- Appetite loss: Horses that are feeling ill may stop eating or eat less.
- Lethargy: A healthy horse is usually curious and active. A sick horse may be lethargic and disinterested in its surroundings.
- Weight loss: Horses that are ill often lose weight, even if they are still eating.
- Fever: A horse's normal temperature is between 99.5 and 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit. A fever is anything over 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Increased respirations: A healthy horse's respiratory rate is between 10-14 breaths per minute. A horse with increased respirations may be sick.
- Increased heart rate: A healthy horse's heart rate is between 35-60 beats per minute. A horse with an increased heart rate may be sick.
- Colic: Colic is a term for abdominal pain in horses. Colic can be caused by a variety of factors, including gas, impaction, and strangulation.
- Diarrhea: Diarrhea is a condition in which the stool is loose and watery. Diarrhea can be caused by a variety of factors, including infection, parasites, and stress.
- Constipation: Constipation is a condition in which the stool is hard and dry. Constipation can be caused by a variety of factors, including dehydration, diet, and impaction.
- Laminitis: Laminitis is a condition in which the lamina (the sensitive tissue that connects the hoof to the coffin bone) becomes inflamed and damaged. Laminitis can be caused by a variety of factors, including obesity, metabolic disorders, and excessive stress.
- Founder: Founder is a term used to describe the rotation or sinking of the coffin bone within the hoof. Founder is a serious condition that can lead to permanent lameness. Founder is caused by a variety of factors, including laminitis, obesity, and metabolic disorders.
If you think your horse is sick, it is important to contact a veterinarian immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve the chances of a full recovery.