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Discussion on Stinghalt and EPSM

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Kim Fotter
Member
Username: Fpony

Post Number: 250
Registered: 9-1999
Posted on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 7:57 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Dr. O,
I'm a bit confused. Nothing to new for me!
My friend'd horse was diagnosis with stinghalt which she has just noticed this spring. It is only in one leg. He is a quarter horse and I noticed his strange hyper flexion when trotting on a trail ride (just thought he had a strange way of going-as they are new aquaintances) later she went to a jumping clinic and they told her her horse was lame then she started noticing the "leg hiking" when in his stall and on turning and backing.

My questions are if this isn't CNS disorder why is there spasticy vs lower motor neutron damage is usually plasicity (right?)?

How could an EPSM horse truely have Stringhalt as their muscles are the problem not their nerves.Unless it is caused by muscle twiching due to the lack of proper balance of energy source-but then why not front limb flexion?

If there is no know trama why would it only effect the nerves associated with hock flexion?

I hope my questions aren't too out there perhaps I don't remember my basic neurology correctly. Thanks Kim
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Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro

Post Number: 8435
Registered: 1-1997
Posted on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 7:06 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

There are 2 theories on the spasticity,
  • the inflammation of and around the nerve causes the nerve to fire inappropriately
  • nerves are just as important at modulating and attenuating action as they are at initiating it. The damaged nerve function may be primarily that of modulating the flexion of the leg.

EPSM does not cause a true stringhalt. I have never seen the strighalt like action described in some reports of EPSM and am uncertain how similar it is. It may be a response to pain or attempts to overcome stiffness.

Stinghalt frequently follows a traumatic episode (see article on stringhalt for more on this). We assume in the other cases that we do not witness the trauma or the insult is caused by other disease processes.
DrO

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