Ailments, Injuries And Vices

Good health—A horse is best maintained in good health by regular exercise suited to the horse's condition—thorough and regular grooming —a clean stable—and good shoeing. A sound horse is one not afflicted by defects, malfunctions, diseases, injuries or weaknesses which might affect the use to which it is being put.

INDICATIONS OF SICKNESS-Probability that a horse is sick is indicated by a generally poor appearance or obvious evidence of injury or disorder—and also by a quantity of uneaten forage in the manger, a sour or listless disposition, dilating nostrils, starey eyes, and by abnormal pulse and temperature.

FIRST AID—Immediate Action—The most important, imperative and immediate thing to do when a horse is badly injured, lame or sick, is to call your veterinarian.

Know your veterinarian's telephone number and, in addition, have it posted in your tack room and stable.

Until the veterinarian arrives, there are a few simple things you may do, but remember, don't try to do the doctor's job.

Severe cuts and bleeding—Apply firm pressure with clean cloth or bandage. Tourniquets may be used but are dangerous.

Minor wounds, abrasions and open sores—Clean out with a warm weak antiseptic solution (metaphen or merthiolate); then an astringent (Burow's solution) or a weak tincture of iodine and, where appropriate, dust with boracic acid powder. Avoid prolonged pressure.

Exhaustion—Place a bucket of tepid water in the horse's stall; give it a little hay, but no grain; massage its legs and back; be sure the stall has ample clean bedding. When the horse is rested, feed a bran mash and bandage its legs loosely.

Colic—Carefully administer the colic medicines prescribed by your veterinarian; walk the horse until he appears to be comfortable, keep him warm, and then place the horse in the largest stall available and see that it has ample clean bedding. DO NOT FEED.

Lameness—Keep the horse at rest—do not work it.

PULSE AND TEMPERATURE-A horse's normal pulse rate (number of beats per minute) is 36 to 40. It is usually taken under the jaw in front of the large cheek muscle—on either side, but usually on the near side. A horse's normal temperature averages about 100 degrees Fahrenheit. It is taken in the rectum. The internal temperature of a healthy horse differs slightly with age, sex, breeding, time of day, proximity to exercise, extremes of weather, etc.

LAMENESS—There are three general types of lameness:

Supporting-leg lameness, caused by disease or injury of the bones, tendons or ligaments of the leg.

Swinging lameness, caused by disease or injury of the muscles.

Mixed lameness, caused by a combination of the preceding, and by disease or injury of the joints.

Evidence of lameness may be determined by: (a) having the horse trotted slowly on a loose lead rein toward and away from you—if practicable, on an up and down grade—and, (b) by having the horse turned sharply at a walk and trot. When making these tests, the horse should be "cold" i.e., brought from the stable after rest.

Lameness in the foreleg is indicated by a shortened stride and the horse's head bobbing up and down noticeably. The head rises when the affected foot (or leg) touches the ground and nods when the good foot or leg touches the ground; contact of the affected foot (or leg) with the ground is relatively light and of short duration and it is carried well forward and planted well in advance of the sound foot (or leg). The sound foot is then quickly planted to relieve the weight on the affected foot (or leg).
Lameness in the hindleg is indicated by a shortened stride and the head bobbing up and down as in lameness of the foreleg, and, in addition, by the croup rising with the affected hindleg and dropping with the planting of the sound hindleg. The head acts opposite to the action in foreleg lameness. The head now being down when the affected foot (or leg) strikes the ground.

Lameness in the shoulder may be tested by pulling the horse's foreleg forward, then backward, as far as it will go, several times. If he flinches or tries to rear, lameness in the shoulder is indicated. If he is now trotted again, he will go more lame than before. Then walk or trot the horse over a bar; it will drag the lame leg.

Lameness is more often found in the forelegs than in the hindlegs —and most frequently in the feet.

THE HOOF—The more common ailments include:

Bruised sole—An injury of the sensitive sole of the hoof caused by treading heavily on a sharp stone or small stump or by a badly fitted shoe.

Canker—A softening of the horn of the hoof accompanied by a moist cheese-like growth and an objectionable odor. It is caused by wet, dirty and badly drained stalls.

Contracted heels—Caused by cutting away too much of the frog of the hoof so that it does not come in contact with the ground; by cutting away of the bars which in turn causes the heels to grow inward; permitting shoes to remain on too long and lack of exercise. Contracted heels may contribute to navicular disease.

Corns—A bruise of the sensitive sole at the rear of the hoof in the angle formed by the bar and the wall, caused—as in human beings— by undue pressure of the shoe on the seat of the injury. Usually a result of improper shoeing and of shoes left on too long.

Cracked hoof or sand crack—A crack in the wall of the frog between the coronet and the shoe—usually more spread at the lower end. The hoof becomes dry, hard and brittle. It is caused by an injury to the coronary band and by rasping away the outside wall of the foot causing loss of the natural secretion which keeps the hoof moist.

Founder or laminitis—An inflammation of the sensitive laminae (hence, laminitis) directly under the horny wall of the hoof, limiting room for expansion. It is painful and usually accompanied by accelerated pulse and respiration and high temperature and, of course, heat in the affected feet. Usually affects the forefeet. There are a variety of causes: chilling from standing in a draft; drinking large amounts of water when hot; overeating of grain; eating improper or spoiled forage; prolonged work on hard surfaces; over-exertion and exhaustion.

Navicular Disease—A most serious affliction of the navicular bone in the coffin joint—almost always in the forefeet. It is caused by excessive, fast or strenuous work, especially after being turned out, and excessive work on hard roads at fast paces. Contributing causes are also contracted heels and continual use of shoes with high heels. There is some indication that a tendency to the disease may be hereditary.

Quittor—A fistulous or running sore on the coronet, usually the result of an injury to the coronet from a tread wound or overreaching, from corns or cracks and from a close nail when shoeing.

Sidebone—A bony growth on either lateral cartilage of the hoof. It is caused by fast gaits on hard roads; from a blow, wound or tread and continued use of high calks. Horses with narrow feet are more subject to the disease.

Thrush—An inflammation of the cleft of the frog—more generally affecting the hindfeet—caused by standing in a wet, dirty and badly drained stall; standing or traveling a long time in muddy water; and through infection. The disease is characterized by a foul odor; the cleft of the frog is soft and spongy and there is a thick discharge. THE LEGS—The more common ailments include:

Arthritis—A disease affecting any of the bones from the shoulder to the hoof—found generally in older horses. The cause of the disease is not accurately known.

Bowed tendon—A bulge, usually in the upper portion of the rear tendon between the knee and fetlock. It is caused by a heavy strain placed upon the tendons of the front legs causing the stretching and tearing of the surrounding sheath. It is found most frequently in race horses and polo ponies.

Capped elbow or shoe boil—A noticeable swelling on the elbow, sometimes containing pus. It is usually caused through bruising by the heels or calks of the shoes of the front feet when lying down, from lack of bedding and from a rough, uneven floor.

Capped hock—A noticeable swelling on the side of the hock and sometimes a slight swelling on each side of the hock. It is caused by a horse rubbing or kicking in the stable, by a lack of bedding, by a bruise or by the kick of another horse.

Curb—A thickening and swelling of the tendons or ligaments just below the back of the hock. It is caused by undue strain from violent exertion, frequently in jumping and polo, and the resulting inflammation. Horses with "sickle hocks" and weak joints are more liable to develop curbs.

Mud fever—Broken scabby sores on the back of the pastern accompanied by a running discharge caused by too much mud and wet and from too frequent washing of the legs directly after work. The disease is similar to chapped hands in human beings.

Ringbone—A bony, ringlike enlargement high on the pastern or just above the coronet, resulting from severe work when the horse is young or from a sprain, strain or injury of the pastern. Improper care of the feet may be a contributing cause. Horses with weak and excessively sloping pasterns are apt to be more susceptible to the disease as well as horses whose pasterns are too straight (because of excessive jarring).

Ruptured tendon or breaking-down—A cut or tear across the tendons (or ligaments) of the legs near the fetlock. Race horses are frequently thus affected.

Sesamoiditis—An enlargement of the bones just behind and below the fetlock joint, usually contributed to by conformation defects such as straight pasterns and feet which turn out unduly.

Splint—A bony enlargement on the side of the cannon bone where the splint bones are attached to the cannon bone in the fore or hind legs—between the knee or hock and fetlock, most frequently found in young horses. It is caused by unusual jarring of the legs when the horse is still young, e.g., jumping on hard surfaces or fast work on a hard road; by faulty shoeing causing undue pressure on the outside of the foot; and by sprains, strains and injuries in the vicinity of the splint bones.

Spavins—Bog spavin—A puffy swelling on the inside and a little to the front of the hock usually caused by a strain, by overwork, by slipping backwards and by bruises.

Bone spavin (or jack)—A bony growth inside and just below the hock joint caused by inflammation through bone friction, resulting from excessive strain such as violent effort in jumping or in galloping or trotting; slipping or sliding on hard surfaces; being suddenly pulled up on the haunches; distortion of the foot through faulty shoeing; standing on one foot too long at a time to rest an injured foot and a variety of similar causes. Younger horses are more susceptible to bone spavin.

Sprain—A tearing of a muscle, tendon or ligament due to a variety of causes: Pulling a horse up suddenly; all the weight of the body falling on one leg; excessive galloping; galloping or jumping in heavy going and on hard surfaces; excessively long toes; slipping or being cast, etc.

Stifled—Lameness produced by the kneecap (patella) on the front or inside of the stifle joint being displaced.

Strains—Undue stretching of muscles, ligaments and tendons due to the same actions which cause sprains.

Stringhalt—A distinctive, nervous, sudden snatching up of one or both hind legs when walking or trotting, and when the horse is led out of the stable or backed. Especially noticeable when the horse is "cold." The cause is not accurately known.

Swollen leg or Big leg—A puffy condition of the lower legs which develops after standing in the stable. It is caused by excessive work by horses in poor condition.

Thoroughpin—A round, soft, puffy enlargement in the hollows on one side (or both sides) above and back of the hock. Similar to a bog spavin, it is caused by a lack of the lubricant secretion of the joint, and by the same conditions which cause a bog spavin.

Windgall or Windpuff—A swelling just above and on either side of the fetlock (they do not contain air). The situations and resulting causes are generally the same (in the fetlock) as for bog spavin and thoroughpin (in the hock).

THE HIDE AND MUSCLES—The more common ailments include:
Acne—A contagious, pimply, skin eruption near the withers.

Bruises—An inflamed condition of the tissues and muscles beneath the skin caused by a blow or fall.

Eczema—An inflammation of the outer layers of the skin characterized by very small pimples which may run together and cause a discharge.

FISTULA        SIT FAST

Fistules—Large pimples and abscesses on the horse's body from a variety of causes and frequently the result of an excessive amount of corn in the horse's diet.

Fistulous withers—An abscess on the withers extending toward the shoulder—caused by a blow, a poorly fitting saddle or collar, another horse's bite, or rolling on a stone.

Hide bound—Refers to skin which is inelastic to the touch, dry, dull and unattractive looking. In itself, it is not a disease, but an indication of internal disorder—frequently worms.

Itchy tail or mane—Due to a parasite or to poor condition of the blood, causing the horse to rub the tail or mane with noticeable loss of hair.

Lice—Frequently picked up from grass, giving the coat a blotchy and unattractive appearance. Horses in poor condition with insufficient grooming are susceptible to lice.

Mange—A contagious irritation of the skin which becomes thickened and wrinkled while the hair falls out, leaving small crusts. There are several types of mange, usually attacking the head, the neck, legs and root of the tail. Caused by mites, it is spread by contact.

Poll evil—An abscess on one or both sides of the poll (top of the horse's head), behind the ears; similar to fistulous withers. It is caused by hitting the head against a ceiling or beam, by halter pulling and by a tight bridle.

Ringworm—Evident through raised, circular patches of hair, usually on the neck or shoulder, which later leave grayish white crusts on the bare skin; it is caused by a fungus. The disease is highly contagious.

Sitfast—A painful swelling covered by a patch of hard, dry, scab on a horse's back—usually caused by pressure due to a poorly fitting saddle and by pressure on a sore not entirely healed.

Soreback or Saddlesore—Irritation caused by a poorly fitting saddle and by a saddle insecurely fixed to the horse's back because of a loose girth.

Sweeney—Shrinkage of the muscles outside the shoulder blade— usually resulting from immobilization of a foreleg for a considerable period of time, or through long continued lameness in the foreleg or foot.

Tetanus—The setting of the horse's jaw so that it can only suck nourishment—caused by a bacillus entering the blood stream through a wound.

THE STOMACH, COLON AND LUNGS-The more common ailments include:

Colic—A general term applied to a stomachache from a variety of causes: digestive disturbances, overeating, ruptured and twisted intestines, easily fermented foods such as new oats and moldy hay, parasites and indiscreet watering. There are three types: (a) flatulent (wind colic), (b) spasmodic, (c) impaction (constipation).

Pleurisy—An inflammation of the membranes covering the lungs, usually caused by bacterial infection.

Pneumonia—An inflammation of the lungs from the pressure of an abnormal quantity of blood in them. It frequently follows congestion of the lungs, a severe cold, influenza and strangles.

Worms—Most common of these parasites are: Bots; round, red and whip worms. Horses in poor condition are most susceptible to the development of worms. They are picked up when the horse is out at grass. The veterinarian should be consulted for both preventative and curative measures.

THE HEAD AND NECK AND SYSTEMIC-The more common ailments include:

Anthrax—A fatal disease caused by a bacillus, characterized by abnormal swelling of the throat and neck, great pain and high temperature. The horse usually dies within a few hours. Transmissible to humans.

Bronchitis—An inflammation of the throat and bronchial tubes generally caused by bacteria, exposure to cold, especially when the horse is exhausted, and by chemical and mechanical irritants. Untreated, it often leads to heaves.

Cold—A disease similar to that affecting human beings, caused by exposure and infection. If properly taken care of, it is not serious. (See influenza.)

Coughing—Not in itself a disease, but a frequent symptom of various diseases such as laryngitis, bronchitis, influenza, a cold, etc., or an irritation of the throat. A change from grass to grain also may cause coughing. Dampening dusty feed may prevent it.

Encephalomyelitis. Also known as horse encephalitis, sleeping sickness, megrims, staggers and blind staggers, is a brain infection caused by a virus believed to be transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks. Characterized by fever followed by sluggishness and muscle twitching. In between torpors, horse may "stagger" and stumble blindly into obstructions. Apt to be fatal; vaccines have been developed which prevent the disease.

Glanders or Farcy—A very serious communicable disease of the nasal passage characterized by ulcers on the membranes lining the nostrils, a discharge from the nostrils and small abscesses, which run together, between the angles of the lower jaw. It is usually fatal. Transmissible to humans.

Infectious Anemia also known as 'swamp,' 'malarial,' 'mountain' and 'slow' fever. Caused by a virus. Characterized by intermittent attacks of fever, loss of weight, progressive weakness and swelling on under parts of body and legs. Diagnosis difficult. No known cure. Animals should be destroyed and cremated to prevent spread of infection.

Influenza—A severe communicable disease evidenced by exhaustion, depression, coughing, high temperature and a catarrhal discharge from the eyes and nostrils. The origin of the disease is not accurately known. The mild type will run its course in about a week. In the more severe type (pink eye) the most critical period is the fifth to the eighth day. The disease is frequently complicated by pneumonia and is frequently fatal.
Laryngitis—An inflammation of the inner lining of the throat usually accompanied by coughing, discharge from the nostrils, difficulty in breathing, and swelling. In severe cases, the horse may be choked to death.

Strangles or Distemper—A very contagious disease of the nose and throat accompanied by a swelling of the glands of the throat under the jaw, a thin watery discharge from the nostrils, turning thick and yellowish, general apathy and rise in temperature. It is caused by a streptococcus which most generally attacks young horses.

THE EYES—The more common ailments include:

Cataract—A clouding of the lens of the eye, varying from a very small area to the whole area of the eye, usually caused by an injury to the eye or as a sequel to other diseases of the eye.

Conjunctivitis—An inflammation of the membrane covering the eye due to a cold, presence of foreign matter in the eye or a slight injury.

Feather—A white scar on the cornea of the eye.

Moon blindness (periodic ophthalmia)—An inflammation of the whole structure of the eye. Most common cause of blindness in horses and mules. The cause is not clearly understood. The tendency may be hereditary and it may reflect a vitamin B deficiency.

Regular ophthalmia—An inflammation of, or an abscess behind, the eyeball caused by injury or infection. It may be followed by a cataract or complete loss of sight.

THE WIND—The more common ailments include:

Broken wind (heaves)—A breakdown of the air ducts of the lungs caused by overstraining—accompanied by labored breathing, weak coughing, a slight discharge from the mouth and heaving twice when the horse exhales. It is frequently caused by excessive feeding before exercise and by dusty hay; it may be associated with a chronic cough, bronchitis, asthma, pleurisy and pneumonia, or an allergy.

High blowing—A noise made by horses when they exhale—caused by a flapping of the nostrils. This is not an unsoundness.

Roaring—A deep, hollow, prolonged cough—especially noticeable when the horse is trotted and galloped—due to disease, malformation or obstruction of the air passages, or straining of the respiratory muscles. It is sometimes accompanied by a thin nasal discharge due to improper feeding, especially of dry forage, and to poor condition.

Whistling—A shrill roaring.

STABLE VICES include: Cribbing—The horse swallowing air by catching hold of the manger, stall door or other convenient object with his teeth. The habit may be avoided by removing as many projections in the stall as practicable and creosoting the edges of the remainder.

Halter pulling, Kicking, Resisting saddling and bridling, Resisting grooming, Striking with the forefeet, Tail rubbing.

Weaving—A rhythmic swaying back and forth while the horse is standing in the stall.

Wind sucking—The horse swallowing air with a backward jerk of the head only (instead of cribbing).

OTHER VICES include: Bolting (running away), Rearing, Shying, Interfering and brushing (See Anatomy), Overreaching and forging (See Anatomy), Dishing (see Anatomy).

For correction of vices it is best to consult a veterinarian who will first try to determine the cause.

BREEDING PROBLEMS. The heat period in mares varies widely from two to thirty days. Most mares are in heat from two to five days. The gestation period is from 310-350 days. Conception rates are highest for mares bred on the last day or two of the heat period. A stallion usually is permitted to breed 35-40 mares each breeding season. Excessive use of a stallion (more than 3-5 times per week) reduces his fertility and lowers conception rate.

Abortions. About 50 percent of abortions in mares result from bacterial and viral infections; the causes of about 40 percent are unknown. The remainder are caused by injuries. Contagious equine abortion is caused by bacteria.

Diseases of Foals. Normal foals are born within 20-30 minutes after labor begins. The front feet appear first. The foal's nose is between its knees and its back is toward the back of the mare. Signals of trouble are: the appearance of only one foot or more than two; failure of the nose to appear; feet turned upside down; failure of the foal to appear within 10 minutes after the water breaks; and prolonged labor. A veterinarian should be summoned immediately.

The normal foal should be up and nursing within one or two hours after birth. Bacterial and other infections in foals are common.

ANTISEPTIC and DISINFECTANT—Antiseptic generally refers to a solution or powder used to prevent or arrest infections in a wound or sore.

Disinfectant refers to means to kill germs, bacteria, etc., generally on physical things but not living tissue, which might be destroyed by the strength of a disinfectant.

Perhaps the distinction may most easily be remembered this way: You use an antiseptic solution on your horse's sore back—you disinfect his stable.

STABLE MEDICAL SUPPLIES-Bearing in mind that "home doctoring" is dangerous—that when your horse is sick or lame you should call your veterinarian—you still require certain basic and simple medical supplies always at hand in your stable. The following are, in general, both adequate and ample, unless your veterinarian advises otherwise.

Alcohol, rubbing
Vaseline for lubricating scabs
Pine tar or a commercially prepared hoof dressing
Antiphlogistic poultice—as prescribed by your veterinarian
Colic medicine as prescribed by your veterinarian.
Tetanus antitoxin
Burow s solution (astringent)
Boracic acid powder (dusting)
Creolin or Lysol (disinfectants)
Metaphen (tincture)    "| surface
Merthiolate (tincture) J  antiseptics
Iodine, tincture, regular (for abrasions)
Bandages, gauze
Bandages, woven
Cotton

BLISTER—This is a counterirritant through inflammation of the skin, rubbed on the affected part to draw the blood to that area and thus speed recovery. Commercially prepared blisters may be purchased or one may be recommended or prescribed by your veterinarian. It is usually in the form of an ointment.

PINFIRING or FIRING—Refers to the application of internal heat by puncturing the skin with fine pointed needles heated red (or even white) hot in a fire or special lamp. It is used frequently in the reduction of a sprain, curb, spavin, splint, bowed tendon and ringbone. MALLEIN INJECTION—A test for Glanders given by a veterinarian. Mallein is a filtered liquid made from a culture of the glander bacilli.

DESTROYING A HORSE—When a horse has been badly hurt or is afflicted with a disease or injury which the veterinarian believes cannot be cured, the horse is usually humanely destroyed to prevent continued suffering, pain and disability. This should always be performed by a veterinarian. Usually it is accomplished by the injection of a special drug into the jugular vein. Sometimes it is accomplished by shooting in the center of the forehead, the temple or back of the ear, with a pistol—again by a veterinarian or by someone experienced in this technique, under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Are You Ready To Move Onto The Next Lesson? Click Here...