As part of the Myfamilyuk guides to healthy family animals this article looks a treating illness in horses and ponies. A healthy horse will have a good appetite and firm droppings, and their feet, body and coat will be in good condition. If this is not the case, check this list of common illnesses to see what they might have, and how serious it might be.

1) Tetanus

As with humans, horses pick up the tetanus bacterium from the soil through cuts, especially deep, penetrating wounds. Symptoms include stiffness and spasm of the head muscles (“lockjaw”). Once symptoms show it is often too late to save the horse, so make sure your horse is protected with vaccination and regular boosters.

2) Equine flu

This contagious virus causes loss of appetite, cough, runny nose and eyes, fever and depression. Infection leaves the horse vulnerable to secondary infection and can develop into pneumonia. Horses should be vaccinated and given regular boosters.

3) Strangles

This is a highly infectious bacterial disease so isolate any affected horses immediately. Symptoms include depression, loss of appetite, cough, running nose, fever, and swelling of the lymph nodes.

4) Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO)

Also known as 'heaves', broken wind and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), RAO is caused by a reaction to allergens associated with stabling (hay or dust). Symptoms include running nose, coughing and trouble breathing. RAO can be combatted by creating a low-dust environment, with better ventilation and low dust feeds.

5) Colic

A catch-all term for abdominal pain, colic can be caused by indigestion resulting from illness, stress, or worms. Symptoms include the horse sweating, turning to look at its sides, breathing irregularly, and repeatedly lying down and standing up.

6) Lameness

Can be a sign of illness or injury. Inspect your horse’s feet daily and regularly use the services of a farrier to keep them in good shape.

7) Laminitis

An inflammation of the laminae (the sensitive part of the foot inside the hooves), laminitis is caused by illness or overfeeding and lack of exercise. Watch out for the horse being reluctant to move, lying down frequently or trying to take its weight off affected hooves.

8) Parasites and skin problems

It is easy to control worms with regular worming and good pasture management, but you should always be on the lookout for signs of other parasites such as flies and lice during grooming. Rain scald and mud fever, both equine skin conditions, can result from spending too long in wet, muddy conditions.

9) Ragwort Poisoning

Known as the 'yellow peril', ragwort is a highly toxic weed causing liver damage when ingested. Symptoms of poisoning include depression, loss of appetite, constipation, sunburn and jaundice. Horses are more likely to eat ragwort if there is a shortage of grass (such as during the dry summer months).

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