Horse Health 101: Important Information for Every Owner to Know

When you’re in the saddle enjoying time with your horse, and everything is clicking, it can be a beautiful experience. Horses are highly sensitive and perceptive animals that can thrive when their basic needs are met. However, issues such as illness and injury can interfere with the relationship you have with your equine friend.

As your horse’s care provider, it’s important for you to be familiar with ailments horses frequently encounter and best management practices to help prevent these conditions.

The Cost of Horse Ownership

Horses require a lot of care, which can become expensive. According to Synchrony’s 2025 Pet Lifetime of Care study, more than 75% of pet owners surveyed consider their pet a family member, child or best friend.¹ Additionally, 74% of pet owners reported being concerned about an unexpected pet expense over $250.¹

Planning for your horse’s present and future expenses, including veterinary care for unexpected illness and injuries, is critical. Understanding the most common injuries, illnesses and conditions affecting horses, as well as how to properly care for your horse, may help mitigate high veterinary bills down the road.

Common Equine Injuries

Due to their flight instinct and environment, horses are prone to a variety of injuries and wounds. Here are some to be aware of.

Lacerations and puncture wounds

A horse’s environment has numerous potential injury-causing objects, such as nails, broken fencing and sticks. In addition, horses don’t always get along with their pasture mates, which can lead to kicking injuries. Commonly affected areas include eyelids, nostrils and limbs. Puncture wounds or lacerations over joints or tendons are especially concerning because they can quickly lead to infection.

Hoof abscesses

Hoof abscesses are one of the most common causes of an abnormal gait or stance (also known as lameness). They occur when bacteria invade the hoof through a puncture wound or a diseased area of the foot. A hoof bruise can also lead to an abscess. A pocket of infection forms, which can have trouble escaping through the tough hoof wall. In some cases, the infection may travel up the hoof wall and rupture through the coronary band. Affected horses may be extremely lame until the abscess ruptures.

Tendon and ligament injuries

The lower part of a horse’s limb is primarily composed of bones, ligaments and tendons. These soft tissue structures can be damaged by overstretching, such as from rigorous training or overuse, or direct impact, such as from a traumatic accident or fall. These insults can result in minor tearing or a complete rupture. Signs include lameness, as well as heat and swelling over the affected area. 

Eye injuries

Horses have large, prominent eyes situated on the sides of their head, which makes them susceptible to trauma. Even a small corneal scratch can quickly become infected, leading to severe inflammation and potential blindness. Signs include tearing, swelling of the affected eye and holding the eye closed. 

Common Equine Illnesses and Conditions

Horses can also develop conditions that affect their health and quality of life. Here’s an overview of some common equine illnesses.

Colic

The term colic is an umbrella term for abdominal pain in horses, which can be caused by anything from gas to a twisted intestine. Regardless of the cause, immediate assessment by a veterinarian may improve the horse’s prognosis. 

Signs of colic include:

• Kicking at the abdomen
• Little or no manure, or dry, hard manure
• Looking at their side
• Not eating
• Pawing
• Rolling on the ground

Choke

Choke occurs when food or other ingested material lodges in the horse’s esophagus. The most common cause is improperly chewed food. Horses who have dental issues or eat too quickly are at higher risk.

Signs of choke include:

• Coughing
• Extending the head and neck
• Food material or saliva coming from the nose and mouth
• Retching

Equine asthma

Equine asthma is an allergy-induced disease, typically triggered by inhaled environmental particles such as dust, mold and pollen. Affected horses have difficulty breathing, especially during exercise or when stabled in a dusty barn.

Signs of equine asthma include:

• Coughing
• Exercise intolerance
• Nasal discharge

In severe cases, symptoms may include labored breathing and flared nostrils.

Laminitis

The horse’s coffin bone — the third bone of their toe — is connected to the hoof wall by soft tissue called laminae. Laminitis occurs when these tissues become inflamed. Causes include grain overload, eating lush grass, sepsis, severe intestinal issues, black walnut exposure and excessive weight bearing. Overweight horses and those affected by Cushing’s disease are at higher risk for laminitis. The condition most commonly affects both front feet; however, laminitis can affect only one foot or all four.

Signs of laminitis include lameness and heat in the affected foot, as well as an increased digital pulse.

Equine Wellness Care

While you can’t protect your horse from every injury, wound, illness or condition, you can take proactive steps to lessen their risk. Formulating a good wellness care plan for your equine friend is paramount to keeping them happy and healthy.

Considerations include:

• Annual physical exams. Routine veterinary assessments help detect conditions in the early stages, when they are easier to treat. Your veterinarian may recommend biannual visits when your horse becomes geriatric.
• Dental care. Without proper care, a horse’s teeth can develop sharp points, which can damage their mouth and make eating difficult. Your veterinarian should perform a dental exam every six to 12 months to determine if your horse’s teeth need floating to file down sharp points. 
• Hoof care. Monitor your horse’s feet daily so you can detect potential issues such as hoof cracks or thrush. Regular trimming or shoeing is also important. Your farrier should collaborate with your veterinarian if your horse has laminitis, conformational issues or other hoof-related issues.
• Parasite control. Submit manure samples to your veterinarian for regular fecal egg counts. Understanding your horse’s parasite burden will help guide deworming protocols. This helps prevent resistance and keeps parasite loads low. You should also rotate pastures and remove manure to help control parasites.
• Sheath cleaning. Geldings should routinely have their sheath — the pocket of skin surrounding the penis — cleaned to remove debris buildup. A good time to do this is when they are sedated for their dental exam.
• Vaccinations. Keeping your horse’s vaccines up to date is essential for protecting them against contagious and potentially life-threatening diseases. Your veterinarian will recommend an appropriate vaccine schedule for your equine friend.

Equine Pasture and Shelter Considerations

Horses are hardy, but they appreciate shelter when the weather is less than ideal. You can help protect your horse from extreme weather while also supporting their natural behaviors. Generally, you should allow two to four acres of pasture per horse to help avoid overgrazing. A run-in shed or three-sided shelter provides a dry, shaded area and allows your horse to come and go as they please. 

If you stable your horse, ensure the barn has good airflow to reduce dust and ammonia accumulation, safe flooring for traction and adequate space to lie down. Typically, a 1,000-pound horse needs at least a 12-by-12-foot stall.

Equine Nutrition Recommendations

Your horse’s specific nutrition requirements depend on their age, workload, body condition and health status. Your veterinarian can help determine an appropriate diet for your equine friend, but in general, forage such as hay or pasture should make up at least 1.5% to 2% of the horse’s body weight daily. Grain and concentrates should only be fed to horses who need additional calories, such as performance horses, growing foals and lactating mares.

Equine Reproductive Health

If you’re thinking about breeding your mare, understand that this is a significant time and financial commitment that requires careful planning. Your mare must first undergo a veterinary reproductive exam to ensure she is healthy, sound and able to carry a pregnancy. You should also prepare for potential complications such as foaling difficulties and unexpected veterinary costs. Once the foal is delivered, they will need appropriate neonatal care, including ensuring they nurse and pass their first manure appropriately, and dipping their umbilical stump.

Equine Training

Horses are prey and herd animals, which means they are highly sensitive to body language. Effective training involves patience, consistent cues and positive reinforcement to build trust rather than relying on force or punishment. Understanding equine behavior — such as flight responses, social hierarchy and stress signals — helps you anticipate reactions and create a safe training situation. Whether you are introducing groundwork, ridden work or handling for routine care, proper training improves your horse’s performance and manners and builds the horse-human bond.

A Lifetime of Care Can Equal a Lifetime of Health

To experience a great ride every time, practice proactive wellness care and proper management techniques for your horse. Increasing your knowledge about your horse’s health and providing appropriate veterinary care and husbandry can improve your equine friend’s health, comfort and longevity.

Frequently Asked Questions About Horse Care

Do you still have questions about your horse’s health? Here are some questions horse owners frequently ask.

CareCredit Credit Card Financing for Horses

The CareCredit credit card provides a convenient way to pay for your horse’s vaccinations and other health and wellness expenses, including exams, medications and products at providers in the CareCredit network.* Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App. You can find a provider on the go, manage your CareCredit account and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos. Use our Acceptance Locator to find a veterinarian that accepts CareCredit to help keep your horse healthy and happy for a lifetime of love.

In addition to horse care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, cosmetic, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Jenny Alonge, D.V.M., has 17 years of experience as a veterinarian specializing in equine medicine and surgery. She blends her clinical background and writing expertise to produce veterinary content that is engaging and informative.