Horses which behave poorly or act out are often thought to be poorly trained or bad tempered, but new research shows the potential role ganglionitis may play in horses that behave dangerously.
Often when a horse bucks, rears, kicks out or refuses to go forward, it is an attempt to avoid fear or pain. Pain can be caused by a plethora of things, including lameness, poor saddle fit, or gastrointestinal issues. If the reason behind the horse's negative behavior isn't discovered and addressed, it often progresses. The horse may then be euthanized out of concern for rider and handler safety.
A Colorado State University research team hypothesized that some dangerous behaviors may be caused by axial skeleton pain. Neuropathic pain syndrome has been associated with ganglionitis, which is inflammation of clusters of nerve cells that form the ganglia. Ganglia carry nerve signals to and from the central nervous system.
The study team identified 14 young to middle-aged sport horses that became difficult to train and ride after their purchase. Though easy to handle for general care, when asked to work under saddle, they became dangerous. All of the horses underwent extensive evaluations and treatments, but each was euthanized as they were deemed “too dangerous” to be ridden safely.
The scientists reviewed all available records on the horses, including diagnostic evaluations and treatments, as well as performance history and lameness, behavioral, physical and neurologic exams. A tentative diagnosis was formulated that involved the cervicothoracic and lumbosacral regions of the spinal cord.
Bone, soft tissue, and neural tissues were examined after the horses were euthanized. All of the horses were found to have moderate to severe ganglionitis present at multiple vertebral levels. Subdural and epidural hemorrhage or hematomas were found in the cervicothoracic and lumbosacral regions of 71 percent of the horses.
The researchers concluded that the study horse's dangerous behavior was caused by nervous system lesions which caused neuropathic pain. In the future, the researchers suggest that spinal mobility and myofascial exams can help localize the spinal areas of interest, pinpointing where advanced diagnostic tools may be needed to diagnose neuropathic pain and developing a treatment plan for the horse.
Read more at HorseTalk.
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