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==Aetiology and Pathogenesis==
==Aetiology and Pathogenesis==
''B. caballi'' and ''T. equi'' are transmitted by ticks, which become infected when they ingest parasites in the blood of infected horses. Infected adult ticks host several cycles of replication of Babesia spp and final maturation of the parasite occurs when the tick attaches to a new host. Approximately 15 species of ticks in the genera Dermacentor, Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus can be vectors for these organisms. ''B. equi'' can also be transmitted by ''Boophilus microplus''.
''B. caballi'' and ''T. equi'' are transmitted by ticks, which become infected when they ingest parasites in the blood of infected horses. Approximately 15 species of ticks in the genera Dermacentor, Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus can be vectors for these organisms. ''T. equi'' can also be transmitted by ''Boophilus microplus''. Infected adult ticks host several cycles of replication of Babesia spp and final maturation of the parasite occurs when the tick attaches to a new host. For this reason, the tick must remain attached to the host for a period of time before infection can occur; this may require up to a few days. Equine babesiosis may also be transmitted via contaminated surgical instruments, blood products or syringes. Currently, there is no evidence suggesting transmission by other insects.
Following recovery from infection, horses may become lifelong carriers of the disease and represent a potential reservoir of parasites.
==Clinical signs==
Clinical signs are generally dependent on the causative parasite. Infection with ''B. caballi'' tends to result in a milder form of disease that is often clincally inapparent whereas ''T. equi'' results in a more serious disease. The clincal presentation of the disease is variable and dependent on the immunological status of the affected animal. In rare cases, the presentation may be acute with animals found dead within 24-48 hours of the onset of clinical signs.