![]() ![]() Clinical signs may not be apparent until the horse is several years old however, a careful neurological examination can often detect subtle abnormalities that are present early in the course of the disease. Typically this problem is characteristic of young, rapidly-growing horses less than two years of age. Both females and (more often) males are affected by this condition. While all breeds are represented in case reports of wobbler syndrome, Thoroughbreds are the most commonly affected breed, with some studies estimating up to two percent of horses being affected to some degree. ![]() This vertebrae malformation results in spinal cord compression. Wobbler disease is a common name for a specific condition called cervical vertebral malformation, or CVM. Neck radiographs of normal spinal cord (green) and abnormal angle with spinal cord compression (red). While there are several conditions affecting the neck area, one significant spinal issues we see is “wobblers.” The cervical region is amazingly similar across all mammals - shrews, humans, giraffes, and horses all have seven vertebra! While the length and anatomy obviously varies significantly among these species, the function of the spine in this area remains the same: to provide structural support for carriage of the head, and provide a protective tube for the spinal cord as it travels to the body. The neck, or cervical vertebrae, represents the first area of the axial skeleton where abnormalities can develop. The goal of this article is to describe some common equine spinal problems that may be encountered by the horse owner, and how they are best treated to get the horse back on track. Having a thorough veterinary assessment to achieve an accurate diagnosis is crucial to determine the best course of treatment for the individual horse. When any of these signs develop in a horse, it is important to rule out physical discomfort as a cause of poor performance. Sometimes, all that is reported in a horse with spinal pain is a decreased athletic ability when compared with his previous level of performance. These cases can be difficult to diagnose, as an appendicular cause of lameness must be ruled out prior to assuming primary spinal pain. Occasionally, horses with primary spinal pain do present with a true lameness. The signs of sacral pain include reduced engagement of the hindquarters, dragging the hind toes, or a “bunny-hopping” gait at the canter in which the hindlimbs move together rather than in a true three-beat canter. Horses with thoracic and/or lumbar discomfort may resent being groomed or saddled, and may buck or rear when asked to collect in an attempt to escape the added pressure on their painful back. Head tossing, inverting the neck, or resisting lateral or longitudinal flexion while being ridden are characteristic of pain in the cervical spine. Spinal pain in the horse can present with a variety of clinical signs, depending on which part of the spine is involved (see Equine Skeleton). While there are many medical or behavioural reasons why a horse may not be performing well, one of the more common causes is pain originating from his axial skeleton, or more specifically, the spine. This vague and sometimes perplexing complaint is a common one presented to veterinarians when a horse fails to perform to his previous standard. The limbs comprise the appendicular skeleton, and are complex, delicate structures that are often subject to injury, resulting in heat, pain, and visible lameness.īut what if a horse isn’t lame, but is also “not quite right?” Perhaps he just doesn’t perform as well as he used to, or is acting unfavourably under saddle. Veterinarians and horsemen alike have long considered lameness to be the hallmark of equine locomotion disorders. ![]() This is not without good reason as traditionally, the limbs have been the focus of equine musculoskeletal injuries. For most of us, this conjures the image of a lame horse and many hours of cold hosing, bandaging, and veterinary visits. If one owns horses long enough, he or she is bound to encounter a disorder of the equine musculoskeletal system. However, horse owners are all too aware of the fact that despite this amazing athletic ability, the equine body can be remarkably fragile. The musculoskeletal system of the horse is an incredible machine - strong, fast, efficient, and capable of performing feats as varied as jumping obstacles and roping cattle. ![]()
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