SIGNS OF ILLNESS IN YOUR EQUINE FRIEND

An underlying health condition can make a horse less stable when you’re hacking through the countryside – which could have big consequences for you, as the rider, if something has gone unnoticed for too long.

Every horse and pony is different, which is why it’s so important to spend time with your horse, so that you get to know its normal behaviour and temperament. That way, you’ll be able to spot quickly when something is wrong.

Let’s take a look at how to spot the common signs of illness in a horse and learn how to prevent small problems becoming full-blown health issues.

What are the common signs of illness in a horse? Here is a quick rundown of what you should be checking on your horse:

Back

A badly fitting saddle, or poor riding technique can damage a horse’s back in the long-term. This is very important for riders to keep in mind. Signs of back pain in horses include stiffness, dipping down when being mounted or hollowing out the back when they’re being ridden. Also look for signs of discomfort when you’re putting the saddle on, bucking and bolting or the refusal to do normal tasks like cantering. Riders should regularly get their saddles checked by professional saddle fitters.

Teeth Drooling, sores and swellings in the mouth are dental problems that could be the first signs of more serious underlying health problems. Watch your horse when it’s chewing to see if it’s favouring one side of its mouth over the other. Spilling food out of the mouth, resisting the bite or consistent head shaking could also be signs of dental issues.

Ears, nose and eyes If you spot your horse with a low head and his ears pinned back, this is usually a sign of pain, and you should get it checked out immediately. Coat Has your horse’s usually shiny coat turned dull with dry, flaky skin underneath? This, or excessively greasy coats, can signal wider health problems, and should be checked by an equine vet as soon as possible.

Feet Impacted stones or thorns can cause lameness if not treated quickly, and raise the risk of injury for your horse and accidents for you.

Dark red or black patches on your horse’s foot, along with discharge or foul smells, are all signs that you should contact the vet.

Also check for loose horseshoes, or any splits or obvious damage to the wall of the hoof. The hooves should be cleaned out daily to avoid any foot problems.

What are some of the most common horse diseases?

Skin conditions Ringworm, Rainscald and Mud Fever are three of the most common horse skin conditions. Ringworm is a highly contagious, fungal infection. Rainscald is caused when the skin goes soft following persistent saturation, and Mud Fever occurs when the legs become inflamed and scaly after long-term exposure to wet and muddy conditions.

Coughs and colds Symptoms of a horse’s cold are similar to those seen in humans, such as thick nasal discharge, high temperature and swollen glands.

Coughs may be a symptom of a cold, or could be caused by another problem entirely, such as an allergic reaction.

If you suspect your horse has a cough or cold, seek the advice of a vet immediately.your horse from getting ill?

The best way to stop your horse from falling ill, or catching and spreading a disease, is to do some daily checks. They don’t take long and could help you to save your horse’s life. Doing a basic daily check of your horse’s breathing, temperature and pulse before anything else, is the best way to pick up any sign of sickness early.

Normal breathing for a horse is around 8 to 16 breaths per minute. Get to know what ‘normal’ breathing sounds like for your horse, so that you can recognise if it becomes more laboured.

When it comes to temperature, anything over 38.5C is considered to be high. Temperature will naturally be higher straight after exercise, but if it stays high, it could indicate infection or inflammation.

A digital, rectal thermometer is the best way to take your horse’s temperature. Be careful doing this if you do not have previous experience in doing so. If in doubt, always find a more experienced person to help you.

An adult horse’s pulse should rest at around 30 to 36 beats per minute. It can sometimes be a little higher (40bpm), but a pulse that’s constantly racing above 60bpm, is definitely cause for concern.

Young foals may have naturally higher pulse rates, so try to find out what’s normal for your animal. Vaccinations are also available for some illnesses such as Equine Flu, Herpes, African Horse Sickness and Tetanus, so speak to your vet to see what they recommend.

How to stop the spread of disease Outbreaks of disease not only have a devastating effect on your horse, they can also be extremely costly for a yard or riding school.

Here are some top tips for stopping the spread of disease: • Make sure all vaccinations are up to date. • Don’t let your horse share water sources with other animals outside your yard. • Prevent contact between horses at your yard. • Make sure each equine has its own equipment. • Disinfect riding boots and wash clothing if you’ve visited other yards.