Australian Stringhalt–epidemiological, clinical and neurological investigations.
Abstract: An investigation of 78 cases of typical Australian Stringhalt from 52 properties in Victoria was carried out from 1985 to 1987. Horses were either examined in the field (n = 52), referred to the Veterinary Clinical Centre (n = 13) or clinical details were obtained verbally (n = 13). In addition 10 cases of false or atypical stringhalt were examined. Detailed soil and pasture analysis was carried out on 14 properties where Australian Stringhalt had occurred. Information was also obtained on epidemiology of the condition from a survey of practitioners. Fifty of the 52 cases examined in the field occurred in horses that were dependent upon poor quality unimproved dry pasture. In all but a few cases, there was no pasture improvement or fertiliser application, leading to the development of weed-dominated pastures, particularly by flatweed, Hypochaeris radicata. The range of clinical signs exhibited by horses with Australian Stringhalt was described and a grading system proposed to classify horses according to severity of signs. Laryngeal abnormalities were present in 10 of 11 cases examined endoscopically and these horses exhibited increased electromyographic (EMG) activity in the long digital extensor muscle at rest and during hindlimb flexion. To a large extent, the EMG changes disappeared and digital extensor muscle atrophy improved in two horses that were monitored to recovery. Deep peroneal nerve conduction studies in four horses with Australian Stringhalt showed a substantial reduction in nerve conduction velocity and when stimulated at 50 Hz were unable to sustain activation of the long digital extensor muscle. EMG and evoked responses appeared to be sensitive indicators of the state of the disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Publication Date: 1989-07-01 PubMed ID: 2767028DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1989.tb02165.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article discusses a detailed investigation carried out on 78 cases of a muscle disorder in horses known as Australian Stringhalt, primarily found in Victoria from 1985 to 1987. The study illustrates the common conditions where the disease arises, describes the range of clinical symptoms observed, and suggests grading to classify the severity of the disease.
Investigation Details
- The researchers studied 78 cases of Australian Stringhalt in horses from 52 properties in Victoria over three years.
- The study involved horses in different scenarios. Some horses were examined directly on the field (52 cases), others were brought to a Veterinary Clinical Centre (13 cases), and the remaining 13 cases were investigated through verbal exchange of clinical details.
- In addition, 10 cases of false or atypical stringhalt were evaluated to differentiate from typical cases.
- The team also focused on the soil and pasture conditions in 14 properties where a case of Australian Stringhalt had been reported.
Epidemiology and Environment
- A detailed survey was conducted to identify the common properties associated with the disease among practitioners.
- 50 out of the 52 field-examined cases occurred in horses which had been feeding on unimproved dry pasture of poor quality.
- Most properties lacked fertiliser and pasture improvements, leading to the proliferation of weeds, especially flatweed or Hypochaeris radicata.
Clinical Signs and Grading System
- The research documented the array of clinical signs associated with Australian Stringhalt and proposed a grading system to classify horses according to the severity of the condition.
- The study observed laryngeal abnormalities in 10 out of 11 cases under endoscopic examination.
- Increased electromyographic (EMG) activity was noticed at rest and during hindlimb flexion in horses displaying laryngeal abnormalities.
- Changes in electrical activity and improvements for muscle loss were monitored in recovering horses, pointing out the jerkiness as a potential symptom of Stringhalt.
Nerve Conduction Studies
- In four horses with the ailment, nerve conduction studies showed a drastic reduction in the speed of nerve impulses, particularly when stimulated at a frequency of 50 Hz.
- These horses failed to maintain the activation of the long digital extensor muscle, indicating a nerve disorder partly responsible for abnormal hindlimb movements.
The research concludes that EMG and evoked responses could serve as significant indicators for the state of Australian Stringhalt in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Huntington PJ, Jeffcott LB, Friend SC, Luff AR, Finkelstein DI, Flynn RJ.
(1989).
Australian Stringhalt–epidemiological, clinical and neurological investigations.
Equine Vet J, 21(4), 266-273.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1989.tb02165.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, VRI Attwood, Victoria, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Electromyography / veterinary
- Gait
- Hindlimb / physiopathology
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Laryngeal Diseases / epidemiology
- Laryngeal Diseases / veterinary
- Male
- Movement Disorders / epidemiology
- Movement Disorders / veterinary
- Neural Conduction
- Neuromuscular Diseases / epidemiology
- Neuromuscular Diseases / veterinary
- Soil / analysis
- Victoria
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Harvey AM, Ramp D, Mellor DJ. Review of the Foundational Knowledge Required for Assessing Horse Welfare. Animals (Basel) 2022 Dec 1;12(23).
- Journée SL, Journée HL, Berends HI, Reed SM, de Bruijn CM, Delesalle CJG. Comparison of Muscle MEPs From Transcranial Magnetic and Electrical Stimulation and Appearance of Reflexes in Horses. Front Neurosci 2020;14:570372.
- Draper ACE, Piercy RJ. Pathological classification of equine recurrent laryngeal neuropathy. J Vet Intern Med 2018 Jul;32(4):1397-1409.
- Davies PC. Shivering in a thoroughbred mare. Can Vet J 2000 Feb;41(2):128-9.
- Furuoka H, Mizushima M, Miyazawa K, Matsui T. Idiopathic peripheral neuropathy in a horse with knuckling. Acta Neuropathol 1994;88(4):389-93.
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