Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is a disorder of several systems which has several similarities with a human variant.

There are several things that may be happening in a horse with Equine Metabolic Syndrome but predominantly we know that obese animals, animals with genetic predisposition for it, animals that are in young pastures or under exercised animals. They will generally have several issues with their fat metabolism, insulin resistance and an actual increase in circulating insulin.

One of the big consequences of EMS is laminitis and is usually when you are going to notice something might actually be wrong with your equine partner. So, what’s the connection between a metabolic syndrome and hoof issues? There are several proposed mechanisms but we know that consuming a higher than usual load of water soluble carbohydrates causes insulin to surge in concentration and also the excess of carbohydrates being fermented will create an inflammatory response that causes laminitis.

This situation often happens when animals are given access to rapid growth pastures where there is a lot of rain and then an abundance of sunlight or also excessive amount of concentrates in their diet. These pastures are both large sources of water soluble carbohydrates and of overfeeding that might lead to obesity, one of the most important predisposing factors for EMS.

Good news though, it’s quite the manageable condition if it can be adequately recognised by owners.

While laminitis is the chief complaint of horse owners with EMS, there are several other signs that might indicate they are suffering from a metabolic imbalance that needs to be corrected.

Don’t forget to check your horse for not only lameness but also: obesity, large fat deposits on the neck or chest, preputial or mammary gland swelling due to fat deposits and oedema and ill formed hooves with divergent rings that indicate past episodes of laminitis.

If you have a horse that keeps on weight well and doesn’t seem to require all that much feed, they might at be at risk of developing obesity and insulin disorders so it’s important to keep a close eye on these horses.

Is your horse looking like they might have EMS? Give a call to your vet and find out the best way to figure out for sure.

Remember the sooner the diagnosis the better this condition can be managed!

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Colic is one of the horse owners most prominent nightmares and with good reason. Worldwide, it causes serious medical and economic problems in the equine population being only second to old age in terms of overall fatality rate. Colic sometimes seems so very unpredictable as some horses have a bit of pain and recover with simple medical treatment while others have to undergo surgery and still don’t make it.

The first thing that’s important to know about colic is what it is. Colic is defined as a manifestation of abdominal pain so it’s not actually a specific disease but a clinical sign associated with an immense number of diseases, which accounts for its often-unpredictable progress.

Adding to this, most of the times pinpointing the underlying condition of colic might involve complex exams and as such the cause of the colic remains undiscovered. Fortunately, this is because many cases of colic will be resolved with minimal intervention and attempting to pinpoint the cause would end up too invasive or too costly.

Most of the times the colic will be a problem of the gastrointestinal tract, also called a ‘true colic’, but problems in other body systems like uterus or obstructions of the bile ducts can also cause colic.

There are many ways a horse can signal they are experiencing abdominal pain, usually the first thing an owner will notice is lack of appetite and less ingestion of food. They may also be oddly restless, lie down more often, bite or kick the abdomen and as the level of discomfort progresses they might roll around or get up and lie down repeatedly.

Of course, each horse has its own personality and the severity of these signs might not correlate with the severity of the underlying disease.

One of the most important things to know when confronted with the possibility of a horse having a colic is that it must have prompt veterinary assessment. The vet will try and determine if it’s an uncomplicated problem or if it’s an issue that’s likely to complicate and after that they’ll decide on the best course of action.

If you think your horse might be exhibiting abdominal discomfort, give your vet a call as soon as possible. The sooner a proper evaluation is done, the better chance of having a good outcome!

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Horses are hardy animals that are capable of resisting a good cold weather season but, as with all of our animals, they require special care and attention to make sure they don’t suffer any unnecessary stress.

We love our comfortable loveseats by the fire with a warm blanket and a hot beverage so we tend to look to our horses standing outside in the snow and rain with some pity but experts agree that, when allowed to acclimatize, horses often prefer being outdoors. This, of course, is given sufficient shelter and nutrition provisions.

Important things to consider when preparing your horse for this winter are:

• Making sure your animals have adequate shelter from extreme conditions like wind, storms or heavy snowfall and give them free choice to be either outside or on the shelters/stable. While they can resist temperatures of around -15ºC in the absence of wind or moisture, heavy snow or rain makes them search for shelter.

Beyond these, interacting and looking over your horse regularly is the best way to not be caught by surprise with a horse too thin, dehydrated or with limb issues! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact your vet and they can help you find the best way to keep your equine companion in tip-top shape this winter.

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Foals of different ages will have differing nutritional requirements. As such, the proper dietary composition will change as the foal grows. This is especially important as they develop from a newborn to a weanling.

The transition from being fed exclusively via the placenta, with maternal energy sources to the foal having to procure their own energy is a stressful metabolic transition. Normal neonatal (newborn) foals are at risk of hypoglycaemia, due to high metabolic rates and transition from womb life to outside life, and sick neonates are even more at risk of falling into severe hypoglycaemia. Hypoglycaemia, also called low blood sugar, can cause weakness, abnormal gait, collapse, intolerance to movement and if severe and unresolved, it might lead to seizures or death.

Foals, and baby animals in general (like lambs or calves), are particularly sensitive to adverse conditions like hunger and cold because they do not have energy or fat stores to draw upon in time of stress. Added to that, they have immense growth in a relatively short amount of time. A newborn foal of a light breed will gain in excess of 1 to 1.5 kg of body mass per day. In their first few days of life, a baby horse will consume from 15% to 25% of their bodyweight in milk, or about 8 to 15 litres of milk. Foals will begin to consume and adequately process solids within several weeks of life via a gradual transition from a milk exclusive diet to a forage based diet.

As such, an adequate and proper nutrition is paramount in dealing with abnormal situations such as an orphan or sick foal.

There are many ways to rear these animals into amazing, healthy adults but it’s something that requires solid knowledge of the horse’s needs and a strong commitment to make sure things like hypoglycaemia or digestive issues won’t hurt your animal. This is a situation that requires the expertise and attention of a vet, so if you find yourself in hands with a young horse with special needs don’t hesitate to contact your clinician and they will advise you on how to best proceed and help you create a feeding plan that fits their needs.

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Babesiosis, also known as equine pyroplasmosis, is a non-contagious tick-born disease caused by the Babesia caballi and Babesia equi especies of protozoa.

This infection is a problem in international horse trading and competitions. Many countries, like the United States, will have import regulations regarding the infection status. Animals that never have been infected that come in contact with infected ticks will most likely develop the disease.

Ticks house these parasites and transmit them to the horse when feeding but it cannot be passed from horse to horse, unless there is blood transfer between animals (like on needles, blood transfusions or any sharp instrument with contaminated blood). Usually though, infected horses act as the source of the infection for ticks and then the ticks will go on to infect other animals.

It causes severe destruction of red blood cells and in the case of B.caballi, the parasite itself might clog the smaller calibre vessels in the lungs, liver or even central nervous system, damaging them.

With the progressive destruction of red blood cells and the increase in parasite numbers, affected animals will display reluctance to exercise, fever, anorexia, small dotting haemorrhages in mucous membranes (like inside the mouth, vulva or eye), dehydration, colic, abdomen 0r limb oedema and/or difficulty breathing.

These clinical signs usually only manifest in acute diseases. Animals that manage to survive this may become persistent yet immune carriers and may generate chances for ticks to infect animals that have never contacted babesiosis.

The best way to prevent babesios is to run a tight ship regarding tick control on your horses and always follow good biosecurity measures (no reusing needles, always disinfecting sharp instruments between horses).

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The wellness of external genitalia is a very important component of the reproductive health in horses, especially in male horses. The scrotum houses the testicles and all the vascular and nerve support for them, functioning as one of the linchpins of the horse’s reproductive system.

It is good practice to pay close attention and know scrotal characteristics, often how fast there is veterinary intervention will determine the outcome and future reproductive capacities of the stallion. Fortunately, it’s an area that sits between the horse’s hind legs and is reasonably well protected from harm.

Be on the lookout not only on size changes but also position and the presence of wounds on the skin or deeper tissues. The stallion’s behaviour may be changed due to pain, they may become reluctant to jumping and even walking.

The causes of an abnormal increase of size are plentiful. The most common causes are trauma, scrotal or inguinal hernias (passing of other abdominal organs into the scrotum e.g.: small intestine lodged in scrotum due to weak muscles/rupture in the abdomen) and testicular torsion.

Other important causes include cancer, bacterial, viral or parasite infections or even auto-immune disorders (the horse’s immune system is actively targeting its own tissues, usually the testicles and damaging them.)

Some of these conditions can cause irreversible impairment of fertility, especially if left without proper veterinary care for long periods of time. Semen collection and evaluation should be performed at around 90 days after the cause has been resolved or after surgery.

Keep an eye out on your stallion and save you (and him!) a world of trouble!

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Horses suffering from an eye condition may display several signs of discomfort such as eye rubbing, excessive blinking, an increase in the amount of tears, an abnormal shape or size of one or both eyes, changes in the cornea, drooping of the upper eyelid, abnormal discharges, being more sensitive to light, pain, holding the eye shut and may even become depressed.

The list of common eye problems in horses includes uveitis, ulcers, cataracts, tumours traumatic injuries, and foreign bodies, among others.

Uveitis
Uveitis is the term used for an inflammation involving different structures inside the eye that can have many different causes such as bacteria, viruses, neoplasia or even trauma. This is a painful condition that over time can lead to the formation of adhesions within the eye and eventually lead to loss of vision in the affected eye. Uveitis is a common cause of blindness in horses and in some cases the affected eye may be surgically removed.

Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is a complex immune-mediated disease that can be more or less serious depending on the severity of the uveitis, duration of episodes and response to treatment. Prompt veterinary assistance is key since the sooner the inflammation is under control the better. This will limit the damage to the structures inside of the eye.

Corneal Ulcers
A corneal ulcer is an open sore in the transparent membrane that covers the eye (the cornea) which is caused, in most cases, by an initial trauma. Corneal ulcers also cause inflammation, pain and there is a risk for secondary infections.

Cataracts
A cataract is an opacity (cloudiness) in the lens of the eye, a firm, biconvex structure filled with gel that is suspended behind the iris. Cataracts can be congenital or can be acquired throughout the animal’s life. Common causes include trauma, nutritional abnormalities, toxicities, inflammation or be secondary to other conditions such as ERU. Older horses can also present cataracts (senile cataracts) since this condition is a normal part of the normal ageing process of the lens.

Tumours
There are several types of tumours that can affect the eye itself and surrounding structures such as sarcoid, melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

Foreign bodies
Despite the eyes’ blink response which is a natural mechanism that protects the eye from external aggression, a foreign body can go into the eye. The most common foreign bodies affecting a horse’s eye include twigs, thorns, grass seeds, and these need to be removed as soon as possible.

It is very important to take your horse to the vet as soon as you realise there is something unusual with your horse’s eyes because what can start as being a minor problem can become more serious. Please keep in mind that many eye issues also cause a lot of discomfort and pain. Eyelid wounds, painful eyes, foreign bodies, all these conditions are regarded as emergencies, so it is recommended to get your horse checked by a vet straight away.

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Photodermatitis or photoallergy is a sensitivity to sun exposure that affects the horse’s skin. It is caused by contact with a chemical or plant that contains photodynamic agents (photosensitisers), followed by exposure to ultraviolet light.

Contact with the chemicals or plants that lead to photoallergy can be topical, by ingestion or injection. The photodynamic agents are deposited in the skin and when the horse is exposed to sunlight these molecules cause damage to the cell membranes of the skin. These reactive compounds can be found in some drugs (e.g. antibiotics and tranquilizers), fly sprays, coat conditioners, and plants, such as St John’s Wort, rye, other weeds and grasses, and some clovers.

This type of reaction is called primary photodermatitis. There is also another type of photosensitivity called secondary photodermatitis which is caused by underlying liver disease. Liver damage is often associated with the ingestion of high amounts of clover and alfalfa, as well as bacterial, viral, or fungal infections, and even liver cancer. Failure in the normal function of the horse’s liver can lead to the presence of photosensitive pigments in the tissues, which will then be affected by ultraviolet light exposure, and cause skin damage. Common signs of liver disease include decreased appetite, lethargy, weight loss, and jaundice (yellow colour of the eyes and gums).

This abnormal reaction of the skin results in redness, swelling, itching, pain, scabs and crusts. In more severe cases the damage to the skin can include peeling skin, blisters and sores. In the early stages of this disease owners often realise their horse is becoming reluctant to wear a halter or bridle. The most affected areas of horses that photosensitive are usually the horse’s face (eyelids and lips), the perineum, and the extremities. This condition can affect both pigmented and non-pigmented areas of the body.

If you notice your horse is showing any signs of pain or damage to the skin consult your vet. It is very important to treat the clinical signs and to locate the source of the problem in order to prevent it.

It is also recommended to keep your horses safe from excessive sun exposure. Have a look at our previous post and follow our tips to protect your horses from the sun.

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Although the sun is often shy in our country it is important to keep in mind that when the sun comes out, it can cause damage to our horses’ skin.

The most susceptible horses to sunburn are the ones with white hair, light skin, and thin coats. Pigmentation in hair and skin is a natural barrier against ultraviolet light and horses lacking pigmentation will therefore lack some degree of protection. The most affected areas are usually the ones with less hair and less pigment such as the areas around the eyes, nostrils, muzzle and sometimes their heels.

Sunburn will cause redness, pain, peeling, and discomfort. It is not uncommon for owners not to realise their horse is uncomfortable due to sunburn but to notice their horse is suddenly reluctant to wear a halter or bridle or even a saddle (if the sunburn is over the back).

Excessive sun exposure and repeated skin damage can have serious long-term consequences. It can lead to thickening and scaling of the surface of the skin and in some cases this can evolve to skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma).

The best way to prevent your horses from suffering from this condition is to ensure they have shady areas available to hide from the sun and to protect them with fly-masks with UV protection, fly sheets and high-factor, water-repellent sun creams. A practical solution is to stable the horse during the day, allowing him or her to graze from dusk to dawn.

When considering sunscreens, high-factor water-resistant creams safe for children can be used. Please keep in mind that these products need to be reapplied to be effective and that ideally, they should be used before your horse is affected by sunburn. Horses can become unwilling to let their owners apply the product once they already have painful skin areas due to sun exposure.

If you realise your horse’s skin is showing signs of sun damage it is recommended to bring them inside and if necessary contact your vet in order to proceed with adequate treatment. If your horse seems to be abnormally sensitive to sunlight it is also recommended to contact your vet since he or she may suffer from photosensitivity, a condition that may need a few adjustments in management and possibly medical treatment. We will explore this condition on our next blog post so keep an eye on our blog and Facebook page!

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An allergy is a hypersensitivity reaction that occurs when an animal comes in contact with a particular allergen that exists in its environment. The reaction can happen through direct skin contact or breathing in of the allergen. Horses can suffer from different types of allergy and it can occur in any gender or breed.

Common signs of allergy in horses include mild to severe itchiness, reddened painful skin, urticarial, lumps, and a wide variety of skin damage (excoriations, crusts, scales, etc.).

Skin allergies can have many different causes but the most common cause is sweet itch (insect bite hypersensitivity). Sweet itch is usually caused by biting midges but other insects can also cause a reaction. Some types of flies may prefer to bite on the horse’s head, ventral abdomen, legs, chest, and back, but some insects will just bite anywhere on the body.

Atopy is a condition that also involves an inappropriate immune response to offending allergens that leads to dermatologic clinical signs. In many cases atopic horses show respiratory signs as well. Arabian and Thoroughbred horses appear to be predisposed to develop atopy which may suggest that this could be an inherited condition. It can be caused by more than one allergen and pollens, moulds, grasses, trees, fabrics, and dust have been associated with this condition. The clinical signs may be mild initially and progress over time.

Horses can also be affected by food allergies although these are less common. In food allergy the horse suffers an immune mediated adverse reaction to a specific type of food. The foods that are most often associated with these reaction include malt, barley, beet pulp, bran, clover, St. John’s wort, wheat, oats and chicory.

If a horse shows itchiness and skin disease contact your vet. It is very important to find the cause in order to proceed with the appropriate treatment and preventive measures. The treatment for these conditions usually involves managing the symptoms and removing the cause, if possible, or at least reducing allergen exposure.

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