Ask The Horse

As horses age, their health care needs and associated costs often increase, making proactive management especially important. Having your veterinarian perform regular examinations, dental evaluations, and monitoring for common senior conditions can help you catch problems early and potentially reduce long-term expenses. Senior horses might also require specialized feeds, medications, or additional...

Equine skin problems can stem from a wide range of causes, including parasites, bacterial or fungal infections, allergies, and prolonged exposure to moisture or irritants. Successfully managing horses with skin problems relies on working with your veterinarian to identify the underlying issue and appropriately treat it. Because many dermatologic conditions can look similar in the early stages, it’...

Gastric ulcers are common in both performance and pleasure horses, but the clinical signs can be easily overlooked. Affected horses might show poor performance, changes in attitude, decreased appetite, or unexplained weight loss. Because the horse’s stomach continuously produces acid and is designed for foraging, management factors such as intermittent feeding, high-starch diets, and stress from t...

Equine colic refers to abdominal pain rather than a single disease and can arise from many causes, ranging from gas buildup to intestinal impaction. Horses with colic might show subtle signs such as reduced appetite or lethargy, or more obvious behaviors like pawing, flank-watching, rolling, or repeatedly getting up and down. Because some types of colic can become life-threatening quickly, recogni...

As horses age, managing their soundness using a multimodal approach becomes increasingly important. Experts emphasize proactive joint care, appropriate exercise, and routine veterinary evaluations. Regular, low-impact work helps maintain joint mobility and muscle support, while avoiding long periods of confinement, which can worsen stiffness. Strategic hoof balance, body condition management, and...

Managing a horse diagnosed with metabolic problems means understanding how conditions such as equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) and insulin dysregulation increase the risk of serious complications, including laminitis. Horses with metabolic problems often benefit from controlled diets low in sugars and starches, tailored to prevent spikes in blood insulin and support healthy body condition. Regular...

Horse owners often feed supplements to address gaps in their horses' diet that forage and concentrates might not meet, such as supporting joint comfort, hoof quality, or muscle recovery. Researchers suggest that supplements can be beneficial when a horse has a documented deficiency, such as low vitamin or mineral levels, or a clearly identified need, such as poor hoof quality. Owners should always...

Lameness is the most common cause of poor performance in equine athletes, and researchers have shown that many behavioral issues under saddle are caused by physical pain. Proactive treatment strategies can help extend your horse’s competitive career and improve his overall well-being.  During this Ask TheHorse Live Q&A, two experts will answer questions about equine performance problems a...

Caring for a horse with a long-term illness or injury requires both financial commitment and practical planning. Veterinary bills, medications, specialized feed, and management adjustments can add up quickly, so creating a clear financial plan helps owners prepare for ongoing expenses. Practical management—such as adjusting your horse’s workload, providing appropriate turnout, and maintaining a co...

Mare reproductive challenges can range from endometritis to ovarian irregularities such as hemorrhagic anovulatory follicles, ovarian hematomas, and persistent corpora lutea, all of which can disrupt normal cycles and fertility. Older mares often face anatomical complications that increase contamination and impair conception. Hormonal tumors such as granulosa-theca cell tumors might spur erratic b...

Thinking about buying a horse? Whether you’re a first-time buyer or returning to horse ownership after time away, making the right decisions from the start can help ensure a rewarding and financially sustainable experience. Learn what to expect during a prepurchase examination and why it’s important, how to plan and budget for purchase and ongoing expenses associated with horse ownership, and how...

Hind-limb lameness in horses can be challenging for owners to spot and veterinarians to diagnose. It can affect horses of all ages and disciplines. Subtle signs, such as a shortened stride, reluctance to go forward, or toe-dragging might go unnoticed until the horse’s performance declines or a more obvious issue appears. Catching hind-limb lameness early can improve your horse’s well-being and lon...

Planning ahead for equine emergencies can help you avoid delays in care and unexpected expenses, and reviewing your emergency protocol regularly helps protect both your horse’s health and your wallet. In this Ask TheHorse Live episode, two veterinarians share advice on planning for equine health emergencies. This episode is sponsored by CareCredit . About the Experts: Michael Fugaro, VMD, Dipl. AC...

Maintaining healthy joints in young horses lays the groundwork for long-term soundness and performance. Proper nutrition supports optimal skeletal health and development, while age-appropriate conditioning helps build a resilient musculoskeletal system. Regular checkups give your veterinarian a chance to diagnose and treat joint disease early, helping slow the progression of osteoarthritis and min...

Degenerative joint disease, or osteoarthritis (OA), in horses is a common but complicated condition. While there is no cure for OA, working with your veterinarian to correctly diagnose OA, slow its progression, and manage existing joint disease can help maintain your horse’s soundness in the long-term. This episode is brought to you by American Regent Animal Health. Meet the Experts: Katie Ellis,...

Researchers suggest 54% of horses in the U.S. are overweight or obese, putting them at a higher risk of developing other health problems, such as metabolic issues and joint pain. However, horses might become underweight due to gastrointestinal problems, such as gastric ulcers, or chronic health challenges. Regardless of whether a horse is under- or overweight, the underlying cause&n...

Equine osteoarthritis (OA), or the degeneration of cartilage and bone in a horse’s joint, is a painful condition and the most common reason for lameness in horses. While there is no cure for OA, horse owners and veterinarians can work together to delay onset and slow its progression. Without treatment, OA can result in poor quality of life, early retirement, and even euthanasia if the associated p...

Like humans, horses can develop allergies to environmental elements such as dust components, mites, molds, medications, shampoos, and food. Some horses might show respiratory signs, while others can develop itchiness or hives. Understanding what causes your horse’s allergies and working with your veterinarian to treat his clinical signs can improve his health and well-being.  Two experts...

Do you feel like you can’t afford your horse? You’re not alone. Understand how to manage horse expenses to lessen the stress of horse keeping.  The cost of horse ownership varies from region to region, but even basic expenses such as feed, bedding, and routine veterinary and farrier care can be very costly. Emergency veterinary expenses can soar depending on the illness or injury. Preparing f...

Osteoarthritis (OA, also known as degenerative joint disease) is characterized by the degeneration of articular cartilage that lines the ends of bones inside a horse’s joints. OA is the No. 1 cause of poor performance in horses and accounts for nearly 60% of all equine lameness cases. Horses of all ages can develop OA, but what can you do to slow its progression or treat this disease? Two experts...

Two experts weigh in on common equine hindgut problems and how you can manage them. Learn more and get your questions answered during the live recording of our podcast. This episode of Ask TheHorse Live is brought to you by Purina . About the Experts: Frank M. Andrews, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM Frank M. Andrews, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, is a graduate of Washington State University College of Veterina...

Managing skin problems in horses can be challenging, especially in warmer months. Two experts explain how to identify and manage skin problems in your horse and when you involve your veterinarian.  This podcast is sponsored by KineticVet. About the Experts : Dr. Susan L. White is the Josiah Meigs Distinguished Professor, Emeritus of Large Animal Medicine at University of Georgia’s College of...

Maintaining joint health is important at all stages of your horse’s life, but he might need special considerations during his senior years. Two experts explain how to keep equine joints healthy and your senior horse sound in the long term.  This podcast is sponsored by American Regent Animal Health. About the Experts: Luke Bass, DVM, MS, Dipl. ABVP is an associate professor in Equine Field Se...

The horse’s gut microbiome is important to digestion, nutrient absorption, ulcer prevention, and overall health, so you need to support it properly. Learn how to cultivate a diverse and healthy gut microbiome in your horse in this episode of Ask TheHorse Live, brought to you by Purina.

Whether your horse has chronic seasonal allergies or occasionally comes in from the field with mysterious hives or rubs from scratching himself on the fence, managing his discomfort can be difficult. He needs a treatment plan, whether short- or long-term, but to create one you need to first understand what is causing the itch. Learn...