Equine recurrent uveitis, also known as moon blindness and periodic ophthalmia, is a degenerative condition of the equine eye that can lead to total blindness in one or both eyes. For the most part, equine recurrent uveitis is a poorly understood condition and can be caused by a variety of different mediums including bacteria, viruses, parasites, foreign objects, allergies, or trauma. The most likely scenario is that the foreign objects, either physical like dirt or debris or biological like bacteria, generate inflammation and a subsequent decrease in blood flow. The inflammation probably also causes an auto-immune response leading to tissue deformation and destruction.

Equine recurrent uveitis received the name moon blindness because horse owners originally thought that it was related to the cycles of the moon. Full moon light does cause sensitivity in the inflamed equine eye, as well as all other types of bright light, and may cause the horse to show more clinical signs because the eye is adjusted for a dark environment at night. With that said however, there has been no scientific evidence to suggest that the moon is the root cause of equine recurrent uveitis.

Moon blindness seems to affect, for the most part, all breeds and colors of horses equally with possibly Appaloosas having a slightly higher likelihood of poor prognosis. Why Appaloosas have a poorer prognosis statistically is still under investigation.

Clinical Signs

• Swelling
• Pus
• Redness
• Excessive Squinting
• White Cloudiness
• Head Shaking
• Decreased Appetite
• Avoidance to Sunshine or other types of bright light
• Spookiness
• Stumbling

Additional Information on Causative Mediums

Bacterial Induced

A pesky strain of bacteria called leptospira is mostly responsible for the bacteria induced blindness conditions in horses. Leptospiral are found in many animals including swine, cattle, rats, deer, and many other animals which facilitate its ability to spread. Though horses can contract the bacteria from other horses, most often it is from contact with other types of infected mammals. The bacterium is resilient and can shed in the urine of infected cattle for an entire year or better. The most likely means of contraction for horses is by grazing near an area where an infected mammal has urinated or by drinking infected water.

Though vaccinations for the all pertinent varieties of leptospira exist for cattle, a commercially available vaccine for all strains for horses has never been developed. A typical 5 way vaccine does vaccinate against many strains of letpospira, but is not all inclusive. Preventing the contraction of the bacteria is therefore extremely important and involves regular cleaning of water troughs and stalls, adequate fencing to avoid contact with wildlife, and separating horses from cows in both paddocks and pastures.

Parasite Induced

Though there are several types of parasites that can cause uveitis or moon blindness, the main culprit is the onchocerca parasite. The onchocerca parasite is spread by the common Culicoides midge fly which likes to bite near the mane and belly of the horse. The equine eye seems to do fairly well dealing with live onchocerca, but death to the parasite by anti-worming treatments can result in eye inflammation. With that said, fear of causing an episode of uveitis is no reason not to worm a horse. Proper worming is an absolute essential to proper care, but must be done regularly. If an episode of uveitis does commence, anti-inflammatory drugs like phenybutazone can control the inflammation while anti-worming procedures and being carried out.

To prevent moon blindness from parasites one must look to the prevention of biting midge flies rather than treating the parasite infestation after it has occurred. At times it is recommended that horses be stalled in spring and summer months between the hours of 4pm to 8pm when the Culicoides midge is most active. This is a good recommendation as the annoying little insect is also responsible for causing sweet itch. Good stall maintenance and grooming practices help as well. Commercial fly traps help to mitigate the number of flies thus reducing risk and are also recommended.

Foreign Objects and Trauma

Though the equine eye is a resilient and strong structure in comparison to the human eye, foreign objects like dust, dirt, or debris as well as trauma injuries from blunt or sharp objects can cause inflammation leading to eventual eye degeneration. In biological cases like parasites or bacteria the causative medium for inflammation is internal. With foreign objects or trauma the causative medium is external. Both however, cause irritation and inflammation that leads to bouts of equine recurrent uveitis.

Allergies

As many humans find that during early spring, and throughout various time periods of the summer, itchy/watery eyes is not uncommon. Allergic reactions to pollen are the body’s way of trying to eliminate an agent it finds invasive. Though little research suggests that allergic reactions actually cause permanent bouts with recurrent uveitis or moon blindness, allergies probably contribute to problems already experienced from the before mentioned mediums.

Treatment

Treatment of equine recurrent uveitis is specific to the thought cause. For instance, if the cause of the inflammation is thought to be bacterial, than antibiotic medicines may be appropriate. In the case of parasitic, strong worming procedures would be necessary. No matter the cause, horse owners should seek professional advice before starting any treatment program. Anti-inflammatory drugs will probably be suggested by the attending Veterinarian to help mitigate auto-immune degeneration of the eye. Anti-inflammatory treatments should be followed with strict dedication in order to help reduced further future flare-ups.

Part of any treatment program should also be a reduction of risk factors for the causative medium. Horses should always be wormed regularly and have good stable management. Horses that seems prone to spring time allergies should be kept inside to reduce pollen exposure time. Making sure dust is kept down can also help. Using a fly mask to reduce sunlight exposure can serve to help both the horse feel more comfortable and to lessen to the amount of external inflammatory pressures generated by light.

For horses that are unresponsive to treatments and still experience pain due to equine recurrent uveitis, removal of the eye or eyes is an option. The eye can be sown shut or replaced with glass eyes for aesthetics. Fortunately for most horses a keen sense of smell and hearing helps offset part of the vision loss and many seem to do fairly well blind in one or both eyes as long as they learn to trust their rider. Some changes will need to be made though and there is a slightly higher personal risk standing near a blind horse than one with sight. Because the horse cannot see it may have a desire to strike out more when it senses something uncomfortable. When near a blind horse always make sure to make plenty of sound when walking around or near so that they can sense where you are. Before surgery is performed to remove an eye or eyes it would be wise to spend as much time as possible teaching the horse to understand verbal instructions as to lessen the difficulty of adjusting to being totally blind on one or both sides.

- Danish Proverb

“Closeness, friendship, affection - keeping your own horse means all these things.”

- Bertrand Leclair

“Computers are like horses, press the right button and they’ll take you anywhere.”

- Author unknown

“Dawn bounced up in a bright red hat, waved at the world and skipped away. Up staggered the foal, its hooves were jelly-knots of foam.”

- Author unknown

“Did you ever see an unhappy horse? Did you ever see a bird that has the blues? One reason why birds and horses are not unhappy is because they are not trying to impress other birds and horses.”

- Dale Carnegie, American writer and lecturer

“Do not spur a free horse.”

-Latin proverb

“Don’t be the rider who gallops all night and never sees the horse that is beneath him.”

- Jelaluddin Rumi, Persian poet, Islamic jurist and theologian

“Don’t let your yearnings get ahead of your earnings.” - Author unknown

“Don’t squat with yer spurs on.” -

-Author unknown

“Ether you regard the horse with awe or love, it is impossible to escape the sheer power of his presence….”

- Mary Wanless

“Every horse thinks its own pack heaviest.”

- Thomas Fuller, British writer and clergyman

“Experienced riders are not prone to brag. And usually newcomers, if they start out being boastful, end up modest.”

- C.J.J. Mullen

“Feeling down? Saddle up, it is the only cure.”

- Author unknown

“Flaming enthusiasm, backed up by horse sense and persistence, is the quality that most frequently makes for success.”

- Dale Carnegie, American writer and lecturer

“For want of a Nail the Shoe was lost; for want of a Shoe the Horse was lost; and for want of a Horse the Rider was lost; being overtaken and slain by the Enemy, all for want of Care about the Horse-shoe Nail.”

- Benjamin Franklin, Founding Father of the US, (Poor Richard’s Almanac)

“For what the horse does under compulsion, as Simon also observes, is done without understanding; and there is no beauty in it either, any more than if one should whip and spur a dancer.”

- Xenophon, Greek historian

“Four things greater than all things are - Women and Horses and Power and War.”

- Rudyard Kipling, English author and poet

“Give a horse what he needs and he will give you his heart in return.”

- Author unknown

“Give me food and drink; and care for me. And when the day’s work is done, shelter me. Give me a clean bed and leave me not too small a place in the stable. Talk to me, for your voice often takes the place of reins.”

- Author unknown

“Go anywhere in England where there are natural, wholesome, contented, and really nice English people; and what do you find? That the stables are the real center of the household.”

- Gerorge Bernard Shaw, Anglo-Irish playwright and critic

“God forbid that I should go to any heaven in which there are no horses.”

- R.B. Cunninghame-Graham, Scottish writer, politician, and journalist

“Gypsy gold does not chink and glitter. It gleams in the sun and neighs in the dark.”

- Saying of the Gladdagh Gypsies of Galway

“Half the failures of this world arise from pulling in one’s horse as he is leaping.”

- Augustus John Cuthbert Hare, English writer and raconteur

- Author unknown

“A canter is the cure for every evil.”

- Benjamin Disraeli, British Prime Minister and novelist

“A cowboy is a man with guts and a horse.”

- William James, American psychologist and philosopher

“A daughter who won’t lift a finger in the house is the same child who cycles madly off in the pouring rain to spend all morning mucking out stables.”

- Samantha Armstrong, Joke book editor

“A dog looks up to a man, a cat looks down on a man, but a patient horse looks a man in the eye and sees him as an equal.” -

-Author unknown

“A dog may be man’s best friend, but the horse wrote history.”

- Author unknown

“A fine little smooth horse colt should move a man as much as doth a son.”

- Thomas Kyd, English dramatist

“A fly, sir, may sting a stately horse, and make him wince; but one is but an insect, and the other a horse still.”

- Samuel Johnson, English essayist, biographer, lexicographer and critic

“A good horse makes short miles.”

- George Elliot (Mary Ann Evans), English novelist

“A good horse should be seldom spurred.”

- Thomas Fuller, British writer and clergyman

“A good resolution is like an old horse, which is often saddled but rarely ridden.”

- Mexican proverb

“A good rider can hear his horse speak to him, a great rider can hear his horse whisper, but a bad rider won’t hear his horse even if it screams at him.”

- Author unknown

“A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!”

- William Shakespeare, English poet and playwright

“A horse doesn’t care how much you know until he knows how much you care.”

- Pat Parelli, Natural horsemanship trainer

“A horse gallops with his lung,
Preservers with his heart,
and wins with his character.”

- Federico Tesio, Italian statesman and Thoroughbred breeder

“A horse is an angel without wings.”

- Author unknown

“A horse is a thing of such beauty… none will tire of looking at him as long as he displays himself in his splendor”

-Xenophon, Greek Historian

“A horse is dangerous at both ends and uncomfortable in the middle.”

- Ian Fleming, British author and journalist

“A horse is like a best friend. They’re always there to nuzzle you and make your life a better place.”

- Author unknown

“A horse is like a violin. First it must be tuned, and when tuned, it must be accurately played.”

- Author unknown

“A horse is the projection of people’s dreams about themselves - strong, powerful, beautiful - and it has the capability of giving us escape from our mundane existence”

-Pam Brown, Australian poet

“A horse is worth more than riches.”

- Spanish Proverb

“A horse loves freedom, and the weariest work horse will roll on the ground or break loose into a lumbering gallop when he is turned loose in the open.”

- Gerald Rafferty, Scottish singer and songwriter

“A horse may be coaxed to drink, but a pencil must be lead.”

- Stan Laurel (Aurthor Stanley Jefferson), English comic actor (Laurel and Hardy)

“A horse’s eye disquiets me: it has an expression of alarm that may at any moment be translated into action.”

- E.V. Lucas (Edward Verrall), English writer

“A horse which stops dead just before a jump and thus propels its rider into a graceful arc provides a splendid excuse for general merriment.”

- Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

“Ain’t nuthin’ like ridin’ a fine horse in new country.”

- Robert Selden Duvall as Agustus MacCrae, American film actor and director

“All you need for happiness is a good gun, a good horse, and a good wife.”

- Daniel Boone, American Pioneer

“A lot of what’s about horses is nuts and bolts…If the rider’s nuts, the horse bolts.”

-The Horse Whisperer

“Always drink upstream from the herd.”

- Author unknown

“A man, a horse and a dog never get weary of each other’s company.”

- Anonymous

“A man on a horse is spiritually as well as physically bigger than a man on foot.”

- John Steinbeck, American writer (grapes of wrath)

“And God took a handful of southerly wind, blew His breath upon it, and created the horse.”

- Bedouin legend

“And the hoofs of the horses as they run shake the crumbling field….”

- Publius Virgilius Maro, Roman poet

“Animals do not admire each other. A horse does not admire its companion.”

- Blaise Pascal, French scientist and philosopher

“A polo pony is like a motorbike with a mind of its own, weighing half a ton.”

- Author unknown

“A pony is a childhood dream. A horse is an adult treasure.”

- Rebecca Carroll

“A prince is never surrounded by as much majesty on his throne as he is on a beautiful horse.”

- William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne

“A racehorse is an animal that can take several thousand people for a ride at the same time.”

- Author unknown

“As a horse runs, think of it as a game of tag with the wind.”

- Tre Tuberville

“Arabians: A little bit of everything perfect.”

- Amanda Ferber

“Ask me to show you poetry in motion, and I will show you a horse.”

- Author unknown

“Basketball, Football, Baseball… RODEO: Bring yer own BALLS!”

- Author unknown

“Behind every successful rancher is a wife who works in town.”

- Author unknown

“Betting is the manure to which the enormous crop of horse-races and racehorse breeding in this and other countries is to a large extent due.”

- Sir Richard Blackmore, English poet and physician

“Boot, saddle, to horse, and away!”

- Robert Browning, British poet and playwright

“Born to ride, forced to work.”

- Author unknown

“Bread may feed my body, but my horse feeds my soul.”

- Author unknown

Bison Grass

Buckwheat

Chamomile

Devil’s Claw

Hawthorn

Valerian

Wooddruff

Tonka Bean

Sesamoiditis is an inflammatory condition of the sesamoid bones at the back of the fetlock. Though the condition can affect horses of any age or breed, the condition is mostly seen in young race and sport horses. The higher rate of incidence is these horses is probably due to the repeated concussion the fetlock joint endures while the horse lands from a jump or when running at high speeds. Tearing of the sesamoid ligaments resulting in seamoiditis in these horses is also not uncommon. The risk of developing sesamoiditis for race and sport horses further increases depending on body conformation. Horses with long pasterns and low heels seem to be particularly vulnerable to the condition.

Causes

Though any repeated trauma to the fetlock joint may result in sesamoiditis, new research suggests that a faulty blood flow to the sesamoid bones may be to blame. Why the bones are receiving less than the needed blood supply is still under investigation. Some theories point to improper shoeing practices which elevate the frog too high off the ground. Others suggest that increasing bone density from increased trauma halter the blood flow to the bones. Hopefully new research will soon allow for a better understanding of this condition.

Clinical Signs

Horses that have sesamoiditis will usually flinch when the sesamoid bones at the back of the fetlock joint are palpated. In acute cases, the heat and swelling may also be noticeable. Obvious lameness will be present when the horse tries to trot.

Treatment

As with other inflammation conditions, treatment for sesamoiditis involves cold hosing, anti-inflammatory drugs such as phenylbutazone, and rest. Most horses make a full recovery within 2 weeks to 1 month. Chronic cases that are left untreated may result in demineralization of the bone and possible long term lameness.

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Throughout history few horses have captured the mind and heart of man as powerfully as the Arabian breed has. Emerging from the sands of the Middle East, the Arabian has solidified a special spot in the world of horses. Whether they be used for warfare, dressage, jumping, endurance riding, or just pleasure riding, the Arabian has proven its worth a thousand times over. Blessed with amazing endurance, the Arabian often dominates the long distance riding circuit with some races covering over 100 miles in one day. Because of their distinct flowing gait, many Arabians excel in dressage. Though its accomplishments are notable in many competitive fields, many just love the Arabian for its sweet disposition. With such desirable characteristics, it is no wonder many famous individuals and everyday riders have selected them as their personal horse of choice amongst dozens of other breeds.

Origin

Creation from Original Breeds

Though the exact origin of the Arabian is not known, they are believed to have descended from other oriental breeds or “Proto-Arabians”. The Arabian influence first started when followers of Islam began to spread across North Africa and Spain in about 700 AD. As the native peoples noticed that the Arabian was far superior in many ways to their own horses, they began the process of upgrading their stock with the Arabian bloodlines. Through the centuries of breeding the Arabian blood, the Arab has become one of the most widespread and influential breeds of all time.

Geographical Origin

The exact area to which we can attribute the creation of the Arabian is still under speculation as some experts say they come from Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey while others believe they are from Saudi Arabia. However, we do know that by 600 CE the Arabian people began to breed their horses on a small scale based on food availability. The real origin may go back thousands of years earlier. Their first stock of horses were likely obtained by raids on Persia or Iran. Some types of ancient art suggest that the Arabian may have been around the Arabian Peninsula as early as 3000 B.C. though more positive evidence has been difficult to gather. The first pure Arabian horses that emerged in Egypt belonged to King El Nasir Mohaned, ruler in 1300 CE. The prophet Mohammed stated that his followers needed to be kind to the majestic animals and give particular consideration to the mares because they were the life line to carry on the breed. He said that Allah created the Arabian and that those who cared for them would be recompensed in the after life. Many Arabian horses were the sole definer of man’s wealth and status. They would eat with their owner and often sleep in the tents during harsh weather.

Though its roots may be unclear, it is safe to say that the breed itself is ancient and that it has been refined over the course of possibly thousands of years.

Modern Day Location

Founded in 1908, The Arabian Horse Association Regulation has registered 1 million Arabian horses since the beginning of the registry (as of 2007). Approximately 9,000 – 10,000 foals are registered each year. California and Arizona have the most Arabians, but they are found in each state and nearly every country in the world.

Uses

They are used in almost every aspect of the equine world. From endurance races to pleasure riding, dressage to cutting, they are truly versatile animals.

(Saddle seat, western pleasure, hunt seat, dressage, cutting, reining, endurance riding, show jumping, eventing, driving, equitation, trail riding and ranch work are all disciplines Arabians are used in.)

Breed Characteristics

Great beauty (Considered by many to be the most beautiful.)

Stamina, endurance, and speed

Dished profile

High tale carriage

“Floating” gate

High spirited

Gentle disposition

Description of Breed

Color

Arabians can be chestnut, gray, black, bay, or roan; never pinto colored. White facial and leg markings are acceptable. Though equine skin color may vary, the Arabian skin is always black.

Height in Hands

A true Arabian will be between 14.2 – 15 hh though some horse with mixed breeding may be taller or shorter.

Weight

900 – 1,100 lbs

Build

Arabians have a petite and refined head with a dished profile. The forehead is wide, with a shield-shaped bulge between the eyes. It extends from the ears, all the way down to the nasal bone, and is called a jibbah. They have a fine muzzle and large nostrils with the capability of great dilation. The eyes are wide set, large, and lower than in other breeds. They have small ears that sometimes arc inward. They possess evidently distinct jowls with the throat set into it in a clearly arched curve called the mitbah. This gives the horse great mobility and lets them see in almost any direction. They have noticeably sloping shoulders, well defined withers, and a deep chest. They have a slightly concave back, broad quarters, muscular loin & their croup is extended and level. Their tail is placed and carried high. They have hard, clean limbs with plainly distinct tendons, dense but fine bones and solid, well-shaped hooves. The mane and tail are exceptionally fine and silky.

Blood Temperature

-Hot blooded

Care

Feeding

The Arabian is extremely economical in that it needs less food than most other breads.

Specific Health Issues

There are four genetic conditions found in Arabians that usually result in death (or euthanasia). They are considered autosomal recessive, which means, both parents have to be carriers of the abnormal gene for a foal to be born with the disease.

Severe Combined Immunodeficiency

Lavender Foal Syndrome/ Coat Color Dilution Lethal

Cerebellar Abiotrophy

Occipital Atlanto-Axial Malformation

The two genetic conditions below are not always fatal, but can cause problems or death if not treated properly.

Equine Juvenile Eqilepsy

Guttural Pouch Tympany

Climate and Weather

Although the Arabian has a short coat, even in the winter months, they do well in sub zero temperatures. They are very hardy and don’t need blankets. They also do very well in the summer, due to their strong desert heritage, and can withstand very warm temperatures without problems.

Special Characteristics

While all other breeds have 18 ribs, 6 lumbar bones, and 18 tail vertebrae, the Arabian has only 17 ribs, 5 lumbar bones, and 16 tail vertebrae. Due to the difference in skeletal structure, Arabians are known for high tail carriage and a compact back.

Founder Breeds:

Thoroughbred (sire – Godolphin Arabian)

Colorado Rangerbred (sire – Leopard and Linden Tree owned by General Ulysses S. Grant)

Hackney (one of the foundation sires – Old Shales)

American Standardbred (one of the foundation sires – Messenger)

Cleveland Bay (one of the foundation sires – Manica)

Trakehner

Falabella (through Thoroughbreds)

And many others!!!

Famous Horses of this Breed

Cass Ole - 1979 star of the movie Black Beauty

Darley Arabian - One of three foundation sires for the modern Thourobreed

Huckleberry Bey - U.S. National Reserve Champion in both halter and performance, including four Top Ten honors

Merengo - Napoleon Bonapart’s favorite mount

Ronteza – Daughter of Witez II, first Arab to compete in and win in reined cow horse at Cow Palace

Skowronek - one of the greatest recorded Arabian sires of all time

Witez II - pioneered the Polish Arabian’s legacy in America.

Famous People who have owned/love this Breed

Alexander the Great

Genghis Khan

George Washington

Napoleon Bonapart

Ulysses S. Grant

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Pedal osteitis is, as the name suggests, an inflammation of the distal phalanx or coffin bone. The condition is characterized by demineralization (thinning) of the coffin bone resulting from an autoimmune response triggered by long term inflammation. The condition is at times confused with navicular syndrome or laminitis as the symptoms appear very similar. Pedal osteitis can sometimes also be called non-septic pedal osteitis or septic pedal osteitis with the term “septic” simply referring to whether or not the condition seems to have been caused by a type of infection.

Causes

Non-septic Pedal Osteitis

Non-septic pedal osteitis is often times the result of repeated, concussive trauma (sometimes referred to as stone bruising or subsolar bruising) to the sole of the hoof. The bruising and consequent damage to the bottom on the hoof generates an inflammatory response which later leads to the demineralization on the coffin bone characterizing the condition.

To understand why pedal osteitis occurs one must first understand why the brusing occurs. The bottom of the horses hoof is comprised of both the sensitive and insensitive laminae which interdigitate similar to the hoof wall. Underneath the sensitive laminae, is a structure called the sole corium. The sole corium is a highly vascular region that is very susceptible to bruising and ischemic necrosis (death from lack of oxygen). To protect this sensitive structure, nature provided the equine with an ability to grow up to 5/8” of sole depth. It has been observed that problems with non-septic pedal osteitis mostly occur in horses that are thin soled, or those that lack adequate protection from rocks and other potentially damaging objects. Thus, the majority of the problems associated with this type of condition can be traced back to the shoeing practices of the farrier. Many farriers unknowingly thin the sole beyond a safe level prior to applying the shoe. This lack of sole protection results in a higher rate of subsolar bruising and thus non-septic pedal osteitis.

Club foot and laminitis can also cause non-septic pedal osteitis, though they are less common triggers for the condition than overzealous sole paring by farriers. Club foot is a general term for a hoof that exhibits an almost straight up and down hoof wall. Horses with club foot almost always have some degree of coffin bone rotation and consequently an area of focal pressure at the tip of the coffin bone. As weight from the horse loads upon the anatomically incorrect coffin bone, inflammation develops which in turn results in non-septic pedal osteitis. Laminitis can cause non-septic pedal osteitis in a similar manner as club foot if the coffin bone rotates downward as a result of weak laminae and tension from the deep digital flexor tendon.

Septic Pedal Osteitis

Septic pedal osteitis can be the result of a puncture wound or abscesses that generate long term inflammation. This can be from wounds that were not treated properly or even thrush that has been left untreated. The chronic inflammation resulting from the long term infection generates an autoimmune response that leads to a demineralization of the coffin bone.

Clinical Signs

A horse with either septic or non-septic pedal osteitis will show lameness that is usually bilateral. Lameness will be present at all gaits and will worsen the longer a horse continues to work.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of pedal osteitis is made with a variety of different tools

-Hoof Testers

Hoof testers can be used to determine the amount of sensitivity the horse exhibits when pressure is applied to the bottom of the sole. Horses that show a very obvious pain response to a small amount of pressure are probably dealing with bruised or permanently damaged structures underneath the coffin bone.

Radiographs

X-rays can help show the amount of sole thickness underneath the coffin bone as well as the degree of rotation if there is any. Other commonly seen problems with horses diagnosed with pedal osteitis are osteophytes (new bone growths) and lysis (areas of bone destruction).

Abaxial Nerve Blocks

Nerve blocks applied to the peripheral nerve should relieve most if not all of the lameness present with pedal osteitis and help make a positive diagnosis. A nerve block should never be used as sole diagnosis tool however, as the condition can be easily confused with navicular.

Treatment

Most treatment options for pedal osteitis involve some sort of sole protecting medium. This could include shoes with some type of pad, hoof boots with pads, synthetic hoof hardeners or protectors, and natural barefoot trimming practices.

Prognosis

Unfortunately, the prognosis for pedal osteitis is relatively poor. Often times, especially with chronic, long term cases, enough damage has been done to the coffin bone that it will never totally recover. Proper treatment procedures however, may be able to offer some degree of comfort for the horse and possibly stop the degenerative nature of this condition.

Prevention

Prevention of pedal osteitis mostly involves the prevention of stone bruising and sole puncture wounds. Developing natural sole thickness is the best approach for the prevention of stone bruising, allowing the hoof structure to do what it needs to do naturally. This approach however, relies mostly on barefoot trimming practices that can only be done when the horse is without shoes.

To best prevent many of the diseases and conditions which afflict the equine front hooves, it is a good idea to always allow horses a period of time without horseshoes. This practice will allow sole depth to be re-established, heels to be re-strengthened, and in fine, a recovery period for all of the internal structures of the hoof. Equipedia.org delivers this statement after extensive research from the best sources currently available.

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Wry nose is congenital birth defect not uncommon in long nosed animals such as equines. The condition wry nose is also known as deviated rostral maxilla and features a very noticeable deviated septum. Most foals that are born with this condition still do fairly well nursing, but because the nasal septum is deviated from it proper position, correct breathing may be compromised. Though the exact cause for wry nose is still under investigation, some veterinarians believe it to be caused by improper positioning inside the uterus during foaling.

Treatment options for wry nose tend to very expensive and require multiple surgeries. Being that many horses cope well with this condition, many horse owners simply choose to let the horse live out a normal life without treatment as best as possible.

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Thoroughpin is a swelling of the sheath of the deep digital flexor tendon. It is located on the back of the hock and is similar to bog spavin in nature. Thoroughpin differs from bog spavin however, as it is a build up of fluid inside the tendon sheath as opposed to outside the sheath. It is also visible from both the medial and lateral sides differing from bog spavin. Thoroughpin is also visible externally as a swelling higher up on the hock than bog spavin. Though the causes of thoroughpin may very, it is usually the result of some type of external influence such as a blow to the back of the hock and is almost always unilateral in nature.

Treatment

Thoroughpin is usually a condition that will resolve itself on its own, but for cosmetic reasons, or if lameness is present, long term corticosteroids may be injected to help decrease the inflammation and reduce swelling. Some risks are associated with corticosteroids however, as some horses may experience catastrophic founder in the treated leg. Radiation therapy has also been used as a treatment with some success but is costly in nature.

Prevention

The best prevention of thoroughpin is to make sure paddocks, stalls, and riding areas are as safe as possible to prevent trauma to the back of the hock.

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Thin sole is a condition that is not uncommon in the shod equine. Many farrier practices thin the sole with a rasp during trimming and prior to shoeing. Complications arise from over-thinning however, as the hoof becomes more vulnerable to stone bruising, catastrophic founder, foot tenderness if the shoes are removed, and other problems. In more extreme cases, abscessing from bacterial infection can occur. As a general rule, the amount of sole thickness can be measured by the degree of hoof solar concavity, or the amount of distance from the tip of the frog to the ground. If the hoof appears extremely flat, then most likely it is very thin soled. If it looks somewhat like a bowl, then the hoof soles are thicker.

The hoof above is very flat suggesting that it is thin soled. The hoof below is uniform and slightly cupped suggesting its soles are thicker.

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