Special Sub-Topic: Common Horse Diseases and Health Click Here To Play: Common Horse Diseases and Health

You are out to the paddock to feed your horse his morning meal. You notice that he is kicking his belly and rolling in discomfort. These are signs that your horse has what?

colic. There are two kinds of colic: spasmatic, which is caused by the muscle wall of the intestine going into a spasm, and impactive, which is caused by constipation. Colic can be treated.

Which is the correct name for the procedure done by the vet to file the horse's teeth down?

floating. To prevent the horse from biting down during floating, a gag is used. It is a metal piece that fits in the mouth to keep it open at and angle that is convenient for the vet. It is secured with leather head straps.

Choke is an impaction of the horse's trachea, or windpipe.

f. Choke is actually the impaction of the esophagus, or gullet.

A snotty discharge from the nose is an idication that the horse probably has what disease?

strangles. Strangles is serious and highly contageous to other horses, so isolation and thorough disinfection of all tack and other equipment is required.

There are inhalers for horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is a breathing difficulty.

y. Cromovet inhalers are available for old or frail horses with COPD that cannot be turned out. COPD is caused by the horse inhaling something it's allergic to. This reaction results in inflammation of the lungs.

Which worm causes large areas of irritation around the hindquarters?

pinworm. If pinworm is not taken care of quickly, the horse will rub the areas of irritation, causing painful sores to develop.

To reduce risk of worms, it is good to have other animals, such as sheep and goats, grazing in the same areas as horses. What is this called?

mixed grazing. Mixed grazing helps reduce parasite burdens in both species by breaking the life cycles of the parasites. You must be careful of which types of animals you put with your horses,though, as it may actually aid the spreading of the parasites. For instance, grazing horses and donkeys together increases the risk of lungworm transfer.

What is the first standard procedure used to test a horse for lameness called?

trotting up. Trotting a horse on a hard, flat surface while whatching the feet is an easy way to spot the horse limping or favouring a foot.

Septic arthritis is most common in older animals.

f. Septic arthritis is found in young horses, and is usually the result of infections. If it is not treated quickly, the joint may be badly damaged, and the horse may be lame for life.

Ear plaques, white raised areas on the inner surface of the horse's ear, are highly dangerous and cause much discomfort.

n. Ear plaques are best left undisturbed, as they do the horse no harm.