Heaves (RAO – recurrent airway obstruction) primarily affects horses 9 years and older. It is similar to asthma. The lower airway becomes inflamed causing the disease. As the horse ages, heaves can worsen. Horses with heaves are more prone to upper respiratory illnesses, both viral and bacterial. A compromised immune system can also worsen respiratory […]
Horses breathe only through their noses. The belief is that this may prevent dust, dirt and other debris from getting into the lungs. Due to their large size, horses only inhale while the front legs are in stride, not when the legs land. Their lungs do not expand enough to allow oxygen in due to […]
Approximately 80% of white or grey horses develop melanomas. Melanomas are skin cancers more common to certain breeds – Arabian, lippizzaner and Percheron – who have a high incidence of grey horses. They can be easily detected as they are usually black and found commonly around lips, eyes, ears, salivary glands, anus, penis and vulva. […]
