Learn the basics of performing neurological tests on your horse from Dr. Yvette Nout-Lomas of Colorado State University. In this video, she walks us through the basic exams that veterinarians use to determine if a horse is showing clinical signs of a neurologic problem.

(Editor’s note: The content of this video is the expert’s approach to the topic. Please consult with your practitioner if you have questions.)

Neurological Clinical Signs

“It is important for owners to know how to do simple neurological tests,” said Nout-Lomas. “Neurologic disease can be severe. It can be dangerous. Some neurologic diseases can affect other horses or people. And, horses can become unsafe when they are neurologically impaired.”

Some signs of neurological impairment in horses that owners might notice include:

  • abnormal behavior
  • lethargy, including not being able to get up
  • unable to swallow
  • abnormal carriage of ears
  • droopy eyelids
  • tilted head
  • stumbling or falling.

Simple Neurological Tests

The first neurological test you or your veterinarian might do is just watching the horse stand. Look at where the legs are positioned. (In the video she shows a horse that is a wobbler, or has narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck that causes neurologic signs.)

Watch for proprioceptive deficits. “That means when the horse is at rest, his legs are not standing square underneath him,” explained Nout-Lomas. “You can also watch the horse walk. You are looking for abnormal swaying movements, stumbling, or knucking.” She noted that the horse in the video is walking on three tracks—one for the right front, one for the left front, and both hind feet are using one track. “Kind of like a tight-rope walker,” she described.

Another helpful test is to do small circles with the horse in both directions about three times. She said to make sure the horse is in a small circle, but in a big enough circle that the horse can move forward. “You don’t want to just pivot the horse around you,” said Nout-Lomas.

She said to look for where the horse is placing its legs. Watch whether the horse is stepping on itself. See if the legs are picked up and set down appropriately.

Nout-Lomas also described a tail pull test. The first part is to check tail tone. “A horse should not have a flacid tail. That could indicate some level of disease,” she noted.

While checking the tail of the standing horse, you can check for anal tone. This is demonstrated in the video.

The second is to see whether the horse can balance himself when you pull the tail to the side while the horse is standing and while the horse is walking. You also watch to see what happens when you quit pulling the tail.

You also can back the horse and look for abnormal movement. Horses with neurological issues might have problems backing, or even dog-sit because they can’t perform the movement.

Other Tests

Nout-Lomas also describes and shows how how to perform the tongue tone test. She also shows how to use a ‘menace response’ to look for issues with cranial nerves.

Final Words

“If you have concerns about neurological diseases in your horse, contact your veterinarian,” said Nout-Lomas. She advised to not move the horse unless it is to isolate it in order to avoid spreading potential disease.

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