Of all domestic animals the horse is the most sensitive to tetanus. This is a life-threatening condition caused by the toxins released by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, which can be found in the soil. It can enter tissues through small puncture wounds or minor cuts such as a nail or a thorn prick. These may go unnoticed and provide an ideal site for infection. Vaccination is the most effective way to provide long term protection against this disease.

Equine Influenza (Flu)

Equine influenza is a virus of the respiratory tract that spreads very easily from horse to horse.  This is a debilitating virus that has a great impact in their health and performance. Affected horses are more susceptible to secondary infections such as bronchitis or bacterial pneumonia.

Vaccination against equine influenza is considered very effective. It is recommended to vaccinate all horses that regularly come in contact with unfamiliar horses. Unfortunately equine influenza outbreaks are still common in the UK.  Keeping vaccination schedules up to date is believed to be the main reason why the numbers of large epidemics have been reduced, as well as the incidence of this disease during an outbreak.

Influenza vaccination is currently mandatory for all horses using racecourse premises and it is required for horses competing or racing at their events.

Vaccination is a quick, practical and proven method of protection against these diseases. Consult your veterinary surgeon regarding vaccination schedules. Your vet will gladly advise you on the most suited vaccination plan for your horse based on your animal’s lifestyle and the manufacturer’s recommendations for the vaccines.

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 Colic is still one of the most common causes of death in horses despite all advances in Veterinary Medicine. The term colic is not referred to a specific disease, it is used to describe a very generic symptom: abdominal pain (pain in the belly).

There are many different types of intestinal problems that can cause abdominal pain: overload of internal parasites; abnormal spasms of the intestinal wall that cause discomfort; impactions, when the intestine is blocked by a firm mass of food; bowl displacements, when a section of the bowel moves to an abnormal location within the abdomen; bowl strangulations, when a portion of the intestine becomes entrapped somewhere in the abdomen; torsions, when the bowl twists on itself and even when the gut wall is stretched by gas or feed material. Sometimes it is not possible to determine what is causing the symptom.

Clinical signs of colic can vary from mild to severe. In mild cases signs include: restlessness, pawing the ground repeatedly with a front foot, turning the head towards the flank, arching of the neck and curling the upper lip.

In moderate and severe cases horses will typically display kicking or biting at the abdomen, loss of appetite, depression, decreased bowel movements, lying down more than usual, getting up and lying down repeatedly, stretching out as if to urinate, straining to defecate, sitting down like a dog, sweating and rolling from side to side.

Intestinal problems can range from mild to life-threatening or fatal. For this reason it is very important to take these symptoms seriously and seek veterinary assistance. Early diagnose and early treatment is essential for a positive outcome. If you think your horse is showing signs of colic please contact your veterinary surgeon.

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Laminitis is an inflammation of the laminae (the inner layer of the hoof wall) and it is one the most common causes of lameness in horses in the UK. Horses of any size, age and breed can suffer from this painful condition, although people usually associate it with overweight ponies.

There are several factors that contribute to this debilitating disease. Heavy breeds and obese horses tend to be more susceptible as well as horses that are fed diets containing high carbohydrate content (like grain). Since obesity is a growing problem, laminitis is becoming more and more common.

Laminitis can also occur following sudden changes in their diet like consuming excessive amounts of fresh grass (pasture induced laminitis), intense exercise on hard surfaces or following other diseases like metritis, colic, Cushing’s disease, Equine Metabolic Syndrome and severe infections. Horses that are supporting most of their weight on one leg due to injury to the other leg may develop this condition as well.

There are two forms of laminitis: acute laminitis and chronic laminitis. In the acute form of laminitis the animal is uncomfortable and shows the firsts signs of this disease. In the chronic form of laminitis (founder) there are already structural changes in the internal anatomy of the hoof: the pedal bone sinks and rotates.

Clinical signs include lameness, warm hoof walls, increased digital pulse, pain in their feet, abnormal gait (heel before toe), an altered stance (with their weight shifted to the hind limbs with the forelimbs stretched out in front (to ease the weight off their feet), reluctance to move and in severe cases, panting, sweating and trying to lie down (which can be confused with colic).

If you notice any of these signs please call your vet as soon as possible. Early treatment is critical to reduce the chances of chronic laminitis (founder) and it is very important to treat any other underlying disease that may contributing to the onset of this condition!

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