🩺 Hernias in Horses: A Vet’s 2025 Guide | Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Meta description: ⚠️ A 2025 veterinary guide by Dr Duncan Houston on equine hernias—umbilical, inguinal, scrotal & diaphragmatic: signs, care, surgery & Ask A Vet support.

1. 🧠 What Is a Hernia?

A hernia occurs when abdominal contents—fat, intestine or omentum—push through a defect in the muscle or connective tissue wall. In horses, hernias are classified by their location: umbilical, inguinal (groin), scrotal, and diaphragmatic :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

2. ⚠️ Why It Matters

While some hernias are benign and monitored, others—especially those involving intestine—can strangulate, leading to colic, tissue death, breathing issues, shock, and even death. Early detection is essential :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.

3. 🧭 Types of Hernias in Horses

• Umbilical: Near the navel; common in foals (often congenital) :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
• Inguinal: Groin area—more common in stallions, especially leading to scrotal hernias :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
• Scrotal: In males, a severe form of inguinal where intestines descend into the scrotum :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
• Diaphragmatic: Rare tearing between chest and abdomen—caused by trauma or congenital :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.

4. 🔍 Recognizing the Signs

• Umbilical: Soft swelling at navel; may be reducible, rarely causes discomfort unless strangulated :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
• Inguinal/scrotal: Swelling in groin or testicle; may cause acute colic, especially in stallions :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
• Diaphragmatic: Intermittent colic, labored breathing, muffled lung sounds, weight loss :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.

5. 🩺 Diagnosis

• Physical exam by palpation.
• Reducibility check in umb/op glboinj.
• Ultrasound or X‑ray for confirming diaphragmatic hernias :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
• Rectal palpation helps detect inguinal hernia in stallions :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.

6. 🛠️ Treatment by Hernia Type

6.1 Umbilical Hernias

• Most small (<5 cm) resolve in 3 weeks–4 months :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
• Larger ones may require clamps (elastrator rings) or manual bands under vet supervision :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
• Surgical repair delayed until foal is 4–6 months, often coinciding with castration :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.

6.2 Inguinal & Scrotal Hernias

In foals, canal often vertical—they may resolve; monitor closely :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.

In breeding stallions, it's an emergency—strangulating hernias must be surgically corrected promptly :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.

6.3 Diaphragmatic Hernias

Always require surgical referral. Repair via mesh and celiotomy; prognosis depends on viability of organs involved :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.

7. 🛡️ Prognosis

• Umbilical: ~80–90% resolve or successfully repaired.
• Inguinal/scrotal: Stallions—~75% survive with prompt surgery :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}.
• Diaphragmatic: Variable; early, uncomplicated cases have better chances :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}.

8. 🧼 Post-Op & Aftercare

• Rest, bandaging, NSAIDs and antibiotics as needed.
• Monitor incision, temperature, and appetite.
• Gradual return to exercise over 4–6 weeks.

9. 🛡️ Prevention Strategies

• Monitor newborn foals daily for umbilical swelling.
• Use sterile techniques during castration to reduce hernia risk in stallions :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}.
• Minimize trauma to prevent diaphragmatic tears.

10. 💬 Ask A Vet Support

• 📸 Send images of hernia location and size for assessment.
• 📋 Obtain monitoring schedules and decision guides for intervention.
• 📆 Receive reminders for surgical planning, rechecks, and rehabilitation stages.
• 🎓 Access webinars by Dr Houston on foal health, surgical cases, and emergency readiness.

11. ❓ FAQs

Can I reduce a hernia myself?

Only under veterinary guidance and for reducible, uncomplicated cases. Manual reduction should be done carefully.

When is the best time to repair an umbilical hernia?

Small ones may close by 4 months; large or persistent ones should be repaired between 4–6 months.

Can stallions breed again after inguinal hernia surgery?

Yes—if testicle and spermatic cord remain healthy, fertility often returns to normal :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}.

When should I suspect a diaphragmatic hernia?

Look for unexplained colic, exercise intolerance, breathing difficulty, or muffled chest sounds—refer for ultrasound.

12. ✅ Final Takeaway

• Hernias—umbilical, inguinal, scrotal, and diaphragmatic—vary in urgency and treatment.
• Umbilical often self-resolves; others require vet intervention.
• Stallion and diaphragmatic cases are true emergencies.
• Monitoring and timely surgery save lives and protect fertility.
• Ask A Vet offers expert assessment guidance, surgical pathways, and recovery protocols 💙

🐾 Spotted a Hernia in Your Horse?

Contact Ask A Vet right away with photos or video of swellings, breathing issues, or colic signs. I’ll guide you on urgency, diagnostics, prepare for surgery, and support post-op recovery—as Dr Duncan Houston, I’m here to help every step. 🐎