Equine care, decoded
The 10 most common health issues every horse owner should know — what to watch for, how to prevent them, and when to pick up the phone.
Colic is abdominal pain in the horse — a symptom, not a disease. It can range from mild gas discomfort to a life-threatening twisted gut. Early detection and rapid veterinary care save lives.
Laminitis is inflammation of the sensitive laminae inside the hoof. Severe cases lead to founder, where the coffin bone rotates or sinks. It is acutely painful and can be career-ending or fatal if not addressed immediately.
EMS is a hormonal disorder characterised by insulin dysregulation, regional fat deposits, and a high risk of laminitis. It is most common in 'easy keepers' and certain breeds (ponies, Morgans, Arabians).
Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome affects up to 90% of performance horses and 60% of pleasure horses. The horse's stomach produces acid continuously, so empty stomachs and stress quickly create painful ulcers in the squamous lining.
Sweet itch is an allergic reaction to the saliva of biting midges (Culicoides). It causes intense itching along the mane, tail, and belly, leading to self-inflicted hair loss and skin damage. It is a lifelong condition managed, not cured.
Mud fever is a bacterial skin infection of the lower legs caused by prolonged wet, muddy conditions. The skin softens, cracks, and lets opportunistic bacteria (Dermatophilus congolensis) take hold, producing painful scabs.
Navicular syndrome is chronic lameness from degeneration of the navicular bone, surrounding ligaments, and the deep digital flexor tendon. It typically affects both front feet and is most common in Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds, and Warmbloods.
A hoof abscess is a pocket of infection inside the hoof, typically caused by bacteria entering through a small crack or puncture. The horse becomes acutely lame — often dramatically so — but most cases resolve quickly once the abscess drains.
Choke in horses is a blockage of the oesophagus, not the airway — the horse can still breathe. Common causes are bolted dry feed, large pieces of carrot or apple, or poor dental health. Most cases resolve within an hour but can lead to aspiration pneumonia.
Equine asthma — also called Recurrent Airway Obstruction or 'heaves' — is a chronic respiratory disease triggered by inhaled allergens (dust, mould, pollen). Affected horses have breathing difficulty, chronic cough, and reduced performance.