COMMON MUSCLE PROBLEMS IN HORSES AND THE EFFECT ON PERFORMANCE.

Muscle pain and soreness affects horse performance. Read more about common causes here;http://www.thehorse.com/articles/29363/muscle-problems-can-cause-poor-equine-performance

ATYPICAL MYOPATHY IN HORSES.

Atypical myopathy refers to sudden onset of muscle pain and damage that is not related to disease but pasture.The condition is fatal and has been linked to inability to metabolize fat ; read more here; http://www.thehorse.com/articles/28461/understanding-atypical-myopathy

Equine Infectious Disease Control in Developing Countries

Equine Infectious Disease Control in Developing Countries

TETANUS IN HORSES.

Tetanus caused by a bacteria clostridium tetani. This bacteria is usually found in fecal matter and contaminated soil. The bacteria usually contaminate wound thus producing endotoxins.The signs are prolapse of 3rd eyelid,difficulty in walking,spasms of jaw and death by asphyxiation.Horses should be vaccinated annually and an antitoxin administered when there is an open wound.Treatment include muscle relaxants,antibiotics and supportive care. (pic culled from homestead horses )

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COMMON DISEASES IN HORSES.

Equine diseases are usually caused by viruses,bacterial and fungi .The severity depends on level of exposure,susceptibility of horse, and the time lapse for the treatment protocol.Vaccinations are important to prevent certain diseases that are usually fatal and have poor prognosis when the horse comes down with the infection. The diseases include 1) equine encephalomyelitis also referred to as sleeping sickness.These are 3 types a) Venezuelan b) Eastern c)Western .Its transmitted by mosquitoes after the insects have acquired virus from birds and rodents. Horse to horse transmission is rare also horse to human transmission is not common.The EEE and VEE have 90% fatality while the Western equine encephalomyelitis has 50% fatality.Signs include fever,nervousness,drowsiness,drooping ears,abnormal gait,circling and recumbency. The final stage of the disease is paralysis and death. The only form of prevention is vaccination,which is done annually/every 6 months.There is no specific treatment only supportive care and prognosis is very poor. LEPTOSPIROSIS. A bacterial infection affects most species of mammals.The infection in horses is usually mild but has certain side effects such as periodic opthalmia(moon blindness),kidney disease,hemolytic anemia and abortion in mares.The bacterial host is the rodent and treatment is by using antibiotics. POTOMAC HORSE FEVER. Caused by Rickettsia bacteria usually through the tick bite.The signs are depression,inappetence,fever,decrease/absent gut sounds and watery diarrhoea develops within 24-48 hours.The prevention is by vaccination.Treatment is by use of antibiotics.

HORSE MANAGEMENT.

Horse keeping and management is very vital to performance and health . The proper management can be achieved by following these tips; 1) nutritious food must be provided at the right quality and quantity. 2) Proper vaccinations and medications. 3) Hoof care and dental care. 4)Water should be available at all times and remember to check your source of water.Test every water source before you serve it. 5) The stables/barn must be properly ventilated.Enclosed housing should allow free flow of air to control temperature,humidity and prevent staleness of air. 6)The environment must be clean,dry and safe.The environment must be free from poisonous chemicals, paints,lead or rodent baits. 7)The enclosure/stable must have sufficient space for exercise. HOUSING RECOMMENDATION. The housing area must be clean and not waterlogged.It must be well covered to protect the horses from harsh weather and extreme temperature.The exposure to inclement weather,will predispose to rain rot .There must be adequate feed buckets,water bowls and dry bedding must be provided.The bedding must be clean and dry.The housing design can be a barn or stable or an open sided house.The building must be properly sited so that the horses have access to pasture and exercise area. There must be a storage section in the building to house the hay,grain,farm tools and other equipment.The store area must be clean and rodent proof to prevent contamination of feed.Diseases can occur if feed is contaminated by urine and fecal matter. The pasture area must be clean and well demarcated and must be free of objects such as nails,broken bottles,nylon bags ,iron coils e.t.c that can be injurious to the horses. Health care; this can be preventive or treatment.The preventive aspect involves vaccination,deworming program,hoof treatment and yearly teeth examination. Treatment will be medications, dressings,wound treatment and pain medication when injuries or accidents occur. photo credit; the horse.com.