Taxonomy term

equine respiratory diseases, roa horses, inflammatory airway horse, horse nasal discharge, horse cough, horse nosebleeds

The equine respiratory tract is responsible for many different functions and is, on a basic level, quite similar to the human respiratory tract. One of its primary functions is the exchange of oxygen between the lungs and the red blood cells, which allows oxygen to be delivered to tissues throughout the body and becomes especially important during exercise when the oxygen consumption of the tissues increases. Another important function is the clearance of irritants such as dust, ammonia, and bacteria, from the respiratory tract. This is done by filtering large dust particles in the nose, coughing, sneezing, and trapping irritants in the airway mucus. However, excess nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing, and mucus secretion are all signs that a horse may be suffering from respiratory problems.

climate change horse industry, prepare horse farm for climate change, heat dome horses, rescuing horses disaster, hay shortages, colic horses

Climate change is substantially impacting Canadian horses, horse properties, and their owners. Almost 90 percent of Canadians in recent surveys say they’ve already seen climate change effects in their communities. Horses are increasingly affected by respiratory diseases from wildfire smoke and dust; skin disease and damaged hooves from variable weather; and unforeseen parasites and diseases. Horse owners are struggling to purchase hay, treat unexpected health issues, and adapt to weather-related riding limitations. Meanwhile, property owners are repairing damage from sudden storms, drought, excess water, and wind. So, it’s worth understanding how climate change will affect horses and properties into the future, and what you can do to prepare for these changes.

equine neurological conditions, uc davis center for equine health, infectious diseases horses, horse headshaking, diseases in foals, flies disease spread horses

Neurologic issues can affect horses at any age, and clinical signs can result from infectious and non-infectious causes. Increased understanding of equine neurologic conditions has enabled earlier diagnosis and improved outcomes, and vaccines have reduced the spread of infectious diseases. However, diagnosis and treatment remain challenging in some cases.

equine neurologic disease, horse pre-purchase exam, neurological examination horses, how to buy a horse, horse with shivers

Equine neurological examinations evaluate horses from head to tail. They are performed to evaluate signs consistent with neurologic disease or to establish that a horse is neurologically normal, such as during a pre-purchase exam. A neurological exam can be divided into two parts: static and dynamic.

ataxia California horses, equine  Vitamin E deficiency, shivers in horses, cancer horses, sleep deprivation horses, equine headshaking, ulcers horse eye

Vitamin E deficiency can lead to distinct health conditions; Shivers can occur in the front limbs, but only if the hind legs are also affected; A horse’s brain weighs 1.5 pounds, but is still one of the largest brains among land mammals...

katy white dvm, burwash equine services, equine osteoarthritis, burwash equine services, oa in horses, treating arthritis horses, when horse ultrasound, preventing arthritis horses, injections horse arthritis

One of the most common conditions affecting soundness and performance lifespan of horses is osteoarthritis (OA), with some reports suggesting 60 percent of lameness issues in horses is attributable to OA(1). OA is known across animal and human populations to cause stiff and creaky joint movement. It can make getting up in the morning difficult or slow you down the day after a long run.

ontario veterinary college, enterocolitis horses, foal death, university of guelph, equine guelph

Professor of Pathobiology at Ontario Veterinary College, explains what is being done to combat Necrotizing Enterocolitis - a disease affecting mostly foals which results in death of tissue in the intestine.

biosecurity horse farm, preventing disease spread horse stable, managing equine property, farm and ranch biosecurity, acera insurance

Across Canada, owners, riders, farms, and horses continue to struggle with strangles, equine influenza, and equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy. Not only can these diseases be detrimental to horses’ health, but managing ill horses can stretch finances, shut down commercial operations, and be an emotional roller coaster for those involved.

joint health horses, types of equine joints, types of joints in horses, uc davis center for equine health, equine athletic performance

Equine athletic potential and subsequent performance, success, and longevity hinge on healthy joints. Joints are essentially where two or more bones meet, yet they allow the body to perform complicated functions. Some allow for movement, influencing range of motion, stride length, and overall comfort.

weight horse, equine obesity joint health, exercises for horse joint pain, equine joint injections, corticosteroid injections horses, equine joint supplements

Joint health can be a confusing topic. We collaborated with Dr. Sarah le Jeune of the UC Davis Equine Integrative Sports Medicine and Equine Surgery and Lameness Services, and Scott Katzman of the Equine Surgery and Lameness Service, to provide some clarity.

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