What it is: A disease of the hoof’s frog, with an accompanying secondary bacterial infection. In extreme cases it can destroy the frog, to the point of causing damage to deeper structures.Symptoms: Foul-smelling, gooey black discharge in the frog,...
Scratches, aka pastern dermatitis or “greasy heel”What it is: Inflammation of the skin on the lower legs caused by bacteria (for example, the same organism that causes rain rot), fungal infections, local irritation, external parasites (such as mites), or...
Rain rot, also known as dermatophilosis, is a common skin condition affecting horses, particularly in wet and humid conditions. Learn more about what this condition is, symptoms to look for, and how to treat it.What it is: A skin...
Navicular syndrome
What it is: A degenerative condition characterized by progressive damage to the navicular bone, a small bone of the foot, with accompanying damage to the deep digital flexor tendon and other adjacent structures.
Symptoms: Navicular syndrome is a...
LaminitisWhat it is: Laminitis in horses is an inflammation of the laminae, the structures in the foot that connect the hoof wall to the coffin bone. It’s usually caused by overeating grain or lush spring grass. Other causes include...
LamenessWhat it is: An abnormality of movement due to an injury or infection in one or more legs.Symptoms: Variable, depending on the problem and the horse’s tolerance for pain. The lameness may be easily detected or obscure, especially if...
Hives (urticaria)What it is: A skin manifestation of an allergic reaction to various triggers, including insect stings/bites, chemicals, medications or, less commonly, ingested or inhaled substances. In some horses, hives develop or worsen with pressure, heat, sunlight or stress....
Heaves, formerly known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and now most often called recurrent airway obstruction (RAO)What it is: A chronic allergic respiratory disease triggered by exposure to straw and/or hay, resulting in airway inflammation, mucus production and...
Eye injuries
What it is: Various types of trauma involving the eye and surrounding structures.
Symptoms: Variable, depending on the type of injury, its location and severity. Excessive tearing; squinting; head-shyness; visual deficit; bluish, cloudy or red color to the eye;...
Cushing’s syndrome (hyperadrenocorticism)
What it is: Cushing's, now called Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), is a disease caused by a benign tumor in the pituitary gland, which controls the entire endocrine system. It usually occurs in older horses but occasionally...
