"COMPLETE RIDER" YOUR #1 HORSE DESTINATION
Misinterpreting Bad Behavior…I own a quarter horse mare that over the 10 years of her life has displayed numerous behavioral problems. She was unhappy being around other horses and was constantly aggressive toward them. Grooming was her worst nightmare and hands on affection was tolerated only and not enjoyed. She would isolate herself from the herd and stand completely alone either in a shelter or a far corner of the pasture. In rain or even light hail, the other horses would be able to handle it in the field but she would head for the shelter at a full run. When in the show ring she would pin her ears and threaten to bite or kick if any other horse approached her. Others and myself would constantly discipline her for being a cranky mare not knowing there was another explanation.
Did you know there is such a thing as "horse shingles"? Well, let me tell you there is. The correct name is "Rhino Pneumonitis Neurotrophic Herpes Syndrome" (Herpes Zoster Syndrome).
My horse came up lame at a horsemanship clinic; I consulted a vet who was also enrolled in the same course. The vet felt that her foot was either bruised or an abscess was forming in the sole. After 2 weeks of complete rest there was absolutely no improvement and no sign of an abscess. I then consulted my farrier and he felt my mare might have gravel in her hoof wall due to a seedy toe. Upon aggressive treatment, there was still no improvement 2 weeks further down the road. She has now been lame 4 weeks. My farrier then suggested putting front shoes on my mare to protect her sole as the ground was extremely dry and he thought that this could be causing additional bruising. He also suggested that I restrain her movement to a bare minimum in a small box stall. This I did. After a week of confinement there was still no improvement.
At this point, I was totally exasperated and wondered if maybe, the injury was in the shoulder possibly requiring a chiropractic treatment. Thank goodness I was able to look at all options.
I phoned Wayne Steiger, the DVM at the Diamond Valley Vet Clinic in Turner Valley, Alberta. Did he do any alternative treatments for lameness in horses? He told me to bring my mare in to the clinic for a complete assessment. After a brief examination, he said, "she had shingles". I thought he was trying to lighten my mood because I have never heard of "horse shingles". He explained a herpes virus causes this condition; and can completely debilitate a horse. In laymen terms, he compared her condition as "one big, raw nerve ending" from nose to tail.
Wayne compared my mare with another horse in the clinic to show me just how sore her body was. My mare flinched at the slightest touch anywhere he placed his hand, if rubbed repeatedly in one spot, she would become very agitated and try to bite; the other horse had no reaction at all even after multiple rubs in the same spot.
At this point, Wayne recommended acupuncture to stimulate the immune system as well as putting her on a special diet of Lysine and Epsom Salts mixed with sweet feed.
After the initial acupuncture treatment in the clinic, my mare responded extremely well and you could immediately see a softening of her eyes and some relaxation of her body. I took my mare home and after 2 weeks of the special diet, her shingles were under control and all signs of lameness were gone. A follow up visit to the clinic resulted in no further acupuncture treatments being required. We continued her special diet for an additional 2 weeks.I was advised if I exposed my mare to any situation that causes her stress, all I need to do to prepare her and control the shingles is to put her back on her special diet 1 to 2 weeks prior and 1 week after her return home.
Please be sure to consult with your veterinarian or contact Wayne Steiger if you suspect your horse may have this painful virus.
Upon my own research I found this condition is not curable but can be controlled so that it will not interfere with performance or reach a debilitating state. Shingles is as painful in horses as in humans and may be in an active phase to one degree or another in as many as one in three horses. Shingles flare up when the immune system is lowered due to stress either through hauling, competition, or anything that causes your horse discomfort. Stimulating the immune system is an alternative treatment to remove pain without using drugs. Other symptoms of the herpes virus (shingles) are unwillingness to engage the hind end, atrophy of the gluteal muscles, weakness in the hindquarters or coughing. The traditional form of treating unexplained lameness is the use of corticosteroids, which are immunosupressants. The exact opposite of what is needed to keep the herpes virus under control
Upon numerous discussions I found very few individuals, including veterinarians are aware of the common neurological/arterial problems causing non-specific lameness. Without early detection the herpes virus (shingles) can eventually lead to slight or partial paralysis in horses.
I now have a happy and healthy mare that now appreciates being groomed like most horses. She has now integrated into the herd and is no longer aggressive. What a different horse!
I hope my unfortunate experience with shingles in my horse will help other horse owners to become aware that this herpes virus exists and could possibly be the cause of your horse's bad behavior/attitude or unexplained lameness. Please give your horse the benefit of the doubt and check with your veterinarian regarding this virus.
Angela
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