Effects of individualised rehabilitation for horses with equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy

Abstract

SummaryIn 2019, a Swedish outbreak of equine herpes virus type 1 (EHV‐1) led to varying neurological symptoms also known as EHM (equine herpes myeloencephalopathy). Nineteen of the 39 exposed horses developed EHM. EHM outbreaks have become more common in recent decades and can result in large economic losses for the horse industry in addition to clear welfare implications. However, there is limited information about the estimated time to recovery from EHM and return to previous level of performance and there is limited published information regarding neurological rehabilitation in horses. Our objective was to describe and evaluate the potential benefit of implementing individual rehabilitation plans for horses recovering from EHM. Four horses with EHV‐1 and with clinical signs of neurological dysfunction were selected. All horses were initially hospitalised at an intensive care unit between 4 and 9 days and approximately 3 months after the outbreak they were considered sufficiently recovered to start a rehabilitation programme. The programs mainly focused on regaining proprioception, core stability and strength with consideration given to fatigue in the horse and risk to the handlers. A repeated neurological examination was performed six times over the first year and the rehabilitation programs were modified accordingly. The owners considered the horses ‘normal’, both mentally and physically, between 6 and 8 months after the outbreak. All horses were back to their previous level of performance after 8–11 months. A limitation of the study was a small study population with no control group. Our conclusions are that horses suffering from severe EHM may return to an acceptable athletic function given time and an individually adapted rehabilitation program. To potentially show that an individually adapted rehabilitation plan brings the horse back to acceptable function faster than nonspecific rehabilitation, a case‐control study would be required.