Disease prevention for your Horse

Like any animal, horses can suffer from a number of serious diseases and illnesses. This can be distressing for both you and your horse, so it is imperative that you know how to spot signs of disease early, and also give your horse the best living conditions to prevent disease in the first place.



Clean living conditions – horses can suffer from bacterial infections from environments which are dirty or have not been cleaned properly. Make sure you regularly tend to your horse’s living area, and clean out any old food, faeces and other waste daily.



Vaccinations - it is important to ask your vet what vaccinations your horse needs. Your vet can best advise you on what illnesses are prevalent at a particular time of year, or in the area in which your horse lives. Horses also need to be de-wormed regularly, so keep an updated log of all your horse’s vaccinations and de-worming treatments.



Regular checkups - A reliable vet is extremely important, and regular checkups will ensure that your horse stays healthy and disease-free. Don’t forget your horse’s teeth need tending to as well, so it’s important to have an equine dentist check your horse.



Good diet - Ensuring your horse has a good diet consisting of grass, hay and grains will ensure it is getting enough nutrients to support a strong immune system, and will also prevent any digestive problems. Colic is the most commonly occurring horse illness, affecting at least 1 in 10 horses each year.



Exercise - Just like humans, horses need regular exercise to keep fit and healthy, and to prevent diseases cause by a weak immune system. Ensure your horse has plenty of paddock space to roam around when you’re not riding it.



General grooming and caring - If you spend lots of time with your horse, grooming and caring for it, not only will you help keep it clean and hygienic, you will also be able to spot possible signs of disease early enough to treat it.



Keep your breed in mind - Different breeds of horses are more susceptible to particular illnesses and conditions than others. If you’ve been on the lookout for miniature horses for sale, remember that they are often susceptible to a number of diseases because of their small size.



Educate yourself – Spend some time reading about different types of horse diseases, the symptoms, and how they can be prevented and treated. Remember that a happy, healthy horse will give you years of loyalty and companionship, and a healthy animal is also important if you’re trying to sell a horse, as buyers will only want to buy a horse which has been well looked after throughout the course of its life.