Horse Health
As owners and riders, we all know that our horse’s health is priority number one. Our horses depend on us 100% of the time so it is vital that we understand their health needs and have a basic understanding of any potential problems.
Every horse and pony is an individual and therefore different, so it’s important that you know your own horse and their way of being. Having an idea of what their regular temperature, heart rate and respiration should be on a normal day is a good starting point because it means you can identify when things aren’t quite right.
It is also a good idea to be aware of their normal behaviour patterns so that when they are off colour you will recognise that, and can act.
Below, we have complied a list of some of the most common and well- known equine diseases and problems around. I am sure most of you will have heard of them and, hopefully, you and your horse will never experience any of them. However, it is always a good idea to have some basic knowledge, as to be forearmed is to be forewarned.
We’ve also included a brief overview of hoof care here – mentioning both shoeing and barefoot trimming – because, as the saying goes, ‘no hoof, no horse,’ so healthy hooves are a vital part of your horse’s health check
To keep things simple, we list four main points for each condition: 1) Signs 2) Causes 3) Treatment 4) Prevention. But as ever, if in doubt, get the vet out.
MumsHaynet offers equine-related content to promote general understanding, education and accessibility within the horse community. None of the content, published articles or forum discussions should be considered a substitute for professional advice from a veterinarian or other professional. If you have, or suspect that your horse has, a medical problem or condition, contact a qualified veterinary health care professional immediately.