Botulism in horses causes progressive paralysis and is frequently fatal without prompt treatment, with prevention through vaccination being highly effective.
Botulism causes profound suffering through progressive paralysis that the horse experiences with full or partial consciousness. Horses unable to rise or swallow are completely dependent on human care and face the additional distress of recumbency - a position of extreme vulnerability for a prey species. Intensive care for equine botulism is expensive, labor-intensive, and associated with high mortality in severe cases. The welfare cost of surviving botulism with intensive care is significant but recovery is complete in survivors. Prevention through vaccination and careful feed management is straightforward and represents an excellent welfare investment, particularly in regions where equine botulism is endemic.