horse with neuro issues

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On 13th August our pony became unwell out of no-where. Weird vacant episodes and then coming back round, barely able to walk, was stumbling and dragging her feet. It was as though she'd been sedated. It was really odd.

Called the vet and initial tests found nothing sinister and she was referred to the RVC that night.

On the Friday she was worse and they started intravenous dexamethasone..Saturday she seemed to start improving and she kept on improving.

They carried out a CAT scan, tested the fluid round her brain, bloods etc etc and found nothing conclusive. They initially thought epilepsy but have ruled it out.

They considered sleep deprivation but think this unlikely as she never fell over and appear into improve without sleeping. They checked the cameras.
By the Tuesday she was presenting normally and they carried out neurological test which were all clear.
She is now home and no longer on steroids.

On her discharge they have said no riding for 6 months and even then only by an informed adult rider. No riding by children.
In our discharge consultation the vet effectively said that they are covering their arse. I asked if they had any hunch and she said she thinks it is brain related they just don't know what.
She is my daughter's pony who is absolutely adored

I just don't know where we go from here. Can we ever in all good conscience let me daughter ride her again?

I saw our vet briefly tonight and she said she thinks we should claim loss of use which we do have insurance for.

This seems so final and we really want to find a way back to her being ridden by my daughter.

I just don't think any vet will ever say she safe for a child in fear of being sued.

I'm so stressed and have a crying daughter who can't believe she might never rider her again.

Do any of you have have any words of wisdom or what you would do in this situation.

I have a horse who is a wobbler due to a deformity of one of the vertebrae in his neck. He's a sweet boy who's friendly and lovely to have around. Before being diagnosed I rode him for 6 months no problem until one day he bolted. It was out of the blue and for no apparent reason. He bucked me off then galloped round and round the school colliding with the fence twice not stopping until he was totally exhaused. I had to be dragged out of the gate to avoid being trampled.

In his every day life he looks normal, sometimes drags his hind toes or stands with the hind feet close together but you don't notice unless your looking.

Would I risk getting back on him, no, would I let a child get on him NO, very definitely NO. In fact I'm careful about who handles mine on the ground.

Horses with neurological issues are dangerous and unpredictable. Explain to your daughter that her pony is very unwell and that you need to be extra kind to her and let her rest.

Have you had blood tests for liver function, if not I'd do that as liver failure can result in neurological issues and can be treatable. It's inexpensive. Also, I'm surprised that the neck hasn't been xray'd but perhaps the CAT scan covered this.

I do really sympathise, I also have a very expensive pet who cost a lot to buy and at 16.2hh is a big eater and a lot of work to care for but the most important thing is to stay safe. I'm very sorry you're in this position.

Thanks.

Yes her liver function was all clear. I initially thought she might be poisoned but that was ruled out.

I will ask about x-raying her neck etc.

The thing is it might give me a diagnosis but probably won't change the outcome re riding.

Just so gutted 😢

That is gutting. It sounds like the heavy duty steroids reduced whatever inflammation was present, at least temporarily, relieving the symptoms but what caused that inflammation (compressed vertebrae, tumour etc) is unknown. I wouldn't ride her without more information (which you rightly acknowledge you may never have). Can you afford to keep her as a pet? Could your daughter do in hand games and trick training with her instead, at least for the six months or while further investigations are happening?

High doses of vit e are often recommended for neurological symptoms, 8000iu - 10,000iu natural vit e. This year has been especially bad due to the lack of rain in a lot of areas and there being no green grass for weeks.

Also, in 6 months you may have more information to discuss with the vet. In that time keep a close watch for anything unusual like tripping, vacant expression, other animals treating her differently to normal or she is unusually aggressive or distant from them. You can also perform the neurological tests yourself periodically to keep a check on things. If she has another incident in that time you'll know there's an underlying problem.

Have you had this pony long, and do you know her history? Does she have her original passport going back to the breeder and with all the previous owners in it or is it recently issued? If you haven't had her long and especially if bought via a dealer or she's been through a sale I'd try to get in touch with previous owners and see if she's had any relevant history including accidents.

We've had her a year and a half.

I think we are just very unlucky.

My DH is suggesting we get DD another pony and if our existing one comes good we have 2

I'm just not sure i want.2 horses

No words of experience OP, I wouldn't ride or want my DD to ride your pony, id never forgive my self if anything happened. Id let her do in hand things in a month or so but would look after the pony myself for a while beforehand to see how things go. Treasure your husband, he's a keeper.