Bute for horses (phenylbutazone) is one of the most widely used pain and inflammation medications in the horse world. It can make a stiff, sore horse noticeably more comfortable, especially with arthritis, soft-tissue strains, or post-work soreness. At the same time, bute is not a harmless barn painkiller. It can mask important warning signs like fever, colic pain, and serious lameness, and it carries real risks for the stomach, colon, and kidneys when the dose, duration, or horse’s condition...

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, respirations,...

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 skin and skip...