was talking with friends and my vet the other day on learning about ECVM (Equine Complex Vertebral Malformation) in my region. As I learn more and more about this condition, I am realizing how hard it has been for the information on this is to spread.
I also realize how lucky I am to have access to my friends and mentors, @ZefanjaVermeulen and @ThirzaHendricks, along with webinars and articles with many of the other experts including their mentor @Sharon May-Davis.
We are starting to know the clinical history, genetic components, variations/conditions, but horses show a variety of symptoms, making it an extremely hard condition to detect. The horse can present with different simple or complex combination of problems. Presents itself quite often in horses between 7 and 10 years old.
From the website: www.ecvmallbreeds.com
“ECVM is an abnormality of the 6th/7th cervical vertebra, it also involves the 1st & 2nd ribs, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae.
Diagnosis; is done with x-rays of the low neck, using the protocol for ECVM.
The clinical symptoms can be divided into physical and mental categories. Therefore, it is important for owners to keep a critical eye on their horses.
Possible physical symptoms: loss of coordination/proprioception, asymmetry in thoracic inlet and spine, unexplained lameness, sensitivity to palpation, contact issues, imbalance in the feet, dental issues, &/or hormonal or internal problems.
Changes in mental/behavior. These changes are subjective, and every situation is different for each horse. Because of this it is up to us as humans to be subjective and observant to our horses when in pain and compensating for their issues. This is one of the reasons that focusing on keeping the horse straight, will help with their tendency to be asymmetric in the neck and entire spine, as well as many other structures, depending on the horse.
Horses can exhibit other behaviours due to feeling unsafe, unable to flee, pain, which shows up as being unpredictable, bucking/rearing, general resistance, head shaking, difficulty in the canter, etc.
Management is required and needs to match the horse’s needs. We need to adapt training expectations to the horse’s capabilities and the horse’s prognosis as that differs from horse to horse. This is why it is so important to recognize and adapt the management of these horses to that horse on that particular day.
Management plans include passive physio (browsing, uneven/different surfaces, etc.), stability training, proprioception training, good hoof care with short intervals, therapy/bodywork, regular dental treatments, removing other stressors (nutrition/isolation/too heavy training), in-hand training before riding, adapted and customized training schedules.”
I am fortunate that I have started on this path and am looking at management of my own horse with many of the items suggested to help with his issues.
LSG Equine Consulting 