THE horse is essentially nothing more than a gigantic athletic prey animal. This species to which we devote ourselves is, despite its size, likely to be afraid of a sudden passing shadow or the noise of a rolling wheelie bin. With a brain the size of a large walnut and a spinal cord approximately two metres in length from stem to stern, the nervous system of the horse is comparatively small, and has a long way to transmit messages compared with other mammals. What happens when something goes wrong?
Thankfully, the likelihood of a horse developing or contracting a neurological abnormality in the UK is fairly low. However, a problem with the equine nervous system can be dangerous to both horse and human. It's important to know the steps to take if you notice neurological signs in your horse (see box, top right).
If you observe any such signs, the first and most important action to take is to ensure your safety and the safety of others on
