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  Discussion on Wobbles & Genetics
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 26, 2001 - 3:32 pm:

Hi everyone. Recently I received a phone call that a horse that I had previously owned a year ago, had been diagnosed with wobbles. According to the new owner the wobbles is genetic and she feels that I would have known he had it. This is so upsetting to me, as I am a very honest person and the horse means a great deal to me.
The horse was 7 years old when I sold him and was sold as sound. She purchased the horse to trail ride in rugged country. She complained a couple months later after having him that he appeared lazy. He has always been a lazy horse for the most part and she knew that when she purchased him. He bucks and plays in the pasture though and gets chargy under saddle when the mood strikes him on occassion. She contributes the laziness to wobbles, but I cannot find information linking this. According to the article, it states that it usually shows itself by the time the horse is 3. I noticed none of this and I rode the horse daily in an arena, working on circles and suppling. He never seemed uncoordinated. He was a little stiff on the off side, but I've found that many horses are right handed and left handed. He typically would warm up and flex nicely on that side after a few minutes. Anyway, I would like to call the vet and find out more, "What questions should I ask" I find it hard to believe that they could know for sure that this was genetic. The horse is 7/8 Arabian-Saddlebred cross. He was raised in an open range environment and he matured slowly, so I don't think feed is an issue. Grain was not even used from what I understand, other than as a treat.

I understand that this can be caused by an injury as well. Is it feasible that a horse could fall in the pasture and sustain this type of injury? Or would it have to be very significant and recognizeable? Any help in this matter would be appreciated. I feel so bad. This horse also sired foals and if it is genetic, would it show up in his foals? I called and checked on two that I know about, who are respectively 2 and 3 and they are not showing any signs that would indicate that they might have the disease at this point. Please help?

Amber

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 26, 2001 - 7:37 pm:

There can be genetic factors that predispose a horse to certain forms of wobblers. Wobblers synDrOme can also be from degenerative issues or injury. Just because he has it does not garentee that all of his get will develop it. They should be monitored in their development, fed a balanced ration with out excessive calories,... but that is just good common sence for any young growing horse. I have read that long necked and/or fast growing breeds do seem to have a higher incidence of cervical cord compression (TB, WB, arabs, etc).

Before you get too worried I would ask HOW he was diagnosed as the only way to have a real diagnosis is to have a mylogram done.

Hope you get it all figured out.

Posted on Thursday, Sep 27, 2001 - 2:41 am:

Hello Amber,
There is not much to say really. You sold the horse sound and now the lady a year later says you sold the horse knowing their was something wrong with it. I do not think you are going to find satisfaction in trying to "prove medically" the horse did or did not have Wobbler's disease when you had the horse. There simply is not enough information. Yes, there are possibilities for injury or other CNS disease contracted since you sold the horse.

If you feel the need to reply to this I suggest you write out a clear description of the workout and riding the horse was doing just prior to purchase along with the statement the horse had no signs of incoordination. I would then have everyone who saw the horse go in the preceding 6 to 12 months sign the statement.
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Sep 27, 2001 - 12:20 pm:

Thank You DrO and Emily,
It is a really touchy situation and after a year what can you say. If it comes to that point (hopefully it will not) I will take your advice and give them a letter with the facts. At the age of eight, is there much that can be done, or will the disease eventually take it's toll and the decision be made to put the horse down?
Emily you had mentioned that there can be genetic factors that predispose a horse to certain forms of wobblers. Is there any way of identifying those traits? The breeder the horse came from produces many prodigy from these lines. Have their been any Arabian strains that have been identified as carrying this genetic predisposition. Just wanting to be thorough.

Thanks Amber

Posted on Thursday, Sep 27, 2001 - 12:48 pm:

Dr O will have to correct me if I am wrong but it is not a "Wobbler Gene" per say. It is more influenced by certain genetic predispositions to having big growth spurts, a long necked or large breed, and too high of a calorie base or unbalanced nutrients, when all thrown togather can increase the risk. 2 out of these 3 are things that mom and dad are going to determine, the third is under the owners control. Not any single one of these factors can garentee the horses will or won't get wobblers, you just do your best to monitor their diet and growth rate, the rest you can only hope and pray. I have not of particular lines as "wobbler lines" like Impressive is HYPP.

Posted on Friday, Sep 28, 2001 - 11:51 am:

Thanks Emily, I will pass on the information to the owners of his offspring, (whom I contacted) who are healthy and well, but the owners are a bit worried. I'm sure this will give them some reassurance. Are the horses in a lot of pain and discomfort with this disease. I have not heard anyone mention this?

Posted on Friday, Sep 28, 2001 - 12:50 pm:

I think what you say is fair Emily. Currently it comes under the heading of a form of developmental orthopedic disease (DOD) and we have no end of theories as to causes and little in the way of concrete facts. Reading the articles on Wobblers (link above) and Equine Diseases: Lameness: Diseases of Joints : OCD and DOD in Horses will probably help give an idea of our current state of knowledge.
DrO
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