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Neurological Issue? Need Help. Gelding with strange behavior that no one has seen

No. Are you suggesting one to look for EPM?

I’m suggesting one to look for abnormalities in general.

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Does he does this with in hand work? Or on the lunge? How does he present when grooming, particularly around his SI?

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Yes, I think I mentioned it in the post. Since the last time I attempted to ride him (shown in the video) I have done ground work with him and he has displayed the same behavior.
When I first got him, he moved around a lot with grooming. I don’t think it was the grooming as much as he wanted to be able to see what was going on all around him. I think I mentioned that he is a sensitive/anxious fellow. I don’t think he got a lot of good/positive human interaction. Over the last couple of months he has grown calmer during grooming and rarely moves.
He doesn’t mind being groomed around the SI.

It would be interesting to see if the spasms could be controlled with medication, but I am not sure that dulling the spasm would point me to the root cause?

Hi! I am the person from the EPM group who suggested you post over here. I agree it might not get you to the cause but it may give the vet more information to go on. Either he responds to the anti spasmodic or he doesn’t. They’re inexpensive drugs and fairly mild so may be worth discussing?

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I find it interesting that he displays the same behavior without any weight on his back, or girth. That leads me to question my initial thought of spine. What happens after the video ends? Does he walk off normally? Or does it happen again? Any evidence it happens when you aren’t around (stall, turnout, etc.)? I’m almost thinking brain tumor more than spinal issue.

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Thanks for letting me know and for suggesting I post here. Lots of great feedback and input. Your suggestion is definitely worth discussing with my vet. Since this is my first horse (a life long dream in the making) I am certainly learning a lot, which is definitely a check in the positive column.

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Oh goodness. Just your luck that your first horse has such an unusual problem.

I have nothing to add, other than I truly hope you get to the bottom of what is a very bizarre problem.

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You are so kind, thank you for your well wishes.
I tried so hard to pick the right one, looked at so many, had a PPE, etc. etc. It has been frustrating but I have come to believe that I found the horse that needed me. Even if nothing about this past year has gone as I had planned. Learning lots of life lessons. :joy:

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I wonder if you could make a phone/virtual appointment w Dr. Steve Reed at Rood and Riddle or Dr. Amy Johnson at New Bolton Center. Those two would be my go-to for potential neurologic problems.

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How old is he? I have heard of some gelding complications happening much later on for some reason (did not get all the tissue, adhesions, etc). I would probably test his testosterone levels. Easy enough of a test. And maybe a rectal exam. Any idea what he’s done in his life? Any chance he was maintained in the past on Depo shots?

If it is something coming from the spine, your vet is right imaging could be limited, but you can take X-rays, ultrasound (can’t see as much of the back on ultrasound vs the neck but you can see some things that X-ray might not catch), and rectal ultrasound to look at the L-S disc and a portion of the SI areas.

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If you haven’t yet consulted a board certified nuerologist, I’d heartily recommend it.
I find this case intriguing–erection and ejaculation are under autonomic nervous system control, but urination is typically inhibited at the same time.

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I am not familiar with these doctors but will definitely look into it. Thank you!

I found an article on Horsesport.com titled “Rising to the Occasion -Why is my gelding always dropping?” Interesting read.

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He just turned 10. We have discussed hormone testing. Trying to be strategic on where I spend my money going forward.
The little bit I know about his past I think included in the post. I was told that he was used as a ranch horse. I have no idea if he was on Depo shots or not.
I appreciate your input.

Very interesting–thanks for the heads up!

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He still has a lot of useful years left… if you can get this problem addressed. Personally, I’d stop spending money on the local vets and take the advice of getting a consultation from a specialist. Either get a referral from you vet or start doing your own research for an appropriate specialist. Your video and written description are excellent documentation.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t seem to be an issue that’s going to resolve on its own. Quite likely, it’ll continue to get worse. In the meantime, you’re stressed, your horse is uncomfortable (perhaps in pain) and he may ultimately become dangerous to handle.

Sending you virtual ((( :hearts:Horse Hugs :hearts: ))) and a little extra push to get that consultation.

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From a pharmacological perspective, if treating xyz with drug abc, which has a known mechanism of [insert mechanism here], and the condition improves, it tells you that [whatever that mechanism is] is somehow involved. So while it might not give you all the answers, it will give you a bit more info about what’s going on. And with those drug classes being relatively accessible, cheap, and safe, it’s an easy diagnostic to get more info about what’s going on. (But almost certainly not sufficient in a mystery case like this!) :slight_smile:

But I agree with the other suggestion to take this horse to a vet hospital. This is bizarre enough that you need the big guns, not a local field vet.

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I would do this first - just send them the same video and see what they say. A&M’s vet school is a good place to go for answers - they may not be “the big guns”, but they ain’t stupid. Proud Aggie here, btw.

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