Nervous system disorders

Your horse’s nervous system is made up of his brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves. Responsible for a number of roles – from involuntary actions he doesn’t think about, such as sight, hearing and taste, to voluntary or conscious actions, such as movement and coordination – it’s fair to say the neurological system’s a complex one.

A problem affecting any part of this system is commonly referred to as a neurological condition. However, beyond this shared umbrella, the nature of the system means many of these conditions share very little in common. So, we answer some of your questions and take a look at the most common examples.

Did you know?

One of the main concerns with equine neurological conditions is that, due to a horse’s size, they can make him dangerous to be around. This is why it’s important to contact your vet if you suspect anything.

What are the causes?

There are a vast number of conditions that affect the equine nervous system, but they tend to share some common causes. These include…

• infections, either bacterial (such as tetanus), viral (such as equine herpes virus-1) or parasitic – though the latter is rare in the UK
• metabolic issues, which cause chemical changes in the body that ultimately impact on neurological function
• trauma to the head or neck
• neoplastic tumours, which may develop in the nervous system or originate in structures close to it and impact neurological function
• congenital or developmental conditions, which often cause symptoms in young horses
• degenerative conditions, such as joint disease or arthritis in the neck and back, which may cause compression of the spinal cord

Pick up a copy of May Horse&Rider, on sale 1 April 2021, to find out more about nervous system disorders in horses.