Caused by clostridium tetani, prevalent in soil and feces.Wound contamination is common route of infection.The classical signs are stiffened gait and prolapse of 3rd eyelid .Prevention is by vaccinating horses and treatment will include antitoxin and wound treatment and management.
Clostridium botulinum lives in moist soil and areas with high humidity and prevalent in decaying matter.The toxins that are produced are very potent resulting in death within 3-5 days of onset of signs. Clostridium botulinum is related to tetanus but more potent than tetanus.The source of infection is usually contaminated pasture that has dead/decaying bodies of animals.The spores are ingested with pasture, the spores can also be consumed from contaminated hay,there is also the possibility of wound contamination by spores.
Botulism affects old and young horses, although young horses are very susceptible with a resultant malady disease referred to as shaker foal syndrome.
The shaker foal syndrome occurs at 3-8 weeks of age and symptoms include weakness,inability to rise, profound muscle tremor.The uncontrollable shaking often cause the foal to tumble and remain recumbent,death occurs as a result of respiratory paralysis.
The classical signs of botulism include;1) muscular tremors and stilted gait. 2)difficult eating and swallowing. 3)progressive muscle weakness 4)decreased tail and tongue tone 4)respiratory paralysis followed by death.
The botulinum toxin reproduces repeatedly and rapidly in the horse's gut.
Treatment; isolation of affected horse .
2)injection of antitoxin to all horses in the stables.
photo credit.Erica Larson.
This is a condition in horses that prevents them from sweating after exposure to exercise or high temperature.This condition is very fatal especially in working horses,where the sweat-cooling-evaporation process is absent.The horse cannot regulate the body temperature when exerted or in hot environment.These horses are referred to as non sweaters and are handled with care.The non sweaters are identified and isolated,they should be kept in well ventilated stables that are fitted with fans to ensure cool air is circulated.The non sweaters are not used for strenuous exercises and walked out in cool evenings and not on hot environment.
Signs of anhidrosis are 1)dry flaky skin.2)loss of hair. 3)poor appetite 4)fatigue.5) low consumption of water 6) absence of sweat even after exercise.
Treatment is only management/ supportive care. Stable horse in cool environment,fix fans in barns to cool the horses down.
COLIC IN HORSES; YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE!!!!
Colic refers to any pain or discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract.The common causes are overfeeding, underfeeding, poor dental health, inadequate consumption of water , excessive consumption of water after exercise and changes in the quality and quantity of feed.
The structure of the equine stomach predisposes it to colic hence adequate care must be ensured in horse management; the stomach of the horse is small and without muscles ,the stomach is connected to the small intestine where breakdown of food occurs and the digested matter is further metabolized in the cecal before the waste is expelled.Feed consumed in large quantities within a short period of time will not move rapidly into the small intestine, its the fermentation of feed in the stomach that results in distention with gas resulting in colic pain,which could be fatal if there is a twisting or turning of intestines,resulting in displacement of abdominal structures.
The signs of colic in horses are pawing ,chewing and kicking at abdomen,dog -sitting posture, restlessness,getting up and sitting down,sweating ,dullness and refusal of feed and water. Flared snares,depression,cool extremities,depression,lack of bowel movement and reduced/absent gut sounds.
Treatment depends on severity and whether surgery is necessary; 1) analgesic.2)sedative.3)lubricants/laxatives.
When pain is not resolved after analgesic use,surgery will be necessary to correct it.
HOW TO PREVENT COLIC.
1)do not overfeed.
2)give enough roughage.
3)avoid excess grain feeding.
4) proper dental health,to ensure proper chewing of feed to prevent gobbling.
5)do not feed on ground.
6) make dietary changes gradually.
7)de worm regularly; blockage in large/small intestines can also cause colic.6
Worms are usually found at a low percentage in horses that are on pasture because they usually pick up worm eggs. Horses that are not dewormed usually have high percentage of worm load which robs them of nutrients,energy and blood loss.Horses with heavy worm infestation suffer damage to intestines which result in malnutrition,chronic digestive problems,poor performance and colic.
Horses with worm infestation are usually dull, weak,have potbellied appearance,rough coat and frequent episodes of colic.Horses should be dewormed once in 3 months,the deworing products are safe and easy to use.
The deworming products are powdery,pellets,paste and liquid preparations; the worm preparation could be specific or a broad spectrum mixture that will take care of wide varieties of worms.Fecal examinations must be carried out at regular intervals to determine worm load, worm varieties and resistant/prevalent strains in the farm,so that appropriate drugs are used.
Diseases can occur suddenly, and without a proper vaccination protocol,it could be fatal. The benefit of vaccination aside from health status is hinged on the performance of the horse, and its much better to vaccinate your horses than to wait for disease incidence and initiate treatment.
Vaccination protects the horse against disease agents by stimulating their immune system to develop antibodies when exposed to infectious agents.Vaccinations do not confer immediate protection,it takes the body 2-4 weeks to produce the protective antibodies against the disease.The first exposure vaccination must be followed by a booster shot at 4 weeks to strengthen the expected response.
HOW TO GET THE BEST FROM VACCINATION.
1) Develop and maintain a vaccination protocol.
2)Obtain vaccines from reliable sources.
3)Maintain the cold chain.
4)Do not vaccinate sick animals.
5)Use sterile syringes and use recommended dose and route.
The Eastern and Western encephalomyelitis, west nile virus,rabies and tetanus toxoid are essential for every horse, these must be done alongside other vaccinations.
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Strangles in horses caused by streptococcus equi,is a very contagious respiratory disease.All horse ages can be affected but foals and travel horses are very susceptible.The incubation period is 2 weeks but the affected horses still shed bacteria for longer periods,thus their can be new incidence on farm after index case.The form of infection is direct or indirect route, the direct route usually through water buckets where bacteria can survive for long periods of time.10% of affected horses become carriers.
The common signs are fever,nasal discharge,cough,depression,lack of appetite,enlarged lymph nodes that form abscess that eventually ruptures.The affected horses may or may not show classical signs aside from fever,hence the conditions can go un diagnosed on the farm.
There are certain complications in strangles infection which makes condition fatal; 1) Abscesses can be formed in other body organs referred to as "bastard strangles".2) Purpura haemorrhagia ;where the blood vessels are damaged and can be identified by swollen limbs,blood blisters around eyes and lips.This can lead to death because of circulatory failure.
Prevention.
1) vaccination.
2) separate/isolate horses by ages and susceptibility status.
3) strict bio security protocol.
4) limit number of horses/ stable/barn in the farm.
Treatment.
1) isolate affected horses.
2) use dedicated feed/water bowl.
3) restrict movement, do not turn on pasture.
4) proper manure management/disposal.
5)antibiotics.
6) wound treatment to prevent fly strikes.
6) vitamin supplement .
Mosquitoes cause a number of diseases in horses such as west Nile virus,the eastern,Venezuelan and western encephalomyelitis..The mosquitoes transmit these infectious agents by sucking blood of the horses.The mosquito bite though painful characterized by chewing and scratching cause severe diseases,and vaccination is the only form of prevention of such diseases.
Horses should be protected from mosquitoes in barns and stalls to prevent these infections; these tips will keep horses/stables mosquito free.
1)remove any object that can collect water,destroy all tins 
or vessels that has stagnant water.
2)dont litter pasture with manure.
3)deworm horses regularly.
4) spray insecticides in stables/barns,
5) keep drains clean and spray insecticides in drain.
6) use fans in stables/barns to deter mosquitoes.Mosquitoes operate where there is heat and carbon dioxide buildup,thus using fans will ensure free flow of air and remove the carbon dioxide.The fans keep the air moving,making it impossible for the mosquitoes to operate as they only function where air is still.
7) remove manure from stalls daily and from pasture 2 times a week.
8) use of screens in stable.
9)dont leave lights on overnight in stables and during the evening.
Horses ,like any animal have salivary glands that produce saliva for digestive functions .When a horse is hungry or perceives food in the environment,it drools.There are cases where horses drool/ hyper salivate continuously that is not food related,this is where veterinary attention is required immediately. PLEASE NOTE; NOT ALL SALIVATING/DROOLING HORSE HAS RABIES.
Drooling is actually caused by a blockage in the small intestine/stomach,thus fluid accumulates in stomach and finally backup in the esophagus into mouth and nasal passage.The common causes of drooling are 1) injury to the mouth.
2)inflammation in buccal cavity.
3) broken teeth.
4)irritations.
5)allergies to ingested materials.
6) reactions to toxins;especially fungal toxins gotten from pasture.
7)nerve damage /head injury.
When drooling is accompanied with fever that does not abate readily, if the horse does not eat or refuses drink ,accompanied with high heart rate,; seek vet attention immediately.
When the drooling involves the nasal passage its an esophageal obstruction.
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Horse are beautiful creatures, very lovable and adorable.The best way to get the very best out of horses is to provide adequate care,housing,medication, grooming and proper nutrition.The vast knowledge of equine management can not profit any handler or horse owner if the behavior of these horses are unknown.
All animals have behavioral expressions of pain,excitement or aggression and passion.The horse responds to these emotions by kicking, kicking and more kicking.The horse also bites and chews but basically the weapon of defense is kicking.
Why your horses kick and signs to indicate that a horse is about to kick.
1) horses kick when they are afraid or anxious.They kick when they want to resist a health protocol or normal stable routines..Horses that want to exert a dominating effect on other horses usually kick to get their way.
2) aggressive horses are natural kickers, they kick at will with the slightest provocation..3) kicking is their weapon of defense.
HOW DO YOU RECOGNIZE A HORSE IS ABOUT TO KICK; A kick from a horse is very fatal resulting massive fractures, paralysis and sometimes death depending on area of kick.When approaching a horse watch the mood as an unhappy horse will definitely kick.
SIGNS TO INDICATE A HORSE IS ABOUT TO KICK;1) ear pinning; when the horse ears lay flat,the horse is about to exhibit an aggressive behavior such as biting,chewing and most definitely kicking.
2)Tail switching; when a horse repeatedly switch tail back and forth indicate a horse is about to kick.The switching is usually accompanied by lifting or a cocked hindleg.
3)Red ribbon; if you go for horse shows or horse games or you are in in horse stables and you observe a red ribbon on the horse or braided to the tail;stay away,the horse is a kicker.
Horses react easily to changes in temperament,hence approach a horse with loving words and friendly gesture.The horse must see you approaching, never ever approach from the rear; this will make the horse jumpy and he will kick.
Happy riding# enjoy your horse.
(pics culled from internet).
Rabies a very fatal disease usually prevalent in dogs and wild animals,but also occurs in horses. The disease occurs from a bite from a rabid animal and usually fulminating in an unvaccinated horse.
When a horse is infected with the rabies virus,the horse is unstable and anorexic.The skin is sensitive to touch and there are signs of limping/dragging .The horse is aggressive and easily excitable.The horse attacks surrounding objects,kicking and chewing them,the horse drools excessively and has great difficulty in swallowing.
The horse chews,scratches at the bite-site.The gait is unsteady,with convulsions and paralysis.The typical signs exhibited depends on the form of rabies; the dumb and furious form. The dumb form, the horse is quiet,withdrawn and anorexic.The furious form shows the symptomatic signs already described.The signs also include fever,muscle spasms and incontinence.These signs appear quickly and proceed rapidly resulting in death in 2-5 days after onset of signs,
Rabies virus can be transferred from horse-horse and also from horse-man especially handlers and owners.The zoonotic nature of the virus makes it an important horse disease that need to be prevented and monitored.
Vaccination is the only form of prevention.Vaccinate foals at 6 months and give yearly booster.When a vaccinated horse is at risk of exposure to rabies may be following a bite from a wild animal or dogs then do the following;1) wash bite site with soap and water and isolate horse.
2)re vaccinate the horse immediately.
3)give plenty of fresh water.
