Foundations

Why does equine health matter?

Welfare, human safety, economic sustainability, loss of performance, public perception

Health Definition

Complete physical, mental, and social well-being, ability to maintain normal function and performance

Disease

Disruption of normal function

Five Domains of Welfare

Safe and suitable environment, suitable nutrition, protection from pain, injury, and disease, behavioral interactions, mental well-being (hard to determine)

Equine Industries

Racing, competition, leisure, work (social and transportation), meat, etc.

Normal Respiration Rate

8-16 breaths/min, should be relatively quiet

Normal Heart Rate (Adult)

30-40 bpm, should be same as pulse rate (if not there is an issue)

Normal Temperature

99.5° - 101.5° F

Normal Capillary Refill Time

<2 sec, useful for evaluating dehydration and blood flow

Body Condition Score

Scale 1-9, 4-5 is optimal, take into consideration the use of the horse and its age (↑ age = ↓ fat)

Normal Gut Sounds

1-2 sounds/min in each quadrant (no sounds = problem)

Normal Hydration

Pinch test, should take 1-2 sec to return to normal

Normal Defecation

Too hard = dehydration, ↓ quantity = obstruction

Normal Urination

Monitor color and smell

Normal Coat Condition

Smooth and even (will depend on season, age, job, environment, etc.)

Epidemiology

Study of health/disease across/within populations, rely on observing patterns and environment

Morbidity

Condition of being diseased

Morbidity Rate

Number that have the disease during a defined period of time

Mortality

Condition of being deceased

Mortality Rate

Number that have died in a population in a defined period of time

Enzootic

Continuous occurrence (consistent number of sick animals) of disease in a population over a period of time (disease in always present in one animal but may affect other animals)

Epizootic

When sickness exceeds baseline/normal amounts

Emerging Disease

Disease that is identified for the first time in a population, includes changes in severity, type of animal, change in pathogen behavior, etc.

Re-Emerging Disease

Reoccurrence or new outbreaks of old infectious diseases with important relevance

Homeostasis

Maintenance of constant internal conditions in the face of a varying external environment

Disease Triad

Host, agent, environment

Vector

Organism that is alive and can transfer disease causing agents (e.g. tick or mosquito)

Fomite

Inanimate object or material that can carry disease causing agents (e.g. halter or boots)