Why is my horse suddenly limping?

What is lameness in veterinary medicine?

, DVM, MS, DACVS, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University Last full review/revision Sep 2015 | Content last modified Oct 2015 Lameness is defined as an abnormal stance or gait caused by either a structural or a functional disorder of the locomotor system.

Why is my horse losing hair on his chest?

They typically migrate to horses’ chests, underbelly, or inside their flank. Rain rot is a bacterial infection that affects horses topline and can cause horses to lose big patches of hair. The bacteria is picked up in various ways and typically attack weakened skin regions.

Why does my horse have seborrhea?

Horses with sensitive skin, such as Thoroughbreds and Arabians, are more prone to this complaint than other breeds; however, seborrhea (skin discharge) can develop in any horse as a secondary condition to skin infection or allergy, or it could be a signal of poor overall health.

Does your horse have skin problems?

One of the most infuriating, frustrating issues is a horse with skin problems. Thankfully, most horses don’t have sensitive skin or allergies. But for the few unlucky ones that do, owners can be brought to tears, since the problem never really seems to go away.

How do horses get scabs on their backs?

Horses get it along the topline where rain runs down their backs, their shoulders, hindquarters, faces, and lower legs. Eventually, the scabs peal off and leave patches of bare skin.

Is it normal for a horse to have dandruff?

It is quite common for horses to react, especially from the harsh chemicals found in many dandruff shampoos. Also, many people over-bathe their horse which can lead to dandruff, mostly because of a buildup of leftover shampoo and conditioner. On average, I wouldn’t wash a horse more than twice a month.

What is dandruff?

DANDRUFF is caused by Eczema and is the shedding of skin that leads to the flaking of dead skin cells. It can be caused, triggered, or accelerated by a number of things: • dietary deficiencies and too many unnatural foods

Why does my mare have dandruff?

DANDRUFF is caused by Eczema and is the shedding of skin that leads to the flaking of dead skin cells. It can be caused, triggered, or accelerated by a number of things: • dietary deficiencies and too many unnatural foods It is likely that most, if not all, of the causes for dandruff in your mare’s mane are listed above.

What are lice and mites on horses?

Lice are those tiny little bugs that live in manes and tails of horses, and sometimes people. You may be able to see them with the naked eye or with a magnifying glass deep towards the roots. Lice prefer the dark, so you need to look deep into the mane. Mites are also little buggers, which usually live on rodents, but have jumped ship to your pony.

What causes ulcers in horses stomach?

The horse’s ulcers are a combination of this hydrochloric acid, as well as volatile fatty acids and bile acids. In horses, the acid burns holes into the lining of the stomach, small or large bowel. The acids may burn a crater deeply enough to cause bleeding or even burn through and penetrate the gut.

What is a hindgut ulcer in a horse?

Hindgut ulcers are also known as colonic ulcers. Veterinarians often refer to the condition as Right Dorsal Colitis (RDC) since most hindgut ulcers occur in this part of the large intestine on the right side of the horse. Hindgut ulcers are less common than gastric ulcers, but have been reported to affect 44 – 63% of horses. [4]

How often should I wash my horse for dandruff?

It is quite common for horses to react, especially from the harsh chemicals found in many dandruff shampoos. Also, many people over-bathe their horse which can lead to dandruff, mostly because of a buildup of leftover shampoo and conditioner. On average, I wouldn’t wash a horse more than twice a month. Less is best.

Why does my horse’s skin look like sand?

It’s caused by either dry or oily skin that flakes off like sand or peels away as large waxy crusts. The base of the mane, tail, girth area, and other places that accumulate sweat are most often affected.

How do you remove grease/dandruff from a horse’s coat?

A quick tip for horses in general to remove grease/dandruff from coat is to put capful of detol in a bucket of warm water then damp a sponge and rub ‘the wrong way’ into coat. When dry brush coat ‘right way’ with clean body brush.

What are the most common skin conditions in horses?

Here’s how to recognize some of the most common skin conditions your horse can get and what you can do about them. This bacterial infection is often found on horses that like to stand in the rain or tall, dewy grass. It appears as a scabby crust of bumps that causes the hair to mat into raised tufts.

What kind of mites do horses have?

The most clinically important mite in horses is the feather mite – Chorioptes Equi(Figure 4). Chorioptic mites are far smaller than lice and not visible to the naked eye. They live on the horse’s hair and skin and can deep burrow into the skin causing intense irritation.

What are the parasites on my horse’s skin?

However, the chewing parasites Bovicola equi and Trichodectes pilosus, can be extremely painful and irritating to the horse’s skin. If you see your horse excessively itching at his skin, he should be seen by a veterinarian. Lice are parasites that can live on the horse’s skin.

What is equine colonic ulcer syndrome?

Equine Colonic Ulcer Syndrome. Whereas equine gastric ulcers are found in the stomach, colonic ulcers are lesions that occur in the hindgut (specifically the colon). A horse is a “hindgut fermenter,” meaning it ferments forage in its colon to create Volatile Fatty Acids (VFAs), which produce the majority of a horse’s energy.

Can horses get ulcers in their hindgut?

Equine gastric ulcers are extremely common, especially in performance horses. But ulcers can also occur in the horse’s hindgut and have negative consequences for digestive health. Hindgut ulcers are also known as colonic ulcers.

What is the difference between gastric ulcers and hindgut ulcers?

The primary difference between gastric ulcers (EGUS) and hindgut ulcers is their location in the horse’s digestive tract. Gastric ulcers affect the lining of the horse’s stomach and are most common in the top to middle part of the stomach whereas hindgut ulcers are found lower down in the gut.

What is the most common hindgut health issue in a horse?

Horses can experience a wide variety of hindgut health issues, ranging from diarrhea to torsion colics. However, according to Russillo, the most commonly occurring hindgut health issue in the performance horse is colonic ulcers, which are the focus of this article.

How often should you bathe your horse?

Determining how often you should bathe your horse is often based upon personal preference and need, or even industry practice. If you run a racing stable, you’re probably giving your horse a soapy bath after every ride, but if you’re managing a hunter/jumper barn, it’s more likely to be once a week.

What causes skin disease in horses?

Skin disease may be caused by stings from the hiney bee Apis mellifica. Bee stings can be seen still sticking out of the horse skin, usually surrounded by swollen patches. This can cause problems if the horse has been stung around the eyes, nose, throat, or mouth.