Heaves, also known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, is an inflammatory condition of the lungs. It is a common respiratory disease that develops in older horses (greater than 7 years old). It is characterized by bronchospasm, excess mucus production, and changes in the bronchiolar walls (airways in the lungs).

Strangles is a highly contagious bacterial disease caused by Streptococcus equi. It is spread by direct contact with infected horses or carriers. The disease can also be transmitted via contaminated water troughs/buckets, feed bunks/buckets, stalls, tack, trailers, and people. It usually affects young horses but can afflict animals of any age. Horses in high-density management systems (i.e. breeding farms) and those in high traffic areas such as shows and events are at higher risk of being exposed and infected by S. equi. There are however, many steps horse owners can take to protect their horse from the disease.

The most common clinical signs of Cushing’s is an excessively long hair coat, which often fails to shed out in the warmer months. Other clinical signs include: weight loss, lethargy or poor performance, laminitis, increased water intake and urination, increased sweating, and mares may fail to cycle. The onset of these clinical signs is usually gradual over a year or more, but can also develop rapidly.

Dental health is a very important aspect of the overall care and condition of your horse. For this reason, it is important that you understand the anatomy and problems that can occur in your horse’s mouth and what to do about these problems.

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis, or EPM, is one of the most common neurological diseases affecting the horse. Most horses exposed to the causative organism, Sarcocystis neurona, will clear any infection with their own immune system. However, in horses with a compromised immune system, the organism can spread to the central nervous system causing a very serious and debilitating disease.

Osteoarthritis, also referred to as degenerative joint disease (DJD), is a disease of joints characterized by the deterioration of the joint (articular) cartilage and changes in the bone and soft tissues of the affected joints.

“Navicular disease/ Navicular syndrome” are the terms used to define a number of different conditions that give rise to a chronic forelimb lameness characterized by heel pain and associated to the navicular bone and surrounding structures. Many theories have been proposed for the cause of this disease/syndrome.

There are a number of illnesses and complications that can affect a newborn foal, such as; failure of passive transfer, septicemia, neonatal isoerythrolysis, musculoskeletal disorders, and the condition referred to as peripartum asphyxia syndrome.

Rhodococcus equi is a bacteria that lives in the soil. It is an important cause of disease in foals between 3 weeks and 6 months of age.