Horse Conditions & Diseases

Horses, like humans, can be susceptible to a number of diseases or conditions. Many can be prevented through good housekeeping, a proper diet and immunizations. But some conditions and diseases still manage to find a way into a horse. This article will cover a few of the more common horse diseases and conditions, from the easily curable to the highly fatal.

Sand-cracks develop vertically along the horse's hoof wall. They sometimes start at the coronary band and become infected. Most surface sand-cracks can be managed through general hoof trimming. More serious care will be needed if the cracks extend deep into the hoof membrane and begin to puss.

Colic happens when there is pain somewhere in the horse's colon pathway that makes the horse want to lie down. Gas, swelling and restlessness can occur in the horse. Causes can be anywhere from a malformation in the colonic path to overeating dry material. Sometimes the obstruction is caused by a sudden change in diet or too much sand in the food.

Also known as ventral midline dermatitis, this disease is a worm infection on the horse's skin. It usually starts in the horse neck's connective tissues. Many horses have these worms, but it is suspected that the dermatitis develops when their pre-larvae worms die in the bloodstream. The flaking and patchy hair loss can be found around the eyes, underbelly, withers and face.

This occurs when the inner layer of the hoof wall, which has a distinctive white line, becomes infected. The line begins to separate the hoof from the sole, allowing bacteria and fungus to set in. From there, the inner areas of the hoof become infected and deteriorate.

Swamp fever is a highly fatal disease that is also very contagious. Also known as equine infectious anaemia, swamp fever starts off with a short fever, followed by rapid weight loss and lethargy. What makes swamp fever deadly is that initial signs are not distinctive from other diseases but can quickly progress into fatal stages. The Coggins test is used to diagnose swamp fever in horses. It is required for any horses coming into the United States to have a certified negative Coggins test.