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Veteran
Posts: 110
| Long story but here goes. I bought a project horse that i was hoping would be my daughters barrel horse. It was clear that she's going to be too hot for a youth so I was finishing out her 60 days at the trainer to sell her and get something more appropriate. My trainer called and beleives that she may have EPM due to her issues trying to maintain a lead at a canter and struggling to circle. we are treating her for EPM ( i know to test is very expensive). Ive spent around $4000 so far on her and i am not wealthy. i cant keep spending money. The decision to sell her was settled on a while ago so i need to understand if there are other jobs she can do. Maybe a recipient mare? broodmare? I know i have to give her away at this point but i dont want to send her off to a horrible life. I"ll put her down first. I cant keep her, i board and i want to get my daughter a horse to ride. if there are good options for a use for her, please help so i can give her the best shot possible. thank you
Edited by allaboutme2 2016-02-05 12:50 PM
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  Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
   
Location: Florida.. | I guess if you spent that much then you must have looked at her hocks, stifles etc.. there are many other reasons for this issue to.. But i assume you already did that.. and I mean Xrays not just by sight.. if her only issue is no small circles and holding lead she could be a therapy horse, trail horse, someones pasture pet, someone that just wants a horse to ride but not compete.. etc.. | |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| Give her a shot once you're done treating her. I noticed my gelding became a lot more settled once we treated for EPM. If they're having coordination issues even if they are very slight and not totally noticeable it can be anxiety producing in them.
We didnt test either ;). I trust my vet totally in his judgement and as I thought back over the summer the symptoms were there. The treatment he uses is no harm if it's not, so we went for it. He bounced back better then ever and it really leveled out a few attitude issues that were starting to develop. | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1161
| I didn't test my old Mare for epm vet did a couple basic tests on her and was almost 100% epm. She couldn't walk or even eat she would drink but forgot how to eat and would almost fall on a tail pull the vet didn't think she would make it and still would say it to this day. Two days before this we were barrel racing. First thing we treated her for colic and boosted her immune system. A couple days later she did acupuncture on her it was immune boost acupuncture then started her on T.H.E. Speciality mix for emp. It has Been 6 or 7 years and is still going strong we barrel raced 2 years ago hoping to this year again and then maybe retire her she is 25. She has been on her supplement from the beginning and credit her health to that. So there is hope | |
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 Worst.Housekeeper.EVER.
Location: Missouri | allaboutme2 - 2016-02-04 6:49 AM Long story but here goes. I bought a project horse that i was hoping would be my daughters barrel horse. It was clear that she's going to be too hot for a youth so I was finishing out her 60 days at the trainer to sell her and get something more appropriate. My trainer called and beleives that she may have EPM due to her issues trying to maintain a lead at a canter and struggling to circle. we are treating her for EPM ( i know to test is very expensive). Ive spent around $4000 so far on her and i am not wealthy. i cant keep spending money. The decision to sell her was settled on a while ago so i need to understand if there are other jobs she can do. Maybe a recipient mare? broodmare? I know i have to give her away at this point but i dont want to send her off to a horrible life. I"ll put her down first. I cant keep her, i board and i want to get my daughter a horse to ride. if there are good options for a use for her, please help so i can give her the best shot possible. thank you
I am in a similar situation (I started the thread "does this sound like EPM" if you want the whole story.) I opted to test even though I already started treatment. My vet is sending blood to UCDavis. The entire cost, exam, blood draw, and test was $175.
Many on here have recommended Pathogenes, a private lab in Florida, which is even less expensive.
These tests are not as definitive as CSF, but hopefully paired with the signs he is showing, we will have an indication of what is going on.
I found this article helpful when deciding whether or not to test: https://ahdc.vet.cornell.edu/docs/Equine_Protozoal_Myeloencephalitis_EPM_Testing.pdf
As far as what to do with a positive horse that doesn't recover after treatment, I have also thought about my options. I *think* I would opt to euthanize, as I do NOT want him mistreated by someone who does not understand his condition. (In reality, I know I won't have the heart, and he'll just eat and get fat all the days of his life...)
Based on my very limited reading, EPM can flare during pregnancy due to added stress. May be something to research before deciding to offer her as a broodmare.
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Veteran
Posts: 110
| just4fun - 2016-02-04 8:21 AM allaboutme2 - 2016-02-04 6:49 AM Long story but here goes. I bought a project horse that i was hoping would be my daughters barrel horse. It was clear that she's going to be too hot for a youth so I was finishing out her 60 days at the trainer to sell her and get something more appropriate. My trainer called and beleives that she may have EPM due to her issues trying to maintain a lead at a canter and struggling to circle. we are treating her for EPM ( i know to test is very expensive). Ive spent around $4000 so far on her and i am not wealthy. i cant keep spending money. The decision to sell her was settled on a while ago so i need to understand if there are other jobs she can do. Maybe a recipient mare? broodmare? I know i have to give her away at this point but i dont want to send her off to a horrible life. I"ll put her down first. I cant keep her, i board and i want to get my daughter a horse to ride. if there are good options for a use for her, please help so i can give her the best shot possible. thank you I am in a similar situation (I started the thread "does this sound like EPM" if you want the whole story.) I opted to test even though I already started treatment. My vet is sending blood to UCDavis. The entire cost, exam, blood draw, and test was $175.
Many on here have recommended Pathogenes, a private lab in Florida, which is even less expensive.
These tests are not as definitive as CSF, but hopefully paired with the signs he is showing, we will have an indication of what is going on.
I found this article helpful when deciding whether or not to test: https://ahdc.vet.cornell.edu/docs/Equine_Protozoal_Myeloencephalitis_EPM_Testing.pdf
As far as what to do with a positive horse that doesn't recover after treatment, I have also thought about my options. I *think* I would opt to euthanize, as I do NOT want him mistreated by someone who does not understand his condition. (In reality, I know I won't have the heart, and he'll just eat and get fat all the days of his life... )
Based on my very limited reading, EPM can flare during pregnancy due to added stress. May be something to research before deciding to offer her as a broodmare.
I did read the thread you started. My dilemna is this, i can not keep her. I board and can not afford a horse that can not be used. I know this may end up not being the case, if she responds to treatment, but finding her a home so i can get my daughter a horse is also in the equeation. If i have my own place, she would live her days out here. She very ridable and not lame at all. she just seems to struggle in a high performance job. i dont want to put her down but i dont want her living a life where she is abused. my heart hurts and i was hoping she could be a recipient mare for a few years. If she repsonds to treatment, someone will have a magnificint horse. | |
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 Straight Shooter
Posts: 5725
Location: SW North Dakota | allaboutme2 - 2016-02-04 10:50 AM just4fun - 2016-02-04 8:21 AM allaboutme2 - 2016-02-04 6:49 AM Long story but here goes. I bought a project horse that i was hoping would be my daughters barrel horse. It was clear that she's going to be too hot for a youth so I was finishing out her 60 days at the trainer to sell her and get something more appropriate. My trainer called and beleives that she may have EPM due to her issues trying to maintain a lead at a canter and struggling to circle. we are treating her for EPM ( i know to test is very expensive). Ive spent around $4000 so far on her and i am not wealthy. i cant keep spending money. The decision to sell her was settled on a while ago so i need to understand if there are other jobs she can do. Maybe a recipient mare? broodmare? I know i have to give her away at this point but i dont want to send her off to a horrible life. I"ll put her down first. I cant keep her, i board and i want to get my daughter a horse to ride. if there are good options for a use for her, please help so i can give her the best shot possible. thank you I am in a similar situation (I started the thread "does this sound like EPM" if you want the whole story.) I opted to test even though I already started treatment. My vet is sending blood to UCDavis. The entire cost, exam, blood draw, and test was $175.
Many on here have recommended Pathogenes, a private lab in Florida, which is even less expensive.
These tests are not as definitive as CSF, but hopefully paired with the signs he is showing, we will have an indication of what is going on.
I found this article helpful when deciding whether or not to test: https://ahdc.vet.cornell.edu/docs/Equine_Protozoal_Myeloencephalitis_EPM_Testing.pdf
As far as what to do with a positive horse that doesn't recover after treatment, I have also thought about my options. I *think* I would opt to euthanize, as I do NOT want him mistreated by someone who does not understand his condition. (In reality, I know I won't have the heart, and he'll just eat and get fat all the days of his life... )
Based on my very limited reading, EPM can flare during pregnancy due to added stress. May be something to research before deciding to offer her as a broodmare.
You may have to just advertise her as a trail or maybe even a ranch horse or companion horse and disclose the issue. In a perfect world, you could find a nice family that would enjoy her for what she is (or isn't). You aren't going to recoup your expenses, but sometimes you just have to stop the bleeding (from your wallet)! Chalk it up to "life ain't fair," and move on. | |
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Worst.Housekeeper.EVER.
Location: Missouri | If your mare is rideable, then I don't know why someone wouldn't love to have her! I bet even with full disclosure, you won't have too much trouble finding her a home. Some love the challenge of these "diamonds in the rough."
Sorry for your financial blow... that's tough. Hope you find a great home for her and that you and your daughter find the perfect horse for your family!
Edited by just4fun 2016-02-04 8:02 PM
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | allaboutme2 - 2016-02-04 6:49 AM
 Long story but here goes. I bought a project horse that i was hoping would be my daughters barrel horse. It was clear that she's going to be too hot for a youth so I was finishing out her 60 days at the trainer to sell her and get something more appropriate. My trainer called and beleives that she may have EPM due to her issues trying to maintain a lead at a canter and struggling to circle. we are treating her for EPM ( i know to test is very expensive). Ive spent around $4000 so far on her and i am not wealthy. i cant keep spending money. The decision to sell her was settled on a while ago so i need to understand if there are other jobs she can do. Maybe a recipient mare? broodmare? I know i have to give her away at this point but i dont want to send her off to a horrible life. I"ll put her down first. I cant keep her, i board and i want to get my daughter a horse to ride. if there are good options for a use for her, please help so i can give her the best shot possible. thank youÂ
Prayers that the treatment works and she goes on to be able to have a good life with a good family. And thank you for not being one of those folks who just don't care about her or the people that might end up with her.  | |
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