Neurological disease in horses causes profound welfare compromise through loss of coordination, balance, proprioception, and normal movement. Welfare assessment requires understanding the progression and welfare implications of specific conditions.
Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) causes the most common infectious neurological disease of horses—myeloencephalopathy (EHM). Outbreaks can affect multiple horses simultaneously in yards or at competitions. Clinical signs range from mild incoordination to severe ataxia, recumbency, and bladder dysfunction. Welfare is severely compromised in affected horses—inability to maintain balance causes falls, injuries, and significant distress. Biosecurity during outbreaks prevents spread; antiviral treatment and supportive care are indicated for affected individuals.
Wobbler syndrome causes cervical spinal cord compression due to vertebral canal stenosis or instability, causing progressive hindlimb and forelimb ataxia. Larger, fast-growing breeds (Thoroughbreds, Warmbloods) are predisposed. Diagnosis requires radiography and myelography or CT myelography under general anaesthesia. Treatment includes surgical stabilisation (ventral interbody fusion), prolonged box rest, or conservative management. Welfare monitoring tracks whether ataxia progresses to the point of compromising safety and quality of life.
EPM (caused by Sarcocystis neurona) occurs primarily in North America, causing progressive and variable neurological signs depending on lesion location. Antiprotozoal treatment (ponazuril, diclazuril, sulfadiazine-pyrimethamine combinations) can halt progression; improvement in function depends on lesion severity. Welfare assessment throughout treatment tracks response and guides decisions about continued management versus humane euthanasia when adequate function cannot be restored.
Neurological horses require careful welfare assessment: can the horse maintain balance safely? Can it eat and drink? Does it fall and injure itself? Is it in pain? Can it live comfortably with herd companions? When neurological disease compromises safety for horse or handler, or when quality of life is inadequate despite treatment, euthanasia is the welfare-appropriate endpoint. These decisions benefit from specialist neurological assessment and owner-veterinarian collaboration.