Horse health

Canker is a rare bacterial infection characterized by irregular, smelly, cauliflower-like growths on horse hooves.

Squinting or excessive blinking is the motion or position of the eyelid over the eye to protect against pain or irritation. In horses causes of pain or irritation to the eye include injuries, infections, and environmental irritants.

Hoof cracks are common in horses, and sand cracks (cracks involving the coronary band and extending downward) are the most common type, as well as one of the most severe.

Retained placenta is a common postpartum complication in mares in which the placenta is not expelled within 3 hours of delivering a foal.

Dystocia in mares is the inability to pass a foal through the birth canal without assistance when attempting to give birth.

Club foot in horses is a common deformity of the coffin joint that causes asymmetry in the hooves.

Lice are tiny insects that live on the skin and hair of horses, causing damage and itchiness.

Sole bruises are a common condition affecting horses.

Twin pregnancy in horses occurs when two embryos are formed within the uterus.

Ascariasis is a roundworm infection common in horses, especially foals, young horses, and immunocompromised animals.

Hoary alyssum poisoning in horses is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition resulting from the ingestion of large quantities of hoary alyssum (*Berteroa incana*) plants.

**A puncture wound to the hoof is an extremely common injury in horses and is always considered an emergency.**

Adrenal gland cancer (pheochromocytoma; PCC) in horses is a rare form of tumor that arises from the adrenal medulla.

A hoof abscess is an accumulation of pus (infection) within a horse’s hoof, which can lead to severe lameness and more serious infections.

Back pain is a common condition in horses, typically noticed by owners when horses begin to resent grooming or saddling, or perform poorly under saddle.