Photo courtesy Humane Society of Ventura County

Adoptable Horse: Maddie, a 21-year-old, 15.0hh Quarter Horse gelding
Organization: Humane Society of Ventura County, Ojai, Calif.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Maddie

Meet Maddie, a beautiful 21-year-old Quarter Horse mare who recently came to the Humane Society of Ventura County and is ready to find a family of her own.

Maddie a sweet, gentle girl who absolutely loves people, and kids are some of her favorite people to be around. She loves attention, going for hand walks, and enjoying nice, easy outings. She can even go for short rides when appropriate.

Maddie enjoys being around other horses, but she also appreciates having her own space. Due to an old knee injury, she is not quite as quick as she used to be, but she is perfectly happy taking life at a slower pace. With regular maintenance and the right care, she can be a wonderful companion and a great horse for kids.

A pretty easygoing mare, Maddie is good for the farrier, great for the vet, and she doesn’t mind getting a nice bath.

Maddie may be a little older, but she still has plenty of love to give. If you are looking for a sweet, gentle horse who loves kids, enjoys attention, and is happiest taking life one easy stroll at a time, she might be just your girl!

Contact Humane Society of Ventura County today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, Maddie!

Photo courtesy Humane Society of Ventura County

ASPCA Right Horse

ASPCA Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.aspcarighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Maddie appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Photo courtesy Lucky 7 Horse Rescue

Adoptable Horse: Sweet Callie Cat, a 3-year-old, 15.0hh Standardbred mare
Organization: Lucky 7 Horse Rescue, Isanti, Minn.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Sweet Callie Cat

Sweet Callie Cat is an absolute sweetheart of a young mare. She is a joy to be around and a very forgiving girl. She came to Lucky 7 healthy and sound, and just wasn’t big enough to race on the track competitively.

She has since begun her new career under saddle. She is a lovely, forward-moving mare, eager to get out to see the sights of the world beyond that of the racetrack. She would thrive as a trail horse, but could really go any direction. Sweet Callie Cat has the time of her life carrying around a beginner rider on all kinds of trails. She trailers great, loves hanging out while camping, will soak up any kind of attention she can get, and will still keep you laughing through it all with her innocently goofy personality.

This girl isn’t super tall, so she’s the perfect smaller Standardbred for someone who loves the breed but doesn’t want the height. If you’re unfamiliar with the Standardbred breed, Lucky 7 encourages you to do some research on all they can do. Hearing “young” and “off-the-track” may make you think she’s going to be a crazy, hot youngster but that couldn’t be further from the truth; Standardbreds are known for their calm, forgiving nature and are even commonly used in therapy programs.

Sweet Callie Cat is available through Lucky 7’s Standardbred Rehoming Program, which exists for owners to safely rehome their retiring racehorses in a way that acknowledges the value of their horses. Off-the-track Standardbreds come with a lot of excellent handling and care, and are extreme athletes. When they are working, they are all “business mode.” When their harness is off, however, they show their goofy personalities. Every Standardbred has their unique set of goofy quirks — some like to twirl their heads, others like to stick their tongues out, and even more like to wiggle their lips. Like most Standardbreds, Callie comes with these wonderful qualities:

◆ Stands tied
◆ Cross-ties
◆ Trailers like a champ
◆ Good for farrier
◆ Stands for baths
◆ Up to date on everything

Standardbreds offered through Lucky 7’s Standardbred Rehoming Program are NOT rescues. They have been loved and cared for their entire lives, valued as racehorses. The Standardbred Rehoming Program exists to give horse owners the option to safely rehome their off-the-track Standardbreds in a way that acknowledges the value of their horses. Many of these horses would be sold for double or triple the price to go work on rural farms, as they are valued by those communities as working animals and transportation. When adopting a horse in Lucky 7’s Standardbred Rehoming Program, half of the fee goes to the previous owner of the horse, and half goes directly into getting two or three Standardbreds away from the hard work of working on rural farms.

Contact Lucky 7 Horse Rescue today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, Sweet Callie Cat!

ASPCA Right Horse

ASPCA Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.aspcarighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Sweet Callie Cat appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Photo by Kirkikis/Adobe Stock

Laminitis Risks in the Fall

Many horse owners are aware that spring’s lush new grass has higher NSC content due to rapid growth, but changing temperatures in the fall also increase the amount of sugar, upping the risk of laminitis for some horses.

After the first killing frost in the fall, NSC levels in grass will be higher than normal, with levels remaining elevated for up to a week.

Unfortunately, some breeds are more predisposed to laminitis than others, including equines that are genetically more likely to have metabolic issues. Andalusians, pony breeds, Miniature Horses, and donkeys fall into this category.

“Not every horse will develop laminitis on high NSC pastures,” says Kathleen Crandell, Ph.D., an equine nutritionist who works with Kentucky Equine Research (KER). “Certain breeds, like the ‘easy keeper’ types and ponies, are more likely to be sensitive to the sugar content of the grass. Particularly if a horse is already overweight, the high sugar content could push him over the edge into full-blown laminitis.

“If a horse has not been turned out on grass and then is suddenly allowed unlimited access, the drastic change can provoke an episode of laminitis,” she continues. “In cases like this, it’s best to offer pasture access for 15 minutes the first few days and increase the time out on grass gradually in 15-minute increments.”

Inflammatory Condition

In the most basic definition, laminitis is inflammation of the sensitive laminae of the hoof.

The horse’s hoof is comprised of both sensitive (living) and insensitive (non-living) laminae that are closely interwoven to form the lamellar bond, which attaches the coffin bone to the hoof wall.

If inflammation occurs in the sensitive laminae, the blood supply in the hoof is disrupted. Without treatment, the lamellar bond can become compromised. Should this bond fail, the coffin bone loses support and can rotate, permanently altering connections within the hoof. When that happens, the horse is said to have “foundered.”

Many horses can suffer a bout of laminitis but not founder, provided they receive timely, proper treatment.

Immediate treatment involves relieving inflammation and pain. This typically includes icing the feet, a course of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and complete stall rest during the initial period. Support with hoof boots or special shoeing may also be indicated.

After immediate treatment measures following a bout of laminitis, special shoeing may be needed. Photo by Christiane Slawik

Causes of Laminitis

Ben Flakoll, DVM, a veterinary farrier and podiatrist in the Saratoga Springs, N.Y., practice of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, routinely works with laminitic horses. He explains that laminitis is a clinical syndrome with three main causes:

• Secondary to a systemic inflammatory response, such as a horse with pneumonia or colitis, or a mare with a retained placenta after foaling.
• Support limb laminitis, when a horse develops laminitis in the main weight-bearing limb after injury to the opposite foot.
• Endocrinopathic laminitis, which primarily occurs because of insulin dysregulation in horses who have elevated insulin levels secondary to an endocrine disease like pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), previously known as Cushing’s disease, or equine metabolic syndrome (EMS).

“Endocrinopathic laminitis is the most common type, and accounts for 70 to 90 percent of all laminitis cases,” says Flakoll. “The elevated insulin level is tied to elevated levels of NSC in the diet.”

When insulin levels are chronically elevated, the laminae in the foot can slowly stretch over time, eventually resulting in coffin bone rotation, even if the horse doesn’t exhibit acute lameness.

Signs of Laminitis

Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice any of these signs:

• Hooves feel hotter than usual
• Strong, bounding digital pulse in fetlock area
• Increased heart rate
• Increased respiration rate
• Shifting weight from foot to foot
• Standing with back legs well under body
• Stiff, awkward gait
• Walking on heels
• Lying down more than usual
• Reluctance or refusal to move or pick up feet

Photo by Christiane Slawik

Managing the Diet

With elevated insulin levels to blame for the most common type of laminitis, it’s critical to control the diet of affected horses.

To reduce NSC content during the acute phase of endocrinopathic laminitis, Flakoll recommends only feeding soaked hay and eliminating any grain or concentrate.

“After the horse has recovered from the initial bout of laminitis, we can consider adding a ration balancer back into the diet,” he advises.

If the horse is overweight, as is the case with many metabolic horses, you should work with your veterinarian on how to restrict calories until the horse is at an ideal body weight.

Ideally, horses dealing with insulin dysregulation should only have hay with NSC content of less than 10 percent. Warm season grasses usually have lower NSC content than cool season grasses, so certain types of hay are naturally higher in sugar than others.

“The amount of NSC in [the same type of] hay can vary, depending on when it is harvested,” says Crandell. “The less mature the grass, the more likely it is to have higher sugar content because it isn’t pushing all its energy stores toward producing seed heads. A leafy orchardgrass harvested before going to seed will generally be higher in NSC than one that is stemmy with seed heads.”

More mature, stemmy hays that are harvested later in the growth cycle tend to be lower in NSCs. Photo by Valeri Vatel/Adobe Stock

She says that warm season grasses, like Teff, have become popular for metabolic horses because they are naturally lower in NSC.

However, a warm season grass, like bermudagrass, can have NSC levels similar to a cool season grass if harvested at an early growth stage. Timothy hay is mainly harvested at a more mature stage of growth when it has seed heads, so the leaf and stem will be more fibrous.

“The nonstructural carbohydrates are what we’re worried about, and the majority of NSCs in hay are water soluble,” says Flakoll. “If you soak the hay at least an hour, this removes most of the NSC. Soaking hay is really the single best thing you can do to reduce the level of NSC in forage. This takes away most of the sugars so you’re not worried about when the hay was baled.”

To soak hay, simply put it in a net and soak it in a tub of water for at least an hour. Drain the water before feeding.

“For those thinking they’ll just feed hay pellets, nothing beats soaking the hay to get the sugars out of forage,” says Flakoll. “Even pellets will have higher sugar levels than soaked hay.”

Soaking hay before feeding is the best way to remove sugars. Soak for one hour (and flip over if repurposing a bathtub, as shown here). Photo by pholidito/Adobe Stock

Modern Grasses

Many of the typical grasses used in improved pastures today have higher sugar contents than native pasture grasses did a century ago.

“Plant scientists in the 1900s developed strains of high-yielding, higher NSC grasses to meet the increase demand for energy of high-producing livestock, such as dairy cows,” says Crandell.

“Modern-day perennial ryegrasses are notorious for being able to maintain high NSC levels and are grown in this country mostly for dairy cattle,” she says, adding that ryegrass pasture and hay should be avoided when feeding horses or ponies with insulin dysregulation.

To Graze or Not

A horse that has already had a bout of laminitis should not be allowed unrestricted access to pasture, since sugars in the grass can trigger another episode. The horse may be able to have some managed time on pasture, but your veterinarian should advise you on this.

Since time of day greatly affects the NSC content of grass, the safest time for grazing is early morning between 5 and 10 a.m., so long as there hasn’t been a frost.

The safest time for grazing is between 5 and 10 a.m., as long as there hasn’t been a frost. Photo by Margaret Burlingham/Adobe Stock

“Grass will produce and store sugar when there is sunshine, so it builds up during the day,” explains Crandell. “Sugar levels will be highest in the evening and then gradually drop as the plant uses the sugar for respiration. So the lowest level will be just before sunrise [before] the plant starts photosynthesizing again.”

She adds that sugar levels in grass aren’t as high on cloudy days as during sunny days.

For some horses, grazing is simply not an option. Especially when a horse has had recurrent bouts of laminitis, turnout can only be done safely on a dry lot.

After recurring bouts of laminitis, the only safe turnout is in a dry lot. Photo by Margaret Burlingham/Adobe Stock

For the insulin dysregulated horse, a grazing muzzle is not the answer unless it fully prevents him from eating grass. Flakoll says such horses should have zero access to grazing.

“For these horses, spacing out meals and feeding smaller meals more often is better and keeps them from having large insulin spikes,” he advises.

Regular exercise is helpful since it uses up sugars as fuel, provided the horse is sound.

Helpful Tools

For horses that have had past bouts of laminitis, Flakoll recommends regular testing of insulin levels. Even if a horse hasn’t had laminitis, he advises owners to have metabolic testing done once the horse is a teenager.

“This is to monitor their metabolic levels, see what their insulin levels are, and to see if there are any signs of PPID or EMS,” he says.

This information is helpful in managing diet, including pasture access.

Annual radiographs will help your vet and farrier keep an eye on any changes in the feet from year to year. Photo by Shawn Hamilton CLiX/Adobe Stock

Yearly radiographs of the hooves are another valuable tool.

“Chronically elevated insulin levels will cause the laminae in the feet to stretch over time, so having yearly X-rays gives a comparison if the horse ever has a laminitic episode,” says Flakoll. “Most farriers would be very happy to get a yearly set of radiographs to see how things are looking.”

This article about fall laminitis concerns appeared in the September/October 2025 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Fall Laminitis Concerns appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Photo courtesy Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary

Adoptable Horse: Lady, a 25-year-old, 15.0hh Standardbred mare
Organization: Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary, Ravenna, Ohio

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Lady

Meet Lady!

This cutie pie is still so full of life at 25, and enjoys having a job. While still respecting her aging body, but keeping her nimble and exercised, a home with some fun bareback riding is exactly what this mare is looking for.

Lady is an easy keeper with no maintenance, even staying barefoot. She picks up all of her feet like a champ and will do whatever you ask, as long as you explain it with confidence. Lady is very kind, but needs a little bit more work and some love before she’s ready to be called a kids’ horse. Happy Trails does believe that with the right people and time, she will make an excellent little packer!

Contact Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, Lady!

ASPCA Right Horse

ASPCA Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.aspcarighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Lady appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Photo courtesy Kentucky Equine Adoption Center

Adoptable Horse: Blame Bourbon, a 3-year-old, 16.0hh Thoroughbred gelding
Organization: Kentucky Equine Adoption Center, Lexington, Ky.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Blame Bourbon

Bourbon is a sweet yet spirited young gelding with plenty of potential for a future in lower-level riding disciplines. Due to a windpipe condition, he is not suited for high-speed activities such as jumping or barrel racing, but he is expected to thrive with the right partner in a variety of other pursuits.

This handsome gelding has built a solid foundation through groundwork and has now begun his under-saddle training. He has been successfully saddled and ridden in the round pen and will continue building confidence and experience as his training progresses. A quick learner with a willing attitude, Bourbon responds well to consistency and clear guidance, making him an exciting prospect for someone who enjoys developing a young horse. As his education advances, his adoption fee will increase accordingly (it is currently $1,000).

In the pasture, Bourbon’s friendly and social personality shines. He enjoys spending time with his herd mates and can often be found playing with his friends. As he continues to mature, he receives monthly chiropractic care to help manage occasional growing pains and currently wears front shoes to support his increasing workload.

If you’re looking for a kind, athletic young partner with a bright future, Bourbon could be the perfect match. With continued training, he’s well on his way to becoming a rewarding partner for years to come.

Contact Kentucky Equine Adoption Center today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, Blame Bourbon!

ASPCA Right Horse

ASPCA Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.aspcarighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Blame Bourbon appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Photo courtesy Horses’ Haven

Adoptable Horse: Kasuco, a 15-year-old, 16.0hh Andalusian gelding
Organization: Horses’ Haven, Howell, Mich.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Kasuco

KA Kasuco is a stunning double-registered Andalusian gelding with a handsome, dappled gray coat and a sweet, people-loving personality. At 15 years old, he is looking for a partner to continue his journey.

Kasuco was started under saddle as a 3-year-old but then spent many years out of work. Since being restarted, he has impressed Horses’ Haven with how quickly he is relearning his training. He is confidently working at the walk and trot, developing a balanced canter, and learning lateral work. His beautiful, floaty movement and willing attitude make him an exciting dressage prospect.

Kasuco is a sensitive horse who needs a confident and experienced rider who can be clear with what they are asking as he has the potential to become overwhelmed quickly when confused. As he continues his restart, he is developing a better understanding of the rider’s leg and is becoming more confident in carrying himself forward. He is intelligent, eager to learn, and has tremendous potential for someone who enjoys bringing along a talented horse.

He requires front shoes and light hock maintenance to stay comfortable in work and continues to build strength and fitness with regular riding.

Most of all, Kasuco is simply a lovely gelding to be around—kind, friendly, and always happy to spend time with his people. If you’re looking for a handsome Andalusian with expressive movement, a wonderful temperament, and lots of potential, Kasuco could be your perfect match.

Contact Horses’ Haven today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, Kasuco!

Photo courtesy Horse and Hound Rescue Foundation

ASPCA Right Horse

ASPCA Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.aspcarighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Kasuco appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Photo courtesy Longmeadow Rescue Ranch

Adoptable Horse: Ophelia, a 10-year-old, 14.1hh American Quarter Horse mare
Organization: Longmeadow Rescue Ranch, Union, Mo.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Ophelia

Ophelia came to Longmeadow with another horse when her previous owners moved and could not take their horses with them. She arrived blind in both eyes, but that didn’t stop her from being the sweetheart she is. Ophelia surprised the Longmeadow crew and settled quickly into life at the Ranch. It wasn’t long before she was ready to be evaluated by their trainers.

The first thing the trainers noted, besides Ophelia’s obvious blindness, was that this mare clearly had owners and trainers who did right by her in her past. She passed her groundwork tests with flying colors and had excellent ground manners. She was proficient in standing tied, loading in the trailer, and being bathed. The moment her evaluation began under saddle, she was perfectly comfortable putting all of her trust into our trainers. Since she is completely blind, she relied on her handler for guidance both on the ground and under saddle (due to this, she will require a strong and advanced intermediate rider at a minimum). When ridden in the arena at the walk and trot, she was a very good girl, responding well to neck reining and leg aids.

However, it’s important to note that due to Ophelia’s lack of vision, she is not suitable for a beginner rider or handler. Her trust in people can quickly diminish if she is mishandled or steered into obstacles, like a tree or wall. With her specific needs, Ophelia deserves a home with experienced individuals who can provide the proper care she needs.

Ophelia is an angel and a staff favorite. Her calm, kind demeanor and willingness to trust has softens hearts at the Ranch. She stands wonderfully for the farrier and the vet. She gets along with other horses and settles into new routines nicely. She truly is such a great mare.

Contact Longmeadow Rescue Ranch today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, Ophelia!

Photo courtesy Longmeadow Rescue Ranch

ASPCA Right Horse

ASPCA Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.aspcarighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Ophelia appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

You walk out to catch your horse and bring him in for morning feed, but he’s not at the gate. He’s standing a ways off, but as soon as he starts to move, it’s obvious something is very wrong.

He’s significantly lame, reluctant to even put weight on his left hind leg, which is so swollen it’s almost double the normal size. What’s going on?

He’s had some hard workouts this week. Could this just be “stocking up?”

Cell phone in hand, you call your veterinarian and then slowly lead your hobbling horse into the barn.

By the time the vet has come and gone, you have a diagnosis and a treatment plan.

Cellulitis.

Unlike stocking up, which usually occurs in both hind legs (or even all four legs) and goes away after exercise, cellulitis does not. Photo by Bob Langrish

What is Cellulitis?

A bacterial infection within the connective tissue beneath the skin, cellulitis is a serious and painful condition that must be addressed promptly so it doesn’t progress and cause complications.

Also referred to as septic cellulitis, the infection often occurs in one limb—frequently a hind leg—although it can develop anywhere on the body.

“Cellulitis is a soft tissue infection that is often due to a puncture wound. It can happen anywhere in the body, but most of the time, it’s in a leg,” says Sam Crosby, DVM, whose equine veterinary practice is based in Arcadia, Okla. “It can also be introduced by a systemic infection, such as an infection of the bloodstream.”

Because cellulitis can develop rapidly, at first glance, it may appear that the horse has a fracture—especially because the considerable swelling is usually accompanied by dramatic lameness.

“The horse often doesn’t want to put weight on the leg and can be a 3 to 5 [out of 5] on the lameness scale,” he adds, noting that horses with cellulitis may react painfully just to having the limb touched.

In addition to obvious lameness when cellulitis is in a leg, other clinical signs include:

• Marked swelling (“stovepipe” appearance if in leg)
• Heat in the swollen limb
• Very painful to the touch
• Pitting edema (when an indentation remains in the swollen spot after you press on the skin)

In addition to marked lameness, a swelling or “stovepipe” appearance, generally in one hind leg, is a common clue that cellulitis is the cause. Photo by Bob Langrish

Diagnosis

If your horse shows clinical signs of cellulitis, call your veterinarian promptly. While you’re waiting for the vet to arrive, take your horse’s temperature to see if he’s running a fever. You can also hose the swollen leg with cold water to offer some relief.

The veterinarian will conduct a physical exam and will generally pull blood to run a complete blood count (CBC). A high white blood cell count indicates infection.

“We can also do a quick stall-side blood test called an SAA,” says Crosby. “This can be done on site and checks for inflammatory conditions, including infections. Vets often use both CBC and SAA test kits.”

If cellulitis is suspected, your horse’s veterinarian will run a complete blood count (CBC). A high white blood cell count indicates infection. Photo by GRUBäRin/Adobe Stock

If there’s any question of a foreign body being involved, the veterinarian may also use radiography or ultrasound to take a deeper look at the affected area.

“It usually takes 12 hours or more to develop cellulitis, but it can also show up several days after an injury,” he adds.

Treating a Horse for Cellulitis

“Cellulitis is very painful for the horse, and you want to get the swelling down as quickly as possible because it can cause other problems if not treated,” says Crosby.

If allowed to progress without treatment, cellulitis can lead to skin ulceration, abscesses, tissue necrosis or even sepsis. Other complications can include inflammation of the lymph vessels (lymphangitis), which can cause permanent damage. Laminitis in the supporting limb has also occurred in severe cases of cellulitis.

If a wound is discovered while examining the horse, the veterinarian may take a sample to culture and determine specific bacteria. But the first step is usually putting the horse on a course of broad-spectrum antibiotics to get the infection under control. This can also help stave off any secondary infection.

Your veterinarian will also prescribe an anti-inflammatory like phenylbutazone (Bute) or flunixin (Banamine) to reduce inflammation and pain.

In some cases when the condition is due to an infected wound, the veterinarian may need to address drainage and debriding of tissue.

It’s crucial to address the swelling caused by accumulated fluid. Hosing with cold water will help. Your veterinarian may recommend the use of poultice or a similar product to help draw out fluid. In addition, you’ll likely be told to hand walk your horse multiple times a day, as movement helps reduce the swelling.

It’s crucial to address the swelling caused by accumulated fluid. Hosing with cold water will help. Photo by R. Andreas Klein/Adobe Stock

Don’t bandage the swollen limb unless specifically instructed by your veterinarian, or you may cause additional swelling.

What It’s Not

“True cellulitis is typically in one limb,” says Crosby. “If all four limbs are swollen, it’s more likely systemic, such as purpura hemorrhagica (PH). This happens when blood vessels become ‘leaky’ after a respiratory infection like strangles or influenza.” He adds that PH is a result of an improper immune response and isn’t contagious.

Cellulitis is also very different from “stocking up,” which occurs when fluid in the lower legs accumulates during a period of inactivity, such as being stalled overnight. This edema can involve both hind legs, both forelegs, or all four legs. The swelling is typically the same in all affected legs, which aren’t hot to the touch or painful. With stocking up, the swelling usually resolves quickly once the horse is exercised or turned out.

Your vet will likely advise hand-walking your horse multiple times per day to help reduce swelling. Photo by Oger Ashford/Adobe Stock

Cellulitis Prevention

Unfortunately, once some horses have had cellulitis, they can have recurrent cases if they end up in a situation where bacteria is introduced under the skin again.

To prevent cellulitis, it’s important to clean any wound or breaks in the skin promptly. Treat the area and keep it clean to avoid infection.

Even if you aren’t riding, don’t skip daily close observation of horses. Check legs and pick hooves every day. Run your hand up and down each leg to feel for any injuries that may not be immediately obvious. Beware of any small wounds, breaks in the skin, or hoof cracks that can allow entry for bacteria, and treat them accordingly.

Scratches, dew poisoning, cracked heels, hoof abscesses, et cetera can all allow bacteria to enter beneath the skin, potentially setting off infection.

“Don’t assume any cut is minor; it can become serious if it develops into cellulitis,” cautions Crosby, who recently treated a bad case of cellulitis after a horse developed a subsolar abscess in the foot.

Because cellulitis is caused by bacteria, stable management is important. This includes keeping stalls and turnout areas clean and dry, so horses aren’t routinely standing in moist, dirty, or muddy conditions.

This article about cellulitis in horses appeared in the May/June 2025 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Cellulitis in Horses appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Photo courtesy Days End Farm Horse Rescue

Adoptable Horse: Ocean, a 27-year-old, 14.2hh American Quarter Horse mare
Organization: Days End Farm Horse Rescue, Woodbine, Md.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Ocean

Meet Ocean! At 27 years old, this beautiful buckskin mare is ready to spend her golden years as the perfect companion horse. Ocean is a large pony with a sweet presence and funny personality, making her a wonderful addition to any farm.

While she may be retired from riding, Ocean still enjoys staying active. A few days each week, she participates in basic groundwork with a volunteer trainer to keep her body moving and her mind engaged. She enjoys having a little job and spending extra time with people.

Ocean would make a wonderful companion for someone looking for a kind, easy horse to love, groom, and enjoy. Could Ocean be the perfect addition to your herd?

Contact Days End Farm Horse Rescue today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, Ocean!

Photo courtesy Days End Farm Horse Rescue

ASPCA Right Horse

ASPCA Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.aspcarighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Ocean appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Photo courtesy Wild at Heart Horse Rescue

Adoptable Horse: Pearl, a 13-year-old, 14.0hh pinto mare
Organization: Wild at Heart Horse Rescue, Lancaster, Calif.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Pearl

Say hello to Pearl, a stunning 2013 pinto mare with those unforgettable blue eyes that are sure to turn heads wherever she goes! She’s completed Wild at Heart’s groundwork training and is now stepping into her under-saddle journey.

Pearl has the brains, attitude, and willingness to make her next chapter exactly what you dream of. If you’re looking for a beautiful, smart, and eager mare to finish into your favorite discipline—whether that’s out on the trail or in the arena—Pearl is ready to shine.

Contact Wild at Heart Horse Rescue today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, Pearl!

Photo courtesy Wild at Heart Horse Rescue

ASPCA Right Horse

ASPCA Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.aspcarighthorse.org.

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