Wobblers Syndrome in Horses

Causes Treatment and Prevention
Wobblers syndrome isnt lifethreatening but its symptoms of stiffness and coordination problems look similar to more serious neurological diseases such as equine protozoal myeloencephalitis EPM. If left untreated wobblers can impair a horses ability to move and threaten the safety of its rider but most owners will notice the condition before it progresses and seek veterinary help to return their horses to good health.
What Is Wobblers Syndrome?
Wobbler syndrome also known as Cervical Vertebral Malformation CVM refers to neurological problems caused by damage or deformation within a horses cervical neck spine.

Symptoms of Wobblers Syndrome in Dogs
Wobblers is a disturbing syndrome to witness and will quickly concern attentive owners. Watch for characteristic signs such as
Symptoms
Stiffness
Lack of coordination
Lurching
Clumsy gait
Inability to halt without stumbling
Horses with wobblers syndrome will trip often and be stiff and uncoordinated when they move. They may appear to lurch as they canter have difficulty halting smoothly and collide the hind with the front feet. Walking up and down hills may be difficult.
The hind end will appear to be more involved than the forequarters. As the condition advances they may step on their heels causing lacerations which in turn can cause lameness. If these cuts are left untreated they can easily become infected.

Causes
Wobblers may be caused by compression or malformation of the spine in the neck that makes the animal stiff and uncoordinated. This may be a result of one or more of the following
Congenital defect
Traumainjury
Malnutrition
Deformed or compressed vertebrae press against the spinal column mixing up the messages from the brain to the limbs which results in coordination problems. Morgans quarter horses and thoroughbreds seem to be affected more often than other breeds. Horses with long willowy necks are felt to be more prone to developing wobblers as well
Malnutrition generally severe and longstanding can contribute to wobblers by deteriorating bone muscle and connective tissues required to stabilize the spine.
Diagnosing Wobblers Syndrome in Horses
If your horse appears even slightly uncoordinated