Random exponential increase in spookiness?

[Marla_100]

Bummer that she’s getting worse not better.
An easy test- I’d take away the free choice Orch/Alf and replace with a lower energy/sugar hay. Many horses also react to Orchard. Can you try straight Timothy? Usually it’s available this time of year and my horses love it and much less energy.
Also anecdotally, ration balancer (Triple Crown) made 2 of mine both way way too “up” and freaky. Maybe go to TC SR. as it’s
lower energy and a complete LOW STARCH/Sugar feed.
I’d suspect you’re feeding her too well, for starters and she just doesn’t need it.

I would hope it’s something easy like overfeeding.

[mmeqcenter]

Thought I’d leave an update…

We’re about 65 days into EPM treatment and she has been completely normal for about 60 days. We even hauled out for a lesson just before Thanksgiving and she was absolute perfection. Been having some car problems so haven’t gotten to haul again like I wanted, but oh well. Soooo Happy to have my girl back!

[vxf111]

That’s awesome!

[seabreeze]

@mmeqcenter

Thought I’d leave an update…

We’re about 65 days into EPM treatment and she has been completely normal for about 60 days. We even hauled out for a lesson just before Thanksgiving and she was absolute perfection. Been having some car problems so haven’t gotten to haul again like I wanted, but oh well. Soooo Happy to have my girl back!

Can you give more details on the EPM experience? Testing/diagnosis/treatment? Thanks. Glad things seem back to normal for your girl!

[Cruiser12]

I have not read many responses, so this may have been said already, but if you use MSM or a product containing it, that might be a problem. There is at least one thread on here regarding how MSM can affect some horses adversely. Including my horse.

[mmeqcenter]

All the things we investigated are discussed earlier in the thread.
I chose not to spend a large chunk of money just for an EPM test, so I bought Rebalance at the suggestion of my vet and gave it a try. We are halfway through treatment.

[mmeqcenter]

Thank you, she is on no supplements.

[spacehorse]

Curious how you are dosing the Rebalance? Are you fasting before dosing or not? I am having similar issues (maybe not quite so extreme) but my horse was previously treated for EPM with Rebalance. His titer was SUPER low.

I have had a lyme test sent off, and I am sort of hoping that is the problem, because if that isn’t it, I am not sure where to go. But, your horse/story is interesting with the whole EPM thing.

[mmeqcenter]

55ml per day, and we’re going to do the full 120 days. I am fasting her for an hour before and an hour after her dose.

It might be worth trying one of the other two treatment options?
And how long ago was your horse treated? They could have relapsed, I’ve heard recurrences are fairly common.

Some things we were going to look at if the EPM treatment didn’t make a difference:
Neck and back xrays to look for arthritis, kissing spine, or other issues
Regumate (but I see you have a gelding)
Foot xrays and different shoes

A brain tumor was mentioned, but deemed unlikely.

[Critter]

Having similar spooking/bolting issues with mine…while waiting for the appointment to do scans and possibly a myelogram, I had my vet test for Lyme. He came back with a high titer for chronic Lyme (6500). The EPM test showed a low positive (typical for the area) so I am waiting to see what the vets decide. I never thought I would say I am hoping that the Lyme is the cause of our issues (but it would be better than a cervical compression!).