Diseases & Conditions Archives

Many horses have mild signs of laminitis before they become lame, particularly at-risk horses such as seniors, ponies, and equids with insulin dysregulation.

Developing a Feeding Plan for Your PPID Horse or Pony

November 4, 2025

⎯ Patricia A. Harris, MA, PhD, VetMB, DipECVCN, MRCVS

Use these tips when setting up a feeding and management plan for a horse or pony with PPID, also known as Cushing's disease.

ticks can attach to your equids in brushy areas

My Senior Horse Podcast: The Trouble With Ticks

October 30, 2025

⎯ Kimberly S. Brown

In this podcast episode, entomologist Dr. Erika Machtinger explains how horse owners can protect their animals from tick bites.

Warmblood on its pasture on a summer day

Are Warmblood Breeds Prone to PPID and Insulin Dysregulation?

October 28, 2025

⎯ Kimberly S. Brown

If you have a warmblood, you should be on the lookout for pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) and/or insulin dysregulation.

The Benefits and Uses of Woodchip Paddocks

October 22, 2025

⎯ Alexandra Beckstett

A woodchip paddock is a great turnout environment for horses at risk of laminitis or sand colic or recovering from lameness or pastern dermatitis.

Research on Visible Physical Features and Insulin Dysregulation in Ponies

October 21, 2025

⎯ Kimberly S. Brown

According to new research, observable body traits such as obesity are not reliable predictors of serum insulin concentrations in ponies.

Caring for the Horse’s Liver: What to Know About Hepatitis Viruses

October 20, 2025

⎯ Equine Disease Quarterly

Hepatitis viruses can cause liver disease and failure in horses. Learn more in this article.

My Senior Horse Podcast: EPM

October 15, 2025

⎯ Kimberly S. Brown

In this episode, Dr. Amy Johnson discusses EPM in horses, including clinical signs, prevention strategies, and more.

Survey Gives Equine Lameness Insights

October 14, 2025

⎯ Kimberly S. Brown

Global veterinary lameness experts were surveyed to learn more about lameness detection and common lameness issues.

Coat Changes and Immune System Shifts in Senior Horses

October 14, 2025

⎯ Kimberly S. Brown

Coat changes in senior horses correlate with the immune system and can help us understand the horse's overall health status.

Equine Arthritis: Exercise and Management Recommendations

October 9, 2025

⎯ My Senior Horse Editors

While equine arthritis can pose challenges for horses, it doesn’t necessarily mean the end of an animal's active life.

Pasture and Obesity Effects on Pony Laminitis Risks

October 8, 2025

⎯ Kimberly S. Brown

In a recent study, researchers investigated the effects of grazing and obesity on insulin and adiponectin in ponies.

Survey Responses and Samples Needed for UMN Pergolide Response in PPID Horses Study

October 6, 2025

⎯ My Senior Horse Editors

Researchers are seeking horses with PPID to enroll in a new study on how genetics affect pergolide treatment response.

Caring for the Laminitic Horse on Stall Rest

October 6, 2025

⎯ My Senior Horse Editors

Dr. Nicola Jarvis shares steps caretakers can take to ensure these horses don’t deteriorate mentally or physically while on prolonged box rest.

What Is a Healthy Equine Joint?

October 3, 2025

⎯ My Senior Horse Editors

Learn about healthy equine joint anatomy, age-related changes, and preventive measures that can keep joints healthy.

Equine Asthma

October 1, 2025

⎯ Amy C. Polkes, DVM, DACVIM

Managing equine asthma often requires environmental changes and medical treatment.

forage woman feeding hay to stalled horse

My Senior Horse Podcast: Forage Substitutes

September 30, 2025

⎯ Kimberly S. Brown

Forage is the foundation of all horses' diets, and it is especially important for senior horses that might have physical issues.

Horse hoof washing with water outdoors. Horse wet legs standing on nature background

Nutrition and the Horse's Hoof Wall

September 26, 2025

⎯ Patricia A. Harris, MA, PhD, VetMB, DipECVCN, MRCVS

Learn more about the relationship between horse hoof health and proper nutrition.

Dental Problems in the Older Horse

September 25, 2025

⎯ Nicola Jarvis, BVetMed

Older horses are particularly susceptible to dental problems. Here's how to spot signs of dental disease in your horse.

gastric ulcers girthiness horse unhappy tightening girth

Gastric Ulcers in Senior Horses

September 23, 2025

⎯ Nanna Luthersson, DVM

Why senior horses might be more susceptible to developing gastric ulcers and how you can reduce your horse's risk.

Red horse sleeping on the grass in summer

Horses and the Science of Sleep

September 22, 2025

⎯ Sue Dyson, MA, Vet MB, PhD, DEO

Learn more about the importance of sleep for optimal equine welfare in this video from the producers of Horses and the Science of Harmony.

Inflamm-aging in Senior Horses

September 19, 2025

⎯ Kimberly S. Brown

Senior horses have low-grade systemic inflammation know as inflamm-aging. Researchers aimed to learn more about physiological changes associated with inflamm-aging in a recent study.

Quantifying Endocrinopathic Laminitis Risk in Ponies

September 17, 2025

⎯ Kimberly S. Brown

Researchers aimed to identify the most useful physical examination, metabolic, and management factors to predict laminitis risk in nonlaminitic ponies.