As a horse owner, one is sometimes faced with a horse that is clearly ailing. Sometimes it is apparent that something is wrong and there are common signs that should act as a warning. At other times it is not so apparent.

A horse owner needs to know some basic facts in order to detect an ailment:

• A horse’s temperature is taken by ­inserting a thermometer into the horse’s rectum. Hold onto the end of the thermometer at all times
• A normal temperature is usually around 37,5oC. On a very hot day and after ­working, the temperature can rise by about a degree. However, if it reaches 39oC, it is cause for concern
• A reasonably fit horse’s pulse, at rest, should be somewhere around 32 beats per minute
• A sure sign of distress is rapid and shallow breathing and possibly sweating. Watch the movement of the ribcage.

Lameness and its symptoms

This is quite common and causes can range from a bruised sole, a pinching nail in the shoes, something lodged under the hoof, a hoof abscess, to a pulled tendon or ligament.

• The horse “nods” his head, drops a hip, or drags a leg, especially when trotting
• When a “nodding” horse trots, the leg which he puts down when his head goes up, is the sore leg
• With severe lameness, the horse will be ­noticeably lame or will even move on three legs
• When standing, the horse may rest or ­dangle the injured leg, unwilling to put weight on it
• Sweating and rapid, shallow breathing may be visible as signs of acute pain
• The greatest causes for lameness are found in the hoof, or below the knee, but may be ­higher up.

Treatment

• Pick up the foot and check for a stone, nail or something else lodged in the hoof
• If not, examine the leg further up ­towards the knee or hock. If no cuts, swellings or other injuries are visible, and no heat can be detected in either the leg or the hoof, hose the leg with cold water for at least ten minutes, three times a day, and rest the horse for a few days
• If the condition does not improve within a couple of days, call a vet
• In cases of severe lameness, call a vet immediately.

Colic and its symptoms

Colic has numerous causes – not enough grass or roughage, not enough water, ­sudden change in feed, worms and many more. More ­important, though, is early detection. ­Symptoms include:

• The horse lacks appetite, is depressed and lethargic
• He looks at his stomach and may even try to bite or kick at it
• The horse paws the ground and wants to roll or does roll
• Horse pulls up his top lip as if he has smelled something strange
• He shows excessive sweating and rapid and shallow breathing
• Gums are pale
• Low or no stomach sounds are heard. In the case of gas colic, stomach sounds increase
• Often there is no increase in temperature and sometimes even a drop in temperature.

Treatment

• Unless it is a very light case of colic, call the vet as soon as possible. Colic can kill
• While waiting for the vet, try to ­prevent the horse from rolling. This can cause torsion of the intestine, which will cause certain death unless operated on
• Try and walk or even trot the horse a little, but do not force him. Movement can help to release gas
• If the horse is too exhausted to stay up, allow it to lie down, but prevent it from rolling
• In some cases an operation is the only way to save the horse.

Billiary and its symptoms

Billiary is caused by a tick bite. Use dip or other tick repellents regularly. If not treated, billiary can kill.

• The horse lacks appetite, is lethargic and depressed
• It has a high temperature of between 40-41oC
• There are pale or even yellow mucus membranes on the insides of the eyes and gums
• The horse can also show colic symptoms.

Treatment

• Call the vet and keep the horse out of the sun
• Reduce high temperature by hosing down the horse’s whole body and ­underneath the stomach
• If the vet recommends rest for six weeks, then rest it for the full period. Working the horse sooner, can have serious long-term repercussions.

Equine flu and its symptoms

Usually not fatal, this disease affects ­competitive animals, as they cannot compete for some time. It is transmitted from horse to horse through coughing. Isolate sick animals and quarantine the yard. Inoculate horses once every six months. Competitive horses need proof of inoculation.

• The horse lacks appetite and is depressed
• There is coughing and a sudden fever
• There is an initial clear nasal discharge, which becomes thick and sticky
• The mucus membranes are reddish
• Aching muscles may cause stiffness of gait.

Treatment

• Call the vet and isolate sick horses – do not share equipment
• Antibiotics are usually effective and horses should recover without ­complications in about a week. Serious complications can occur in foals and very old animals with affected breathing
• Consult your veterinarian as to when work can be resumed, as the disease can affect the heart muscles and the horse may need to rest, even after symptoms have disappeared.

Strangles and its symptoms

Strangles is not usually fatal and mostly foals and young stock are at risk of dying. It is highly contagious and spread by mucus in spit, etc. It can be transmitted from horse to horse and from human to horse, even through ­equipment. Isolate infected horses and vaccinate regularly. Your vet will tell you the risk category your horse falls in.

• The horse is not eating, is lethargic and ­depressed
• There is a white or yellow nasal discharge
• It has a high temperature of between 40-41oC
• The lymph nodes around the throat, neck and head become swollen and very ­painful. Swallowing becomes painful
• There is coughing and, in some cases, ­laboured breathing
• Abscesses can also form inside the airway
• In about 10% of cases, abscesses can spread via the lymph nodes into the chest and the lungs. This is called “bastard strangles” and can be fatal.

Treatment

• Call a veterinarian and isolate the ­infected horse by removing it completely from any other horses
• Anyone working with that horse must wash and disinfect themselves ­before touching another horse. He must ­preferably change his clothes
• No equipment, halters, brushes or buckets should be used for any other horse. Its stable and equipment should be disinfected regularly
• Place the stable yard where the ­infection has occurred under quarantine
• As stable yards and farms differ, ask the vet to help devise a plan for­ ­isolation and quarantine
• Warn people and place a notice on the gate
• The vet will decide whether or not to treat strangles with penicillin
• Abscesses can be ripened with warm packs, then lanced and kept clean ­afterwards. Clean the nostrils ­regularly. Burn all cotton wool or sponges used for this purpose
• Horses can be hosed down with cool water to bring the temperature down.

African Horse Sickness

Endemic to the African continent and the most dreaded of all equine diseases, African Horse Sickness (AHS) has a mortality rate of between 70-90%. It is transmitted by a midge and is not transmitted from horse to horse. All horses must be vaccinated once year in early ­summer.

Unfortunately inoculated horses are still at risk of contracting the disease. Take ­additional precautions in summer and in high risk areas – use insect repellents, bring horses in an hour before sunset and do not let them out until an hour after sunrise.

Take note: If a horse ­displays any of the symptoms it is ­imperative that a vet be called, as a diagnosis can only be ­confirmed in a ­laboratory.

There are three forms of this disease:

Dikkop – affects the heart

• Lack of appetite, depressed and feverish
• Swelling of the head and eyes, most visible in the hollows above the eyes. In severe cases the whole head will swell
• Possible swelling under the stomach, chest and neck
• Difficulty swallowing
• Colic symptoms may develop
• Terminal signs include pinpoints of ­bleed-ing in the membranes of the mouth and eyes
• Death can take between 4-8 days. The ­mortality rate is lower than Dunkop, around 50%.

Treatment

• Call the vet immediately and keep the horse still and quiet
• Hose the horse down to lower his ­temperature.

Dunkop – affects the lungs

• High temperature of around 41oC
• Laboured breathing, with mouth open and head hanging down
• Frothy discharge pouring from nose
• Sudden onset of death – sometimes within hours.

Treatment

• Call the vet immediately, though treatment is seldom effective. Dunkop has a 90% mortality rate.

Mixed form

The mixed form of horse sickness affects both the heart and the lungs and displays symptoms of both. It also has a high mortality rate and a vet should be called immediately. SAH