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Equine Sacroiliac Joint

Equine Sacroiliac Joint

Jul 31, 2023 | Sacroiliac Joint

Whinny’s Wisdoms

Springhill Equine Veterinary Clinic

Hello everybody, Whinny here! This topic comes to you by popular request. I will be discussing an essential anatomical and functional component of the equine skeletal system – the sacroiliac joint. We’ll explore the structure, function, and clinical implications of these important joints.

First, a definition: the sacroiliac joints (SI joints) are the articulations between the sacrum and the ilium. But what are those? The equine sacrum and ilium are two important components of the horse’s skeletal system, specifically the pelvis. The sacrum is a large, triangular bone located at the base of the spine in horses and other mammals. It is formed by the fusion of several vertebrae, typically five in horses. The sacrum serves as a vital connection between the vertebral column and the pelvic girdle, providing structural support and facilitating the transfer of forces during movement.

The Sacrum

In horses, the sacrum is positioned posteriorly (towards the rear) and forms the back part of the pelvis. Its shape is uniquely adapted to withstand the forces generated during locomotion. The sacrum consists of a body and a broad, wing-like portion on each side known as the alae. The dorsal (upper) surface of the sacrum is slightly concave, while the ventral (lower) surface is mostly flat.

The sacrum plays a crucial role in distributing weight and forces from the spine and hind limbs to the pelvis and vice versa. It provides stability and support for the horse’s body, particularly during activities that involve weight-bearing, such as running, jumping, carrying a rider, or trying desperately to avoid stepping on a mouse who happens to be in the area.

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The Ilium

The ilium is one of the three bones that make up the pelvis, alongside the ischium and pubis. In horses, as well as in humans, mice, and many other mammals, the ilium is the largest and most prominent of the three pelvic bones. It is located on the lateral (outer) side of the pelvis, forming the upper part of the hip bone.

The equine ilium has a distinctive shape, characterized by a broad, flat wing-like structure known as the iliac blade. The ilium extends dorsally and cranially (towards the back and front, respectively) from the sacrum, curving downward to meet the ischium and pubis bones at the acetabulum, the socket where the femur (thigh bone) articulates.

The ilium serves as an attachment site for various muscles involved in locomotion, such as those responsible for hip extension and lateral movement. It provides a strong foundation for muscle attachment, allowing efficient force generation and control during movement.

How It All Works

Together, the equine sacrum and ilium form an integral part of the horse’s pelvis, contributing to overall stability, load-bearing capacity, and locomotor function. Their anatomical characteristics and proper alignment are crucial for the horse’s performance and soundness.

The sacroiliac joint is relatively immobile in adult horses. This immobility and stability is reliant on muscular support. Increased mobility causes pain from instability and subsequent osteoarthritis as the bones move against one another. This instability can result in damage to the sacroiliac ligaments which support the joint.

Resistance to engaging the SI joint causes atrophy of the epaxial musculature and low back pain. Signs of sacroiliac pain can be insidious and hard to identify. Some examples would include back soreness, shifting hind limb lameness, or just poor performance. In certain cases, horses may drag their toes—gotta watch out for those when I’m frolicking in the field with them! Keep in mind that these symptoms can mean a wide variety of things, so don’t assume it’s the SI joint without a good diagnosis by one of my docs.

Diagnosing the Problem

Diagnosis often involves imaging and watching the horse go in a variety of ways. The vet may even want to see video of your horse doing what they do best—so jumping or running barrels, especially if the lameness or discomfort is more subtle and not apparent on a simple straight jog. It’s mostly impossible to radiograph the bones of the horse’s lower back because of their size, so ultrasound is one of the most commonly used tools to visualize the joints and bones.

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Treatment

Treatment for SI joint pain is often multimodal. Just like when you humans injure yourself, keeping recovery simple is often the best step. My docs will often recommend things like chiropractic, acupuncture, FES, and at-home exercises.

One of the best exercises for your horse’s back involves using cavaletti poles which you probably already have at home. You only need 2-4 but can use more if you’d like. All you have to do is elevate one side of each pole by a small amount, just enough space for me to limbo under. Then, simple as can be, you walk your horse over the poles, making sure they stay in the center so that one side of their body has to lift over the elevated pole and the other side stays mostly flat. This gives them a nice oblique workout and helps strengthen their core, which leads to a healthier back.

Dr. Yorke and Dr. Carter just did a seminar on acupuncture, which you can watch on my YouTube Channel, and my mentor Tony has written several blogs on that and chiropractic. FES, or functional electrical stimulation, is another great tool in our arsenal for back pain. Tony has a full blog on that HERE, but the gist is that this treatment does a fantastic job of helping decrease muscle spasms and relieve pain. It creates equal amounts of contraction and relaxation of the muscles which helps balance things out. A common sequela of sacroiliac pain is lumbar muscle spasm, pain, and atrophy. FES helps a ton with it!

Of course, as with many joint issues in horses, an option that we sometimes have to go to is joint injection. The sacroiliac joint is one that responds well to steroids to decrease inflammation, so that is often our first go-to (whereas in a lot of other joints we have moved away from steroids as the first approach). This injection is ultrasound guided, and most often is done at the clinic so our doctors can use our stock system to contain the horse. Because there is so much muscle covering the bones of the pelvis, the doctors use deeply penetrating ultrasound beams to visualize the space they need to get the medication. As with any joint injection or use of steroids, there are risks involved, so they’ll often focus on strengthening exercises and other modalities before jumping into injections.

Whinny Wisdom: Every time steroids are injected into a joint, the total lifespan of that joint gets shorter.

The next time our doctors are out for your horse’s wellness exam, talk to them about exercises you can do to strengthen and stretch your horse’s lower back! Prevention is always better than treatment, just like mice are always better than cats 😉

I’ll get BACK with ya later!

~Whinny

P.S. Word around the Clinic has it that Justin just finished writing Adventures of the Horse Doctor’s Husband 3, and it will be released on September 15th! Keep an eye on the Books Page of my website for links to purchase in the coming weeks, or get your signed copy at our annual Open House, which is coming up on September 30th!

Whinny’s Wisdoms is the official blog of Whinny the Clinic Mouse at Springhill Equine Veterinary Clinic in Newberry, Florida. If you liked this blog, please subscribe below, and share it with your friends on social media! For more information, please call us at (352) 472-1620, visit our website at SpringhillEquine.com, or follow us on Facebook!

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Endocrine Disease in Horses

Endocrine Disease in Horses

Jul 17, 2023 | Endocrine Disease

Whinny’s Wisdoms

Springhill Equine Veterinary Clinic

Diagnosing and Treating Endocrine Disease in Horses

Greetings, fellow mice and equine enthusiasts, Whinny here! Gather ’round, for I have a tale to share about the remarkable value of diagnosing and treating endocrine diseases in our majestic equine friends. As a tiny mouse with a big voice, it’s my job to guide you through this adventure, where we’ll uncover the hidden treasures that lie within these medical marvels. So, grab your miniature saddle and join me as we embark on this journey of discovery! 

Unmasking the Hidden Villains: A Mouse’s Keen Eye!

In our quest to support the noble steeds, we must first unmask the hidden villains that plague their endocrine systems. With a keen eye for detail, our talented veterinary heroes employ diagnostic tools like hormone-level measurements and specialized blood tests that commonly include ACTH and insulin levels. These tools enable them to detect conditions such as equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) with insulin dysregulation, and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID or Cushing’s disease). Like a mouse spotting a breadcrumb trail, their skills unravel the mysteries of these ailments, leading us to victory! Or at least a diagnosis.

As Endocrine Disorders are concerned, the two most common conditions that we are testing for are Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) and Cushing’s Disease (PPID). EMS’s key feature is insulin dysregulation. Clinical signs for a horse with EMS can include laminitis, obesity, difficulty with weight loss, and regional adiposity (fat deposits in specific areas such as the crest, shoulder, and tailhead). On the other hand, Cushing’s Disease’s hallmark clinical sign is hypertrichosis, which is a fancy term for an excessively long and sometimes curly hair coat that does not shed out properly. Other signs can include chronic laminitis, loss of topline musculature, delayed healing and suspensory ligament breakdown.

Things can get tricky when a horse has both conditions at the same time. Reach out to your veterinarian if you think your horse is starting to show any of these clinical signs, as time is of the essence!

Tailored Treatment Options: A Mouse’s Secret Ingredient!

Armed with their vast knowledge, our veterinarians craft tailored treatment options to restore equine health. Each option is chosen to address the specific needs of the horse and their unique endocrine condition. Through the use of medications like pergolide for Cushing’s Disease and Insulin Wise or metformin for EMS, combined with lifestyle adjustments, we can bring balance back to our equine friends. As a tiny mouse, I’ve witnessed the transformation firsthand—these treatments are the secret ingredient that unlocks a world of wellness!

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Nutrition: Fueling Equine Resilience!

In our pursuit of equine resilience, nutrition takes center stage. Enter the wise nutrition gurus, who use their knowledge to create feeding programs. These programs often are tailored to control sugar and starch intake, incorporate forage and maintain ideal body condition. In the case of EMS, diet management is usually geared towards weight loss and limiting sugar and calories. This may include adding a grazing muzzle to limit grass intake and feeding a ration balancer instead of a complete or senior feed. On the other hand, Cushing’s Disease diet management is focused on current body condition score and whether or not the horse also has insulin dysregulation. Many Cushing’s patients with normal insulin levels graze on pasture and eat senior feeds. If they are overweight, or also have insulin dysregulation, then they will be on a ration balancer and restricted grass access.

Holistic Care: A Mouse’s Whisker of Extra Support!

While conventional treatments are essential, we must not overlook the holistic options. Acupuncture and herbal remedies can offer an extra dose of support on our equine heroes’ journey to wellness. These treatments, when integrated with veterinary care, help restore harmony and balance within their bodies. As a tiny mouse with a keen sense of curiosity, I’ve seen the sparkle return to their eyes and heard the spring in their hooves with the addition of acupuncture to their treatment plan.

Make sure you consult with my vets about any herbs, as they could contain something that conflicts with a medication they are on, or have the same base ingredient, and we don’t want to overload our horse’s system. Herbs may seem harmless, but many of our drugs are based on them, and the details are important!

Empowering the Equine Community: A Tiny Mouse’s Roar!

As we wrap up our adventure, let us not forget the value of empowering the equine community. Through knowledge sharing and raising awareness, we mice and horse lovers join forces to create a powerful alliance. By educating horse owners and caregivers about the signs of endocrine disorders, we empower them to take swift action and seek the support of our veterinary heroes. Together, we can roar like a mighty lion, ensuring the health and happiness of our cherished equine companions.

Conclusion

In this whimsical journey, we have discovered the value of diagnosing and treating endocrine diseases in horses. With a mouse’s keen eye, we can unmask the hidden villains, allowing our veterinary heroes to help our horse companions. Tailored treatment options, nutrition, and holistic care restore equilibrium to our equine friends’ lives. Through shared knowledge and a united alliance, we empower the horse and human bond.

Until next week,

~Whinny

P.S. Have you seen the latest Horse Girl Goes to the Vet video over on my YouTube Channel? It’s a riot! Just click on the blue text to watch it (it’s only 90 seconds!). Make sure you like and subscribe so you don’t miss out on upcoming material, like the First Aid for Horses series that’s coming out this fall!

Whinny’s Wisdoms is the official blog of Whinny the Clinic Mouse at Springhill Equine Veterinary Clinic in Newberry, Florida. If you liked this blog, please subscribe below, and share it with your friends on social media! For more information, please call us at (352) 472-1620, visit our website at SpringhillEquine.com, or follow us on Facebook!

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Establishing New Pastures

Establishing New Pastures

Jul 10, 2023 | Pastures

Whinny’s Wisdoms

Springhill Equine Veterinary Clinic

From Seed to Success: Whinny’s Guide to Establishing a Luscious Pasture

Greetings, humans! I, Whinny the Mouse, will be your wise and witty guide to all things agricultural. Today, I am thrilled to delve into the captivating world of pasture planting. Whether you’re transforming land into a vibrant pasture or rejuvenating a field overrun by weeds, these key steps will ensure a flourishing property. So, sit back, nibble on a cheese-flavored crumb, and let’s embark on this enlightening journey together!

Plans for Planting! Oh, the haste that leads to mediocre results! Many a pasture planting endeavor fails due to the lack of a well-thought-out plan. Remember, my eager readers, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and a thriving pasture requires careful planning. Take the time to develop a step-by-step plan that addresses the unique challenges and management requirements of your new pasture. It is also best to think through any potential pitfalls and develop backup and back-backup plans. The local extension agent is your best friend in this scenario.

The first step is deciding what to plant. Visit your local county extension agent and explore the species, varieties, and cultivars readily available. Remember, not all forage species thrive in your region, so consult with your local county extension agent to determine the most successful species and varieties for your specific area. For the Florida readers, bahiagrass may be your best option. It is well adapted to the various soil types in Florida from sandy, drier sites, to damp flatwoods soils. Unfortunately, it will not tolerate extended periods of standing water, and can be slow to establish in deep sands, but no other forage species has as wide a range of adaptability to Florida soils. Bahia grass is also very adapted to short rotational grazing. This grass can be grazed all the way down to 1-2 inches–real mouse height–before only needing to rest for 1-2 weeks before it can be grazed again.

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When it comes to planting, timing plays a crucial role. While February often brings a tempting warmth, young seedlings are vulnerable to frost damage. Mid-March through mid-April or mid-June through July are the recommended planting periods for warm-season forages…sooo right about now! Avoid planting in May and early June when hot, dry conditions prevail. Ideal planting conditions include good soil moisture and regular rainfall for the first few weeks to sustain seedlings until they establish a root system. Remember, if it’s as dry as a bone, postpone planting! Late summer or early fall can also be suitable, but remember that growth is slower during shorter days, and plants need time to store nutrients for winter dormancy after the first frost.

Whether planting seeds or vegetative materials, minimizing weed competition is paramount. Start by ensuring a clean slate, as preemergence herbicides for seeded forage crops are limited. If you’re converting a field with existing grass or grass weeds, consider spraying glyphosate in early fall or spring when those grasses are actively growing. Simply disking the field once or twice before planting won’t eradicate weed issues entirely. Multiple rounds of disking, resting, weed sprouting, and disking again can help reduce the weed population effectively. Additionally, prepare a firm seedbed as fluffy soil dries out quickly and can hamper seedling.

Speaking of seedlings, these little kids are at the most vulnerable phase, so we have to ensure they have access to nutrients. While the seed itself possesses ample stored energy to initiate growth, once the forage emerges and develops its root system, it craves immediate nourishment, particularly nitrogen. While it is common practice to incorporate fertilizer before or during planting, the best approach is to wait until the plants have emerged a few inches tall and possess a functioning root system. By doing so, we ensure that the tiny plants receive the nutrients they need at the right time, enhancing their chances of flourishing. Fertilizer can cause problems for the large animals we want to live on these pastures though, so it’s best practice to check the guidance on the fertilizer bag before use, though most will recommend waiting until at least ½ inch of rain has washed the pasture before putting grazing animals back on it.

For those in my neck of the woods, the UF/IFAS Soil Lab will test your soil samples prior to planting to give insights into your property’s specific requirements. If you are not in Florida, look for your state school’s agricultural extension office and I bet they offer a similar service. If the soil’s pH needs correction, you can get advice on the application of lime or dolomite to best incorporate them into the plant root zone. The soil analysis will also guide you in ordering a customized blend of fertilizer tailored to your specific field, complete with instructions for a split application. Remember, young plants don’t require all the fertilizer at once, and dividing the application minimizes the risk of leaching during heavy rainfall.

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My last whisker of wisdom is this: exercise caution when it comes to grazing. Rushing to graze too soon, particularly with horses that possess top and bottom front teeth, can yield unfavorable outcomes. To determine if it’s the right time, gently pull on the grass plants and observe. If the plant is uprooted or the roots yield under minimal force, grazing should be postponed. As a general guide, most forages should reach a height of 6-12 inches before initial grazing commences, while larger plants like millet and sorghum hybrids require a height of 20-24 inches.

Keep in mind the significant investment made in establishing the pasture and provide the baby plant with ample time to recover after grazing. These newly established fields should primarily serve as supplementary grazing areas for other pastures during the first year, allowing the plants to develop and survive. Taking all this into account, you can make some beautiful pastures and fields for your horses to graze and the local field mice to frolic in. Together, we can nurture our pastures and cultivate a thriving agricultural landscape.

Until next week,

~Whinny

P.S. Are you subscribed to my blog? Don’t rely on Facebook to let you know it’s out! Just scroll down to the big purple box and put your email in, and my blog will arrive in your inbox every Monday, a day before everyone else gets it! As Tony would say, be a good human and scroll down, you can do it!

Whinny’s Wisdoms is the official blog of Whinny the Clinic Mouse at Springhill Equine Veterinary Clinic in Newberry, Florida. If you liked this blog, please subscribe below, and share it with your friends on social media! For more information, please call us at (352) 472-1620, visit our website at SpringhillEquine.com, or follow us on Facebook!

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Animal Allergies

Animal Allergies

Jul 3, 2023 | Allergies

Whinny’s Wisdoms

Springhill Equine Veterinary Clinic

Hey everybody, Whinny here! You know what really yanks my whiskers? Allergies! *Achew!*

All animals suffer from allergies. Now that we’re getting into the summer, we’ll all see allergies rear their ugly heads even more often. Just like you two-leggers get a summer “hay fever,” us critters have much higher exposure to pollen and bugs during the hot months of the year.

Overview

There are many types of allergies, but the broad categories are seasonal, food, and insect. Animals can be affected by some or all of these. This time of year, the main change for allergic animals will be bugs, so let’s talk about those first!

Insect Allergies

The types of insects we are mostly talking about that cause allergies are gnats for large animals and fleas for small animals. The way both of these work, at least in the sunny southeast, is that these bugs are all around us, and tend to bother all of us, but they bother some more than others because some animals are allergic to their gross bug saliva.

I commonly hear animal owners deny that their pets are affected by insects because they aren’t seeing a lot of them, or aren’t seeing more than a few on their unaffected animals. But the trouble with allergy to saliva is that it only takes one or two bug bites to create an allergic reaction, which comes from the immune system. When an animal’s body is exposed to an allergen, (bug saliva, in this case) little antibodies called IgE are produced. These call in reinforcements to create inflammation and bring about histamine.

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Food Allergies

Food allergens tend to be more of an issue for smaller animals like dogs and cats. Our illustrious clinic cat Tony doesn’t have any food allergies (though he has chosen not to consume rodents like yours truly out of the kindness of his heart), but lots of dogs and cats have food allergies and sensitivities. The most common food allergies are to proteins like chicken or beef. The humans who make advertisements on the television love to make claims about grain allergies, but the truth is those are about as common as a cube of cheese in a barn that’s not a trap. It’s possible, but very unlikely.

Horses can definitely deal with inflammatory gastrointestinal conditions, but they don’t tend to stack up with skin symptoms to the same degree as dogs and cats. See? Being a horse isn’t all bad.

Seasonal Allergies

The growing seasons of spring and summer bring about pollen. You may not be able to see it easily, unless you park a dark vehicle under a tree, but my light brown fur tends to get highlighter yellow tips this time of year as I run through the fields around Springhill Equine. So I can confidently say the pollen is out in full force. There are options for specific seasonal allergy tests through a veterinary dermatologist. For this test, the dermatologist will put little bits of the allergens under the animal’s skin and watch for swelling to indicate reaction. Some companies advertise a blood test to diagnose seasonal allergies for all species, but unfortunately there is no evidence that these have any diagnostic value, so don’t waste your money.

Whinny Wisdom: Allergies are cumulative. An animal that is only mildly susceptible to both a bug allergy and a seasonal allergy will be more severely affected if they are exposed to both.

Diagnosing and Management

If you are worried about your animals having allergies, the correct first step is to have them evaluated by a veterinarian. Our doctors will do a complete physical exam, including taking a temperature. Sometimes, certain kinds of infections can look like allergies, so it’s always important to start with a physical exam. If the physical exam is otherwise normal, then there’s a conversation about the most likely type of allergy your pet has going on and a conversation about diagnostic tests. None of the tests are straightforward or cheap but most also involve an element of treatment.

For food allergies, we generally have a diet change. For dogs and cats this involves a prescription diet, whereas for horses or ruminants it is more about elimination diets, first starting with removing all hay or all grain, then working up from there. This category definitely marries both diagnosing and treating. We start with a different, hopefully novel, diet, and we keep that going for at least 6 weeks. This is where discipline is important. I struggle with that, as doing my daily 1000 tail curls can be tough, but discipline is super important here: your pet must not eat anything but the prescription or elimination diet that their doctor has recommended for the full time period. Then, if we see improvement, it’s time to have a conversation about whether to continue with that diet, or try to challenge them to really get confirmation.

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For diagnosing allergies from those pesky invertebrates, the doctors almost always treat in order to diagnose. This usually means both topical and oral medications. For dogs and cats this always, always, always involves prescription strength flea prevention. Even if they are acting like their main problem is one of the other allergy types, we absolutely must control external parasites like fleas to control their level of itch.

For horses, the external parasites that cause allergies are typically things like gnats, so we use products with a repellant in them like citronella. Horses also tend to be much more focal in their response to parasite allergies, so we treat topically at the area of interest. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen big boxes of bottles of Equishield products come into inventory. I don’t get to explore the boxes when they come in (something about “paw germs” or something, ugh) but I do get to play in them when they make it out to the recycling bin, so I love it! Anyway, the topical Equishield products are used a lot because they do a GREAT job of combating insect allergies in horses. Dr. Speziok has even recommended them sometimes for certain farm dogs with seasonal allergies. When it works, it works.

Seasonal allergies are tough to definitively diagnose except by a dermatologist. Pragmatically, we often just manage this, especially because they only affect animals for part of the year. There is the option of intradermal skin testing, which will reveal specific allergens. If you choose to go this route, allergy vaccines can be developed which can potentially improve the allergies directly (the closest thing to a cure we have). But they are very hyperlocal, so you’ve gotta stay close to your den, err home, and not move!                                                                                                      

Allergies in general are not curable, and often get worse over time. Allergies are unfortunately both time and money consuming. Managing them has to be a partnership between you, your veterinarian, and your pet (they have to cooperate and either get the baths and sprays, or take the pills and injections). Don’t let them get worse this year without treatment, get your critters in to see our doctors if you’re worried!

Until next week,

~Whinny

P.S. Are you watching the Horse Girl Goes to the Vet series on YouTube? It’s fantastic! Episode 13 just dropped this weekend. It’s only 90 seconds long, but it will make your day! Just click the blue text to check it out!

Whinny’s Wisdoms is the official blog of Whinny the Clinic Mouse at Springhill Equine Veterinary Clinic in Newberry, Florida. If you liked this blog, please subscribe below, and share it with your friends on social media! For more information, please call us at (352) 472-1620, visit our website at SpringhillEquine.com, or follow us on Facebook!

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Neck Pain in Horses

Neck Pain in Horses

Jun 25, 2023 | Neck Pain

Whinny’s Wisdoms

Springhill Equine Veterinary Clinic

Hi everyone, Whinny here! For horses to perform well as athletes, they must be able to use their whole body well. You’re probably familiar with the idea of taking care of your horses’ legs to keep him sound and able to ride – and you’re right, it’s super important. But have you thought about your horse’s neck recently? Despite being right there in front of us, problems in the neck may not be easily recognized because the signs may be subtle or hard to pinpoint. However, your horse’s neck is really important to his movement, balance, and comfort. Neck issues can happen to any horse – no matter his age or breed, or whether he’s a show horse or a backyard pet, so let me share with you what I learned about neck pain in horses!

Neck Anatomy (in brief)

A horse’s neck is a pretty complicated structure. There are seven large bony vertebrae that make up the cervical spine. Most of the spine is actually located lower down near the bottom of the neck, not up under the mane like people sometimes think. The neck vertebrae connect with each other through the main part of the bone, cushioned by the intervertebral discs, and also through joints at the sides called articular facets. The spinal cord runs through a channel in the middle of the vertebrae, and the cervical nerves travel through openings at the sides. There are a whole bunch of muscles, tendons, and ligaments to hold everything together – including the really big nuchal ligament that runs at the top of his neck, under his mane, from his skull to his back.

Signs of a Problem

So how do you know if your horse is having neck issues? It’s not always as obvious as you might think! To start with, let’s talk about normal. One of the most important things to know is that the muscles in a normal horse’s neck are smooth. Even a really fit, well-muscled horse like an Olympic showjumper should have a smooth neck. If you can see lots of lines and creases in your horse’s neck, it doesn’t mean he has great muscle development, it means there is muscle spasm! Those are called tension lines, and they’re often located in the brachiocephalicus muscle that runs along the lower neck over the spine. Here are a few examples:

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When you watch a normal horse walk towards you, you should see the head and neck moving in a gentle figure of eight pattern. If the neck is held very still as he moves, it’s often a sign of pain and stiffness. Can he turn his head easily in both directions? Or does he have less range of motion in one direction and tilt his head when he bends instead of turning smoothly.

Signs of neck pain can range from mild stiffness that limits performance to intense pain and muscle spasm. Your horse might just show a change in behavior or performance that doesn’t match his usual personality. You may notice that his neck muscles aren’t well developed. You may feel him bending or turning less easily to one side than the other or be less willing to raise or flex his neck. Some horses with neck pain prefer to hold their necks low and extended. There might be patchy sweating in one spot on the neck, caused by nerve irritation.

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Neck problems can cause ataxia (incoordination or wobbliness) when there is pressure on the spinal cord. Pain in the neck can even look like the horse is lame on one of his front legs, especially if the limping can’t be eliminated by nerve blocks. This is due to pressure on the nerves that travel from the vertebrae to the forelimbs.

Types of Disorders

Neck pain can occur in young and adult horses, and has a variety of causes, ranging from congenital issues, to wear-and-tear arthritis, to single traumatic incidents. Here are a few of the most common.

Muscle Soreness

Primary soreness and tension in the neck muscles can occur because of the way the horse carries his body and the work he is doing, especially if he isn’t working correctly. It might also occur secondary to pain in another site, such as his forelimbs or back. It’s important to figure out why it’s happening and not force him to continue working the wrong way, so it doesn’t lead to something worse down the line. His muscles will only develop normally if he’s able to use them correctly.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis of the articular facet joints between the vertebrae is most often seen in middle aged sport horses such as jumpers or dressage horses. This is one of the most common types of neck pain my vets see. Like arthritis in other joints in the body, it is usually caused by wear and tear on the joints over time, causing degradation and bone proliferation. This results in joint pain, and in more severe cases, incoordination.

Wobbler Syndrome (cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy)

This disorder usually affects young, fast growing, horses 6 months to 3 years old, but it can affect mature horses as well. It’s characterized by an abnormal gait, especially in the hind limbs, with incoordination and weakness. The horse may stumble or walk like he’s been given a sedative. It’s caused by a narrowing of the vertebral canal through which the spinal cord runs, and compression of the spinal cord as the neck moves. Surgical intervention to fuse the affected vertebrae can help some horses return to soundness, but Wobbler syndrome can be career ending in others.

Nuchal Bursitis

This is inflammation of the bursa that lies between the nuchal ligament and the first vertebrae of the neck, just behind the head. Horses may show neck stiffness, poor performance, or swelling around the poll. Most cases are the result of repetitive pressure caused by head position during training. In some cases it can involve a bacterial infection.

Diagnosis

In order to successfully manage your horse’s neck pain, it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis. If my Springhill vet thinks something more than just simple muscle soreness is going on, she’ll likely recommend an X-ray or ultrasound. Sometimes diagnosis can be challenging due to the complex anatomy and the limitations of 2D imaging techniques. Advanced imaging, such as nuclear scintigraphy (bone scan) or computed tomography (CT) is occasionally needed to identify the source of pain and provide 3D visualization of the problem area.

Treatments

After my vets have determined what’s going on with your horse’s neck, they can recommend a treatment to get him feeling as good as possible. If your horse is dealing with muscle soreness or joint stiffness without anything more serious going on, chiropractic and acupuncture treatments are great to improve flexibility around the joints and relieve muscle tension. My vets are trained in these techniques and love the results they can give.

Springhill Equine Veterinary Clinic

For osteoarthritis in the neck, treatment usually involves injecting the affected joint with corticosteroids, or an orthobiologic such as Platelet Rich Plasma. These injections are performed with an ultrasound to precisely guide the needle into the correct spot. Injections can be very effective in decreasing the pain and inflammation and returning the horse to competition, though the prognosis depends on how severe the joint damage is.

Other treatments may be used as well, such as mesotherapy (injecting through very small needles to stimulate the mesoderm nerve fibers and stop the pain spasm cycle) and medications such as muscle relaxants or anti-inflammatory medications.

While many horses with neck pain can be managed well with treatment, for some of the more severe cases with ataxia, like wobbler syndrome, the horse may unfortunately be unsuitable for riding. If the horse is incoordinated, he is more likely to trip and fall than a normal horse, and so is a safety risk to himself and to his rider.

Your best approach to taking care of your horse’s neck is to pay attention to his attitude, flexibility, and the feel of his muscles. If you notice anything amiss, give my vets a call! They can help you pinpoint the problem and get your horse back on the road to recovery.

That’s all for this week!

~Whinny

P.S. Are you plugged in to all the amazing things my website has to offer? Go up to the menu and check out the other pages! There’s books, videos, podcast episodes, all kinds of great stuff! My humble little blog is just one element in this online world of horse things, so make sure you’re taking advantage of the whole shebang!

Whinny’s Wisdoms is the official blog of Whinny the Clinic Mouse at Springhill Equine Veterinary Clinic in Newberry, Florida. If you liked this blog, please subscribe below, and share it with your friends on social media! For more information, please call us at (352) 472-1620, visit our website at SpringhillEquine.com, or follow us on Facebook!

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