Horse

Preventative Horse Health Care

Regular vaccination and preventative health care is just as necessary for horses as for any other pets to keep them healthy. Health examinations by a veterinarian should be given regularly, even if your horse seems healthy. Illnesses or diseases often causes minor changes in your horse's physical appearance or blood work that needs to be observed by a veterinarian.

Common illnesses, like flu, can be prevented by immunization and therefore all horses should receive a flu vaccine at least twice a year. Horses that compete in events should be revaccinated four times per year, as this vaccine does not protect horses for long periods of time.

Yearly vaccination can also avoid equine encephalomyelitis, which is a deadly virus spread by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes in different areas spread different forms of encephalomyelitis and therefore horses travelling to competitions should be vaccinated for several different strains of this virus.

Mosquitoes also spread the West Nile virus, a lethal disease, and therefore it is essential that horses should be vaccinated at least annually against this virus. This vaccine does not protect the horse for as long as other vaccines and therefore it is advised to have your veterinarian immunize twice a year.

Horses infected by the tetanus disease usually die a painful death although some may recover with sufficient medical care. Tetanus vaccines are essential on a yearly basis and can prevent this lethal disease from even occurring.

Horses are susceptible to worms as they graze on land where other animals have been and therefore needs to be dewormed on a regular basis. Untreated worms can even be deadly for horses and that is why the dewormer should be used effectively. De-worming medication should be rotated since worms can build up immunity against the products.

Horse-owners should also have knowledge of colic, the most common problem that horses can suffer from. Be aware of the signs of colic and how to treat colic until the vet arrives. The most common symptoms include signs of pain, kicking or biting at his stomach area, sweating, pacing, lying on its side or pawing the ground. The first step to follow is to take its food away from him and then call a veterinarian immediately. Put the horse on a lead and let him walk around as much as possible until the veterinarian arrives and starts the treatment.