Common Horse Health Problems: A Survival Guide
So, you’ve got a horse. Or you’re thinking about getting one. Or maybe you just like reading long-winded, slightly sarcastic guides on animal health. Either way, welcome. Horses are majestic, powerful creatures—capable of jumping over obstacles, running at ridiculous speeds, and occasionally deciding they’re just not in the mood to be cooperative. They’re basically your high-maintenance best friend, but with hooves.
And, like all best friends, they come with a laundry list of problems. Unlike your human best friend, however, you can’t just sit them down with a box of tissues and a bottle of wine to talk it out. Nope, you have to decipher their vague, hoof-stomping, tail-swishing cries for help and then pay an expert to fix them. So let’s dive into the most common horse health problems, how to spot them, and what to do when your four-legged Ferrari starts sputtering.
1. Colic – The Equine “Uh-Oh” Button
Colic is the catch-all term for “my horse’s stomach is trying to kill us both.” It can range from mild discomfort to full-blown emergency, and horses, being the drama queens they are, tend to lean toward the latter.
Signs:
- Pawing at the ground like they lost their contact lens
- Rolling excessively, but not in a fun “whee, look at me” way
- Lying down and refusing to get up
- Sweating like they just ran a marathon in a sauna
What to do:
- Call the vet. Like, immediately. Don’t Google weird home remedies.
- Keep them moving (unless the vet says otherwise).
- Don’t feed them while they’re colicking—food is the enemy here.
2. Laminitis – Hooves on Fire (Not in a Good Way)
Imagine your feet feeling like they’ve been set ablaze while also being nailed to the floor. That’s laminitis. It’s an inflammation of the sensitive tissues inside the hoof, and it’s about as fun as stepping on a Lego.
Signs:
- Standing like they’re trying to lean back from a bad smell
- Walking gingerly like they’re tiptoeing through lava
- Hooves feeling abnormally warm
- Shifting weight between front and back feet constantly
What to do:
- Call the vet. (You sensing a theme here?)
- Get them off any rich grass or high-sugar feed ASAP.
- Ice the hooves if you can.
- Be ready for a long road to recovery—this one’s a doozy.
3. Common horse health problems: Thrush – The Foot Funk You Never Wanted
Thrush is what happens when your horse decides foot hygiene is for suckers. It’s a bacterial infection that thrives in wet, nasty conditions, meaning your horse’s hooves have essentially become the perfect bachelor pad for germs.
Signs:
- A foul, rotting smell coming from the hooves (as if someone left a tuna sandwich in a gym locker for a month)
- A black, gooey substance in the hoof crevices
- Tenderness and discomfort when walking
What to do:
- Clean the hooves. Like, actually clean them. Daily.
- Apply a good thrush treatment (talk to your farrier or vet for recommendations).
- Keep them in a dry, clean environment (because standing in poop is, shockingly, not good for them).
4. Common horse health problems: Rain Rot – The Horse Equivalent of Bad Acne
Rain rot is a bacterial skin infection that happens when horses stay wet for too long. It’s basically Mother Nature’s way of saying, “Remember when I said don’t leave things damp? Yeah, that applies to your horse too.”
Signs:
- Clumps of hair coming out like your horse is going through a rough breakup
- Scabby, crusty skin patches (yum!)
- Sensitivity in affected areas
What to do:
- Keep them dry (seems obvious, but here we are).
- Wash the affected area with antimicrobial shampoo.
- Let the skin breathe—no heavy blankets or tack until it heals.
5. Tying Up – The “My Muscles Just Quit” Syndrome
Tying up is what happens when a horse’s muscles decide they’re done for the day, whether or not you agree. It’s essentially muscle cramping on steroids.
Signs:
- Stiffness and reluctance to move
- Sweating profusely even though they haven’t done much
- Hard, painful muscles, especially in the hindquarters
What to do:
- Call the vet. (See? Told you this would happen a lot.)
- Keep them calm and still—forcing them to move makes it worse.
- Offer water and electrolytes but don’t force them.
- Adjust diet and exercise regimen to prevent future episodes.
6. Common horse health problems: Worms – The Unwanted Roommates
Every horse has worms. Yep, even yours. The key is making sure those worms aren’t throwing a full-blown house party inside your horse’s digestive system.
Signs:
- Weight loss despite eating like a horse (ha!)
- Dull coat that looks more “struggling actor” than “show ring champion”
- A pot-bellied appearance
- Rubbing their tail like they’re trying to start a fire
What to do:
- Deworm regularly (vet can help with a schedule).
- Keep manure cleaned up—flies and worms are besties.
- Rotate pastures if possible.
7. Equine Influenza – The “Sniffly Horse Blues”
Horses can get the flu, and just like humans, they become whiny, miserable babies when they do. But unlike humans, they can’t just binge-watch Netflix under a blanket and wait it out.
Signs:
- Coughing that sounds like they just swallowed a kazoo
- Runny nose (clear or yellowish discharge)
- Fever and lethargy
What to do:
- Call the vet if symptoms persist or worsen.
- Rest, rest, and more rest.
- Keep them away from other horses—nobody wants a barn-wide pandemic.
- Vaccinate regularly to help prevent it.
Final Thoughts
Owning a horse is an incredible, rewarding experience, but it also comes with a fair share of “what fresh hell is this?” moments. The best thing you can do is stay observant, act quickly, and always have your vet’s number on speed dial. (Seriously, memorize it like your life depends on it.)
Horses may be expensive, accident-prone goofballs, but they’re also some of the most incredible companions you’ll ever have. Treat them well, keep an eye on their health, and remember: if your horse is acting weird, there’s probably a reason. And that reason is usually expensive.
Good luck out there, cowboy.
Best
Al