Spring is a time of rebirth and a fresh start… but also a time of increased risk of various ailments in horses. Temperature changes, damp ground, first grazing, and weather fluctuations can all impact your horse's health. Find out what to pay particular attention to.
🌱 1. Laminitis – a serious hoof disease
What is this?
Inflammation of the hoof matrix – can lead to permanent hoof damage and lameness.
Why in spring?
A sudden change in diet – especially introducing fresh grass too quickly – is one of the main risk factors.
Symptoms:
✓ Lameness, especially in the front legs
✓ The horse relieves the affected limbs and stands in an unusual, "supported" position
✓ The hooves are warm to the touch, pulsating at the lace
✓ Reluctance to move, stiffness, grimaces of pain
✓ Sometimes a slight fever
Note: If you suspect laminitis, immediate consultation with a veterinarian is essential.
Prevention:
Gradual introduction of pasture, limitation of high-energy feed, regular hoof inspection.
💧 2. Diarrhea – a problem when changing nutrition
Spring grass is very high in sugars, which can cause:
✓ Sudden diarrhea
✓ Digestive disorders
✓ Colic
What to do?
✓ For the first 2 weeks, graze the horse only for short periods (15–30 minutes per day).
✓ Introduce probiotics and fiber supplements into your diet.
🦟 3. Allergies and itching – insect and dust season
In spring it grows:
✓ Pollen concentration
✓ Contact with dust from hay and straw
✓ Presence of insects
This can lead to :
✓ Hives
✓ Scratching the mane and tail (so-called sweet itch)
✓ Cough and shortness of breath (RAO)
How to prevent?
– Use insect repellent blankets
– Wash the mane and tail regularly
– Use anti-allergic and anti-itching agents
🐛 4. Parasites – time for deworming
In spring, the horse is exposed to increased activity:
✓ Owsików
✓ Roundworm
✓ Strongyloides
Symptoms:
✓ Tail rubbing (pinworms)
✓ Dull coat, decreased condition despite good appetite
✓ Recurrent diarrhea, colic
✓ Nervousness or behavioral problems (especially in younger horses)
✓ Visible parasites in stool (less common)
It is recommended to test the stool and adjust the deworming to the actual number of parasites – we do not deworm blindly!
🌧 5. Lumps and other skin diseases
Moist soil + mud = ideal conditions for bacteria and fungi.
Most common problems:
✓ Lump – inflammatory lesions on the fetlocks, sometimes purulent
✓ Dandruff, eczema – flaking of the skin
Symptoms of lump:
✓ Scabs and redness on the lower legs (most often the hind fetlocks)
✓ Sensitivity to touch, sometimes swelling
✓ Wet, oozing wounds
✓ In more advanced cases: pain and lameness, unpleasant odor
Symptoms of dandruff/eczema:
✓ Skin peeling (neck, withers, rump)
✓ Itching, scratching of the horse
✓ Skin lesions of varying severity, sometimes with hair loss
Note: A neglected lump can lead to serious infections – it is worth acting early.
Take care of:
✓ Keeping your feet dry
✓ Cleaning after every ride
✓ Protective and drying ointments
🐴 6. Rhabdomyolysis
What is this?
Myositis, also known as stiff muscle syndrome or rhabdomyolysis , is a condition in which skeletal muscle tissue is damaged and its contents are released into the bloodstream. It can occur in horses that are overexerted or stressed, especially in spring when the animals return to work after a winter break.
Symptoms:
✓ Muscle stiffness , especially in the back and legs
✓ Pain when touched , the horse may avoid entering the stable or getting on
✓ Sweating , inappropriate to the ambient temperature
✓ Excessive muscle tension – the horse moves stiffly and with difficulty
✓ Increase in body temperature
✓Dark, reddish urine (caused by muscle damage) – this is a very disturbing symptom
Risk factors:
✓ Too intense exercise after a period of rest
✓ Improper diet (lack of adequate minerals, including magnesium and potassium)
✓ Changes in weather and temperature, especially if the horse is not accustomed to changing conditions (e.g. after a long period without work)
✓ Fatigue (working in high temperatures, stress)