Strangles: This is a highly infectious bacterial disease of the upper respiratory tract of horses. Outbreaks of the disease may be expected in-groups of horses where there is a changing population. Animals taking part in events, competitions and pony club activities may also be exposed. Cold weather and poor ventilation assist the spread of the disease.

Although common in young animals, it can occur at any age. The disease is characterised by cold-like symptoms with fever, nasal discharge, depression and reluctance to eat. Hot, tender, swellings develop in glands, usually around the head, jaw and neck, as a result of abscess formation. These often rupture and discharge a thick creamy-yellow pus. Most horses recover but the infection can cause death or chronic illness.

Vaccination, involving an initial course of 3 injections and then yearly boosters, will assist in the control of strangles. Discuss vaccination of your horse with your vet when planning to visit shows, or horse competitions or if moving the horse to a new agistment property.

Stringhalt

What is stringhalt? Stringhalt or springhalt is an involuntary, greater-than-normal flexion of the hock while the horse is in motion and may affect one or both hind limbs.
How is this caused? The true cause is unknown, but the condition is associated with nervous disorders, degeneration of the sciatic and peroneal nerves which supply the muscles of this area, and affectations of the spinal cord. At any rate, the condition is considered to involve some pathology of the lateral digital extensor muscle.

How does stringhalt affect the horse?
The effects are quite variable, but the disease is easy to diagnose from the signs. Because the syndrome is erratic, it is often not obvious during examination. Stringhalt is apparently not painful and does not cause lameness in the usual sense.
Some horses show a very mild hyperflexion of the hock during walking, while others jerk the leg up so violently that it strikes the abdomen and then pounds to the ground. Some horses show signs at each step, others only occasionally. In nearly all cases the signs are exaggerated when the horse is turning or backing. It usually is most noticeable after the horse has rested. The flexion may increase in cold weather and decrease or even disappear in warm weather. This syndrome is not characteristic of any particular breed or breeds of horses.

Does stringhalt prevent the horse from being usable?
Although regarded as a gross unsoundness, stringhalt may not materially hinder the horse's capacity for work, except in severe cases where the constant concussion gives rise to complications. The judgment of a veterinarian will be valuable in deciding whether or not a horse may continue to compete in horse show performance classes. The veterinarian may or may not consider treatment of the syndrome necessary.

What is the treatment for stringhalt?
It is a surgical procedure to cut the tendon of the lateral digital extensor muscle. This may alleviate the condition and involves removing a section of the tendon and sometimes part of the muscle. The prognosis after surgery is guarded to favourable.

Saddle sores are caused primarily by friction between the horse and the saddle or harness. In some cases, the friction is the result of faulty conformation of the horse. If the withers are too low, for instance, the saddle may sit too far forward. If they are too high, the saddle may compress the withers. A narrow chest can make it difficult to adjust the saddle tightly. A thin horse has poor padding between itself and the saddle, making it a likely candidate for saddle sores.

Most often, working conditions and saddle fit are the cause. A poorly made or poorly adjusted saddle, a rider or load sitting in an unbalanced position, excessive uphill and downhill riding, or wet skin caused by rain or sweat are the primary offenders. A combination of any of these factors greatly increases the chances of saddle sores.

How are saddle sores diagnosed?

Saddle sores are usually easy to recognise. The most common type of saddle sore is a simple inflammation of the hair follicles. This causes heat and is painful to the animal when touched. Left untreated, the area may swell, blister and develop pus. The final stage of this development is necrosis (death of the tissue). The necrosed skin (dead skin) must be removed before healing by granulation can take place.

The withers are more likely than the back to develop chronic saddle sores, because they are the most prominent point on which a saddle sits when the saddle is ill fitting. A chronic saddle sore is generally recognized by the total absence of hair and the presence of calluses, caused by damage or destruction of the hair follicles in the area. If the follicles are not destroyed completely and sufficient rest is given the hair will eventually grow back, the new hair is generally white in colour. Hard nodules around the base of the hair may further characterize saddle sores. Any saddle sore on the withers may lead to inflammation (swelling) of the wither and should be treated immediately.

Saddle sores that are caused by a tear, cut or split are equally as serious, these may occur, for instance, when a saddle or harness sticks to the skin and then is suddenly moved. This normally results in extremely painful swelling of the deep layers of skin, sometimes accompanied by rupture when the saddle or harness is removed. These injuries are known as galls, and are most painful when located on the withers.

How are saddle sores treated?

Particularly with open sores, a veterinarian should be consulted. Antibiotics may be given to combat infection, and antiseptics applied to open wounds.

A saddle sore on the withers must have immediate attention, since it is an indication that pressure is being applied to the spine. Continued work under the conditions, which caused the sore, can lead to damage of the bone itself. If the wither has swollen, draining of the excess fluid may be required and an injection of corticosteroids in the hope that the swelling will not return

In all cases, total rest from any work, which would involve the affected area, is necessary. For sores that are not advanced, a massage with stimulating ointments is useful. Provided that treatment is given before the condition becomes advanced, the horse should recover.

As always prevention is better than cure, so always ensure your horses back and girth area are clean, dry and have no sign of damage and that your saddle and girth are correctly fitted and clean.

'Equine Influenza'

What is equine influenza?
This is an acute respiratory disease syndrome that spreads rapidly through groups of horses. Although many horses are infected, very few die from this disease. The incidence of equine influenza is world-wide.

After a short incubation period the onset of this disease is sudden. A fever, usually ranging from 101-106 F, is the first sign. The fever commonly lasts for about three days. One of the major signs of influenza is the characteristic cough. It begins as a dry, hacking cough soon after the onset of fever. Within a few days the cough becomes moist and less frequent and, as a general rule, persists for several weeks. Depending upon the severity of the disease, other signs which may be present include a watery nasal discharge, weakness, stiffness, loss of appetite, and depression. The actual illness normally lasts from two to seven days. Influenza alone is a relatively mild disease. Most serious problems associated with equine influenza stem from secondary complications. Naturally, the viral respiratory infection leaves the horse in a weakened state. This is particularly true of very young horses in which bacterial pneumonia is sometimes a fatal complication. Other complications possible in horses of all ages include secondary bacterial infections, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, and emphysema. 

Can equine influenza be easily diagnosed? 
Because equine influenza closely resembles other respiratory diseases, such as viral rhinopneumonitis and viral arteritis, a veterinarian will use laboratory examination to conclusively diagnose equine influenza. Nasal discharges and blood samples are submitted to a laboratory for analysis. 

What is the treatment for equine influenza? 
Sensible nursing is extremely important because influenza responds poorly to most forms of treatment. The horse should be rested until the cough completely subsides to promote and aid healing of the respiratory epithelium. This may require from three weeks to several months, depending upon the severity of the infection and the healing ability of the individual horse. Complications are best prevented by providing clean, well-ventilated quarters in addition to restricting exercise. It is advisable to consult a veterinarian, especially concerning protection of very young horses that may be highly susceptible to secondary bacterial infections. He may prescribe antibiotic therapy as a preventive measure.

There is an influenza vaccine which affords protection against both viral types. This should be used, upon veterinary recommendation, in situations where horses are kept in concentrated numbers and influenza is likely to be a problem