What causes wobbles in a horse?

The exact cause of wobbler syndrome in horses is unknown. It is believed that the syndrome is caused by genetic predisposition, feeding excessive amounts of energy and other nutrients, rapid growth, physical trauma, decreased copper/ increased zinc levels, or a combination of these factors.

What are the symptoms of wobblers in horses?

Symptoms of Wobbler Syndrome in Horses

• Abnormal gait including a shortened stride, spastic or exaggerated gait.
• Excessive tail movement while trotting.
• Bunny hopping during a canter.
• Sores on the front heels due to over reaching.
• Abnormal stance.
• Stiff neck.
• Kicking out or unusual, flighty behavior due to pain.

Can a horse with wobblers be ridden?

In Europe if the horse is found to be ataxic, which is most often due to the disease ‘wobbler syndrome’, the horse is likely to be put down immediately. If a horse suffers from this disease, putting it down can be a necessity, as the animal can be dangerous to ride and handle.

How do I stop my horse from wobbling?

Preventing Wobblers Syndrome Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent a horse from developing wobblers syndrome. Care should be taken to prevent the young stock from too-rapid growth. However, if injury or genetic predisposition are factors, there is little we can do.

Why is my horse walking like he’s drunk?

“The most common neurologic problem equine veterinarians see in the United States is an abnormal gait,” Dr. Sellon says. “Affected horses are usually ataxic and weak, meaning that they walk with a staggering or drunken type of gait. They may drag their toes, stumble frequently or sway back and forth when they walk.”

What age do horses get wobblers?

The first typically affects horses from 4 to 12 months of age and occurs most frequently between vertebrae C3 and C4, and C4 and C5. It causes pinching of the cord only when the neck is flexed.

What are horse staggers?

Grass Staggers is an allergy and the symptoms severity increases with each exposure to the toxins. So a young horse could show little symptoms but in later life show chronic symptoms. 3. All horses suffer from Grass Staggers, just some horses are better able to cope with the consequences.

Is there a cure for wobblers disease?

It’s most common in Great Danes and Dobermans, with 4-5% of those breeds being affected. There is no cure for Wobblers, and depending on how advanced the symptoms become, sometimes treatment isn’t effective.

Why is my horse staggering?

Why is my horse holding his back leg up?

Answer: Stringhalt is a rare lameness that causes a horse to lift his hind legs higher and more rapidly than usual when he’s moving. One or both hind legs may be affected, and the lameness varies from mild (just a muscle spasm) to so severe that the horse actually kicks himself in the belly when he tries to move.

What is an equine wobbler?

An ” Equine Wobbler ” is a horse with a damaged spinal cord. Your horse may be a wobbler if you are seeing one or more of the following signs: Has your horse been stumbling or stumbles more often under saddle? Have you seen any abnormal wear of front toes?

What kind of horse is prone to wobbling?

Some breeds such as Morgan Horse, Quarter Horses, and Thoroughbreds seem to be most affected. Horses with long willowy necks are felt to be more prone to developing wobblers. Horses with wobblers syndrome will trip often and be stiff and uncoordinated when they move.

What causes CVM Wobblers in horses?

Causes of CVM or Wobblers. Wobblers is not a specific disease but a blanket name that covers a variety of conditions. Wobblers may be caused by compression or malformation of the spine in the neck that makes the animal stiff and uncoordinated. The horse may be born with a predisposition, there may be a nutritional connection or an injury.

What causes a horse to have a wobbling neck?

Wobblers is not a specific disease but a blanket name that covers a variety of conditions. Wobblers may be caused by compression or malformation of the spine in the neck that makes the animal stiff and uncoordinated. The horse may be born with a predisposition, there may be a nutritional connection or an injury.