Wobbler syndrome is caused by damage to the nerve trunks that pass along the spinal cord in the neck. The damage is caused by injury to the cervical vertebrae which can cause narrowing of the vertebrae, which can however also be hereditory.
The nerves involved carry messages to the brain that provide the horse with an awareness of where it's limbs are at a particular time. This is known as proprioception. A horse that suffers from wobbler syndrome has poor or no proprioceptive abilities and therefore displays an uncoordinated gait.
The clinical signs may be sudden and severe or subtle and progressive in onset. If it is progressive the horse may show intermittent hindlimb lameness, the toes may drag and when the horse is turned in small circles he may place his hindlimbs abnormally and swing one leg out (circumduction). The hindlimbs are usually more severely affected than the front limbs although the latter do display a stiff stilted gait whilst the hind quarters may look bouncy and in walk and trot the hind limbs may be placed very deliberately to the ground.
When the syndrome is sudden the horse can appear normal one day and display an uncoordinated gait or movement the next. If it is asked to stop or turn suddenly it may fall over.
Wobbler syndrome is incurable and diagnosis is usually confirmed by xray of the neck and although surgery has been attempted it has rarely improved the condtion and it certainly does not cure it.
The definitive cause of wobbler syndrome is uncertain however it is known to be more common in young rapidly growing thoroughbreds particularly colts although it has been seen in mares and in horses of all types and breeds. It may be caused by a nutritional inbalance in rapidly growing horses therefore it is important to feed youngsters accordingly and not give them feeds to encourage rapid growth. Specially designed young stock feeds are the most appropriate as they allow the horse to grow at an even rate.
There are suggestions that wobbler syndrome may be hereditory as one form of the disease is related to the disease osteochondrosis which does has a genetic link.
Although horses with wobbler syndrome can be bred from (provided it is not thought to have a genetic cause) they must not be ridden as their uncoordinated and unpredictable gait makes them dangerous to ride.
When looking after young horses particularly young thoroughbreds it is important that they are allowed to grow at a natural speed, however in horse racing there is a big emphasis on early development and encouraging the horse to be at their fitest and best at a very early age. Some horses may not adapt to this and these may be the ones at risk of developing wobbler syndrome, in such cases diet is important and the provision of a young stock mix is more appropriate than oats or race horse cubes. Some horse may develop wobbler syndrome despite the best diet, in these cases breeding may not be appropriate or possible and therefore the owner must consider the horse's quality of life as well as their ability and commitment to looking after such a horse.