Stringhalt, what can be done?

[ally*]

I started a previoius thread about my TB mare slipping on ice and becoming injured, but her injury actually has turned out to be stringhalt. I'm devestated, the vet has suggested surjery as our only option, giving her a 20% to 100% chance of recovering fully, but even then may not be able to do dressage or event. Is anyone familiar with stringhalt? I've researched online and I know what it is... I just don't know what I should do. Will surgery really help, is there anything else I can do for her? If anyone has had a horse with stringhalt or is familiar with it at all and has any advice I would really appreciate it!

[Barefoot]

The only time ive experienced it was when our gelding grazed on dandylions? those little yellow flowers (think thier dnadylions) , they apparently cause stringhalt. He had it quite obviously for weeks & weeks, i didnt know why, my farrier came out and said Yup - its those flowers, i moved him to the next paddock and within days it was gone and never returned.

Otherwise, thats the extent of my knowledge.

I have heard of surgery, but never experienced it. Sorry, wish i could help more.

[Xiphias]

Never heard of dandylions doing that, my mare has been eating them for years....

As for the stringhalt, never delt with it, but when I read your other thread, the way you described the way she was moving, I thought stringhalt, but you said she had fallen on the ice, and crossed it out of my mind.....maybe some of the other members here have delt with this condition....good luck...Cathy

[zorse]

I don't actually have personal experience, but I did work at a barn that had a horse with string hault. It was pretty bad, in that his hock was over active in all gaits and he didn't like to pick up the foot for cleaning. But he did still compete showjumping successfully. He just moved with a "marchy" type step and he was hard to balance at canter one way but he was still very much rideable and useful.

[wyldterv]

This is taken from the Merck Veterinary Manual...

Stringhalt
(Springhalt)
Stringhalt is a myoclonic affliction of one or both hindlimbs seen as spasmodic overflexion of the joints. The etiology is unknown, but lesions of a peripheral neuropathy have been identified in the sciatic, peroneal, and tibial nerves. Severe forms of the condition have been attributed to lathyrism (sweet pea poisoning) in the USA and possibly to flat weed intoxication in Australia. Horses of any breed may be affected; it is rare in foals.All degrees of hyperflexion are seen, from the mild, spasmodic lifting and grounding of the foot, to the extreme case in which the foot is drawn sharply up until it touches the belly and is then struck violently on the ground. In severe cases, there is atrophy of the lateral thigh muscles. In Australian stringhalt and lathyrism, the condition may be progressive, and the gait abnormality may become so severe that euthanasia is warranted.Mild stringhalt may be intermittent. The signs are most obvious when the horse is sharply turned or backed. In some cases, the condition is seen only on the first few steps after moving the horse out of its stall. The signs are often less intense or even absent during warmer weather. Although it is regarded as unsoundness, stringhalt may not materially hinder the horse’s ability to work, except in severe cases when the constant concussion gives rise to secondary complications. The condition may also make the horse unsuitable for equestrian sports (eg, dressage).Diagnosis is based on clinical signs but can be confirmed by electromyography. If the diagnosis is in doubt, the horse should be observed as it is backed out of the stall after hard work for 1-2 days. False stringhalt sometimes appears as a result of some temporary irritation to the lower pastern area or even a painful lesion in the foot. The occasional horse with momentary upward fixation of the patella may exhibit a stringhalt-like gait.When intoxication is suspected, removal to another paddock may be all that is required. Many of these cases apparently recover spontaneously. In chronic cases, tenectomy of the lateral extensor of the digit, including removal of a portion of the muscle, has given best results. Improvement may not be evident until 2-3 wk after surgery. Prognosis after surgery is guarded—not all cases respond. This is not surprising because the condition is a distal axonopathy. Other methods of treatment include large doses of thiamine and phenytoin.

I would seek a second opinion (nothing at all against your vet, but I ALWAYS suggest a 2nd opinion when attempting to ensure a correct diagnosis) and I would ask about where you could find more study information on treatment and options.

[ally*]

thanks for the help everybody, i think i've decided that unfortunately I'm not able to afford the surgery, and her stringhalt is so severe that she's not able to be ridden. I need to find a good home for her, probably as a broodmare (it's not hereditary), as a companion horse, or to someone who's looking for a wonderful horse to do a rehab project with. if anybody knows of anyone who would be interested in buying her for a very low price, or has any suggestions, please post or email me! sbeddes@ubtanet.com

[DressageGirl]

Barefoot I always was told it was Dandelions that caused Stringhalt, I have since found out this is wrong

Cat's Ear pasture will do it

I believe it is caused by a toxin buildup in the body (dont ask me the technical stuff) and feeding high grade dolomite (and consultation with a vet or herbalist) can fix the problem completely from what I understand.

[ally*]

I've found out that stringhalt isn't nearly as bad as I had previously thought, what a relief! The surgery is actually fairly simple involving only a minor inciscion and a month of rehab, which 90% of horses come back successfully from! I am still considering the surgery, but I don't think that i'm in a situation where I would be able to do it. I would like to sell her to a good home who would be interested in doing the surgery or using her as a broodmare and giving her a better life than I could give her.

[Scc]

My old gelding had to have surgery about 7 years ago due to Stinghalt. He had such a bad case that he cuold not turn around without his leg popping up. Back then the surgery cost me 250$, but that was 7 years ago. The vet that did it was the best in the state, and he frankly told me that the surgery could help for 10 days, 10 months, or ten years. I got three great years out of his legs before it bothered him too much. I can still ride him, trail ride him, run him in the pasture, but he can not make sharp turns or he falls. The only thing I have found I could not do was run speed events with him like I used to. But he is still a great rideable horse.