Pigeon Fever, the disease that causes swollen chests and pus filled abscesses is prominent this fall throughout the bay area.

A snotty nose, a cough, a fever and poor appetite all signs that your horse is developing a respiratory infection. It can derail your pleasure riding, training and competition, or travel plans with your horse.

Vaccination recommendations include Encephalitis, Tetanus, Strangles, Rabies, Botulism, Equine Viral Arteritis, Potomac Horse Fever, Influenza, Rhinopneumonitis and West Nile Virus.

he leading cause of premature death in horses is colic. The leading cause of colic is parasites. All horses are regularly infected with parasites. Colic is a broad term for abdominal pain that can range from a little gas to full blown twisted intestine.

Frequently, I am asked to examine a horse for back pain. Although the pain along the back is real, the problem often lies further down on the horse. Usually it stems from a chronic hind leg lameness.

With wet weather, horses are standing in mud. This softens the sole of the hoof causing tiny cracks, especially at the white line (the junction of the sole and the hoof wall). Dirt then works its way up under the sole where bacteria flourish.