What Are The Major Health Concerns With Foals?

This data reported the percentage of equine operations facing different health issues with foals from birth to 6 months of age during 2015:

  • 10.0% of the operations were faced with injury, wound or trauma concerns with foals.
  • 7.2% of the operations dealt with lameness, leg or hoof problems.
  • 7.2% of the operations dealt with digestive concerns such as diarrhea.
  • 4.2% of the operations had foals with respiratory concerns, such as pneumonia or strangles.
  • 2.9% of the operations had colic worries.
  • 2.7% of the operations had eye concerns with one or more foals.
  • 1.4% of the operations dealt with skin problems with foals.
  • 0.9% had behavioral problems that were unusual, affected the animal’s use or involved foal safety.
  • 0.1% of the operations dealt with reproductive tract concerns in foals.

— Changes in the U.S. Equine Industry Report, 1998-2015, U.S. Department of Agriculture

There’s A Good Footcare Market Working With Older Horses

  • Over 20% of the horse population in the U.S. is over the age of 15.
  • One out of every three horse owners has a senior horse.
  • Senior horse owners who don’t compete usually own several horses that are over 15 years old.

— Laurie Cerny of www.equineseniors.com


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