According to the United States Department of Animal Health, the most common threats to horse health relate to lack of biosecurity precautions, contagious diseases, parasites, and transportation.
Horse owners can best protect themselves and their horses by being vigilant and aware of what is happening in the horse community on state, national, and global levels. Through research and study, horse owners should be prepared to deal with any threats to their horses' health.
Biosecurity - The Key to Keeping Your Horses Healthy (pdf 811kb) - Information for horse owners to reduce the changes of an infectious disease being carried into a farm by people, animals, equipment, or vehicles.
Contagious Equine Metritis - A transmissible, exotic, venereal disease of horses caused by the bacterium Taylorella equigenitalis. Thoroughbred horses appear to be more severely affected by the disease than other breeds. Because animals may be asymptomatic, the disease is difficult to detect and control.
Equine Herpes Virus or Equine Rhinopneumonitis virus or EHV is a highly infectious viral disease. The virus can survive for 14 to 45 days in the environment and is spread via the respiratory tract or from aborted fetuses, membranes and fluid. Infected foals can also pass the infection onto healthy mares in their group via their respiratory systems.
Equine Infectious Anemia - EIA is a viral disease of members of the horse family. The equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) is categorized as a retrovirus: it contains genetic RNA material, which it uses to produce DNA. This DNA is then incorporated into the genetic makeup of infected cells. Identified in France in 1843 and first tentatively diagnosed in the United States in 1888, EIA has commanded a great deal of attention over the years. There is no vaccine or treatment for the disease. It is often difficult to differentiate from other fever-producing diseases, including anthrax, influenza, and equine encephalitis.
Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA) is caused by arterivirus. Clinical signs include fever, respiratory problems, severe coughing and the accumulation of fluid in the body. The virus is transmitted by secretions from infected animals. Control measures are primarily aimed at stallions because they spread the disease via semen.
Equine Piroplasmosis is a disease of Equidae (horses, donkeys, mules, and zebras), and is caused by two parasitic organisms, Babesia equi and Babesia caballi. Although, Equine Piroplasmosis is primarily transmitted to horses by ticks, this bloodborne disease has been spread mechanically from animal to animal by contaminated needles.
Horse Transport - The Slaughter Horse Transport Program is responsible for regulating the commercial transportation of equines going to slaughter outside the U.S. borders to ensure these horses are handled and transported in a humane way.
Vesicular Stomatitis is a viral disease characterized by fever, vesicles, and subsequent erosions in the mouth and epithelium on the teats and feet. Horses, cattle, and pigs are naturally susceptible; sheep and goats are rarely affected.
West Nile Virus is spread by infected mosquitoes, and can cause serious, life-altering and even fatal disease. Virus transmission may occur in parts of the country where mosquitoes are still active.
Eastern and Western Equine Encephalitis are spread by mosquitoes and can be fatal to both horses and humans.