Lyme disease in horses causes subtle but significant welfare impacts ranging from joint pain to neurological syndrome that is frequently misdiagnosed.
Equine Lyme disease creates welfare challenges through both the disease itself and the diagnostic uncertainty that delays appropriate treatment. Horses with active Lyme disease experience joint pain that reduces willingness to work, hypersensitivity to grooming and tacking that may be misinterpreted as behavioral problems, and in neuroborreliosis cases, severe neurological deficits that are distressing and potentially dangerous for both horse and handler. The diagnostic complexity means that many horses with genuine Lyme disease are not diagnosed or treated promptly, extending the duration of suffering. Conversely, overdiagnosis leads to unnecessary antibiotic treatment with potential microbiome consequences. Tick prevention through acaricidal products, regular tick checks, and habitat management reduces infection risk meaningfully in endemic areas. Vaccination in high-risk populations is a straightforward preventive welfare measure.