Horses are prone to illnesses like all living beings. As horse owners, you need to keep a keen eye on your horse’s health. The best way to do that is to monitor their behaviour—if you notice the slightest change, you should take the horse for a check-up with the equestrian veterinarian.
Catching an illness at an early stage can be the difference between the horse receiving timely treatment or the illness evolving into a serious, even fatal problem.
Look out for the following signs:
Change In The Horse’s Behaviour
When a horse is sick, it will start to behave differently. One of the first things you will notice is that the horse will be less active, preferring to stay in a dark, secluded space by itself.
You can also pay attention to the ears of the horse. A healthy horse’s ears usually move back and forth or rest while it sleeps. When sick, the ears will remain in a “pushed back” position.
Change In The Way The Body Functions
After spending some time with a horse, you will understand how its body functions. You may notice changes like rapid, heavy breathing due to respiration issues or a new nasal discharge. There are also cases of the horse losing appetite, drinking more water than usual, or changing its bathroom habits.
Weight Loss
Horses generally have a big appetite, especially with enough daily exercise. Grains provide the horse with all the energy it needs for strenuous activities. However, a sick horse may lose weight even though it eats well.
It might be a sign that there are worms in its stomach or hint at a digestive disorder. Take your horse to a vet if you notice it looks weak, even though it has fed well.
Dull Skin And Hair
A healthy horse will always have glowing, supple skin. If you notice the skin of your horse peeling or looking dull, it is a sign of an illness. Dull skin or deteriorating hair is especially worrying when you know that you groom the horse regularly.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Pay attention to the health of your horse’s teeth. Look out for signs such as swollen gums, bad breath, and excessive drooling, which can all reveal serious oral problems.
Aggression When You Saddle It
Trained horses rarely show any aggression when you strap a saddle to their back. However, if the horse has pain or discomfort, it may try to prevent you from putting the saddle on its back.
Back problems happen due to various reasons, ranging from an injury or a fall to the use of an ill-fitted saddle while riding.
Horses, like all living creatures, need love and care. As a horse owner, it is your responsibility to take care of it and make sure it stays healthy.
If you notice any of the signs mentioned above, be sure to consult a vet immediately. You don’t want to gamble with your horse’s health—leave that for when you’re outside the stable playing on Goldenslot.
