Health & Alerts

Disease alerts, seasonal risks and when to call the vet.

9 articles

Vesicular Stomatitis in Horses: Signs, Quarantine and Colorado Cases

Two more Colorado horse properties are under quarantine for presumptive VSV. Here's what the blisters look like, why vets must report them, and how to protect your horse before fall shows.

Updated Sep 24, 20266 min read

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Early Signs of Colic in Horses and What to Do Until the Vet Arrives
Colic often starts quietly. Here is how to spot it early, take the vital signs your vet will ask for, and keep your horse and yourself safe until help arrives.
Sep 23, 20267 min read
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Is Johnson Grass Safe for Horses? Why Sorghum Hay Is a Risky Shortcut
With drought driving up hay prices, cheap sorghum-family hay can look tempting. Here is why Johnson grass, Sudan grass and sorghum can poison or permanently injure horses, how to spot them in a bale and what to feed instead.
Sep 23, 20267 min read
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West Nile Virus in Horses: 2026 Cases, Symptoms and How EEE Differs
Kentucky just confirmed its first equine case of 2026, and Michigan lost two horses to the deadlier EEE. Here's what to watch for and why mosquitoes still matter until the first hard frost.
Sep 23, 20267 min read
Fall Laminitis in Horses: Why Autumn Grass Can Founder Your Horse
Cold nights and sunny days can load autumn grass with sugar, just as The Horse gets ready to host a free laminitis webcast on Sept. 24. Here's which horses are at risk, how to graze them safely and what to ask your vet.
Sep 23, 20268 min read
Pigeon Fever in Horses: Signs, How It Spreads and Oregon's Fall 2026 Cases
Oregon confirmed a new case on Sept. 23 with 12 horses under quarantine. Here's what pigeon fever looks like, why flies matter and when to call your vet.
Sep 23, 20266 min read
Rain Rot in Horses: Signs, Contagion and How It Differs from Mud Fever
Crusty tufts on the back after a wet week, scabs on the pasterns after a muddy one. Here's how to tell rain rot from mud fever, what 2026's European headlines mean for your barn, and how to care for scabs without scrubbing.
Sep 23, 20268 min read
Strangles in Horses: Symptoms, Quarantine and the Fall 2026 Boarding-Barn Outbreaks
EDCC alerts flagged strangles in Washington, Wisconsin, Kansas and Florida this month, including at boarding barns. Here's how to spot it, how it spreads and what a quarantine really involves.
Sep 23, 20268 min read
What Is a Coggins Test for Horses? EIA, Travel and Show Rules
A healthy-looking Ontario horse just tested positive on a routine export Coggins. Here's what the test checks for, when you need one and why a horse can carry EIA without looking sick.
Sep 23, 20268 min read

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