We all know that asthma is a common respiratory disorder in people but, did you know that horses get asthma too? “Equine asthma” is a broad term that has recently been used to describe a spectrum of non-infectious respiratory diseases in horses, previously known as broken wind, heaves, chronic obstructiveRead More →
Bit-free Despite overwhelming proof that horses can be ridden and driven bit-free, riders and drivers who enjoy competitive sports are widely prevented from making this choice for themselves and their horses because relatively few of the disciplines’ equipment rules allow ‘bitless’ bridles. A growing number of groups are lobbying sport’sRead More →
Tongue Ties. Whenever we want to get to the bottom of a question regarding equine performance, welfare, nutrition or disease, we must consider the science. Scientists make it their life’s work to drill down on their areas of interest in an effort to answer all the questions they and theirRead More →
Diagnosing Mild Equine Asthma. Veterinarians and engineers at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine have developed a tool help diagnose mild forms of horse asthma. Behind lameness, respiratory issues are the second-leading cause of poor performance in sport horses but often, symptoms are subtle and difficult to spot, particularlyRead More →
Respiratory Conditions – Many horses are expected to perform like elite athletes, where peak performance demands an optimally functioning respiratory system. In this article, Dr Deryck Tan from Valley Equine Veterinary Centre gives an overview of the anatomy of the respiratory tract and the most common respiratory conditions that compromiseRead More →
Transport-related Pneumonia. It is well-known transporting horses carries a significant risk – not just of injury, but also disease, such as colic and respiratory problems. Studies have shown transport is stressful, but does the level of stress experienced by the individual horse predict the development of health-related diseases, like pneumonia?Read More →
History and presenting complaint Exercise-induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage: Poor athletic performance or expistaxis (bleeding from the nose) are the most common presenting complaints for horses with exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage or EIPH. Epistaxis (bleeding from the nose) generally occurs during or shortly after exercise and is first noticed at the end ofRead More →
Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) causes horse owners and breeders a large amount of concern due to its potentially devastating effects. The virus is ever-present in the horse population worldwide and cases of Herpes virus infection are seen sporadically across Australia. It can cause mild to life-threatening disease affecting the respiratoryRead More →
Choke: The material causing the blockage is normally foodstuff, but in isolated cases may consist of plastic, rocks, timber or other foreign materials. The blockage may be partial or complete. In most cases, choke is not an immediate emergency, but if the problem does not resolve quickly, then horses canRead More →
Strangles is a contagious disease of horses caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi. Typical signs include fever, loss of appetite, soft cough, purulent nasal discharge and swollen lymph nodes of the face, which may often abscessate and burst. The swollen glands can restrict the airways – hence the name “Strangles”.Read More →
