Emergency Guide: Tetanus vs. Poisoning in Horses

When a horse suddenly gets sick, it’s very scary. In Ghana (and many other places), people often say “it’s tetanus” no matter what the horse looks like. But sometimes it is not tetanus — it could be poisoning, which looks very different and needs very different treatment.

This guide explains, in simple words, how to notice the difference.

What Tetanus Looks Like

Tetanus comes from a germ that enters through a wound (cut, puncture, castration). It makes the horse’s muscles very stiff.

Signs to look for:

• Horse moves stiff like a robot.

• Tail sticks out stiffly.

• Strange face: ears forward, wide eyes, tight mouth.

• Can’t open mouth well (“lockjaw”).

• A pinkish third eyelid flashes across the eye.

• Comes on slowly over days, not suddenly.

What Poisoning Looks Like

Poisoning happens when the horse eats or drinks something bad (moldy feed, chemicals, medicine overdose, toxic plants).

Signs to look for:

• Horse looks confused or drunk.

• Shaking or trembling all over.

• Wobbling, stumbling, or falling — can’t control the legs.

• May suddenly collapse, roll, or thrash (like a seizure).

• Sometimes sweating, diarrhea, or colic.

• Often comes on very quickly (minutes to hours).

How to Tell the Difference

Tetanus

• Horse becomes stiff, like a robot

• Appears slowly, usually days after a wound

• Can’t open mouth fully (“lockjaw”)

• Tail stiff, face looks strange (ears forward, wide eyes, tight mouth)

• No diarrhea or colic

Poisoning

• Horse looks confused or drunk

• Appears fast, minutes to hours after eating/drinking

• Shaking, trembling, wobbling, or falling

• May collapse or thrash like a seizure

• Often diarrhea, sweating, or colic