Wobblers Syndrome- Do I have to put him down?

[jumper-4-joy]

Hey everyone.

My horse recently went to a great equine hospital and may have wobblers. If he does, he may need to be put down:( , because he cant be ridden (unsafe;could fall). So, is there any options? If I could keep him and just not ride him, what could I do with him that isnt really heavy work?
Please help I love him with all of my heart and couldnt bear for him to be put down!!:(

[CMR]

What is 'wobblers syndrom?' Do you mean EPM? Would you be happy with him as a driving horse?

[jumper-4-joy]

Wobblers syndrome is basically a pinched nerve in the back. It has the same signs as EPM, but EPM is caused by bacteria. EPM can be treated, Wobblers can not be treated but helped a little.

I am hoping my horse just has EPM because then he wont have to be put down.:( :( :( :( :( Plus, if he could do driving, I have no idea how and very little money to get all of the stuff.

If he has Wobblers and cant be worked, could I send him to a rescue place or something? :confused: Would somewhere take him?

[prudence]

I think I read an article on a horsey magazine not long time ago (I might be wrong thought, I need to check...). I don't have the magazine with me, but I can get hold of it in a week. I will be happy to send it to you then.

[Wally]

There is a thread in Enlightened Equitation about a chiropractor being able to help wobblers, or at least thats' how I read it. It was in General I think, it was about Heather's horse, Rei.

[nix]

There are differing degrees of Wobbler's Syndrome, so be led by what your vet tells you and be open to qualified second opinions from other vets. Few chiropractors/physios/osteopaths will manipulate a horse with CVM (Cervical Vertebral Myelopathy - commonly known as Wobbler's Syndrome), for obvious reasons. There is an excellent Yahoo Group that has lots of advice, articles etc and they are really friendly - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/equinewobblers/.

Good luck and hopefully it will be good news for the both of you :).

[Jane.A]

I have been unfortunate enough to have two wobblers. One was caused by a fall, the other was apparently congenital. I am sorry to say the prognosis was not good and both were destroyed. They were a danger to themselves and to others as they lacked co-ordindation of their hind quartes and one of them tried to turn in his box and fell crushing me against the wall. I had bred both horses from different mares so the decision to have them put down was not taken lightly. Both were less than 3 years old. Last year my neighbour imported a fabulous 4 year old and he developed the syndrome. Once seen never forgotten. She called me over to have a look at him as she was concerned about his changed gait. I told her what I thought and the vet was called and confirmed it. He visited the animal hospital but was also destroyed. I too saw the article in the magazine, I bought it because of the article. My honest opinion is that at the moment destruction is still the kindest and safest option, esp. in these litigious times. If your horse caused injury to himself or another as a result of his co-ordination problems you would never forgive yourself.