Stroke Recovery In Horses: Is It Possible?

Horses, just like humans, can suffer strokes, which occur when blood flow to the brain is interrupted or ceased. While there is no specific treatment for horses that have suffered a stroke, mild to moderate exercise can help in rehabilitation, and most horses tend to recover within 1-2 months. Interestingly, horseback riding has also been found to aid human stroke recovery, with the smooth stride of a horse helping stroke survivors regain lost mobility and balance.

Can a Horse Recover from a Stroke?

Horseback riding as therapy

Horseback riding, or equine therapy, is an effective form of treatment for individuals recovering from a stroke. Equine therapy is an experiential treatment method that uses the connection between people and horses to enhance physical and emotional healing. The smooth and gentle stride of a horse can help stroke survivors regain lost mobility and balance, and improve overall physical fitness.

Benefits of Equine Therapy

Equine therapy can help individuals develop a sense of responsibility and empathy, which is beneficial for those with mental health issues or struggling with addiction. The act of caring for a horse can be therapeutic, as participants learn to exercise care for another being, which can help them overcome their own psychological challenges. This sense of responsibility can also help individuals struggling with addiction to develop a daily routine and structure, which is crucial for recovery.

Hippotherapy

Hippotherapy is a form of physical therapy that uses the horse's movement to assist in meeting therapy goals. It is often used for people with traumatic brain injuries and can help patients with neuromuscular disorders improve their balance, coordination, and body control. For children with cerebral palsy, hippotherapy has been shown to improve their self-awareness and feeling of unity with their bodies.

Therapeutic Riding

Therapeutic riding is an Equine-Assisted Activity that helps individuals heal from trauma and improve confidence and self-esteem. It involves riding horses under the supervision of a certified instructor, with a focus on understanding and cooperating with the horse. Therapeutic riding can also help individuals with substance use disorders improve their physical fitness and develop a sense of self-confidence and independence.

Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy

Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) focuses on individuals managing mental or substance use disorders, cognitive issues, and other disorders. It allows clients to use multiple senses to process their underlying emotional issues and mental health challenges. Patients partner and bond with horses to achieve equine-assisted growth, which is a form of personal advancement that comes from the relationship with the horse.

Overall Impact

Signs of a stroke in horses

A stroke in a horse, referred to as a cerebrovascular accident, is very similar to a human stroke, as it is caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain, usually due to heat or a hemorrhage. The most obvious signs of a stroke in a horse are their inability to stand straight and hold their head up, staggering, tilting their head, and assuming a splay-footed stance or leaning against walls for support. This loss of balance and inability to stand is often the first symptom of a stroke.

Most vets agree that horses suspected of having a mild stroke will show symptoms such as a loss of control and panicking. This will be a sudden change in the horse's behaviour, and they may start to tremble, writhe on the ground, and their eyes may show nystagmus. For unknown reasons, the horse may also appear swollen and suffer a release of their bowels.

Other symptoms of a stroke in horses include an elevated respiratory and heart rate, a temperature of over 103 degrees Fahrenheit, dehydration, and paralysis of the muscles in the eyes, face, or mouth, evident by drooping eyes, ears, or lips. If the condition worsens, the horse may suffer a loss of sensation along its face, neck, or body.

Abnormal gait or lameness is another sign of a stroke in horses. Disruptions in the command and control system of a horse can cause issues with normal movement. Nerve signals must travel from the horse's brain down its spinal cord to the nerves that govern its muscles, and the nerves then signal back to the brain to indicate the position of its limbs. If these signals are disrupted, the horse may become uncoordinated or develop abnormal gaits.

If you suspect your horse is having a stroke, it is important to call your veterinarian immediately. They will be able to perform a neurological exam to determine the affected site in the nervous system and provide appropriate treatment.

Equine stroke treatment

Equine strokes are usually caused by either heat or a hemorrhage in the brain. The former is more common in the summer months when the temperature and humidity outside are at their highest. In both cases, the stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. This results in a lack of oxygen to the brain, killing off cells that are necessary for normal function.

If you suspect your horse is experiencing heat stress, it is critical to stop all exercise immediately and move your horse to a cooler setting. While waiting for veterinary assistance, place a fan next to your horse and spray them with cool water. Allow your horse access to fresh water in small intervals. The veterinarian will likely want to give your horse intravenous fluids and electrolytes to help cool them off and replenish fluid and electrolyte losses.

If you think your horse might have suffered a stroke, call your veterinarian. They will use a standard approach to determine a diagnosis and identify the affected site in the nervous system. This may include a neurological exam, which starts at the head with tests of the cranial nerves, and then examines different functions like hearing, vision, swallowing, and muscle control. The vet will also determine the horse's balance, strength, and reaction time.

There is no specific treatment for equine strokes, and the drugs that are available are not always effective. Mild to moderate unmounted, controlled exercise can help in rehabilitation, with the level of exercise depending on the horse's stability. The opinions of the veterinarian and the owner will also be important. Total recovery or neurological normalcy may not be possible, and most owners opt for euthanasia if their horses are unable to eat.

Heat stress and heat stroke

Heat Stress

Heat stress can be identified by several symptoms, including:

• Profuse sweating or reduced sweating
• Hot skin
• Rapid heart rate or pulse that does not recover after exercise
• Increased body temperature above 102°F
• Dehydration (signs include sunken eyes, loss of skin elasticity, and reduced urination)

If heat stress is suspected, it is important to act quickly to prevent it from progressing to heat stroke. Stop any exercise, move the horse to a cooler area, and contact a veterinarian. Provide a fan and spray the horse with cool water to aid in cooling. Allow the horse to drink small amounts of water at regular intervals.

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is a more severe condition that can be identified by the following symptoms:

• Rapid respiratory rate
• Body temperature exceeding 106°F
• Hot and dry skin

Heat stroke is a veterinary emergency and requires immediate treatment. If a horse is suspected of having heat stroke, stop all activity, provide shade and ventilation, and call a veterinarian immediately. Apply cool water to the horse's body and offer small amounts of drinking water.

Prevention

• Providing access to fresh water and shade
• Reducing ride time and intensity during hot and humid weather
• Riding during cooler times of the day, such as early morning or evening
• Providing electrolytes during periods of strenuous work and increased sweating
• Clipping long-haired horses to improve heat dissipation
• Transporting horses during cooler parts of the day

Stroke recovery and rehabilitation

The recovery process for horses that have suffered a stroke can be lengthy, and they should show signs of improvement within the first two weeks. During this time, it is important to follow the veterinarian's advice and provide the necessary care and treatment. This may include administering drugs, such as steroids, aspirin, tranquilizers, and anti-inflammatories. Additionally, mild to moderate unmounted, controlled exercise can aid in the horse's rehabilitation, with the type and intensity of exercise dictated by the horse's stability and the recommendations of the veterinarian.

To support the horse's recovery, owners can also try hand-walking, hand-trotting, or massaging the animal. Proper nutrition is also essential, and it is important to indulge the horse to aid in its recovery. While total neurological normalcy may not be achievable, rehabilitation and strengthening exercises can maximise clinical success and improve the horse's overall condition.

In addition to conventional veterinary treatments, some alternative therapies have been explored to aid in stroke recovery. Horseback riding, for instance, has been suggested to help stroke survivors regain lost mobility and balance. The smooth stride of a gentle horse provides a sensorimotor experience similar to normal human walking, stimulating the patient both physically and mentally. Music-and-rhythm therapy is another unconventional approach that stimulates the body, senses, and mind, requiring patients to listen to music and move their hands and feet in complex patterns. These alternative therapies offer exciting possibilities for stroke rehabilitation outside of traditional methods.

Frequently asked questions