My horse Cisco was diagnosed with EPM not too long ago. All 2017, we thought he had a stifle problem. We were watching his back toes drag and first a limp on one back leg and then both legs. During this time, I also became sick with internal bleeding. My recovery surgery was a great success, but my body was weakened. Cisco and I both needed rehab. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cisco improved greatly in the summer and we started riding at James A Reed, short to longer distances. It was going great. However, he was nervous on the trek away from the trailer and very concerned at things along the trail, even a butterfly. He would put his head down low and gaze with concern at tree limbs or uneven ground bumps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One day he stepped on one of his front feet and pulled off his shoe. He tottered for about four steps before regaining his balance. It was scary. I was most concerned about the loss of the shoe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Perhaps he needed the shoe for balance. Of c?ourse I knew this was a preposterous idea, but it was the best made-up explanation my worried brain could manage. We got an emergency new shoe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We went back on the trail the next day. About a mile later, Cisco began walking in a terrible manner. His four legs were doing a slow walk pace and it felt like his back legs were dragging. It probably was the most horrifying gait I\u2019ve ever experienced. We headed back with Cisco dragging his back legs to the trailer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We made an appointment for an acupuncture chiropractic session with Dr. Randy Hunenfield, Adrian, Mo., vet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cisco\u2019s body was in bad shape. His poll, withers and one hip was \u201cout\u201d. His stifles were not in any pain. Clearly this was not a stifle problem. Cisco was given the whole chiro-acupuncture treatment. We were to wait 30 days. I was to keep a daily diary of Cisco\u2019s condition. Dr Randy told me this is what EPM is like. I scoffed. Cisco doesn\u2019t have EPM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The thirty days were awful. I had to ride Cisco shoulder-in at a very slow walk for him to keep his body balanced. But he still occasionally started dragging his hind leg and \u201ctottering\u201d off balance. Eventually, I gave up riding and just played with him on the ground. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We visited Dr Randy at the 30 day mark and took a blood sample for EPM. The test was conclusive for EPM! It was raging high EPM. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The problems with his vision was explained- EPM. Stepping on his front foot was an EPM problem. The dragging back feet is also EPM but appears to be a stifle problem and fooled me for a long time. I had a lot of \u201cadvice\u201dto cut the stifle and enjoy the magic cure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I hope this helps other horse owners dealing with mystery lameness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Winter is upon us. Cisco looks good. I both eagerly await and dread riding him again as he might be well or still lame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n