Page 482 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse
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• The condition is progressive and may eventually affect the forelimbs.
• Severely affected animals may experience generalized muscle wasting.
VetBooks.ir Diagnosis
Diagnosis is usually made on the history and the clinical signs.
Treatment
There is no effective treatment. If the horse has an underlying PSSM then a high fat and low
sugar and starch diet may help. Regular exercise helps in some cases.
Prognosis
The condition is progressive and some horses are euthanased as they are unfit for work. A
frequent problem is that it becomes impossible for the farrier to fit their shoes safely.
However, on occasions the horse will continue to perform adequately in spite of the shivering
and the progression of the disease is unpredictable.
STRINGHALT
Stringhalt is a condition where the hocks of one or both hind limbs flex in an exaggerated
fashion when the horse is walking (Figure 11.4).
