Dizzy?

[samsaccount]

Can horses have dizzy spells, or feel light headed?

This morning I went to sort my lad out, went to his stable opened the door and turned the light on and he was fine a few minutes later he seemed to stumble back wards and drop his back end as though he had become dizzy and was about to fall over. Afterwards he seemed fine, his eyes were not rolling, he was able to walk straight, his capillary refill in his gums was normal as was his respiration rate, didn't have a thermometer - but he didn't feel too hot/cold, his appitite was fine as was his attitude, and seemed his normal self tonight so I am slightly puzzled about it all but very releived he seems to be perfectly normal.

What do you guys think?

 

[tanflislibs]

god, sounds scary!!! never heard of it before!! i'd wait and see if it happens again, then get a vet out. is your boy playful? does he spook? he could have just been being funny and shying at something!! who knows!

 

[samsaccount]

He can spook and it would make sence as he was stood at the far end of his stable and had no-where to go to but back if the object he spooked at came from the opposit end of his stable, I didn't notice or hear anything that he would have spooked at so I am not sure.

He has never done it before, and I am keeping a close eye on him for just incase anything develops.

 

[JGKJ]

My old horse has been having alot of problems with what i can only say are 'dizzy spells' so much so that when he shook he fell over, but hes quite improved now, think my horses dizziness might be something to do with Cushing's anyway. Quite scary when it happens though isnt it. I got very little help and advice from my vet who mearly put it down to old age!

 

[kcgibson]

Hi, horses can suffer from a condition called cataplexy and another condition called narcalepsy (excuse spellings but i think they're right!). One of the conditions (and im pretty sure its narcalepsy) unables the horse to lock the stifles (they do this when they sleep standing up) so as you can imagine, the horse falls alseep then falls over. The other condition (cataplexy) causes the horse to have blackouts (these will vary in severity). Im not saying your horse will have this condition but it is worth talking to your vet about what may have caused the dizzy spell (im not sure how cataplexy starts off, whether it is chronic or accute). Both conditions can be very serious, particularly the cataplexy. My friends horse was diagnosed with cataplexy after two episodes she witnessed (after the diagnosis we realised he had many more out in the field and thats where unexplained cuts had come from, due to him falling over so much). Im not trying to scare you but ask the vet for advice and maybe ask him/her for more info on the conditions and just be vigilant. I'd hate anyone to have to go thru what my friend did with her horse.

After all that, it may just have been you turning the light on and him having a confused dizzy moment! Im prob just being pessimistic as i am with most things!!!!