Dr Erica, Thank you so much for this video to help horse owners in their quest to determine if their horse has neurological issues. You are such a good educator!! I am a veterinary nurse in Ireland and we need equine vets like you here!! 🐎❤️
what if your horse grabs his hoof away from you and accidentally almost steps on his other foot? It happens every once in a while, like he's trying to move away from mewhile he's snatching his hoof back. He's resisting having his hoof picked up due to thrush at the moment. He has it in all 4 hooves
Thank you so much for this at 12:29 (and before when you sped up the small circles) what if the horse doesn't lift their front feet, but instead twists them and rotates over them (only moving the hind) until they get so bunched up they move the outside front but never stop spinning over the inside front. My mare just had this exam today and had this issue.
I try to add more forward motion. If I can't get them to circle without planting their front feet no matter what I try, then that can be an indication there are some neuro issues
Thank you Dr. Erica! I have an older gelding that my barn manager thinks may have EPM, however I think that it is more just that the horses is unfit as his coordination has and does improve with regular rehab type work alongside things like equitape and supportive therapies like bodywork. For some of these tests, such as the crossing of legs in a turn or a reluctance to back up can "failing" that test simply be a lack of strength/training if they are relatively equal on both sides? He has improved when Ive worked with him on it to build up his core and overall conditioning.
"Failing" some of these can be an indication of muscle loss, and improving strength leading to improving test results will cause me to lean that direction. However, I also try to figure out why there was muscle loss. For many of these older horses there is more than one component to their issues.
@@SpringhillEquineVet There is no sound on this video! Please reupload it! It is dead silent, and it's not my device. I tried everything to remedy it, and it's definately the video. By 10 minutes in there are 4 places so far where there is suddenly a blurb of music or other sound, then nothing again. I don't know why others have watched it with no problems, but there is DEFINATELY something wrong!
@@cattymajiv if this happens, close your app or browser and try again. Also, on a browser often there is a mute button that may be active. Hope this helps you 4 months into the future.
@@SpringhillEquineVet There is no sound on this video! Please reupload it! It is dead silent, and it's not my device. I tried everything to remedy it, and it's definately the video. By 10 minutes in there are 4 places so far where there is suddenly a blurb of music or other sound, then nothing again. I don't know why others have watched it with no problems, but there is DEFINATELY something wrong!
Is this an age appropriate neurological test for a young horse.? 2yr old. Should I expect my PPE vet to perform these tests on a 2 yr old? What if a young horse hasn’t been handled enough to do the basics? Is it fair to say you may not get the property answers.? Thank you Dr. Latcher , Justin and Piper
For youngsters without a lot of handling we generally try to set up situations that ask them to do tight turns back and forth and observe their limbs. It is definitely harder to get a full picture of the status of the "wild" ones. However, if they've been handled we often do all the same tests.
Nice video. Can some of the "failures" of the tests for the 3 y.o. horse be result of zero muscle build up? I am always wondering about my younger horse whether he just clumsy in some circumstances or have some minor neuro issues. If the balance is contstanly improved through exercises, should this be interpreted as just muscle problem instead of neuro problem? Thanks
Young horses are tricky! They can definitely appear "neurologic" due to poor muscle tone. These are cases where it is very important to work with your veterinarian, and potential a physical therapist who specializes in horses, to determine if your horse simply needs more muscle strength or if there is an issue. Sometimes this can only be determined with time. I will assign an exercise like standing on balance pads, and recheck them in 2 weeks to see if there has been improvement. This improvement would indicate that muscle strength is the issue versus a true neurological issues.
@SpringhillEquineVet thank you for the answer, great idea with the balancing pad, I'll try something like that! We had already physio before. But vet specializing in neuro issues is sadly difficult to get, with closest dates in months.
Great video. One of our horses suddenly started having trouble walking, it’s like she wants to walk but her legs won’t cooperate. She can walk but it is slow, off balance and she shivers. Any suggestions.
Great video, thank you so much. I've read that vitamin E deficiency can cause neurological issues in horses. My horse moved from Tenessee (lush pastures everywhere) to Texas (pretty much a nuclear wasteland) three months ago. Is that enough time to develop a deficiency?
Vitamin E deficiencies tend to take 6-8 months to develop. They also rarely develop in horses on good quality diets. If your horse is eating a commercially available concentrate you are safe!
What do you think of the tail pulling to know if they have neurological problems? And how do you do it, by pulling the tail in the same direction the horse is about to put its weight on? Or doesn't matter, you pull constantly while they are walking?
Tail pulling is a good test, but needs to be interpreted carefully. I perform the test by having one person walk the horse, while I pull the tail to the side while they are walking. I alternate pulling while weight is on the foot on my side and while it is in the air, then switch sides and repeat. Be very careful when doing this test. Some horses HATE you pulling on their tail and will try to kick you for real. What I'm looking for is an inability to stay upright when I apply pressure. This doesn't mean they fall. It usually means the hind feet go in some very obviously wrong places. Normal horses do yield to the pressure. Especially if they have any level of training. We teach horses to yield to pressure so don't look for a complete pull against you. It's more when I add pressure can you keep walking, or does the system go a bit haywire?
Is there any exercise I can do to a horse with a weak hind end, that did not pass vet check because of this, I like to think this is not a neurological dysfunction,he use to trip a lot more as a younger horse, but has gotten so much better in a yr, thinking hoping there is exercises I can do to help my 4 yr old gelding.
There is no sound on this video! Please reupload it! It is dead silent, and it's not my device. I tried everything to remedy it, and it's definately the video. In 2 places so far there is suddenly a blurb of music, then nothing again. I don't know why others have watched it with no problems, but there is DEFINATELY something wrong!
This was the most comprehensive neurologic exam I’ve seen. Thank you for making the time to make this video.
Dr Erica, Thank you so much for this video to help horse owners in their quest to determine if their horse has neurological issues. You are such a good educator!! I am a veterinary nurse in Ireland and we need equine vets like you here!! 🐎❤️
what if your horse grabs his hoof away from you and accidentally almost steps on his other foot? It happens every once in a while, like he's trying to move away from mewhile he's snatching his hoof back. He's resisting having his hoof picked up due to thrush at the moment. He has it in all 4 hooves
Love, love, love your podcasts!
I do too!!!
Thank you so much for this at 12:29 (and before when you sped up the small circles) what if the horse doesn't lift their front feet, but instead twists them and rotates over them (only moving the hind) until they get so bunched up they move the outside front but never stop spinning over the inside front. My mare just had this exam today and had this issue.
I try to add more forward motion. If I can't get them to circle without planting their front feet no matter what I try, then that can be an indication there are some neuro issues
Thank you Dr. Erica! I have an older gelding that my barn manager thinks may have EPM, however I think that it is more just that the horses is unfit as his coordination has and does improve with regular rehab type work alongside things like equitape and supportive therapies like bodywork.
For some of these tests, such as the crossing of legs in a turn or a reluctance to back up can "failing" that test simply be a lack of strength/training if they are relatively equal on both sides? He has improved when Ive worked with him on it to build up his core and overall conditioning.
"Failing" some of these can be an indication of muscle loss, and improving strength leading to improving test results will cause me to lean that direction. However, I also try to figure out why there was muscle loss. For many of these older horses there is more than one component to their issues.
Comprehensive. Thank you.
Fantastic and so thorough!! The test to determine the possibility of Wobblers just wondering could that also reveal an Ecvm issue?
I was wondering the same.
Yes, that will show up!
@@SpringhillEquineVet There is no sound on this video! Please reupload it! It is dead silent, and it's not my device. I tried everything to remedy it, and it's definately the video. By 10 minutes in there are 4 places so far where there is suddenly a blurb of music or other sound, then nothing again. I don't know why others have watched it with no problems, but there is DEFINATELY something wrong!
@@cattymajiv if this happens, close your app or browser and try again. Also, on a browser often there is a mute button that may be active. Hope this helps you 4 months into the future.
Thanks for making this video! 2nd Semester vet student
Welcome to the team!!!!!
@@SpringhillEquineVet There is no sound on this video! Please reupload it! It is dead silent, and it's not my device. I tried everything to remedy it, and it's definately the video. By 10 minutes in there are 4 places so far where there is suddenly a blurb of music or other sound, then nothing again. I don't know why others have watched it with no problems, but there is DEFINATELY something wrong!
Built like my mare I got 3 years ago, and she also has neck arthritis.
Is this an age appropriate neurological test for a young horse.? 2yr old. Should I expect my PPE vet to perform these tests on a 2 yr old? What if a young horse hasn’t been handled enough to do the basics? Is it fair to say you may not get the property answers.? Thank you Dr. Latcher , Justin and Piper
For youngsters without a lot of handling we generally try to set up situations that ask them to do tight turns back and forth and observe their limbs. It is definitely harder to get a full picture of the status of the "wild" ones. However, if they've been handled we often do all the same tests.
Nice video. Can some of the "failures" of the tests for the 3 y.o. horse be result of zero muscle build up? I am always wondering about my younger horse whether he just clumsy in some circumstances or have some minor neuro issues. If the balance is contstanly improved through exercises, should this be interpreted as just muscle problem instead of neuro problem? Thanks
Young horses are tricky! They can definitely appear "neurologic" due to poor muscle tone. These are cases where it is very important to work with your veterinarian, and potential a physical therapist who specializes in horses, to determine if your horse simply needs more muscle strength or if there is an issue. Sometimes this can only be determined with time. I will assign an exercise like standing on balance pads, and recheck them in 2 weeks to see if there has been improvement. This improvement would indicate that muscle strength is the issue versus a true neurological issues.
@SpringhillEquineVet thank you for the answer, great idea with the balancing pad, I'll try something like that! We had already physio before. But vet specializing in neuro issues is sadly difficult to get, with closest dates in months.
Great video. One of our horses suddenly started having trouble walking, it’s like she wants to walk but her legs won’t cooperate. She can walk but it is slow, off balance and she shivers. Any suggestions.
We would definitely recommend having your vet out ASAP to evaluate your horse.
Great video, thank you so much. I've read that vitamin E deficiency can cause neurological issues in horses. My horse moved from Tenessee (lush pastures everywhere) to Texas (pretty much a nuclear wasteland) three months ago. Is that enough time to develop a deficiency?
Vitamin E deficiencies tend to take 6-8 months to develop. They also rarely develop in horses on good quality diets. If your horse is eating a commercially available concentrate you are safe!
What do you think of the tail pulling to know if they have neurological problems? And how do you do it, by pulling the tail in the same direction the horse is about to put its weight on? Or doesn't matter, you pull constantly while they are walking?
Tail pulling is a good test, but needs to be interpreted carefully. I perform the test by having one person walk the horse, while I pull the tail to the side while they are walking. I alternate pulling while weight is on the foot on my side and while it is in the air, then switch sides and repeat. Be very careful when doing this test. Some horses HATE you pulling on their tail and will try to kick you for real. What I'm looking for is an inability to stay upright when I apply pressure. This doesn't mean they fall. It usually means the hind feet go in some very obviously wrong places. Normal horses do yield to the pressure. Especially if they have any level of training. We teach horses to yield to pressure so don't look for a complete pull against you. It's more when I add pressure can you keep walking, or does the system go a bit haywire?
BRILLIANT!
what a great video! Thank you!
Is there any exercise I can do to a horse with a weak hind end, that did not pass vet check because of this, I like to think this is not a neurological dysfunction,he use to trip a lot more as a younger horse, but has gotten so much better in a yr, thinking hoping there is exercises I can do to help my 4 yr old gelding.
Yes! Check out this video for some great strengthening exercises: ruclips.net/video/BK6EUw9Qhks/видео.html
That is a beautiful horse!
Great! Thanks!!
Very interesting!
Breaking a safety rule to never be on your knees!
There is no sound on this video! Please reupload it! It is dead silent, and it's not my device. I tried everything to remedy it, and it's definately the video. In 2 places so far there is suddenly a blurb of music, then nothing again. I don't know why others have watched it with no problems, but there is DEFINATELY something wrong!
I don't have a good answer for you as these have sound on all the devices we've tried them on
My device is fine. I think it's just something wrong with your devices. it seems everyone's sound is fine.
I’m having the same problem! I can’t hear her speaking at all, only the intro music 😢
Maybe she needs a neck adjustment?