Signs Of Ill Health In A Horse

Owning a horse has its benefits and being able to take care of them. There are some things that you can do to look after your horses. Horses need plenty of regular exercise, good feed, and attention from the owner to make sure that they remain healthy and free from sicknesses.Signs Of Ill Health In A Horse

The signs of ill health in a horse are varying and depend on the cause. A veterinarian can determine the signs based on inspection, history, clinical signs and test results from a variety of diagnostic procedures. Here are some common signs of ill health in a horse:

Signs of Ill Health In A Horse

Horses are some of the most majestic creatures on the planet. They can be bred, trained and cared for to be beautiful and powerful, but they can also be ill. There are several signs of ill health in a horse that you will want to look out for.

The first sign of ill health in a horse is if they are showing signs of weakness. For example, if they are stumbling or falling over when they walk it could mean that there is something wrong with their legs or joints. If they are not able to stand properly this is also a sign that something is wrong with their legs or joints as well as possibly their spine too!

Another sign of ill health in a horse could be that they have become sluggish or unresponsive to your commands such as when you try to ride them or turn them around when you’re leading them somewhere else by pulling gently on their reins (which is something any good rider should do). This may mean that there’s something wrong with their brain function due to whatever illness has been affecting them lately (if any).

There are several signs of ill health in a horse, including diarrhea, coughing, and head tossing. Here’s what you need to know about those issues and how to handle them.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a common sign of illness in horses. It can be caused by a number of things, including parasites like worms or coccidia, bacterial infections like salmonella or E. coli, or viral infections such as influenza or herpesvirus. The first thing you should do if your horse starts having diarrhea is examine his fecal matter under a microscope to see if it contains any parasites or bacteria that might be causing the problem. If so, then you’ll need to treat the problem with medication prescribed by your veterinarian.

Coughing

Coughing can also be caused by various illnesses and conditions in horses, including pneumonia, heaves (bronchitis), lungworms (parasitic worms), tetanus (lockjaw), asthma (chronic bronchospasm), and allergies. A cough may also indicate that there is something lodged in the throat or windpipe such as a piece of hay or grass seed that needs to be removed so that it does not cause further problems for your horse. If your horse has a very serious

Signs Of Ill Health In A Horse

Every horse is an individual, and it’s important to be very familiar with your own horse’s habits and typical way of being so that you will know right away if something is amiss. Even minor changes in behavior or condition can herald illness or an overall decline in horse health. Early detection of illness can make all the difference in success or failure of treatment.

In this article we describe some common signs of ill health in a horse and provide sound advice on responding to these signs. Read on to learn more.

Do Horses Get Sick Easily?

Do horses get sick easily

Well-cared-for horses who have ample pasture, feed, hay, water and shelter, along with regular, preventative veterinary and farrier care do not get sick easily. That’s why we have the idiom “healthy as a horse”.

The key to having a healthy horse is all in the preventative care. A horse needs a safe, clean environment, consistent feeding and regular attention. If you are able and willing to provide these elements, your horse should stay healthy.

Loss Of Appetite

Just as with people, a poor appetite may indicate illness. If your horse goes off his feed, it’s a good idea to look him over carefully and take his temperature.

In addition to examining your horse for signs of problems, you should also examine his droppings. If they are hard and small, you may suspect impaction.

This problem is common among horses who live in a stable and get little or no turnout time. Regular bran mashes or adding soaked beet pulp to the feed help avoid this problem.

If your horse seems to be alright but still does not want to eat, there may be something wrong with your feed. Horses’ sense of smell and taste are very finely tuned, and they will often refuse stale feed, even in small amounts mixed with fresh feed.

To avoid having your horse reject feed, be sure that all of your feed is fresh and clean your mangers, feed dishes and troughs between feedings.

Remember that horses are designed to nibble constantly, so loss of appetite and failure to eat can compound and quickly cause serious problems. If your horse refuses to eat for a full 24 hours, call your vet.

Weight Loss Can Indicate A Wide Variety Of Problems

weight loss in horses

It can be hard to keep your horse in good condition. This is especially true for high strung horses who tend to be finicky eaters. If you are having trouble keeping weight on your horse, the first thing you should look at is the amount and quality of the feed you provide.

If your horse gets a lot of strenuous exercise, you may be able to resolve your problem by increasing the amount you are feeding or upgrading the quality of feed.

Horses who live outdoors in the wintertime need more feed to stay in good condition because keeping warm burns up energy. This is especially true of thoroughbreds who are literally thin-skinned and burn up even more energy than most horses just to stay warm.

Worm infestation can also cause weight loss and overall loss of condition. You should worm your horse regularly and have your vet test for worms at every physical exam.

If your horse has a digestive disorder, weight loss is sure to be a problem. Chronic damage of the intestinal lining can negatively impact nutrient absorption.

Horses suffering from chronic liver damage or chronic diarrhea have difficulty keeping weight on.

Horses with dental problems may have trouble grinding food down. Chewing is the first step to good digestion, and poorly chewed food does not break down properly in the intestinal tract.

This leads to poor absorption of nutrients. If your horse tries to eat but drops food from his mouth, chokes or otherwise cannot swallow it properly, have your vet check his mouth and teeth.

What To Do About Weight Loss

If your horse seems to be losing weight and does not seem to have any specific malady, try increasing the amount of hay you are feeding. Increasing grain is also a possibility, but you must be careful not to feed too much grain as this can cause blood sugar spikes and problems with laminitis.

An improvement in the quality of feed you provide may take care of any weight loss problems. Adding supplements, such as flax seed oil can also add calories and nutritive value.

To prevent problems with worm infestation, switch the type of wormer you use from one time to the next. Don’t just get a different brand with the same ingredients.

Look for brands with different ingredients because worms may develop resistance to some ingredients. Alternating treatments can help prevent this problem.

If you do not get positive results from worming and feed improvement within a couple of weeks, you should call your vet to perform a full exam (including teeth) and to run some blood tests. Blood work reveals a wealth of information, including:

  • Bacterial infection
  • Bowel damage
  • Viral infection
  • Liver damage
  • Overwork
  • Anemia

Poor Coat Condition

poor coat condition

A horse’s winter coat is naturally dull, but for the rest of the year, your horse’s coat should be slick and glossy. If your horse has a dull or long coat at other times of year, it is an indication of a problem. If your horse has a fever, his coat will become dull very quickly.

Poor nutrition can also cause a dull coat. In this instance, improving feed quality and/or supplementing with vitamins and minerals may solve the problem.

In some instances, dull coat indicates severe worm infestation. In others, it may indicate chronic kidney or liver damage or a metabolic disorder, such as Cushing’s syndrome.

Excessive washing can also dull your horse’s coat. When you wash your horse with shampoo or soap, it removes the oil from the skin and coat.

Just as with humans, stripping away natural oils leads to dull, dry hair. It can also lead to dry, itchy, flaking skin. It is best to keep your horse clean with regular currying and brushing. Avoid bathing unless it is absolutely necessary.

Other Common Signs Of Ill Health In A Horse To Watch For

common signs of ill health to watch for

1. Stiffness and reluctance to move can be a sign of disease, such as tetanus or laminitis, as well as of injury or lameness

2. Swollen abdomen and/or legs may be indicative of poor circulation, which may be due to infection or lack of exercise

3. Signs of injury such as swelling or abnormal enlargement of any part of the body

4. Stiffness and/or difficulty moving about may indicate problems such as tetanus

5. Pushing the head against a wall or into a corner (i.e. head pressing)

6. Changes in bodily functions such as urination or defecation

7. A very large belly may indicate severe worm infestation

8. Limping or lameness may indicate injury or laminitis

9. Resting of a front leg may indicate injury or laminitis

10. Lethargy and unresponsiveness may indicate illness

11. Patchy sweating can indicate dehydration

12. Rapid, noisy or labored breathing

13. Reduced or increased urination

14. Diarrhea or hard droppings

15. Dropping food while eating

16. Any abnormal discharge

17. Lack of coordination

18. Difficulty breathing

19. Excessive thirst

20. Nasal discharge

21. Coughing

22. Drooling

23. Paralysis

24. Tremors

Know Your Horse Well To Prevent Problems

Taking good care of your horse requires keen awareness on your part, especially in relation to early signs of ill health in a horse. Observe your horse carefully and check him over every day.

Developing a habit of daily grooming gives you the perfect opportunity to examine carefully and watch for any changes in behavior.

If you notice even the smallest change in appetite, attitude or condition, be vigilant and make changes as needed to address small problems before they balloon into large ones.

How To Recognise Signs Of Ill Health

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What do you do for a sick horse?

The first thing you should do if you suspect your horse is ill is contact your veterinarian. Get a proper diagnosis before trying any treatments. Once you know what’s wrong with your horse, your vet can help you devise a care plan.

Generally speaking, just like a sick person, a sick horse needs peace and quiet and a safe place to rest. Most times, free access to fresh clean water and good quality hay are recommended.

Several small meals a day typically work better than one or two large ones for a horse who may have lost its appetite. For a specific plan to suit your horse and your situation, consult your vet.

2. How do you know if your horse is healthy?

It’s important to be familiar with how your horse usually looks and behaves so that you can recognize any change in appearance and behavior. Changes can be early signs of illness.

It’s also smart to learn how to measure your horse’s vital signs: temperature, pulse and respiration (TPR). Once you’ve learned how to check your horse’s vitals, do it regularly (e.g. weekly) so that you will know what’s normal for your horse. That way, when you see variations, you will know something is wrong.

3. How do you keep a horse healthy?

You can keep your horse healthy be providing the necessities outlined above. Providing consistent care is of the utmost importance in keeping a healthy, happy horse.

Remember that horses are creatures of habit, so you should avoid sudden changes. Work out the right diet for your horse and stick to it. If you need to make dietary changes, transition gradually.

Set up a regular schedule of care and stick to it. Your horse should know when to expect his or her feed, grooming and exercise. An erratic schedule creates an anxious horse, and anxiety leads to illness in all living things.

Provide preventative care on a regular basis. Have your farrier out every month-six-weeks to trim your horse’s hooves and take care of shoes if necessary. Have your vet out at least once a year to perform a complete physical and administer vaccines.

Note that, in some instances, your farrier may provide tooth care as well as hoof care. Otherwise, be sure your vet checks your horse’s teeth and floats them as needed.

4. What disease in horses is always fatal?

As with most animals, rabies is almost always fatal in horses because there is no sure-fire treatment for it. That’s why it’s important to have your horse vaccinated for rabies as recommended by your vet.

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