The Basics of the Equine Neurological Examination

The examination consists of evaluation of the head, evaluation of the entire body and finally evaluation of gait and posture. The first two of these can be carried out when the patient is at rest and preferably in a box, followed by an examination while the animal moves freely in hand. After completion of the neurological examination, the examiner may be able to decide if and where any possible lesion exists. Sites include the basic areas of the cerebrum, brain stem, peripheral cranial nerves, cerebellum, spinal cord, peripheral spinal nerves, neuromuscular junctions and muscles.

Head: An evaluation of the patient’s behavior, mentation, head posture and movement and then cranial nerve function is carried out to determine if there is evidence of brain or cranial nerve disease. Prominent changes in behavior and a markedly depressed mental attitude are seen with many forms of cerebral disease. Various degrees of deviation of the head and neck from the midline can be seen with asymmetric brain lesions at many locations. The presence of a head tilt may indicate an ipsilateral vestibular lesion. To evaluate cranial nerves it is quicker to evaluate firstly the eyes and associated structures, then the head and face and finally the mouth, larynx and pharynx, rather than painstakingly going through all tests involving each individual cranial nerve. […]