What to do next?! Ataxia.

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ForeverBroke_

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Apologies in advance if this is long, I'll try to keep it short!

Have had said horse for approx 1.5yrs. Failed 5* vetting based on being a roarer, but passed consequent 2* and fit for purpose as RC horse etc. Was already smitten so home he came.

Good as gold in all ways, real gentlemen to handle and ride. However, 6 months in became a bit 'off' in the school (would just generally be a bit bizarre in randomly shooting off, scrunching up in a ball, bucking, shooting backwards etc). Has always had a peculiar canter, canters disunited both in the field/lunge/ridden. Took him to the vet thinking KS, SI etc.

Upon unloading was instantly diagnosed as a neurological issue/wobblers. Had consequent bone scans, x-rays of neck, muscle biopsy to assess nerves etc and NOTHING found. Came home on a 6 week course of steroids and re-assessed. Thought to be a bit better, but still Grade 2 Ataxic. Vets said to give him another 6 weeks rest.

In the mean time, got a second opinion. This vet gave a 2 week bute trial at the yard, which didnt make a difference so took him into THEIR clinic. Said not neurological, x-rayed biopsy site above tail and found ligaments etc out of line quite drastically due to probable fall (Was a SJer). Said to bring him home, get him in work to make back end stronger and see how we go.

Present day : Walk/trot is better and canter on one rein is better - however not consistent and its still as bad on other rein. Will strike off disunited, buck, strike off correct then constantly change behind etc. Currently been on a bute trial to start the ball rolling again and no change.

What on earth could I do now?!! One vet clinic is telling me he's ataxic, dont ride. Vet 2 (head vet of practise 2) is saying he's fine just a little green, ride. Now vet 3 (from vet 2 practise, prescribed 2nd bute trial and has seen horse/treated before etc) is also saying he's ataxic - dont ride!

I'm so confused. :(

Any brain waves or 'I would do this next..' much appreciated!
 
A pm to kerilli may help, one of hers was ataxic last year and she was given loads of advice.

My only suggestion would be, if you haven't already, to get a good physio involved they can often help or at least give a different view on how to treat than the vets who sometimes if they cannot actually do anything seem to just have a wait and see approach.
 
Thanks, will try to hunt her down now!

He's not had a physio out recently, only a bog-standard chiro so I'll have a trawl for reputable ones in my area too actually!

Thankyou!
 
In 2004 my horse was diagnosed as a wobbler when he underwent extensive xrays as Liverpool Equine Hospital. The vet had xrayed him a few weeks before (whilst still displaying the ataxic episodes which led him to the hospital) and had xrayed using her portable machine and had not seen any problem.

The consultant at Liverpool explained that horses necks are very muscled and it is hard for portable machines to pick up images of vetebrae sufficiently to be able to tell if there is a problem due to the muscle mass.

You say your horse has a strange canter. My horse had a canter that threw you up and out of the saddle, totally different from disunited canter, it was quite a violent movement. If you halted him, reined him back and struck off into canter most times he would be okay for a few seconds/minutes and then revert back to the strange canter again.

If I were you I would insist that your horse is referred to a specialist centre like Liverpool or Liphook, or somewhere where they have a stand up high frequency rotating xray machine. They will also be able to perform a neurological examination to look at why your horse is ataxic.

In the meantime I would suggest you stop riding your horse, if he is ataxic there is every danger he could fall on you. Especially as originally diagnosed as Grade 2 ataxic.

These are the gradings with neurological conditions causing ataxia. My horse was Grade 3 touching on 4.

0 = Neurologically normal.
1 = Neurological defects barely detectable at normal gaits; exacerbated by excitatory tests.
2 = Neurological defects readily seen at walk.
3 = Neurologically worse defects and a HORSE may stumble or fall with manipulation.
4 = HORSE may fall at normal gaits.
5 = Recumbent.

Your horses ataxia could also be due to EPM (see link attached) or EHV, ingestion of certain posions (this would not be in your horses case) or as a result of other injury.
Here is more information
http://www.meadowherbs.com/Info Center PDFs/Wooblers_EPM.pdf
http://www.equiworld.net/horses/horsecare/erc/wobbler.htm
 
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Thanks applecart,

He has been to a clinic where he was x-rayed using an x-ray machine that was attached to the wall and could be moved toward him etc, not a portable one. Unless there is still one up from that? He's also had neuro tests in terms of tail-pull, walking up/down hill, blindfolded etc etc. Liphook and rossdales are both about an hour/hour and a half from me though, so not far.

He's also been tested for ESPM etc and his biopsy results/enzymes etc all came back fine. Also had a blood test and his liver is all functioning normally also.

Thanks for all the info though, I did wonder whether even something in his hocks/spavins would be contributing! His canter is comfortable when he strikes off correct, now anyway. Before it would be throwing me out of the saddle/impossible to sit to as well.
 
M - Thanks, hadn't actually thought of that! I know of someone that had a horse done so I know its do-able too - will definitely look into it.

P - I'm in Kent.
 
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