Stiff Horse Syndrome

[Stace]

Hi

Anyone heard of Stiff Horse Syndrome or had any dealings with it, any help or advice would be gratefully appreciated

 

[Shay]

I googled this thinking you might mean azoturia - but you learn something every day. Its very rare and more or less confined to only one breed so far as I can tell - which might be why you have had no replies.

There is quite a good article here https://thehorse.com/127762/muscle-disorders-aaep-2006/

Sorry we couldn't be of more help!

 

[Stace]

Thank you and struggling to find much information

 

[Tess B]

Hi, I've only just seen your post. I had a horse with stiff horse syndrome. If you still need any help/info I'm happy to have a chat. It's very rare and mine had vets scratching their heads for a while.

 

[Stace]

What were the symptoms your horse showed and what treatment is he receiving
thank you for replying

 

[Tess B]

Hi, she initially just seemed generally stiff when being ridden although it was quite subtle. She then started to have to stretch her legs forward to be able to eat from the floor in the stable, but was OK in the field. She then had some episodes where she had spasms and couldn't move when startled. After diagnosis at the AHT she started to have to stretch out to get her head down to eat grass in the field too. Unfortunately there is no treatment and it is degenerative. She had to be PTS. There is very little info about SHS but if you Google stiff man syndrome, which is the human equivalent it may give you a better understanding of the condition.

 

[Stace]

We don’t have that, he’s slightly stiff behind but he flickers her eyes and struggles to balance to travel. He leans against the wall as if to try to relieve pressure from his back legs. He was originally treated for motor neurone but that came back negative and Also negative for shs