26 August 2008 12:19
While my friend’s 10-year-old TB mare was turned out to grass, she developed a very swollen knee, and was covered in white spots. It’s not a skin irritation or ringworm, and the hair seems to go white overnight. We’ve also noticed she has difficulty turning, with her tail held slightly to the left. What’s wrong with her?
Answer
By Your Horse
Vet Stephen Ashdown advises:
The skin problem is likely to be vitiligo, which is not uncommon, although the cause is not usually known. I don’t think you need to worry about this, although there is some opinion that the condition can be related to a weakness in the horse’s auto-immune system that causes some parts of her body to attack itself. It may also be related to deficiencies of trace minerals, or viral disease. Her swelling and lameness, however, seems to indicate some kind of trauma that has damaged her back and limbs – consult a physiotherapist or osteopath.
There are also a few supplements that could be useful – ones containing ginger and frankincense can help with circulation and provide an anti-inflammatory action. If you combine these with supplements to improve digestion and immune system function you may get her on the road to recovery.
Organic seaweed can be useful, as is Global Herb’s Bute-X and MoveFree and MoveFreePlus supplements. Hilton Herbs also makes a mobility formula, Reflex.