What is Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM)?

Question

I want to know what EPM is and how it affects a horse. I don't need to know symptoms or treatments or anything- I am just wondering what it is exactly because one of the horses at my barn has it. My friend told me it is kind of like he has a mental illness (and I know the horse is being heavily treated). Is that true? Would you still be able to ride a horse that has EPM?

Answer 1

I HATE EPM!!! I just lost my mare b/c of it!

Answer 2

it is not a mental illness, it attacks the horses nearvs and spinal chord. I worked with a horse that had it. sometimes it can be treated but many times  it has permenant affects, or nerve damage.

Answer 3

It is a protozoal (parasite) infection from exposure to f***s of the opossum (only opossum, not raccoon, etc.).  The protozoa are ingested from opossum f***s, and enter the central nervous system where they multiply.  A blood test is inconclusive, so if your friend's vet diagnosed this without performing a spinal tap to collect cerebrospinal fluid sample, the diagnosis is not certain.  It is not like a mental illness, but rather like an organic brain syndrome which can effect all functions of the central nervous system (brain or spinal cord functions).  Of course, that includes mental functions of the brain.  That's why the symptoms can be confusing....anything from breathing problems to back soreness to lameness to stifle locking to unsteady gait can manifest from this infection.Whether or not the horse can be ridden would be determined based on the individual horse, and his response to treatment.

I hope this helps.

Answer 4

EPM attacks the horse's spinal cord, nerves, and brain. it causes the horse to lose its balance and coordination. first symptoms are usually a limp  in one leg. it's passed through infected f***s of things like raccons and opossums. this is usually something you see in pasture horses more than stalled horses. it's not easily passed between horses kept in barn stalls. the protozoa can be killed with a round of expensive antibiotic medication and the horse will regain some of it's balance. however, the damage that's been done cannot be reversed so the earlier the horse is treated, the better the outcome. it's possible to ride a horse with very mild EPM (usually EPM is graded on a scale of 1-10 based on the severity of balance loss. i wouldnt ride anything more than a 1 or 2) it's dangerous to ride a horse with moderate or severe EPM because the horse can fall with you and/or on top of you. you can ride after the EPM has been treated and cleared up if the neurological (nerve) damage wasnt severe. we have a 23 year old arab mare that had stage 2 EPM in her teens that recovered enough to still do walk, trot, canter lessons. she only had some mild hock stiffness from her ordeal with the protozoa