Ataxia

Saf

Saf

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Hi everyone

Does anyone have experience of ataxia, my mare rolled in the field, some sort of trauma occurred and she became ataxic.
Was sent to RVC and has arthritis in the neck which we believe may have pressed on spinal cord.

So I need to hear the good and bad ? She is currently resting and vet back out to access later in month.

Would you risk getting back on if she seems normal or am I never to ride my precious girl again :(
 
I would't get back on until she is cleared by the vet. If she has an ataxic spell then you could get injured, and even if not the pressure of being ridden could increase the pain in her neck.
Good luck with the re visit.
 
Unfortunately I had one do a similar thing. He would get up and his whole back end would sway as he walked, he looked like he was drunk. It would right itself after a few strides and the rest of the time he seemed normal. He was also often covered in little bumps and cuts and I think he was hurting himself when no one was around. I never risked riding him and put him to a blood bank where he lived happily for many years. I didn't bother looking into treatment options ect as he wasn't ever going to be a safe ride.
Sorry its not better news.
 
My horse had this, he looked like a drunk. He did recover to a certain degree the first time it happened but I only gently hacked anyway.
He had terrible trouble getting up and would sit like a dog and then try and heave himself up. I gave up riding him, Vet said it was probably pressure on spinal cord. Be guided by the vet, but unless total recovery I would not risk riding again.
 
How is she resting? My boy had the same diagnosis (at Leahurst) but although I don't dispute arthritis on his spine - I saw the X-rays - I don't believe that arthritis was the cause of his ataxia. It hasn't completely gone as if you know it's there and he's had limited movement then there are some signs, but it's very very mild.

He has other issues which are unrelated and it wouldn't be worth taking him back to Leahurst to be reassessed. That said I have ridden him and may do so again if we can overcome these other hurdles.

You're just going to have to play the waiting game I'm afraid and be guided by your horse and the professionals looking after him.
 
Thanks everyone the next vet visit is the 25th till then she is out during the day and in at night, no work of any kind, she is very quiet and not her normal self but seems ok otherwise. She was seen by the RVC but now under my own vet, I trust them all to guide me through this
 
My boy is in at night and out during the day - it was when he was on 24/7 box rest (didn't leave his stable for a fortnight) that he struggled. He's now in at night and out during the day and that suits him, so I hope it helps your girl too.

Good luck!
 
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