Mad Barn Academy

While line disease is a hoof condition that can lead to pain and lameness, this condition affects the equine hoof wall in one or more hooves at a time.

White line disease originates as a separation between adjacent layers in the hoof wall starting at the toe, quarter, and/or heel, which can then become infected with bacteria and fungi.

The separation occurs between the stratum medium and stratum internum within the non-pigmented area known as the white line.

Here, we review risk factors, symptoms and treatment options for white line disease. We also highlight nutritional considerations to support healthy hooves.

Read more: https://madbarn.com/white-line-disease-in-horses/
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Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at https://madbarn.com for more resources, videos and articles.

Have you noticed that your horse’s stall walls or bedding seem dirtier than normal? Are their tail and hind legs constantly stained? Do you find yourself frequently bathing them to remove these stains?

If you have observed any of these signs, it could be a result of Free Fecal Water Syndrome (FFWS).

Free Fecal Water Syndrome is a topic on the rise within the equine research community as the prevalence and awareness of this condition grow.

Here, we will guide you through what Free Fecal Water Syndrome is, its diagnosis, common symptoms, potential causes, and possible treatments that may aid in the reduction or elimination of this condition.

Read more: https://madbarn.com/free-fecal-water-syndrome-in-horses/
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Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at https://madbarn.com for more resources, videos and articles.

An overabundance of fat along the top of the neckline, otherwise known as cresty neck, is an indicator of metabolic problems in your horse.

Researchers believe this type of regional fat deposit (nuchal crest adiposity) is a strong indicator of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS).

If your horse has already developed a cresty neck, the good news is that there are measures you can take to reduce this fat accumulation. Feeding, exercise, and management practices can all help to get rid of a cresty neck.

By doing so, you will also reduce your horse’s chance of developing other complications related to metabolic disease. 

Here we review causes, implications and feeding for horses with cresty neck and provide feeding, supplement and exercise suggestions to reduce it.

Read more: https://madbarn.com/cresty-neck-in-horses/
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Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at https://madbarn.com for more resources, videos and articles.

Equine gastric ulcers are extremely common in horses, especially in performance horses. Ulcers can also occur in the horse’s hindgut and have negative consequences for digestive health.

Hindgut ulcers are also known as colonic ulcers. Veterinarians often refer to the condition as Right Dorsal Colitis (RDC) since most hindgut ulcers occur in this part of the large intestine on the right side of the horse.

Horses affected by hindgut ulcers may experience decreased performance, weight loss, reduced appetite, diarrhea, recurrent colic or a rough coat.

Dietary management plays a key role in preventing hindgut ulcers from recurring and in supporting the healing of the intestinal lining.

Here we review 4 of the most common causes of hindgut ulcers in horses which include: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), excess grain, stress and parasites.

Read more: https://madbarn.com/hindgut-ulcers-in-horses/
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Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at https://madbarn.com for more resources, videos and articles.

Equine hoof problems are a significant source of concern for horse owners. Hoof issues can lead to lameness and unsoundness, causing discomfort for the horse and potentially leading to early retirement.

In one study, 85% of horses were observed to have at least one form of hoof disorder when examined during regular hoof trimming.

While most hoof issues are mild, if left untreated they can worsen over time and lead to lameness. Problems with your horse’s hooves, such as laminitis, can also signal systemic health concerns that need to be addressed.

Vigilance, regular farrier care and good management practices are all essential to support hoof health. Your horse’s diet is also critical in supplying the nutrients required to grow healthy hoof tissue.

Here we review 7 of the top hoof problems in horses and provide key details on diagnosis and treatment of each one.

Read more: https://madbarn.com/hoof-problems-in-horses/
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Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at https://madbarn.com for more resources, videos and articles.

Equine Heaves is characterized by inflamed airways in the lungs. This can lead to a number of associated symptoms such as chronic coughing, excess mucous, poor performance and weight loss.

This condition also goes by several other names, including Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO), Equine Asthma, Equine Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD).

Heaves is the most common respiratory condition affecting companion and performance horses. Symptoms typically begin to appear around 9 to 12 years of age and both genders are equally affected.

Read more: https://madbarn.com/equine-heaves/
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Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at https://madbarn.com for more resources, videos and articles.

Equine supplements for ulcer prevention are on the rise, but not all products are created equal. According to a survey of horse owners, Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome is one of the most common reasons to modify a horse’s diet.

Dietary management for horses with ulcers can include increasing forage and decreasing grain, as well as providing supplements that support a healthy digestive tract. Ulcer supplements are particularly popular among performance horses in heavy work or competition. 

While many safe and natural ingredients can support the health of the gastrointestinal tract, some purported anti-ulcer supplements lack research to validate their efficacy. Other ingredients (like antacid supplements for horses) will only temporarily mask the effects of ulcers while working against the horse’s natural physiology.

Here we review the 16 best supplements currently available to reduce the risk of ulcers and improve overall gut health in your horse. Read more: https://madbarn.com/ulcer-supplements-for-horses/

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Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at https://madbarn.com for more resources, videos and articles.

Kissing spine is a skeletal abnormality in horses in which bony growths on the vertebrae of the spine touch or “kiss”. These bony outgrowths are called dorsal spinous processes.

This condition is caused by multiple factors, including conformation issues, genetic predispositions, poor posture, improper conditioning, and training under saddle at a very young age.

Horses with a kissing spine do not always develop symptoms, but many horses with this condition experience back pain. Afflicted horses may exhibit extreme back tightness, bucking, pain on palpation and an inability to stretch and raise the back while under saddle.

Learn more about kissing spine causes, symptoms, and treatment at https://madbarn.com/kissing-spine-in-horses/.

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Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at https://madbarn.com for more resources, videos and articles.

Colic is a painful, sometimes fatal, condition that strikes fear in the heart of any horse owner. Many cases of colic are mild and can be resolved with veterinary intervention. Others are severe enough to necessitate surgery. 

The term 'colic' is used to describe abdominal pain in horses. It is not one specific condition but rather a symptom associated with numerous abnormalities that affect the horse's digestive organs.

Horses evolved to graze on roughage for most of the day while constantly moving. However, modern management practices are not always aligned with the natural lifestyle of horses. Practices such as stall confinement and low forage intake can increase the risk of colic. 

The most common types of colic are related to impaction, in which undigested feed or foreign bodies such as parasites block the movement of digesta through the intestines and cecum.

More serious cases involving “twisted gut” can block blood flow to the area, causing tissue death. This needs to be rectified by surgery to avoid further complications.

Learn more about the top causes of colic in horses at https://madbarn.ca/colic-causes-in-horses/

You can also learn how to prevent colic in this article: https://madbarn.com/prevent-colic-in-horses/

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Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at https://madbarn.com for more resources, videos and articles.

Founder is a common cause of lameness in horses and refers to an advanced stage of laminitis. It involves damage to the laminar connection between the hoof wall and the coffin bone.

This often leads to rotation and/or sinking of the coffin bone which causes severe pain and can permanently damage the hoof structure.

Multiple factors can contribute to the development of founder. Horses with the condition may show a range of signs of distress and discomfort and typically cannot move about comfortably.

Prevention and treatment requires addressing the underlying causes of the condition. Founder is not always treatable if the internal structures of the foot have sustained significant damage.

Learn more about the causes, signs, treatment and prevention of founder in horses at https://madbarn.ca/founder-in-horses/

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Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at https://madbarn.com for more resources, videos and articles.