Health and Care
It can be very worrying if the horses in your stable are sick. Knowing what to look for and how to recognize common horse diseases and conditions is pivotal to the success of your business. Make the best of Penn State Extension’s resources on these topics and find advice on how to manage parasites, ticks, insects and control the spread of toxic plants on horse pasture.
Keeping Your Horses Healthy
There are lots of factors to keep top of mind when it comes to the health of your horses. A successful equine operation will have horses of varying ages, from pregnant mares through to foals and older horses, all of which require different care, feed, and nutrition. Grooming and teeth and hoof health inspections are all part of the daily horse operations.
Horses can suffer from a range of different illnesses, the risks of which can be increased, for example, if there are toxic plants in your pastures or mold and toxins in their feed.
The time of the year can also impact the horse care schedule in your stable. The requirements for spring grooming, for example, are different compared to wet weather care when rain rot is something you need to also be aware of.
As well as environmental issues, there are laws and statutes related to livestock and horses to consider. If you have any questions to ask, the Penn State Extension Humane Issues and Statutes webinar is the perfect opportunity to get your answers from Pennsylvanian equine experts.
Common Horse Diseases
Horses can fall ill as a result of contracting a range of different diseases. Knowing what these are, the symptoms to look for and available options for treatment means you can properly care for the horses in your stable. Learn more about some of the most common diseases and conditions, such as colic, Laminitis, West Nile virus, equine herpes, and equine infectious anemia disease.
When a horse in your care falls ill or is injured, treatment is not always an option. Having to elect euthanasia is a difficult thing to do. You can better prepare yourself for the worse by developing a health care plan for your horse.
Horse Vaccinations and Deworming
It is possible to take precautions against a wide range of common diseases such as tetanus, viral respiratory disease and strangles with vaccinations delivered by a veterinarian.
Thanks to parasite anthelmintic (dewormer) resistance, however, new protocols are now in place with regards to deworming your horse. A Penn State Extension Equine Educator has recorded a webinar that shares some important details.
Ticks and Other Horse Insect Pests
Horses are at risk from a number of different insect pests, including Filth Flies. It’s a common sight to see horses swishing and flicking their tails. More often than not, it’s a fly that’s causing the problem. Being able to control them is critical if you want to maintain a healthy stable. It also helps if you know what’s true and what’s a myth about fly control on equine facilities.
In Pennsylvania, ticks can be a serious problem, with many different species commonly found on horses being raised in the state. Recognizing the different species, removing them, preventing and controlling ticks in the environment is paramount to successful equine husbandry. If you’d like to hear what the experts think, tune in to the Penn State Extension webinar that covers a wide range of tick-related topics.
Ticks and flies aren’t the only pests to be aware of when it comes to the health of the horses in your care. Gnats, mosquitoes, bots, lice, mites, and blister beetles can also be nuisance pests.
- News
Equine Team Launches 2024 Equine Community Survey
Date Posted 8/27/2024Please take 10 minutes to complete a survey about your equine program preferences. - Webinars
Free
Equine Diseases, Vaccines, and Prevention
When 12/11/2024Length 1 hourEvent Format Virtual | LiveLearn about essential equine vaccines, common diseases they prevent, and biosecurity measures in this free one-hour webinar. Ensure your horse's health with expert insights and practical tips. - Workshops
$35.00
Equine First Aid Workshop
When Multiple Options AvailableLength 4 hoursEvent Format In-PersonLearn the signs to determine when your horse has a health emergency, an overview of conducting routine health monitoring, proper leg wrapping techniques, and the essentials to have in a horse first aid kit. - Videos
Fly Control on Equine Farms
Flies are a nuisance on equine facilities and can transmit diseases. Learn how to use integrated pest management (IPM) to control pest flies safely and effectively. - News
Updated Parasite Guidelines for Horses Released by AAEP
Date Posted 7/11/2024The AAEP has released updated guidelines for managing internal parasites (strongyles, ascarids, etc.) for horses. - Webinars
$10.00
Healthy Hooves, Happy Horse
When 10/30/2024Length Three days of class; 1.5 hours each.Event Format Virtual | LiveAttend the Healthy Hooves, Happy Horse Webinar Series to enhance your hoof care knowledge. Ideal for horse owners and farriers, covering anatomy, conformation, lameness, trimming, and shoeing. - Articles
Evaluating and Managing the Risk of Tall Fescue Toxicosis to Broodmares
Tall fescue grass can contain toxins that cause reproductive problems in late-term broodmares. Learn about the risks of grazing pregnant mares on tall fescue and what you can do to reduce the risk of health problems. - Workshops
Equine Sips and Tips
Length 2 hoursJoin Penn State Extension and fellow equine enthusiasts at Davenport Cidery & Winery for an informative discussion on equine nutrition. Enjoy light refreshments and networking opportunities! - Articles
Trees in Horse Pastures
While trees provide a good source of shade in pastures, they can have several drawbacks as well. - Articles
Colic: What are the Signs and How to Manage?
This article will review colic signs, normal equine vitals, types of colic, risks and prevention, and emergency planning. - Webinars
Free
Let's Talk Donkeys: Behavioral and Nutritional Management
When Watch NowLength 1 hourRecorded Apr 10, 2024Event Format On-Demand | RecordedExplore donkey behavior, nutritional requirements, and the distinctions in care compared to horses. - Articles
Risk-based Vaccines: Does Your Horse Need Them?
Determining which vaccines your horse should have is not always simple, particularly when talking about risk-based vaccines. It is important to work with your veterinarian to determine the vaccines needed for each individual horse. - Articles
Prevalent Parasites: Common Types of Equine Internal Parasites
There are many species of internal parasites that affect horses. Knowing common types of internal parasites and the symptoms caused by infestation is important when creating a deworming plan and strategy for parasite reduction. - Articles
Understanding Certificates of Veterinarian Inspection (Health Certificates)
A Certificate of Veterinarian Inspection (CVI) is a document ensuring a horse has recently been evaluated by a veterinarian for signs of illness. A CVI is required for some travel and helps reduce disease spread by stopping transport of sick horses. - Articles
Equine Winter Wellness Tips
Depending on where you live, equine care in the colder months can be difficult. Luckily, horses can adapt to a wide range of temperatures. However, human intervention is sometimes necessary to keep our horses safe and comfortable in winter. - Webinars
Free
Here Comes Baby: The Foaling Process
When Watch NowLength 1 hourRecorded Feb 7, 2024Event Format On-Demand | RecordedPrepare for foaling with us! Covering the normal process and unexpected situations, gain confidence in prepping supplies, monitoring mares, and recognizing signs before, during, and after delivery. - Articles
Bringing Your New Horse Home
Whether "home" is your property or a boarding facility, there is a lot to do to make sure the horse's transition is as smooth as possible. - Articles
Pre-Purchase Exams
You have found your dream horse, now what? Do not let your heart make the decisions, and instead safeguard yourself by requesting a pre-purchase exam. - Webinars
Free
The Science Behind Blanketing Horses
When Watch NowLength 1 hourRecorded Dec 15, 2023Event Format On-Demand | RecordedIn this webinar, we'll delve into the effects of blankets on horse hair growth, hay consumption, shelter preferences, and the ideal environmental conditions for blanket use. - Articles
Sycamores, Maples, and Sycamore Maples - Which Are Safe for Horses?
This article explains the differences between some frequently confused trees, some of which are toxic to horses. - Articles
Rain Rot in Horses
Rain rot is a skin disease that can be frustrating to owners, but with the right care can often be easily treated. - Articles
Horse Management During Wet Weather
Unfortunately for the horse owner, persistent and large amounts of rainfall can create challenges for equine care and have negative effects on your horse's overall health. - Articles
Noxious Weed - Catsear
Horse owners should manage catsear presence in pastures and limit their horses' contact with the plant. - News
Equine Team Welcomes Olivia Watson
Date Posted 10/4/2023Olivia Watson joins the equine extension team as the equine educator in the western region. - Webinars
Free
Dismiss the Myths: Fly Control on Equine Facilities
When Watch NowLength 1 hourRecorded Aug 23, 2023Event Format On-Demand | RecordedLearn how to implement an Integrated Pest Management plan on your horse farm!