He has had body work done - 1 deep tissue massage and a couple of chiro appts but the most visible issue that started this journey was the dribbling. His visible symptoms have progressed to what is shown in the video to now displaying the same behavior in hand. That said, it does seem nerve related. My vet tends to think there is a lesion pressing on a nerve, or spine/nerve disease yet to be determined.
Thank you so much for responding and your kindness. I am so sorry you are in the same boat. It seems like most every horse has “something” going on… it does help to know what you are dealing with though. The not knowing is difficult.
I wish you the very best with your horse.
Thank you for sharing your honest thoughts and sharing the reality that I may have to make a difficult decision. I agree that he should not be allowed to suffer and my concern is that this is obviously going in the wrong direction and if I can’t find out what’s wrong, will get worse and I will have to make the decision to let him go.
He seems perfectly content in the pasture. He will will trot and canter out there sometimes with one of the other horses. That doesn’t mean he isn’t in pain or having discomfort.
I am waiting to hear back from Texas A&M and am reaching out to Rood & Riddle and New Bolton Center to see if they can consult with us or give me some direction.
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Thank you for responding. You summed up the situation well. Whatever is going on will be hard to figure out and I could spend thousands more and never find it.
Most important to me is his comfort and well-being right now. I discussed options with my vet right after the mounting incident and he didn’t think it was time to put him down. I have since updated him with the urination video and let him know that he is displaying the same behavior in hand now.
Also, he colicked this week but recovered with banamine, lots of showers and walking - we have some extreme heat in Texas.
My trainer isn’t ruling out something physical, but thinks a lot of this is anxiety. I agree he is anxious but I wonder if he his anxious because he is hurting or uncomfortable.
He is boarded but is outside most of the time, only coming in to eat 2x a day. I work at the barn to help cover the cost but it’s still an expense.
This being my first horse and a dream 50 years is difficult but I have to remind myself that maybe he needed me to help him and he certainly has taught me a lot. 
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I wonder if extra magnesium might help him if he has muscle tightness somewhere.
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I have no help or ideas other than what has already been offered, but I wanted to compliment you for your great attitude. 
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Magnesium and a pretty hefty dose of vitamin E may be something to try in the short term while you wait for the vets to get back to you. For general neuro support.
I’m sure your trainer means well, but this is not a training issue! I’ve seen plenty of very quiet, sensible horses turn into an anxious mess because of a spinal / nerve problem. Most likely from the pain which can be intermittent, but as prey animals, they know when something is not right and they feel vulnerable to predators and on edge because of that. Further winding up their already compromised nervous system.
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In fairness to the OP she states he went to the large animal hospital recommended to her by A&M and they did examine him there and found no cause for this and now she is following up with other hospitals. I think the OP has done everything a responsible owner can do as this progresses.
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I have no suggestions but I have been following this thread and I hope someone can figure out what’s going on. Jasper is cute and looks like a good boy and I feel so sorry for the OP having to go through this with her first horse.
Best of luck and hang in there.
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Thanks for your suggestions. When I switched him to a forage diet I put him on Emcelle Vit E. He’s been on it since January. I also have him on MagRestore and magnesium is in the Vermont Blend.
I talked to ImmuBiome and they had an off label nerve supplement, basically high grade lion’s mane which has been shown to “stimulate the synthesis of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), a protein that promotes the growth and normal function of nerve cells. NGF prevents neuronal death, promotes neurite outgrowth, and is essential to maintaining and organizing neurons functionally.”
Just started him on this… I don’t have high hopes but I thought I would give it a try.
My trainer works with a lot of troubled horses and can see that my horse is not focused on me and is tense. Working with him these last several months on the ground I have seen a huge improvement. BUT again, if he is tense because he is uncomfortable or in pain, all the training in the world isn’t going to help. She definitely isn’t saying there is no physical issue - she has suggested I test for EPM. I have been hesitant to do that because he isn’t presenting in typical symptoms. That’s what led me to post in an EPM FB group - I wanted to see if anyone had seen his behavior in a case of EPM.
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Thank you
@TXKing99 thank you for sharing your story here. And for being so open and gracious with all input. I hope the answer you seek is out there. I will be following along closely and jingling like mad for
your horse.
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Thank you. I will be the first to admit that I am no expert and I know I need to rely on input and research to fill in the gaps.
This is such a wonderful forum and I appreciate everyone’s input very much.
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In case I missed it what is your horse’s name? Seriously kudos to you for being so diligent. Your horse is lucky to have an owner who is so committed to his well being. My heart goes out to
you that this is your introduction having your own
horse.
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I mentioned your horse to my trainer, because between the two of us it seems like we’ve handled or ridden a bazillion horses in our lifetime. She said she’s had one horse that was confirmed to have EPM. His only symptom was the inability to urinate. It began much like your horse’s video. Ended up with the vet having to come by twice a day to put in a catheter to drain his bladder so it didn’t rupture. Shortly thereafter, the horse started losing control of his hind legs. He did not respond to treatment and was euthanized. I’m so sorry to share this with you, but perhaps EPM cannot be entirely ruled out, even if Jasper is not exhibiting classic symptoms.
Sadly, it seems apparent that things are going downhill. I admire you for having this clarity of thought, and please know that many of us here have faced the same challenge of loving our horses dearly, yet facing the reality that sometimes all we can do is end their suffering. You are a good Horse Mom.
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Thank you so much.
The name I gave him is Jasper. His papered name is General Tex.
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i wonder…
Do you think it could be muscle spasms? I am recovered from what i thought was a hernia. Was even diagnosed as having a spigelian hernia, and underwent investigative surgery for that! Nada. They found NOTHING. I was told to take minerals: Magnesium and Potassium, and Voila!!! two months later, i’m cured! The thing that had laid me flat on my back writhing in pain with any one of several different body positions disappeared~!!
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It would be great if it was as simple as a muscle spasm. Unfortunately, the symptoms Jasper is presenting show a much more complicated issue.
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It just occurred to me … will your vet agree to let you put him on a course of bethanochol? It hastens urination and gut motility in horses and could be a simple and not expensive test to see if improving urination helps him feel better.
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What an interesting thought. I will run it by him and see what he thinks.
Thank you!
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