Common Horse Diseases

Anyone who owns horses should have a basic understanding of illnesses often found in horses, as well as how to treat those diseases. Veterinarians often live far away or are unable to respond to a call immediately, so owners must sometimes handle a sick horse on their own.

Some of these are horse diseases, while others are more accurately disorders or conditions common to horses. Whatever the case, it is important to understand each of them.

Colic

Perhaps the most common horse disease is colic, which is a broad term used to describe an acute gastrointestinal problem. In some cases, colic signals an impaction of waste in the intestines; in others, it might simple constitute a stomach ache from changing feed or eating too fast.

When horses colic, they tend to bite at their stomachs, roll in their stalls and refuse to eat. Their gums will be tacky (lacking moisture) and gut sounds will have lessened or ceased. Of the illnesses found in horses, this is perhaps one of the most dangerous, and veterinary attention is essential.

Laminitis

There are several horse diseases common to the hoof, which is one of the most sensitive areas of the horse's body. Laminitis refers to inflammation of the digital laminae, which are attached to the hoof wall and to the coffin bone. When a horse suffers from laminitis, it will become increasingly difficult for him to walk without pain.

It is impossible to tell if a horse has laminitis or any other hoof diseases common in horses without radiographs to confirm. This usually means that the horse must be taken to a veterinary clinic for a full work-up. Symptoms include increased vital signs, profuse sweating and tendency to favor the afflicted hoof.

Founder

Founder isn't necessarily a disease of the horse, but a complication of many horse diseases. Founder occurs when a disease, such as laminitis, goes untreated for a long period of time, and most horses who founder are profoundly neglected.

Founder occurs when the coffin bone sinks through the hoof frog, making standing and moving impossible without extraordinary pain. Most horses that founder will require constant attention and perhaps hospitalization in an equine clinic to heal.

EPM

Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a protozoal disease common to horses, particularly in the southern states. EPM is hosted by the opossum and is caused by a parasite called Sarcocystis neurona. This particular horse illness causes mostly neurological problems and can become serious if left untreated.

The most common symptom of EPM is a notable disconnection between a horse's front end and back end. He might move as though he were drunk, unsure of where to put his feet. Muscular atrophy is one of the advanced symptoms of this horse disease.

Equine Influenza

Viruses are some of the most deadly horse diseases because they can spread rapidly through a population if one infected horse is introduced to a herd or barn. Equine influenza presents with fever, dry coughs, increased mucus production and despondency.

Fortunately, unlike many other horse illnesses, equine influenza usually disappears on its own after a week or two. The horse should not be ridden during this time, and a veterinary consult is advised.

These horse diseases and illnesses might never present in a horse owner's stock, but it helps to be aware of them and know what they look like. If in doubt, it is always best to call a veterinarian.