Paso Fino Health Problems and How To Best Take Care Of Your Horse

Everyone wants what is best for their horses, but in order to provide the most appropriate care and to prevent any potential health problems, it can be difficult to know what ailments might affect your horse. Horses are susceptible to numerous different types of diseases and conditions that can cause them a great deal of discomfort, premature aging, life-threatening illness or death. Many times these illnesses stem from lifestyle or nutritional habits adopted by humans. This article will help you learn about six common paso fino health problems and how to best take care of your horse.

1. Paso fino Hip Impingement Disorder

Paso finos seem to be more prone to hip problems than other breeds. This condition can occur at any time throughout their lives and often results from the horse being overweight, reaching full maturity, or having a breed that is predisposed to high levels of muscle dysplasia in the joint. With this disorder, the tendons are unable to function properly and which causes pain and increased tension when the horse swings its leg in motion. The pain is typically a dull ache that becomes worse with movement, however mild cases can go undiagnosed for many years, resulting in chronic pain and joint degradation over time. In cases where the joint has been severely damaged, bone can grow out of place and damage the surrounding cartilage, causing chronic injuries or even osteoarthritis. If a horse should experience chronic pain from this condition, it is recommended that he undergo joint supplement therapy to relieve pain and inflammation as well as provide joint lubrication.

2. Paso fino Dental Issues

There are many different types of dental ailments that can affect pasos finos, however the most common include bad teeth or dental problems such as thrush and abscesses. Often times these conditions occur when a horse is left untended after being treated for other injuries or has not been brushed off often enough because the horse was in an awkward position while stationary. Thrush is caused by yeast and is highly contagious, so it is recommended that horses be kept inside whenever possible to prevent infection. Abscesses are also a common ailment in horses and often occur when the horse bites or chews on something that may be harmful for his mouth such as a nail or other object. If you suspect your horse has an abscess, call a veterinarian for treatment as these can become severe infections and pose significant issues for your horse’s health if left untreated.

3. Paso fino Chronic Bacterial Infections

Most horses will at some point suffer from some form of some type of bacterial infection which is caused from poor hygiene or from poor living conditions. These types of infections can be difficult to treat and are often difficult to diagnose as well. Common signs include inflammation in the mouth, nasal discharge, fever and lethargy. Bacterial infections can be more severe if contracted by foals or old horses with weak immune systems. If you believe your horse has a bacterial infection, it is important that you contact a veterinarian immediately to determine proper treatment methods which will, in most cases, require hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics.

There are some external sources that can also cause bacterial infections such as injuries caused by fellow horses or frostbite if your horse is left outside for long periods of time during the winter months.

4. Paso fino Parasitic Infections

Parasites can affect any animal that is not properly cared for, but as with most external parasites, they pose a significant danger to horses. Common internal parasites include tapeworms, colic tapeworms and lungworms. In some cases, pneumonia can also be caused by these worms resulting in one of the worst conditions for a horse’s health if left untreated. External parasites can also cause health problems and must be removed from your horse in order to prevent further problems. Common external parasites include the botfly, which buries its eggs under the skin and can be painful. Some horses may also develop mane mites in their manes which can cause itching and discomfort which causes them to chew on themselves. Itching is one of the most common signs that your horse has an issue with external parasites, so it is important to investigate as soon as possible if you suspect this may be a problem in your horse’s health.

5. Paso fino Head Tilt

This condition is typically caused by some type of head injury that has damaged the equine’s central nervous system. Some horses may not exhibit this condition until later in their lives. If you suspect your horse is suffering from this ailment, you should contact a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment method in order to prevent further health problems in the future.

6. Paso fino Gastric Ulcers

Gastric ulcers are caused from changes that occur within the pH level of a horse’s stomach due to stress or other conditions such as poor diet or food allergies. This ailment is particularly common among pasos finos due to the fact that they may consume grasses which can cause gastric ulcers if they are not properly fed hay and grasses during their long periods of rest. Erosion of the stomach lining is also another cause of gastric ulcers and if left untreated, may lead to lymphatic system damage or even death. If you suspect your horse has this ailment, it is important that you need to seek treatment immediately as it can quickly become fatal.

HOW YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF YOUR HORSE PROPERLY FOR OPTIMAL HEALTH.

1. Weight Management

A properly balanced diet is essential for any healthy horse. Even though pasos finos are known for gluttony, it is important to make sure that they only consume as much as they need rather than as much as they want. If your horse does not receive enough nutrients from the food he consumes, his body can begin to break down muscle which can lead to weight loss, weakness and possible shock if not corrected.

2. Proper Housing

Proper housing is also essential for proper horse health. Paso finos may be more susceptible to getting frostbite or sunburned due to their long hair coat. In addition, keeping prepared for extreme weather by making sure you have good quality bedding will make it easier for you to monitor your horse’s health and provide a cleaner environment overall. By providing adequate shelter for your horse, you can protect him from common health issues such as sunburn and hypothermia.

3. Exercise

Proper exercise is crucial to a horse’s well being. While pasos finos are considered lazy and do not require as much exercise as other breeds, they still need plenty of mental stimulation every day if not by way of exercise then by means of grooming and feeding them heavily on high quality food sources such as hay, grasses, oats and corn. Without proper physical activity, pasos finos may begin to show signs of depression or lethargy which in turn may cause weight loss that can lead to other more severe health issues in the future if left untreated.

4. Health Management

Health management is a vital aspect in the health of your horse. Typically, you should be giving your horse vaccinations, checking and grooming him on a regular basis, exercising him regularly, and providing him with the proper diet. In addition to these measures, it is also very important to make sure your horse is provided adequate shelter and protection from frostbite or severe weather conditions.

5. Proper Grooming

Grooming is not only essential for ensuring that your horse has a proper coat that does not mat or shed too often but also for improving his overall appearance as well as preventing any skin issues such as mange mites or ticks which can be detrimental to his overall health if there are any present at all.

Some of these problems include chronic hoof problems and dental problems. Therefore, it is important to find a veterinarian who can assist you in keeping your horse properly treated, and provide the proper care that they need in order to maintain their health and live a pain-free life. While many people do not realize it, there are tons of ways to take care of their own horses while they are on their own property, including proper grooming, exercise, proper housing and weight management.