How to Check for Neurological Disorders in Horses

This video was originally produced for the Official Patrons of our podcast, Straight from the Horse Doctor's Mouth. Dr. Erica Lacher of Springhill Equine Veterinary Clinic explains how neuro exams are conducted, and what to look for if you suspect your horse is exhibiting neurological behavior. If you'd like to become a Patron and get the videos ahead of the general public, you can find all the details at / straightfromthehorsedo...

[@dianereiser6417]

Built like my mare I got 3 years ago, and she also has neck arthritis.

[@britnisandberg3015]

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.

[@ForestDunes]

Comprehensive. Thank you.

[@fbertolus]

what a great video! Thank you!

[@chandorequestrian]

Love, love, love your podcasts!

[@carli6407]

I do too!!!

[@sarahcottingham3825]

Fantastic and so thorough!! The test to determine the possibility of Wobblers just wondering could that also reveal an Ecvm issue?

[@fbertolus]

I was wondering the same.

[@SpringhillEquineVet]

Yes, that will show up!

[@cattymajiv]

@@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!

[@michelleford7392]

Great! Thanks!!

[@paularouse9116]

That is a beautiful horse!

[@emilycorwith1119]

Very interesting!

[@user-kb7zz6qj4g]

Thanks for making this video! 2nd Semester vet student

[@SpringhillEquineVet]

Welcome to the team!!!!!

[@cattymajiv]

@@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!

[@tracyblack1509]

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

[@SpringhillEquineVet]

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.

[@cattymajiv]

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!

[@helenemitchell8170]

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?

[@SpringhillEquineVet]

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?

[@lesleywager2280]

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?

[@SpringhillEquineVet]

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!

[@jackieurbanski8820]

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.

[@SpringhillEquineVet]

Yes! Check out this video for some great strengthening exercises: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHyZdoitbrabodU