problems and diseases like EPM. If your horse is showing signs of soreness or stiffness,...

There are many reasons why your horse might be lame, but problems in the legs should always be taken seriously. A lame horse is unable or unwilling to place weight on one hoof, and is usually...

Most horses, regardless of their age, are maintained by their owners for the sole purpose of riding. If you have a male stallion that you want to ride rather than breed, you might want to...

Western pleasure is one of the most elegant and beautiful equestrian sports when ridden correctly, so it is important to evaluate your prospects before you buy a western pleasure horse. Make sure...

Soundness in horses' legs is paramount to their overall health. To check their legs for injury is an easy task that should be done daily. Follow these steps to keep track of the health of your...

A lot of planning and expense goes into breeding a mare and producing a foal. Unfortunately sometimes things go wrong and foals are born prematurely.

Once a horse has laminitis, she is prone to the condition throughout the remainder of her life. Since laminitis can be such a debilitating disease, it is important to take the proper precautions...

Horse ownership is often a time-consuming and expensive hobby, though the rewards of keeping and riding horses are well worth any inconvenience. Whether you're a first-time horse owner or an old...