Crimean War Disease Resurfaces Through Horse Neglect

An equine skin disease which was eliminated from British Army horses during the Crimean War is making an alarming reappearance according to World Horse Welfare. Verrucous Pastern Dermatitis is just one of an increasing number of equine skin diseases being seen in the UK, as a direct result of horse neglect say skin experts.

The disease develops as a direct result of horses standing in damp, muddy and unhygienic conditions. Over the last 5 - 10 years there has been a massive 25% increase in reported cases of Verrucous Pastern Dermatitis.

At the same time there have been significant increases in other skin diseases such as sarcoids, mud rash and canker, affecting the legs and hooves of horses says Professor Derek Knottenbelt, leading expert in skin diseases in horses, from the University of Liverpool.

He said:

"In 1973 sarcoids affected around 1.5% of the horses in the UK but this has risen to over 6% now. The numbers don't look high but in a population of over 1 million horses this is an enormous increase of around 45,000 cases!"

This rise in the number of cases of skin diseases directly corresponds with World Horse Welfare's statistics which show an increase of nearly 50% in the overall number of concerned welfare calls to the charity in the past 5 years.

Professor Knottenbelt said:

"The reason we're seeing such an alarming increase in the number of new cases is largely a result of owners' ignorance and regrettably in many cases, neglect."

There are apparently two major reasons for the resurfacing of skin diseases like Verrucous Pastern Dermatitis:

"Firstly, owners often try to manage disease themselves in an attempt to save money and most owners have had a good go at any skin disease before any professional person has been consulted. Often owners seek advice from the internet and administer dubious treatments which, in lots of cases, render the condition virtually impossible to treat, causing unnecessary pain and suffering to the horse. In some of the severe diseases like Verrucous Pastern Dermatitis the affected animals often have to be euthanized.

"The second main reason is that some people simply don't care and treat their animals like disposable machines. Owning a horse is a privilege and carries significant responsibilities."