We are trying my older gelding on Gabapentin to see if that helps him, since methocarb/equioxx/injections have not helped thus far with his weirdness under saddle, most likely due to his neck issues.
Those who have tried it, can you give me the full rundown of your experience? What did you give it for, how long until you noticed a difference, did it work, have you kept them on it long term etc? I’ve never used it before so not sure what to expect!
We used it for a mare with DSLD near the end of her life. It certainly kept her “stoned”/took the edge of her on and helped keep her more comfortable.
I have a 16 year old TB gelding that reared and flipped over when I was leading him. He started showing neuro issues, like leaning against the stall wall, almost falling over, I’m not going in his stall and let him fall on me. Took him to NC State Vet School and they did a full work up. They thought he might have EPM, he didn’t. Per their recommendation I put him on Gabapentin 400 mg capsules starting at 14 a day, now down to 10 a day. It made a huge difference. He looks normal now. He’s been on Gabapentin since 2007 and no adverse results. He gets regular blood work once a year and nothing is abnormal. But recently in NC Gabapentin is a controlled substance so sometimes hard to get. Don’t know if it’s that way nationwide.
Amazing! Do you still ride him since he’s done well on the Gabapentin, or did you retire him?
He’s retired - along with the nerou issue he developed headshaking which we couldn’t get past. He’s a bright bay with 4 white stockings and a pretty big blaze so he looks nice in my pasture.
If it weren’t for the Headshakers do you think you’d still ride him? I’ve been on the fence about retiring this guy for ages, and was leaning heavily towards it before this appointment. But my vet wants me to try to keep him in work, especially if the Gab helps. I don’t think he’ll get nearly enough movement in otherwise to keep him from getting stiff.
I’ve used gabapentin several times for nervy pain. It’s a useful tool to have in the box.
It’s not going to address whatever is causing the pain, but it can help with the pain itself. If the horse is neurologically compromised, it’ll still be neurologically compromised, though.
Without the headshaking I would have still ridden him once the neruo issues improved. Before that I was afraid he would fall when I rode him.
I’m hoping that will be good enough for him-aside from the tripping, he passes all neuro tests. The trip is less of a toe drag or him not knowing where his foot is going, and more of his knee giving out-sort of like he’s getting a nervy zing or something. So not sure if the Gab will actually help or not, but maybe some underlying issues that contribute will be helped? Who knows!
It’s worth a shot–low risk & not really very expensive. Hope it helps! You should know pretty quick if it’s going to make a difference.
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