During periods of heavy rainfall, many horse owners may notice the emergence of rain rot in their horses. This skin condition can be frustrating, but with proper care, it is often manageable.

Can you get a disease from your horse? Yes, but the good news is that direct horse-to-human disease transmission is rare. Here’s a quick refresher on some bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral diseases that can potentially be transmitted to us directly from the equines in our lives. This list does not include diseases like West Nile virus that can be passed indirectly from horses to humans, for example through an insect bite.

We ask a lot of our equine partners. Regardless of the discipline, maintaining optimal joint health is essential for any horse’s performance. Horses are athletes and lameness is one of the most common reasons for decreased performance. By addressing lameness issues as soon as they develop, the impact on the horse’s career can be minimized. Joint disease in horses is very common and as such, the use of one or several therapies can maximize soundness and improve long-term joint health.

Preventing the spread of infectious diseases in horses starts with understanding how pathogens are transmitted. Disease-causing organisms can reach horses through multiple routes, making biosecurity a crucial part of equine care.