Study and Self-Assessment Articles

Credit: vetspecialists Pigeon fever (aka “dryland distemper”) is a bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis . Most horses show firm, painful swellings that mature into abscesses—often over the chest (pectoral area), along the belly midline, or on a limb. Cases rise in warm, dry months and spread via flies and contaminated equipment or hands. Your first move is safety: isolate the horse , start a vitals log every 30–60 minutes  (temperature, heart rate,

Credit: Equestology Mud fever—also called pastern dermatitis or scratches—is a skin infection that targets the pasterns and fetlocks, often the hind limbs. Wet, muddy footing plus tiny skin nicks lets bacteria/yeast/mites take hold. Your first moves are simple and safe: bring the horse onto dry footing, part or lightly trim hair so you can see skin, do one gentle clean and full dry, then apply a thin, breathable barrier only when the skin is dry. Avoid heavy pastes on damp sk

When colic strikes, you don’t have time to hunt for tools or guess what to do next. An Emergency Colic Kit puts the right items in one place—thermometer with lube, stethoscope, watch, headlamp, gloves, notepad—and pairs them with a simple, first-hour plan: observe behavior, take time-stamped vitals, and call with a clear trend. This guide shows exactly what to pack, how to measure, and when numbers cross into “call now.” We’ll keep it owner-safe and practical: short steps, re

Strangles spreads quickly because barns share water, handlers, and tack—and the first signs can look like “just a cold.” The difference is how fast fever and throatlatch lymph node swelling show up and how easily secretions move from horse to horse. This guide gives you the practical side: the early signs owners actually see, the first 24-hour isolation steps that limit spread, barn biosecurity that works in the real world, when and how testing clears quarantine, and where va

Learn about the gait deviation called paddling or winging out - what causes it, and whether it's considered an issue for the horse.

Learn the causes, consequences, and management strategies for interfering: a common equine gait fault.

Understand "forging", a common gait fault in horses. Learn its causes, consequences, and corrective approaches.

Rain rot leads to scabs that cause the hair to fall out in clumps Rain rot—also commonly known as mud fever , rain scald , or scratches...

Learn what causes high-low syndrome, or uneven feet, in horses.

Learn how to spot equine lameness in this comprehensive guide.

Learn the cause, treatment and prevention of quarter cracks

Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is a prevalent, complex metabolic disorder affecting horses, ponies, and donkeys, characterized by...

Learn the basics of equine nutrition in this easy-to-understand breakdown.

This article dives deeper into the equine nervous system. Learn how this system influences movement, emotion, coordination, and neurological disorders.

Learn about club feet: what causes them and how they are classified.

Learn the basics of the equine nervous system: how it affects behavior, health, learning, and the horse's perception of the world

Abscesses are a common cause of lameness; learn their causes and symptoms

What is training? “Training” is the process of teaching and conditioning an animal to respond to specific cues or commands through...

Understanding your horse’s vital signs is one of the most important skills you can develop. These simple measurements—temperature, pulse,...

What is a joint A joint is a structure in the body where two or more bones meet. Joints allow for movement and provide support and...