Equi-note 21 Hyperflexion-rollkur can damage the horse's neck causing osteoarthritis

Source: “Characterization of bony changes localized to the cervical articular processes in a mixed population of horses”; by Kevin K. Haussler, cc

For the concerned horse owner, how is it possible to identify if this problem exists in their own horse(s)? What are the symptoms? The following quote elaborates.

“Neurologic conditions in the sport horse”; by Daniela Bedenice,†, and Amy L. Johnson‡ † Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA ‡ Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center, 382 W Street Rd, Kennett Square, PA, USA.

“Cervical Vertebral Stenotic Myelopathy/CVSM

CVSM primarily manifests as general incoordination or stiffness when the horse moves. Affected patients may trip, appear to lurch at the canter, have difficulty halting smoothly. And may swing out or collide their limbs while turning. Walking up and down hills can also be difficult for the horse. Most commonly, all four limbs are affected. But horses with milder disease can appear unaffected in the forelimbs, with mild signs in the hind limbs.

Additionally, it is common for hind limb abnormalities to be more obvious than those in the front. A long-strided stiff gait can be quite characteristic of the condition. But lower neck problems can also manifest as weakness in the front limbs. These signs include a short-strided, choppy forelimb gait, limb buckling at rest or during movement, and muscle mass loss (atrophy). Signs are often symmetric or mildly asymmetric, with the left and right side usually being similarly affected.

Signs of neck pain are inconsistent

Young horses with malformations frequently do not appear uncomfortable. Whereas older horses with lower neck arthritis can show mild to severe signs of discomfort. These signs include abnormal head and neck posture, most commonly carrying the head lower than normal. Or decreased range of motion when asked to bend to the side or raise and lower the head. More severely affected horses rarely bend their necks, even when asked to circle. And display a rigid “weathervane” posture when moving. If nerve root compression is occurring, the horse might show a front limb lameness that cannot be localized by a lameness examination. And become occasionally “stuck” with the head and neck held in an abnormal, usually lowered, position.

Abnormal muscling might be evident

Some horses have poorly developed neck muscles, while others seem to have poor topline muscling that extends to their rumps. Not every horse with CVSM shows overt signs of neurologic disease or neck pain.

In some cases, the first sign of the problem is a behaviour change under saddle, such as bucking, bolting, rearing, or stopping at fences. The horse might be resistant when working in one direction, reluctant to move forward, reluctant to bring its head and neck up into a frame. Or just lose enthusiasm for its job. Difficulty with bending or lateral work, often worse in one direction, and mild front limb lameness can be observed.

The rider might notice an occasional stumble, or the horse might have fallen under circumstances where it was not expected. Some horses have difficulty traversing hills but work well in other situations. The rider might comment that the horse feels lame, or different, but no apparent lameness is present. Obviously, many other orthopedic or even systemic problems can cause similar signs and poor performance.

Summary

Many performance problems that are noted by the rider could stem from CVSM. And horses without an obvious lameness or other explanation should be assessed carefully for neurologic disease and neck pain.”