All the diseases horses can get and how to treat them

If your current plan is to take up riding, you at least need to understand how it all works. Above all, make sure you know about the various illnesses horses can get and how to treat them before you buy your horse. We're here to help.

Respiratory illnesses

The problems that most often affect horses are respiratory ones. They cause a sharp drop in performance during work. Because he can no longer breathe properly, your horse quickly becomes out of breath. Sometimes he coughs in order to keep going. The best-known condition in this category is emphysema, also known as heaves.

When it comes to treating respiratory illnesses, the first remedy is cleanliness, both in the horse's stable and in those of his neighbours, using trusted care and maintenance products. You should feed him using the products available at La Sellerie Française. If it means taking him out for a walk each time so the stable can be cleaned, for example, it's worth doing. His hay in particular should be treated with a machine designed specifically for that purpose. If the case is worrying enough, corticosteroids, bronchodilators and herbal infusions are recommended.

Digestive disorders

Digestive disorders are conditions that completely hold a horse's progress back and interfere with the work he does with his rider. Depending on how serious the situation is and how sensitive the horse is, digestive disorders can show themselves either dramatically or subtly.

In some cases, the horse lies down more often. He looks round at his own belly or kicks at his flanks. At this point the problem is still mild. In other cases, the horse throws himself violently to the ground. He rolls around to the point of his eyes watering. This is cause for concern, as he could die.

The recognised treatment for this condition is surgery. To arrange it, you need to call in specialist vets. Above all, a thorough examination is needed to establish the cause of the problem and exactly where it is in your horse's body. Once that step is done, if there is any possibility of avoiding surgery, it's worth considering, relying on the effectiveness of antispasmodics.

General illnesses

Under the heading of general illnesses come weight loss, Lyme disease, Cushing's disease, infectious diseases caused by parasites and skin conditions.

These illnesses depend on the horse's living conditions. When he can't settle comfortably in the yard because of the pecking order or the habits of the staff there, it shows in him. He is more likely to fall ill. Parasites swarm around him..

These problems are solved with an extra effort on cleanliness. Everything must be cleaned properly. For an owner who cares about their horse's welfare, it is essential to separate him from the others to give him the right care, pamper him and then return him to the group in the best possible shape.