Common Horse Diseases & Skin Conditions

Horses,  are susceptible to various health issues that can affect their overall well-being.

there are a huge number of diseases, conditions and illnesses that can affect horses. Some of these can be prevented through vaccinations, and spotting signs of disease and other problems early can avoid serious consequences. The conditions below are common in horses in many countries across the world

Colic

Colic is a term used when a horse has belly pain, often from problems in its stomach or intestines. There are different types of colic, from mild to very serious.One common type is spasmodic colic, caused by too much gas. Another is impaction colic, when food gets stuck in the gut. Serious cases can involve a twisted or burst gut.

Signs of colic include:

• Belly pain: Horses might kick their belly, look at their sides a lot, lie down, paw at the ground, or roll on the ground.
• Anxiety and restlessness
• Sweating for no reason and strange breathing
• Not wanting to eat or poop
• Acting like they want to play in water but not drinking from it
• Faster heartbeat and higher temperature.

Arthritis

Arthritis in horses can come in different types like traumatic, degenerative, or infectious. It causes joint swelling and inflammation, making it hard for the horse to move without pain. This often leads to lameness that you can see.Degenerative joint disease, also called osteoarthritis, is a long-term problem where the cartilage in the joints breaks down over time. This usually makes the horse lame.Veterinarians can help with treatments and medicines that reduce inflammation. But usually, arthritis needs ongoing care for the horse’s whole life.

Laminitis

Laminitis is an inflammation of the laminae in the horse’s foot (laminae are the tissues that attach the coffin bone to the wall of the hoof). It can be a very serious disease. While it more commonly affects the front hooves, it is possible for the hindfeet or even all four to become affected, which is very painful for the horse.
Horses that are considered obese or have other endocrine disorders may be more prone to laminitis. Spotting the condition early on is the best way to treat it.

• Lameness
• Inability or reluctance to walk or move
• Increased preference to lie down and unwillingness to get up
• Rocking back onto hind feet to relieve pressure from the toe area of the foot

Cough

Coughs can be infectious (bacterial, viral or parasitic), or non-infectious, including equine asthma. Coughs resulting from allergic reactions are often caused by dust, so it’s important to make sure stables are well ventilated and that bedding is dust-free.

Equine herpes

The herpes virus can cause different problems in horses. It can affect their breathing, cause them to lose babies before birth, or lead to problems with their nerves.Horses can get a vaccine before they catch the virus. If they don’t have the vaccine, watch out for signs like a fever, coughing, stuffy nose, or not wanting to eat.This virus spreads easily between horses. If you see any signs, it’s important to get help from a vet right away.

Skin conditions in horses

Skin Condition	Cause	Symptoms	Treatment
Rain Rot (Dermatophilosis)	Bacterial infection from wet conditions	Small scabs or crusts, typically on back and rump	Keep area clean and dry, use medicated shampoos or creams
Sweet Itch (Summer Seasonal Recurrent Dermatitis)	Allergic reaction to insect bites	Intense itching, hair loss, sores around mane, tail, face	Fly protection, antihistamines, corticosteroids if severe
Scratches (Pastern Dermatitis)	Fungal or bacterial infection on lower legs	Redness, swelling, scabs, pain	Clean, dry environment, topical antifungal or antibiotics
Ringworm (Dermatophytosis)	Fungal infection causing round hair loss	Circular patches with scaly skin	Antifungal treatments, environmental disinfection
Mange (Sarcoptic or Chorioptic)	Mite infestation causing intense itching	Hair loss, thickened, crusty skin on legs, tail, belly	Acaricides (mite-killing medications), environmental control
Photosensitivity	Reaction to sunlight, sometimes plant-related	Sunburn-like sores, especially on unpigmented skin	Limit sun exposure, sunscreen, remove harmful plants
Allergic Reactions	Sensitivity to allergens (e.g., insect bites)	Itching, hives, hair loss	Remove allergen, antihistamines, corticosteroids
Equine Rhabdomyolysis (ER)	Muscle disorder from exercise or stress	Muscle stiffness, sweating, reluctance to move	Rest, gentle exercise, dietary adjustments
Nutritional Dermatitis	Poor diet or nutritional deficiencies	Dull coat, dry skin, hair loss	Improve diet, supplements if necessary
Sarcoids (Skin Tumors)	Abnormal skin growth	Various types of skin growths that may not heal	Surgical removal, cryotherapy, other vet-recommended treatments