Health & Alerts

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

19 articles

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West Nile Virus in Horses: 2026 Cases, Symptoms and How EEE Differs

On Nov. 2, Wisconsin reported an unvaccinated filly with West Nile virus that got sick in October, and Florida reported a horse infected with both West Nile and the deadlier EEE. Here's what to watch for, and why mosquito season can run later than you think.

Updated Nov 3, 202610 min read

EHV-1 in Horses: Respiratory vs Neurologic Signs and Show Biosecurity
California has released the quarantine around a neurologic EHV-1 case in Los Angeles County: none of the 37 exposed horses became a confirmed case. Here's how that monitoring works, and why your thermometer is still your best early warning this show and racing season.
Nov 3, 20268 min read
Pigeon Fever in Horses: Signs, How It Spreads and Oregon's Fall 2026 Cases
Six new suspected-case alerts dated Oct. 30-31, including the first this fall in Jefferson County, bring this fall's affected counties to nine. Here's what pigeon fever looks like, why flies matter and when to call your vet.
Nov 3, 20267 min read
Strangles in Horses: Symptoms, Quarantine and the Fall 2026 Boarding-Barn Outbreaks
After September alerts in Washington, Wisconsin, Kansas, Florida and New York, October brought strangles cases in Ontario and Oregon, including a foal that had been to a fair. Here's how to spot it, how it spreads and how a quarantine ends.
Nov 3, 202610 min read
Vesicular Stomatitis in Horses: Signs, Quarantine and Colorado Cases
VSV has reached a new Colorado county, Mesa, and a new presumptive case has turned up in Delta County. Here's what the blisters look like, why vets must report them, and how to protect your horse on late-fall trips.
Nov 3, 20267 min read
African Horse Sickness: Signs, Midges and South Africa's 2026 Case
One mule near Clanwilliam tested positive for serotype 7. Here is what the disease is, why officials care so much about a single case, and how horse owners anywhere can cut midge risk.
Nov 2, 20267 min read
Colitis in Horses: Signs, When to Call the Vet and the New Kirkovirus Clue
NC State researchers found a newly identified virus more often in horses with colitis. It's an early clue, not proof. What matters for your barn is spotting colitis fast and calling the vet.
Oct 20, 20267 min read
Sarcoids in Horses: What They Look Like and the New Sound-Wave Trial
A Hanoverian mare named Pea just became the first horse treated with histotripsy, a focused-ultrasound method that breaks down tumor tissue. Here's how to recognize the most common skin tumor in horses, and why the worst thing you can do is pick at it.
Oct 14, 20267 min read
Equine Grass Sickness: Signs, Weather Risk and UK WhatsApp Alerts
UK researchers are seeing grass sickness where it rarely turns up, and more horses are dying. Here's what the disease is, the signs to know and how weather alerts can help.
Oct 13, 20266 min read
Insulin Dysregulation in Horses: Why Fit Sport Horses Can Have It Too
41 of 180 sport horses tested positive, most with normal fasting insulin, and body condition didn't predict who had it. Here's what that means for your horse this fall.
Oct 7, 20267 min read
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Contaminated Horse Medication Recall: What FDA's HYCOAT Alert Means
The FDA says a fungus-contaminated product was linked to serious joint infections in nearly 100 horses. Here is what happened, and a calm checklist for your own barn.
Oct 5, 20265 min read
Equine Influenza in Horses: Signs, Spread and Fall Vaccine Timing
A Wisconsin mare's confirmed case is a good reminder of how fast horse flu moves, and why the vaccine calendar matters before fall and winter shows.
Sep 30, 20266 min read
Concussion in Horse Riders: Why Standard Tests May Miss It
Early University of Miami research suggests riders' eyes and depth perception are unusually sharp, so a general test may call an injured rider 'fine'. Here is what a concussion is, what to watch for after a fall, and why you should not remount until a clinician clears you.
Sep 29, 20265 min read
Potomac Horse Fever: Signs, Creek-Side Risk and When to Call the Vet
A new case in Washington County, Tennessee is a late-season reminder: this insect-borne illness hits horses near water from July to September, and a fever with diarrhea is a same-day vet call.
Sep 27, 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
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
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
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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