Equine gastric ulcer syndrome in horses and foals

Many studies have reported on the prevalence of squamous and glandular gastric disease in adult horses (van den Boom, 2022). Both disease entities are common, and the prevalence depends on the...

Figure 2. Stage 2 of applying the technique.

Madigan's squeeze technique: a review for equine veterinary nurses

Neonatal maladjustment syndrome was originally recorded over a century ago, but recent advances in research have improved veterinary understanding of the pathogenesis of this syndrome. Previously,...

Failure of passive transfer of immunity

The mammary glands of the mare have a small cistern (storage area) from which the foal nurses throughout the day, with the ejection of milk requiring the release of oxytocin. Healthy foals should...

Figure 2. Swelling of the right hock of a foal with synovial sepsis.

Synovial sepsis in neonatal foals

Septic arthritis can occur as the result of a periarticular infection, inoculation of the joint by a puncture wound, iatrogenic causes or by haematogenous spread (Hardy, 2006). In foals, haematogenous...

The developmental behaviour of foals and its relevance to husbandry, part 2: weaning

Free-ranging domesticated horses that have become feral or are kept under naturalistic free-range conditions stop being suckled by the age of approximately 10 months, unless their dam is not pregnant...

The developmental behaviour of foals and its relevance to husbandry. Part 1: the first 3 months

Crowell-Davies (1986a) identified three developmental stages: the dependent period from birth to 3–4 weeks, the socialisation period from 2–3 months and the stabilisation period from 4 months...

Figure 1. Dystocia caused by ventrally deviated head and neck. The foetal poll was palpable and the muzzle was retrieved and guided into the pelvic inlet, allowing an uncomplicated assisted vaginal delivery. Although born alive, the foal was euthanised because of congenital deviation of the rostral maxilla and nasal septum (wry-nose).

Understanding dystocia in the field: part 1

From approximately 2 months into gestation, the equine foetus is highly active (Allen and Bracher, 1992). The characteristically long umbilical cord facilitates free movement within the allantoic...

Figure 1. Elbow-lock posture.

Understanding dystocia in the field: part 2

Once the nature of the dystocia has been diagnosed, a concise conversation with the owners should ensue. The likely prognosis for mare, foal and subsequent fertility, as well as costs associated with...

Figure 2. Feeding options for equine neonates

Don't forget the foal: the nursing requirements of hospitalised foals when the mare is the primary patient

Admitting a mare for treatment at an equine hospital when she has a foal at foot is not comparable to admitting an adult horse with a companion. The foal, even though it is not the primary patient,...

Diarrhoea in foals

Foal heat diarrhoea is a self-limiting condition that occurs in 75-80% of foals, aged between 5 and 15 days. Diarrhoea is usually transient, lasting 3–4 days, and foals typically remain bright and...

Figure 1. These foals are both demonstrating common neurological clinical signs: abnormal tongue position and poor suck reflex (a) and pronounced head tilt (b).

Neonatal maladjustment syndrome in foals

Historically, the syndrome has been attributed to hypoxic–ischaemic injury at foaling and the condition is seen in foals that have experienced a prolonged delivery as a result of dystocia or premature...

Figure 2. Definitive diagnosis of equine gastric ulcer syndrome requires gastroscopic examination.

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome in foals

The risk factors for equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) in foals vary depending on foal age. In very young neonatal foals, excess exposure to acid is probably not a major risk factor as many foals...