Neuroaxonal Dystrophy in Quarter Horses

Dr. Carrie Finno of the University of California, Davis, uses several case videos to describe the neurologic disease neuroaxonal dystrophy (also called equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy) in horses.

[@_Chessa_]

I feel like watching these videos, there should be a lot more laws presented that should make its way to eliminate this hereditary disease within horse lines. Those breeders should not be qualified breeders anymore, if they keep on making horses that have to be put down. It’s shameful and messed up to allow mares and stallions to keep breeding when they know the foals could end up like the previous ones with wobblers. Terrible breeding facilities no matter the breed.

[@109367]

If there is testing available for EDM like with HYPP and HERDA it should absolutely be tested for and positive animals barred from breeding, I don't know enough about EDM to know for certain if there is even a test for it.

[@cinteltex7877]

Are there any videos or studies about ataxia in horses?

[@brittanysue7465]

How do you get your horses tested and do you always have to put them down

[@paulacorso7954]

Does the horse patient still step on its own hoof when it moves on its own without a human leading it or circling it?

[@cardinalfox0734]

Sometimes yes, depending on circumstance, they even lay down without wanting to

[@paulacorso7954]

@@cardinalfox0734 thanks!

[@barbarabeeghly8602]

If a young horse presents with this disorder, is euthanasia suggested. Did the studied equine present with Vit E/Selenium deficiencies early in life?

[@vwyldrose1153]

Yes because it is degenerative meaning it only gets worse. The kindest thing you can do is have them humanely put down.

[@forestp334]

Is muscle shaking also a side effect?

[@109367]

You mean a "symptom"

[@georgianderson386]

So judgy some of these comments. I have a 3 yr old gelding just now being tested. He is not sound. I have had multiple soundness vets check him out & x-rays etc all come back clean. He was fed VERY well, on pasture in summer, given supplements and I would have had no idea this could be a thing for him. Pretty sure nobody is out there saying-I think I'll breed for a foal that has degenerative issues that I spend a ton of money on and then have to put down.

[@maggiepie8810]

No one wants it to be one of their own foals, but there could be in the interest of a breeding stallion's owner that information like that isn't made public. If a popular stallion has a 50% chance to pass down a known genetic disease, there could be those who would try to downplay that risk.

[@morganlast5498]

Poor breeding.

[@vwyldrose1153]

I have never understood why some breeders choose to continue breeding animals they know carry a genetic disorder. There's people out there now breeding hypp and herda positive horses. Those things could be wiped out in one generation if all breeders would be ethical and responsible. Thankfully some are but you have some idiots out there still that don't care and breed to win, they don't care what it takes.