Equine System Overview and Diseases

Skeletal System Functions

• Movement: Bones provide attachment points for skeletal muscles which facilitate movement.

• Support: The skeleton serves as the framework of the body, supporting softer tissues.

• Protection of Organs: Bones protect vital organs, e.g., the skull protects the brain.

• Production of Blood Cells: Blood cells, including red and white blood cells, are produced in the red marrow of large flat bones and the ends of long bones.

Disease: Laminitis

• Short Term Impacts: Pain, lameness, stiffness, inflammation.

• Long Term Impacts: Chronic lameness, hoof deformities, reduced performance, debilitating pain.

• Prognosis: With prompt treatment, most horses recover; severe cases can be fatal.

• Treatment/Management: Dietary management, farrier care, pain relief, anti-inflammatory meds, physical therapy, controlled exercise.

Muscular System Functions

• Movement: One end of a muscle connects to a stable bone and the other end to a moving bone, enabling contractions.

• Strength: Muscle contractions and coordination with ligaments and tendons enable strength.

• Joint Support: Ligaments support joints, ensuring proper movement and acting as shock absorbers.

Disease: Tendon or Ligament Rupture

• Short Term Impacts: Severe pain, swelling, heat in the joint, lameness.

• Long Term Impacts: Persistent lameness, rehabilitation, high re-injury risk, reduced performance.

• Prognosis: Many horses return to previous performance levels, but re-injury is common.

• Treatment/Management: Pain relief, anti-inflammatories, joint support (e.g., bandaging), surgery, physical therapy.

Nervous System Functions

• Control of Functions: Neuron network connects the body to the brain, regulating systems.

• Movement: Messages from the brain direct muscle actions.

• Sensations: Detects stimuli using the five senses.

Disease: Wobbler’s Syndrome

• Short Term Impacts: Incoordination, weakness, difficulty with backing and turning.

• Long Term Impacts: Weight loss, difficulty rising, falling, stabilization can take up to a year.

• Prognosis: Recovery varies; many horses recover with treatment, but outcomes depend on severity and timing.

• Treatment/Management: Dietary adjustments, anti-inflammatories, possible surgery for spinal cord issues.

Respiratory System Functions

• Intake of Oxygen: Breathing in inflates lungs with oxygen-rich air.

• Gas Exchange: In the alveoli, oxygen is absorbed, carbon dioxide is expelled.

• Removal of Carbon Dioxide: Breathing out releases low oxygen, high CO2 air.

Disease: Roaring

• Short Term Impacts: Exercise intolerance, wheezing on inhalation.

• Long Term Impacts: Persistent exercise intolerance, increased risk of aspirating food and water post-surgery.

• Prognosis: Horses typically return to activity post-surgery with minimal impact.

• Treatment/Management: 'Tie back' surgery to keep the laryngeal muscle open.

Cardiovascular and Lymphatic System Functions

• Oxygenation of Blood: Blood transports oxygen and carbon dioxide.

• Transport of Nutrients: Carries nutrients, oxygen, enzymes, hormones throughout the body.

• Transport of Waste: Removes waste products from cells to disposal organs like the liver and kidneys.

• Thermoregulation: Regulates body temperature.

• Immunity Role: White blood cells attack disease-causing microorganisms.

• Fluid Regulation: Lymphatic system collects and returns fluid from capillary walls.

Disease: Aorta Rupture

• Short Term Impacts: Sudden collapse if acute; if chronic, may cause shortness of breath, coughing, swollen joints, nosebleeds.

• Long Term Impacts: Significantly shortened lifespan, may lead to death due to heart failure.

• Prognosis: Fatal if not immediately treated; most cases result in heart congestive failure.

• Treatment/Management: Rest and supportive care if the horse survives.

The skeletal system serves essential functions including movement, support, and protection of vital organs. Bones provide attachment points for skeletal muscles that facilitate movement and serve as the framework of the body, supporting softer tissues. Vital organs, such as the brain, are protected by bones like the skull. Additionally, blood cells, including red and white blood cells, are produced in the red marrow found in large flat bones and the ends of long bones. However, conditions like laminitis can significantly affect the skeletal system. Short-term impacts of laminitis include pain, lameness, stiffness, and inflammation, while long-term effects may manifest as chronic lameness, hoof deformities, and debilitating pain. With prompt treatment, the prognosis is generally positive, although severe cases may turn fatal. Treatment and management strategies encompass dietary management, farrier care, pain relief, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and controlled exercise.

The muscular system also plays a critical role in movement and strength. Muscles enable movement by connecting one end to a stable bone and the other end to a moving bone, facilitating contractions. Muscle contractions work in coordination with ligaments and tendons, providing strength and supporting joint function. However, tendon or ligament ruptures can occur, leading to severe pain, swelling, heat in the joint, and lameness. The long-term impacts may include persistent lameness, the need for rehabilitation, a high risk of re-injury, and reduced performance. Prognosis varies—many horses may return to previous performance levels, but re-injury remains a common concern. Treatment and management options include pain relief, anti-inflammatories, joint support (such as bandaging), surgery, and physical therapy.

The nervous system's functions are crucial for control and regulation of body systems. A network of neurons connects the body to the brain, directing muscle actions and responding to stimuli through the five senses. Diseases like Wobbler’s Syndrome can lead to incoordination, weakness, and difficulty with movement. Short-term effects may encompass incoordination and weight loss, while long-term consequences include difficulty rising or falling, with stabilization potentially taking up to a year. Prognosis varies based on severity and timing, and many horses can recover with treatment. Management may involve dietary adjustments, anti-inflammatories, and surgical interventions for spinal cord issues.

In the respiratory system, key functions include the intake of oxygen, gas exchange, and removal of carbon dioxide. Breathing inflates the lungs with oxygen-rich air, and in the alveoli, gases are exchanged, absorbing oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide. On the other hand, diseases such as roaring can lead to short-term exercise intolerance and wheezing during inhalation. Long-term implications may include persistent exercise intolerance and increased risks following surgery. However, with proper surgical interventions, horses usually return to normal activity with minimal long-term impact. The treatment often includes "tie back" surgery designed to keep the laryngeal muscle open.

Finally, the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems serve vital functions including oxygenation of blood, transport of nutrients, removal of waste, thermoregulation, and supporting immunity roles through white blood cells. The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in collecting and returning fluid from capillary walls. One of the severe diseases affecting this system is aorta rupture, which can lead to sudden collapse, chronic symptoms such as shortness of breath and swollen joints, or even death if untreated. Prognosis is generally fatal without immediate care, and most cases result in heart failure. Treatment typically involves rest and supportive care if the horse survives.