Totally agree. My “field vet” diagnosed EPM on both my horses and when the second didn’t recover fully she tested and found chronic Lyme. No complaints about her work, only a reminder to myself that if this ever happens again (and I’m in the same geographic area as OP), I will test both EPM and Lyme, save myself some heartache and my horse some discomfort.
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I’m calling Tufts this afternoon and if they have a long wait I will call NB. I will update the thread as I go.
Maybe it is something really simple, I hope for your sake that is the case. But because Middleton has complicated underlying issues, the neck and spine changes, it will take significant expertise and more extensive diagnostics to rule out those issues first. Complicated cases are often a case of ruling out possible contributing factors - not a straight and simple diagnosis.
Middleton probably is back sore from the poor fitting saddle…but does that explain all of his symptoms? Impossible to say without ruling out the very real possibility that the neck or back was already a big problem that the saddle made worse.
Despite all of the issues with the field vet, I would take the neuro findings at face value for now. I would recommend handling this horse with the care that needs to be afforded to one with neurological issues until a final diagnosis is made. There is incredible risk in riding and handling neuro horses and you are better off having been “too careful” for a couple weeks than to have a catastrophic event for horse or handler.
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I haven’t been this entertained in quite some time. The time and effort the OP has put into responding to every… single… post… is quite impressive. It also explains why she still hasn’t found the time to just call and make an appointment. 
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A sore back will not cause a horse to fail a neuro exam. Ulcers will not cause a horse to fail a neuro exam. The exam is done in hand, and to an observer will look like the vet poking the horse all over, then watching a handler (likely a tech) leading the horse, spinning him in circles, walking him up and down hills, moving him around while holding his head in different positions, etc. This can very easily be done in the field, and is not something that has ambiguous results. It may be difficult to see what’s wrong with an untrained eye, but do not confuse this with the results being ambiguous.
Did you make an appointment today?
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So, did you call?
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Forgive my ignorance, but what is a “Nero Horse”?
Does it fiddle while Rome burns?
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Vitamin E deficiency can also contribute to neurological concerns - did you start a supplement for this?
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This is a Nero Horse
GO TO TUFTS. We are a motley group on the internet who are guessing. You get what you pay for.
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OP, I too have a lovely grey with a mysterious potential neurological ailment. I agree with the others advice to take him to a major academic center where there are tools and specialists if you can afford it. I will be embarking soon on my second trip to New Bolton, as my first only yielded answers that were mostly negative and yet the symptoms remained. Don’t expect magic, but if you have the best available people looking at your guy you will know you are giving him every chance and leaving no stone unturned. I understand your frustration but honestly if you go straight to the best you won’t spend a lot of time spinning wheels and speculating any more than is necessary.
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Did you get an appointment at one of them?
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:::::::crickets:::::::
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I know and it makes me sad. Lots of people put time in and shared great advice here, on both of the OP’s threads about this topic. All the OP has to do is call and schedule an appointment.
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She also has to figure out trailering and break her probably life-long practice of doing what the trainer says. We are voices on the internet versus the people she actually has to deal with in real life. Developing independence can be a difficult process. Perhaps give her a little bit of grace to work through this.
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And there could also be a financial aspect that could delay things as well, we don’t know. While it would be nice if we all had enough income that we could spend thousands on meds and joint injections one month, and then spend thousands more on diagnostics the next month, for many horse owners there would need to be a delay in order to save up the money required after the first set of big vet bills.
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I don’t disagree with either of the above posts. I am just responding to the OP saying they are going to call that day and schedule something. (Right after saying ‘but wait, I might try this at home thing again to see how that goes’.)
OP this thread is so frustrating. So many people have reached out and given advice and spent time trying to help you on this thread and the other. All this time you spend responding and posting on the thread you could instead be figuring out a better situation for your horse. You, as well as everyone else, knows that your trainer and vet are not helping your horse but instead making the situation worse.
You need to be straight with your trainer and tell her your plan. After all, this is your horse . You need to advocate for your horse since nothing is working and your horse is in pain. You know there is a problem so fix it. It is not fair to your horse.
1.) Call Tufts and get your horse there now. Many people have suggested trailering solutions and told you to PM them. Stop giving excuses.
2.) Find a new boarding situation in the meantime. Find somewhere your horse will be safe and where the care is good and he will be well looked after. It doesn’t even need to be a hunter/jumper barn but literally any place that your horse will be safe and well looked after. This doesn’t need to be a permanent place but just somewhere to keep him in the meantime.
3.) Tell your trainer what is going on. Many posters have given examples of what to say. Pick one and go with it.
I’m done reading this thread as the OP doesn’t really seem to want to take action and keeps giving excuse after excuse.
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People get mad at me when I do respond because I’m “wasting time and not acting” and then they get mad that I don’t respond hence the “crickets” comments. Just because I am not filling everyone in on my every action doesn’t mean things aren’t happening. Try and see how easy it is to coordinate trailering transportation and appointments with my everyday life schedule and responsibilities and considering my trainers schedule of travel as well as horses are being moved around as Florida ones are returning. Maybe if you read the thread further you would see I do have a plan. Does it matter if I don’t share the appointment date, I think I am allowed to keep that private. The whole comments about me not taking action are laughable at this point, read the thread, I have a plan that I am following through on, I can’t just “fix it” as you said to do. Things take time. Beyond that there is a financial aspect, I have to make sure I can afford a presumed quote and any other fees and treatment on findings. It sounds nice on this thread to just say its getting “fixed” next week but that isn’t realistic. Have a good day.
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I’m sorry. I posted the crickets in response to others asking if you’d made an appointment yet. Going for a laugh. I apologize.
So many people have chimed in, it feels like we all have an investment in the well being of your lovely horse.
Good luck coordinating all of that. I understand it’s a huge hassle for those of us without trucks and trailers.
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