Horse Ailments: Causes and Cures

Some horse ailments can be merely bothersome. Others, however, can be life threatening.
Horses are typically very hardy animals. They can thrive under some of the most severe conditions.

However, they equine anatomy can also be a very fragile thing.

Horse diseases and ailments are two very different things. Most horse diseases can be thwarted by vaccines. While horse ailments cannot. When I say ailments, I mean, colic, founder, fever, and a host of others.

Fever in a horse is not exactly considered to be a horse ailment. However, it is a good indicator that your horse has something wrong. In some horses, you will know right away that they have a fever. They will look dull, listless or generally pathetic. Other horses may not show signs at all.

Any fever in a horse, should not be ignored. The normal temperature in horses ranges from 99 to 100.5. A fever higher than 102 is reason to call the vet.

Melanoma

Melanomas are tumors that usually occur in gray or light colored horses. These tumors are more often than not, benign. Removal is normally not necessary, however they should be watched closely. They can sometimes ulcerate and would require topical treatment until it heals.

Choke

Choke is a very serious horse ailment. It is not as common as colic, but is considered a veterinary emergency. The most common cause of choke is horses not chewing their food thoroughly. This could be a result of eating to fast or dental problems.

It is difficult for a horse to expel anything from his esophagus, and immediate treatment is required. Unlike choke in humans, it does not cut off respiration in horses.

Signs of Choke:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Not interested in food
• Coughing
• Extending the neck and head, usually downward
• Increased salivation
• Heart rate may increas
• Horse will pace or try and lie down

If you suspect your horse is choking, call the vet immediately. He may have to put a stomach tube down the esophagus to determine if there is a blockage.

While you are waiting for the vet, take away all food, but supply plenty of water. Walk the horse constantly, do not let him lie down.

To prevent your horse from choking, try putting large rocks into his food bowl. This will force him to slow down as he has to pick around the rocks. Also, if you feed your horses treats, cut apples, carrots or other treats into small pieces.



Laminitis/Founder

Laminitis is sometimes referred to as founder. Laminitis is described as, inflammation of the sensitive plates of tissue in a hoof, usually causing lameness.

It is a extremely serious horse ailment that requires prompt treatment. In the early stages, a horse will sometimes rock back and forth trying to take all weight off his front feet. The front feet are normally the ones that are affected. However, it is not impossible for it to affect the hind feet.

The pain is usually intense, and will cause the horse to look lethargic and sickly. As it progress the horse will not want to walk and may even lie down.

Early detection can possibly prevent extensive and irreversible damage. This disease will affect the laminae tissue in the hoof. If the damage is severe, the foot will not be able to support the coffin bone. This will often mean the end of usefullness for your horse.

Early Warning Signs Of Laminitis

• Rocking back and forth on hind legs.
• Lying down.
• Profuse sweating.
• Rapid breathing.
• Possible temperature.

Possible Causes of Founder

1. Grain Founder - Horse will literally eat until they make themselves sick. Horses, unlike humans, have no ability to vomit to relieve themselves. Spoiled feed, or even a different type of feed can cause founder.

2. Grass Founder - This type of founder usually occurs in the spring. After a long winter, with no grass, horses should be acclimated to grass slowly over a period of days. Start by letting them graze for about an hour. The next day, about 2 hours, and go from there. If horses are kept at pasture full time, they will acclimate themselves as the grass starts to grow.

3. Water Founder - This happens when a horse is allowed to drink a lot of water right after exercise and is still hot. Never let a horse that is hot, drink his fill. Let him have a few sips at a time until he cools down.

4. Road Founder - This type of founder is less common, but it does happen. It is caused by hooves pounding on hard surfaces for long distances. Mostly this type occurs in city bound carriage horses and police horses.

At any sign of laminitis/founder, a vet should be called immediately. This could determine whether or not your horse will be cured or have chronic bouts with laminitis.

Is a horse ailment that affects the skin. It is easily recognized when the horse’s skin scabs up and tufts of hair fall out. It is a bacterial infection caused by overly wet or very humid conditions.

In mild cases, it will sometimes heal on its own. It is best to remove the scabs and bathe the horse with a antimicrobial shampoo. Be careful when removing scabs, they do not itch, but they may get sore.

In more severe cases, your vet may have to perscribe antibiotics to clear it up. It is also contagious, so be careful not to groom another horse with your grooming tools. Make sure to disinfect them first.

These are some of the most common horse ailments. Most of the are completely curable, if caught in time. It is very important to groom your horses daily. Hopefully you will catch any signs or symptoms in their early stages. Protect your horse's health as best you can.

Hives

Hives are the appearance of round raised whelps on the skin. Swelling in the face and eyelids sometimes accompany this horse ailment. Episodes with hives usually only last a few hours and are usually caused by an inhaled allergen. Horses with hives, usually recover without treatment.

Saddle Sores, Galls and Rope Burns

A poorly fitting or improperly padded saddle can cause pressure sores. These rubbed or chafed areas become swollen, bare and tender to pressure.

Galls, also caused by ill-fitting equipment, are painful swollen pockets of serum that develop under the skin. After an injury, apply ice packs several times a day for 2 or 3 days. Apply zinc oxide salve to raw areas to dry and protect skin.

Rope burns are friction burns, and may involve the full thickness of the skin. Deep wounds, require clipping of the hair, cleansing with betadine and the application of topical antibiotics.