Understanding Stringhalt in Horses: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
- Mar 25
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Stringhalt is a condition that affects horses, causing sudden and exaggerated flexion of one or both hind legs. Horses may snatch up their legs rapidly, which could hit their abdomen, and then stomp them down. This behavior can be alarming for horse owners. Understanding the condition and its treatment options is crucial for effective management.
What is Stringhalt?
Stringhalt is believed to be a neurological disorder affecting the horse's hind limbs. It results in characteristic upward movement and involuntary hyperflexion when the horse moves. In Australia, this condition is often caused by the ingestion of flatweed and dandelions. Other plants like sweet pea and mallow may also be culprits, though they are less common in pastures.
This type of stringhalt is known as 'pasture-associated stringhalt.' There is also 'classic stringhalt,' which can occur independently of toxic plant ingestion.
You can read an overview of Australian Stringhalt here.
While it is straightforward to detect these weeds growing in your pasture, identifying them in dried hay can be challenging, especially if they are not flowering.
Classic stringhalt can occur in one hind leg (unilateral) or both hind legs (bilateral). It may arise due to neurological or musculoskeletal issues, such as trauma, nerve damage, or idiopathic causes (where the cause is unknown).
Recognising Symptoms of Stringhalt
Understanding the symptoms of stringhalt is vital for early detection. A horse affected by stringhalt may display the following behaviors:
High-Stepping Gait: The horse may lift their hind legs unusually high when walking or trotting.
Stomping: After lifting their legs, they may stomp them down in an exaggerated manner.
Difficulty Moving: The horse may show an overall reluctance to move normally.
Observing these symptoms can help in the proper diagnosis of stringhalt.
Treatment Options
While there is no definitive cure for stringhalt, there are management strategies to help alleviate symptoms. Many horses with pasture-associated stringhalt recover spontaneously over a few days or weeks once they stop ingesting the harmful plants.
Inspect your pasture and hay to ensure it does not contain these weeds. If you suspect the hay is the source of the problem, switch to a cleaner supply.
Treatment may also include supplementation, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgical intervention.
Proper nutrition can support recovery. A specialised Stringhalt Bundle is available, which also aids in recovery from rye grass staggers or 'grass tetany'. This bundle includes 3kg of Calm Mix, a magnesium-based supplement, and Mycosorb A+ Toxin Binder.
Save $20 buying these supplements together.
The Role of Magnesium
Stringhalt is often associated with magnesium deficiency. This deficiency can exacerbate stress levels and negatively impact the nervous system. Magnesium helps calm the nervous system, reduce stress, and promote muscle relaxation, all essential for recovery.
Proper supplementation ensures that the horse receives the necessary nutrients to restore balance in the nervous system and improve overall health. Additionally, addressing magnesium deficiency can help prevent future occurrences of stringhalt, especially in horses grazing on poor-quality pastures.
Importance of Mycotoxin Management
Mycosorb is a mycotoxin binder that helps reduce the absorption of harmful mycotoxins in a horse's digestive system. While it is not a direct treatment for stringhalt, it supports recovery by addressing potential underlying causes, such as exposure to mycotoxins found in poor-quality pastures or contaminated feed.
Mycotoxins can negatively impact a horse's nervous system, and reducing their presence may alleviate some contributing factors to stringhalt symptoms.
By improving gut health and reducing the toxic load on the horse's system, Mycosorb can create a more favorable environment for recovery. However, its use should be combined with other management strategies, such as removing the horse from affected pastures, and providing high-quality forage.
Stringhalt is a condition that requires attention and understanding. Recognising symptoms early can make a significant difference in treatment and recovery. By managing pasture quality, providing proper nutrition, and addressing any underlying issues, horse owners can help their horses recover from stringhalt successfully.
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