Kalarama

A warning for other breeders with weanlings and yearlings.
This past season we dealt with equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE), caused by Lawsonia intracellularis. It infected the lining of the small intestine in some of our young horses. The gut wall thickened and they could not absorb nutrients and protein properly. That is why they dropped weight so fast and looked tucked up and ribby, even though they were being fed.
This is not a “not enough hay” problem. It is an intestinal infection that most often hits foals around 4–8 months of age, usually from late summer through winter. It can show up on well-managed farms.
Our affected horses were treated by our veterinarian, isolated, and they recovered. They are now in good flesh.
Watch for:
sudden weight loss after weaning
dullness or poor appetite
diarrhea
swelling under the belly or legs
a young horse that looks thin despite eating
If you see that combination, call your vet. Bloodwork showing low protein/albumin is a common clue. Early treatment matters because the horses cannot use the feed in front of them until the gut lining heals.
We have tightened monitoring, isolation, stall cleaning, and biosecurity so we catch any future cases sooner. If this helps another farm recognize it faster, it is worth sharing.