Indicators of good equine health – part one

Health is a widely used component in equine welfare studies. It is mostly used to assess the well-being and welfare of horses. Health encompasses several factors, including avoiding injuries, illnesses, and pain. In addition to skin injuries and other strain-related injuries, we can commonly observe illnesses, such as respiratory or parasite infections in horses. Hoof and gastrointestinal problems are rather common as well. All injuries and illnesses can cause pain, which diminishes the overall health and welfare of the horse.

Avoiding injuries

Equine injuries generally result from repetitive rapid movements under significant load. Such strain injuries and skeletal changes occur suddenly and are usually visibly noticeable. The occurrence of strain-related injuries is influenced by training practices and the conditions of training areas. Independent, unburdened walking promotes muscle maintenance, which also leads to a strong correlation between daily free movement and the incidence of strain-related injuries.

The variety and versatility of training can reduce the occurrence of injuries. Additionally, sufficiently long breaks from training after injuries also reduce the risk of injury recurrence. Excessive jumping is known to expose horses to strain injuries, but jumping practices can be good training for the horse, if done in a moderate fashion.

Detecting injuries and lameness is challenging and requires a trained eye. According to Hausberger et al. (2016), owners often overlook strain-related problems in the spinal area of ridden horses, until the horse begins to limp or reacts to palpation in the back area. McGreevy et al. (2011) found that horse owners noticed only about a tenth of lameness cases and a twentieth of back pain cases in their horses, compared to what the veterinarian observed in their examinations.

Avoiding illnesses

Wild living, semi-feral horses have very few observed illnesses. The most common health problem for these individuals is parasites. Horses kept in paddock conditions also have fewer respiratory infections, colics, and skin injuries than horses kept in stables. Thus, housing conditions strongly influence horse health, and by enriching housing conditions, diseases could also be prevented or reduced.

Gastric ulcers are a common problem in modern horses. Studies have found gastric ulcers in up to 90% of competition horses. The onset of illness often goes unnoticed, leading it to become chronic. The high prevalence of gastric ulcers also indicates that factors contributing to their development are not sufficiently understood, or they are not given enough attention in horse housing and management practices. Intensive training, long feeding intervals, and a strong, grain-rich concentrate feeding predispose horses to gastric ulcers. Excessive stall confinement and stressful situations can also contribute to the formation of gastric ulcers.

The development of laminitis is usually influenced by feeding, as grain-based feed and sudden changes in feeding practices can predispose horses to laminitis. Same risk factors are strongly associated with colic and other gastrointestinal problems.

Avoiding pain

Horses can experience pain for various reasons. Improper equipment and management practices can cause discomfort and pain for the horse. Additionally, various injuries and illnesses, such as back problems, gastrointestinal diseases, and dental issues, can be rather painful for the horse.

Detecting pain in horses is not always easy. Excessive lameness or classic signs of colic are relatively clear, but in some cases, the horse may simply appear dull or withdraw into itself. However, horse pain is clearly indicated by the horse’s expression of discomfort, the species-typical details of which have also been studied in horses. Typically, signs of pain include tension in the muscles surrounding the eyes, a vacant stare, ears held low, and tension at the corners of the mouth. Pain can also cause changes in the horse’s behavior, such as restlessness or reluctance to move.

Summary

The health of horses is an important aspect of their welfare. A healthy horse does not exhibit acute injuries or illnesses and does not show clear signs of pain. The diverse housing conditions for horses enable the maintenance of muscle and coordination. Also, horse training consists of varied exercises, including moving with humans over uneven terrain. Owners, trainers, and caregivers can strongly influence horse health through their management and training choices.

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