Would you buy a horse? Re: EPM

[grayarabs]

Friend is looking for companion/light riding horse.
Has found an 8 y.o. TB that had EPM as a 3 y.o. - was treated and seemingly
recovered.

Is that possible? to recover from EPM? Or will there usually be residual evidence/relapse of the illness - etc?

I have seen photos of the horse online - conformation photos as well under saddle.
He looks like a real nice guy.

I don't know if by photos one could determine anything EPM-wise - ie muscles, sweat patterns etc.

I understand I could not post links to the horse in this regard here. ???(horse is at an OTTB re-homing facility similar to Canter and has an adoption fee).

Would most people pass on a horse with EPM history?
I could PM links to anyone interested in looking at the photos (assume that is allowed per COTH rules?).

TIA.

[EqTrainer]

Personally, I am of the opinion that most horses have it, or have at least been exposed to it... and that knowing it happened and was successfully treated might be the *best* thing. Its kind of like rainrot.. always there.. waiting for an opportunity to sneak in...

[spacehorse]

I have a horse who was treated for EPM both with Marquis and Navigator, I believe 3 years ago. From what I was told, his case was 'minor', he had a NQRness about him and failed one of the tests they do for EPM, so they treated him right away. His only real symptom was he started stopping.

I got him for nothing because of this. He is a 10 yo ISH, that I could never in a million years afford to buy. The person I got him from was 100% up front about his history. He is not good in deep and frozen solid ground. I don't ride in those conditions, so this was basically a non issue for me.

I manage him nutritionally as best I can, as this horse is priceless to me and I want him to be happy and comfortable doing the job I ask. I have him on Vit. E, Magnesium, and DMG. He also has tied up in the past.

We are going BN, school some Novice fences with no difficulty. His canter work is pretty weak, however.

It really depends on what you are asking the horse to do, I think. And how much risk you are willing to take as far as a relapse.

Didn't mean to run on, but I guess bottom line is, it was not a deal breaker for me! :winkgrin:

[Stacie]

It's a deal breaker for me. Too many neurological problems and it's never really fully cured and can relapse. We are really lucky here in Alberta, as we don't get EPM here because we don't have possoms.

My vet does not agree.
Some horses can have other issues that predispose them to not being able to fend off the parasite, but others where just unlucky. It's not at all uncommon for TBs at the track to be so stressed that their immune system is unable to cope.

I agree with EqTrainer, there are a lot of NQR horses that probably have EPM and the owners don't know it.

[2horseowner]

I am one of the lucky ones. My horse is back in full work after being diagnosed w/ EPM. I don't know if I would buy one, and have to go through that again. If you need proof that a horse can come back, look at the horse the O'Connors have-St. Barth's. He won an intermediate this summer, and is the leader at FairHill 2*. He had a terrible bout of EPM, so bad, that he had rubbed the front of his back hoof off from dragging his rear leg! Great horse. Looking at a video and picts, you'd never know.

[Marshfield]

I'd be very cautious. That said, given that the horse is 5 years out from being treated and supposedly fine makes me say that if other aspects of the horse are a good fit, then move forward but with a thorough pre-adoption exam.

[txladybug]

After owning and trying to treat an EPM horse with Marquis (unsuccessfully) I would conclude it would be a deal breaker for me, even if the horse was free. I would consider a brood mare if I was a breeder, but I own geldings.

If I was rich, all my horses would get a course of Marquis annually.

[grayarabs]

Thanks all replies. I think the horse will be on the "maybe, but doubtful" list.

Trying to find a sane, healthy, rideable horse is not easy these days.


I swear the past five years I have just about seen it all - ie healthwise. (and behavior-wise).

My first 20 years in horses did not seem to have these difficulties.

ie EPM, WN, metabolic issues, tick illnesses, etc.

[findeight]

I think alot of horses that were always labeled NQR are now being diagnosed because A) We care more and there are more vets and research and B) we now can diagnose these things.

But the EPM question? Having watched 2 die from it, another suffer an adverse reaction to the medication and several others relapse after several years requiring further treatment? I don't think so.

A relapse may be treatable but it is not cheap. Many, if not all in this country, may have it and be able to continue without ever showing a symptom because their bodies can resist it. Others fail to do so in varying degrees and require treament and we really do not know why. Others just cannot fight it even with treatment- a few cannot tolerate the meds and that kills them.

I certainly would not want one, even for free, unless I had a real good record of the original diagnosis and what and when on the treatments. I doubt I'd take one even then.

[Yip]

I had a wonderful TWH mare that had EPM and was treated before I got her. The owner disclosed everything, and the first time we got a sympton (her rear end collapsed while walking with a rider) she offered to take her right back.

She was a wonderful mare and taught me how to ride. I'm glad I knew her and owned her - but I would not do it again.

I sunk tons of money into her care, which was not a problem at all. The problem was that nothing we did helped much or for very long. It was a losing battle, and it broke my heart to see such a wonderful mare ruined. She was very pasture sound, just often had trouble getting up when lying down - but it didn't stop her from lying down. I found a pasturemate retirement home for her and she'll live out her life there happily with NO riding ever. What a far cry from the field trial horse she had been most of her life. Her gaits were natural and to die for.

[JstMyLuck3]

What would you be doing w/ the horse?

I'd say if you absolutely love the horse, go for it. We have a couple in our barn that have fully recovered and not relapsed. Especially if the case was minor. Be sure you're not paying a lot though...

[JstMyLuck3]

Oh light riding horse.. I would say definitely go for it- don't dare pay over $1000 though, if that! Just my opinion.