One of the worst acronyms a horse owner can hear their veterinarian utter is EPM – Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis. The neurological condition has stumped veterinary professionals for years, with symptoms that can wax and wane, and sometimes mimic those of other illnesses.
When Erica Brown acquired 6-year-old That Dude (fondly known as Ace) off the track from Louisiana in late 2022, she became suspicious that something was wrong.
“Upon arrival to our farm, he was noticeably wobbly in his rear,” Brown remembered. “My gut was telling me it was EPM, but my head was hoping it was something much less permanent. This was supposed to be my RRP [Retired Racehorse Project] eventing prospect, so my heart was hurting.
“The vet was contacted but could not come immediately due to timing and being booked for farm visits (we live in a very rural area with limited resources). Almost overnight since Ace's arrival, he became paralyzed and recumbent. He continued to eat and drink and the fire in his eyes never left. The vet immediately made time in his schedule and arrived upon hearing of his status and recommended euthanasia due to his extreme condition. I refused to believe he was finished because he never took his eyes off me.
“I couldn't give up on him. He was fighting.”
Part of the challenge of EPM is that more than 50 percent of horses in the United States have been exposed to the organism that causes the disease, and testing can easily throw false positives. The parasite S. neurona isn't transmitted between horses, but rather is carried through the feces of opossums that horses encounter in contaminated hay, grass, feed, or drinking water sources. Often, it becomes a diagnosis of exclusion – something veterinarians land on when they've ruled out everything else.
In Ace's case, Brown and her veterinary team were confident his positive tests for EPM and classic symptoms were a sign he was battling the disease. They immediately began what she calls an approach of “throwing the kitchen sink” at the gelding, combining a variety of anti-protozoals, anti-parasitics, and anti-inflammatories together with supplements aimed at reducing symptoms, including vitamin E and omega fatty acids.
“I stayed in the barn with him constantly, day and night,” said Brown. “With the help of several specialists we met through our local veterinarian crew, he began to turn around.”
Brown is a veteran of the Retired Racehorse Project's Thoroughbred Makeover event, and had bought Ace in hopes he could take her to the competition again. The week-long show held each October in Lexington, Ky., is aimed at showcasing the versatility of off-track Thoroughbreds in new careers. Horses may only compete once, though riders may take different horses and compete multiple years in a wide range of disciplines. Brown has been competing at the Makeover since 2019 and has taken Thoroughbreds to competitive trail, ranch work, eventing, and show jumping.
With his setback, Brown knew Ace wouldn't have time to physically prepare for the rigors of eventing by October, so she has shifted focus and will take him to the competitive trail division. Competitive trail presents horses with a series of obstacles like gates, ramps, bridges, and water, similar to what they would find on a long trail ride over varying terrain. They're judged on the precision and speed with which they make their way around the course. For many competitors, it's a good option for a horse with a calm temperament who may have had a physical limitation or setback, because much of the course can be completed at a walk or trot.
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“I don't care if we even get to show – as long as this horse unloads safely at the Kentucky Horse Park, my heart will runneth over with joy,” said Brown.
And, Ace's post-Makeover plans are already settled. While some trainers bring horses to the competition with the hopes of selling them afterwards, Ace has already been adopted. Early in his recovery from his first EPM flare, a teenaged girl began taking lessons at the barn where Brown keeps Ace and fell in love with the gelding. After consulting with her parents, Brown agreed to let the family adopt him, and his now-14-year-old girl was aboard for his first obstacle course last month.
Brown will be aboard Ace at the Makeover and serves as his primary trainer, but he will have a full cheering section in Kentucky.
“His junior rider will be attending, along with her entire family, as his biggest cheerleader and groom,” she said. “This team has broken all odds and continues to grow together. I couldn't be prouder of them, and to have Ace by my side as we compete at RRP in October is a true honor. He will always be my 'heart horse' that belongs to another heart.”
The post ‘I Couldn’t Give Up On Him’: After Battle With EPM, OTTB Is En Route To The Makeover With A Junior Rider appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
