Equine Stringhalt Welfare and Treatment

Stringhalt causes involuntary hind leg flexion in horses, ranging from mild to severely disabling. Understanding causes and treatment options guides welfare management.

Key Facts

Stringhalt involves exaggerated involuntary flexion of one or both hind limbs
Australian stringhalt is associated with ingestion of certain plant toxins
Idiopathic stringhalt may relate to peripheral nerve damage of uncertain origin
Mild cases may improve spontaneously; severe cases cause gait abnormality and difficulty moving
Surgical tenectomy of the lateral digital extensor tendon provides good outcomes in many cases

Welfare Considerations

Stringhalt causes variable welfare impact depending on severity. Mild cases showing occasional involuntary flexion may have minimal welfare compromise. Severe bilateral cases can prevent normal movement, make it difficult to back up, and cause falls on uneven ground. Australian stringhalt associated with plant toxins typically resolves when animals are removed from the toxic pasture. Idiopathic cases with persistent severe gait abnormality benefit from surgical tenectomy, which improves gait significantly in most horses.

What You Can Do

Seek veterinary assessment for any horse showing sudden onset hind limb gait abnormality
Identify and remove access to potentially toxic plants in Australian stringhalt cases
Discuss surgical referral with an equine vet for persistent severe stringhalt
Monitor grazing paddocks for toxic plant species known to cause Australian stringhalt