This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Nervous System » Seizures & Fainting » Narcolepsy, Cataplexy, and Fainting »
  Discussion on Horse Collapses Under Saddle
Author Message

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 17, 2001 - 8:56 am:

subject is a 7 yo qh gelding origanal training for barrel racing has been owned by 62 yo gentalman for the past 3 years problem being that 4 times while being saddled(5/00 5/01/10/01 2x)
this horse collapses he almost looks like he is fainting he had an episode last night again the girth was not tight just enough to hold saddle in place he was lunged 10 minutes before tacking he only does this when tacked never any other time
is normaley coordinated gets t/o lungeing and free lunged 4/5 days week plus trail ridden at a moderate pace and practices barrels and poles periodicly we are quite concerned about this can anyone help
thank you heidi

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 17, 2001 - 7:46 pm:

Hi,
My saddle fitter once told me he'd seen horses collapse when girthed up under a poorly fitting saddle. He was telling stories one night while he reflocked one of my saddles. I'm not sure how western saddles fit and how sensitive the fit is to the particular horse, and this saddle fitter does English saddles only to my knowledge.
Best,
Melissa

Posted on Thursday, Oct 18, 2001 - 5:53 am:

Hello Heidi,
This is actually a pretty common problem with horses and can have several causes: HYPP, colic, seizures would be on the list just from your post.

You should have a vet come out and see if you can demostrate it for him, the appearance can help characterize the cause. A good thorough physical exam and lab work up are also indicated. The first question is what is this horses HYPP status and are you sure? The next question is what does the horse do after he has fallen down and are there any other symptoms? Lastly look at the article associated with this forum (just click on Narcolepsy above) this may be the problem you are dealing with.
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Oct 18, 2001 - 9:57 am:

it is hard to demonstrate to the vet we are going to take him to vet for hypp and epm testing
after he fell he stayed down 2 seconds or so then tried to rise but could not seem to get the 4 legs to cooperate together then he stayed on the floor quietly for few minutes then got up and was as normal as could be when he initialy fell he almost looked out of it like on rompum or something dident look like seziure or colic we always cheak for that because we thought it might be pain response

heidi

Posted on Friday, Oct 19, 2001 - 5:54 am:

Heidi,
I disagree. To me it does sound like a seizure though a mild HYPP episode would be similar. The reason is the postDrOmal sedation and incoordination. What is this horses HYPP status?
DrO

Posted on Friday, Oct 19, 2001 - 10:13 am:

we are takeing him to vet hospital this coming week to test him for epm & hypp and genral exam hypp status is unknown but dont think he is impressive line will keep posted
on a good note was tacked last night w/o incident

heidi

Posted on Friday, Oct 26, 2001 - 4:17 pm:

well took our patient to vet 10/25 result is no epm no hypp he has some arrythmia double beat every11 beats at rest hr 40 double beat every6 beats after exertion hr 79 with excellent recovery
also has some adhesions in space between lung and membrane of chest cavity they think he must have had plursey as a baby blood work is pending has been put on asprin powder 1 x daily for 30 days to see if adhesions break up other wise horse is fine hasent fainted anymore latley

heidi

Posted on Saturday, Oct 27, 2001 - 10:08 am:

Hello Heidi,
Cardiac problems are an infrequently documented cause of episodic collapse (syncope) in horses and most frequently associated with duseases causing a slowing of the heart rate. On the other hand collapse from a seizure (narcolpsy like) activity while being saddled is a very common event.

I am not sure what you mean by a double beat. The equine heart is notoriously variable in the way it can sound. Does the Dr. feel the double beat is due to splitting of the heart sounds or due to premature ventricular contraction? Respectively, one would be normal the other suggest possible myocardial disease.
DrO

Posted on Monday, Oct 29, 2001 - 1:12 pm:

hi dr o
apparentley the vet was not to concerned at all about the heart all they said was double beat looked a little strange on ekg i guess it is in the normal range for this particuler animal we had a real good weekend with him he was really feeling his wheaties (it got real cool saturday)
his owner was pleased had good trail rides both days his cbc and chems came back normal so on we go
thank you for the help will keep posted

heidi
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC