LUMPS AND BUMPS: ABSCESSES

What they are: Abscesses are an accumulation of pus under the skin or in the deeper tissues. Abscesses can occur anywhere on a horse's body and are caused when a foreign body or infection stimulates white blood cells to congregate in one place. The white blood cells form pus and then the body starts to seal…

BylizzieSeptember 3, 20190Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

LUMPS AND BUMPS: NODULES

What they are: Nodules are referred to as simply nodules or as pressure bumps or sweat bumps. In medical terms they are referred to as eosinophilic granulomas with collagen degeneration, nodular collagenolytic granulomas or nodular necrobiosis. They are distinct, firm nodules about the size of a R2 coin, usually found on the neck, withers or back.…

BylizzieSeptember 2, 20190Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

LUMPS AND BUMPS: SEROMAS

What they are Seromas are fluid-filled sacs that occur secondary to direct trauma, such as being kicked by another horse. They usually start out as haematomas (bruises) that become seromas over the course of a few days or weeks. These lesions can appear anywhere on your horse's body but the most common locations are on his…

BylizzieSeptember 1, 20190Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

LUMPS AND BUMPS: WHEN YOU NEED TO WORRY

Lumps and bumps are all too common in our equine friends. Some just need a 'watch and wait' approach and others need urgent veterinary attention. The difficulty comes in differentiating between the two variants. Over the next few days we will be running through several of the common causes of lumps and bumps, and what…

BylizzieAugust 31, 20190Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health Know How

SWEET ITCH

Sweet itch is caused by an allergic reaction to the saliva of the Cullicoides midge (the same midge involved in the transmission of the dreaded African Horse Sickness). The midges bite the horse, and in horses with allergic sensitivity they develop itching of the mane and tail and, in some cases, the face and the…

BylizzieAugust 28, 20190Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

HORSE HEALTH CHECK: 11) THE LEGS

Every owner should know their horse's legs. Every day before and after you ride you should palpate the legs from top to toe, to find any changes from previous examinations. Old injuries are unlikely to cause any issues, but if you know they are there, it can save you investigating the incorrect source of lameness,…

BylizzieAugust 15, 20190Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

HORSE HEALTH CHECK: 10) MANURE

Your horse's manure can give you clues as to his overall condition. Droppings should be in firm, well-formed balls. Very loose droppings or low amounts of droppings are a cause for immediate concern and should prompt a call to your vet. Horses should pass droppings every 1-2 hours so if your horse suddenly starts to pass…

BylizzieAugust 15, 20190Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

HORSE HEALTH CHECK: 8) GUT SOUNDS

You should be able to hear your horse's gut sounds as your horse digests his food by putting your ear to his abdomen. You need to do this on both sides of your horse. In a horse, these noises should be nearly constant, as horses are trickle feeders and therefore should be eating roughage like…

BylizzieAugust 13, 20190Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

HORSE HEALTH CHECK: 1) EYES

Your horse's eyes should be bright and without any signs of inflammation or any discharge. Redness of the eye or swelling on or around it can be a sign of various eye-related conditions. If you are concerned about your horse's ocular (eye) health contact your vet immediately. Eyes are very sensitive structures and must be…

BylizzieAugust 9, 20190Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health Horse Training Know How

ASKHQ: THE SPOOKY HORSE

Q: My horse is really spooky about anything we encounter on around the outside of the arena, but he's absolutely fine jumping pretty much anything I put in front of him. Why is this? A: Horses spook for lots of different reasons, but fundamentally they are flight animals so their instinct is to run from something…

BylizzieAugust 3, 20190Comments

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