The Most Prevalent Diseases Affecting the Health of Horses in The Western Region of Libya

الملخص

The population of horses in Libya is significantly growing with more people interested in racing, and endurance horses. However, the available data on common management, nutritional, and health factors that impact the horse industry is limited. The goal of this study was to explore factors that impact horse sports with emphasize on management, nutrition, and common diseases. A written survey was carried out between January 2023 and December 2024 that covered 60 farms located in the western region of Libya. Located in West Zawia, Surman, Sabratah, and Al Ajaylat. The majority of the farms were racing thoroughbred horses followed by racing, and endurance horses. The housing system was mostly individual stalls, 77%, that used sand flooring, 90%. Deworming programs showed even distribution with farms that apply no treatment around (45%), those using equlan (30%), and the use of mixed treatments around (43%). Feeding was focused on the use of crushed barley (64%) as well as vitamin 12% and supplements before racing. The most common disease conditions were colic at 90%, cough at 50%, lameness at 55%, and dysuria at 20% while the least commonly reported conditions were diarrhea at 10%, EIPH at 3%, tying up at 6%, and pigmented urine in 2% of examined farms. These findings suggest that management and nutritional protocols are satisfactory. Further attention is required to provide the necessary veterinary care for horses suffering from common diseases such as colic which can be fatal and cough and lameness that impact the performance of horses.