Stringhalt

---

What is Stringhalt?

A neurological condition affecting horses, ponies, sheep and cattle commonly occurring in summer and autumn.

It is charcaterised by hypertonia (increased rigidity, tension, and spasticity of the muscles) and in some cases  Hypermetria (an ataxic muscle disorder characterized by overreaching)

Causes

     Stringhalt is caused by the

• Ingestion of either a neurotoxic plant eg Hypochoeris radicans (False dandelion),  Arctotheca calendula. (Cape daisy) or a plant infested with mycospores
• Some of these plants bind available magnesium and affect the interplay between calcium and magnesium for fluid muscle movement.

• Other plants that may cause stringhalt include  little mallow (Malva parviflora) and Buttercup
• Plants or feeds infected by a myco-toxin can and do affect parts of the brain involved in movement ie Cerebellum.
  

  mycotoxin 15acetyldeoxynivalenol

• The toxin  damages cells in the cerebellum of the brain that coordinate movement.
• This will also have an effect on dopamine levels which influence movement
• In susceptible horses there appears to be a rapid accumulation of glycogen in muscle cells after starchy, sugary meals, which in turn causes damage to the cells and nerves that are responsible for the correct firing of electro-chemical impulses in muscles.

Signs and Symptoms 

• Demonstrated by exaggerated movement of legs in particular the hind legs.
• Muscle hypertonia (increased rigidity, tension, and spasticity of the muscles)
• Hypermetria (an ataxic muscle disorder characterized by overreaching)
• An inability to step backwards and some attempt to kick at stomach.
• When the horse is forced to move, yank their legs up and halt them there momentarily before taking their next step.
• This uncontrollable exaggerated movement of the digital ex tensor muscles is the outward sign of this neurological disease.

Immediate Action

• Remove horse from hazardous paddock and ensure that there are no entrapment areas.
• Handle the horse quietly keeping it calm at all times. Anxiety will heighten symptoms and risk to horse and handler.
• Contact vet for onsite visit. Floating is stressful and backing out almost impossible. A through-float may be used.
• Veterinary treatment may include high doses of magnesium sulphate along with sodium chloride and an anti-spasmodic drug.

Treatment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Move horse to pastures without any of the above mentioned weeds.
• Look at changing the pasture first by spraying out all cape weed and Cats Ear or False dandelion.
• Start detox program by first chopping up in equal quantities 1 cup cleavers, stinging nettle, and a bitter like artichoke leaves. Cover with 1 litre boiling water, cool and add to feed. (ideally well soaked Beet and or copra) . Do this x 2 time daily for three days.
• Ad lib access to pasture, hay and oaten chaff with rosehips, dried nettle, seaweed meal, chamomile and camellia leaves (same family as green tea and high in anti-oxidants.
• Have blood tested for excess potassium levels as that will make any muscles spasm or exaggerated movement worse.
• Prevent excess accumulation of carbohydrate in the muscles, by diet, exercise and short lay-off periods. As with EMS ensure that the ratios of NSC (Non Structural Carbohydrates)  to SC (fibre)
• Avoid processed feeds which include  (typically between  25% and 40% starch and sugar) and cereals (oats 50%, barley 60% and maize 70% starch), and short rapidly growing grass (2-3% sugar in every bite).
• Brewers yeast which will help address myco-toxin levels.
• Feed chamomile as it is high in Magnesium phosphate and a gentle anti-spasmodic.
• For the first two days feed a dessertspoon of Epsom salts (magnesium sulphate)
• Then 40ml daily of Anti Al MAG which is important for the firing of muscles
• 5ml daily of valerian extract daily while symptoms persist which will act as a mild anti-spasmodic and vasodilator as well as keeping the horse calm via the GABA levels in the brain.
  

  valerian root

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: The information in this page must not be used in place of professional veterinary treatment . We recommend that either a qualified herbalist or your animal professional carry out diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Herbal remedies must not be given not be taken in conjunction with other medication with out consulting a medical professional.