Dangerous Behavior and Intractable Axial Skeletal Pain in Performance Horses: A Possible Role for Ganglioneuritis (14 Cases; 2014-2019).
Authors: Story Melinda R, Nout-Lomas Yvette S, Aboellail Tawfik A, Selberg Kurt T, Barrett Myra F, Mcllwraith C Wayne, Haussler Kevin K
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Ganglioneuritis and Dangerous Behaviour in Performance Horses Chronic axial skeletal pain is frequently misattributed to behavioural or temperament issues, often resulting in unnecessary euthanasia; this 14-case necropsy series examined whether neuropathic pain originating from the spine might actually underlie apparently "dangerous" behaviour in performance horses. Detailed post-mortem examination of horses euthanised for severe performance limitations and behavioural problems revealed moderate to severe ganglionitis (inflammation of dorsal root ganglia) at multiple vertebral levels in all cases, with subdural or epidural haemorrhage present in 71% of horses—particularly in the cervicothoracic and lumbosacral regions. Ten of the fourteen horses had demonstrated marked behavioural responses during antemortem myofascial and mobilisation examinations, suggesting that spinal pain was driving their unsafe behaviour rather than vice versa. The authors propose that ganglionitis disrupts normal sensory signalling in the dorsal root ganglia, perpetuating a neuropathic pain state that manifests as rearing, bucking, bolting, or refusal—behaviour patterns often attributed to training failure or temperament. For practitioners, this work emphasises the critical importance of thorough spinal palpation and pain assessment in horses presenting with seemingly intractable behavioural problems, and supports the development of more sophisticated diagnostic imaging and biomarkers to identify ganglioneuritis ante-mortem, potentially opening therapeutic avenues before euthanasia becomes the default outcome.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Dangerous or intractable behavior in performance horses should not be automatically attributed to training issues or temperament—investigate for underlying axial skeleton pain, particularly in the cervicothoracic and lumbosacral regions
- •Severe behavioral responses during spinal palpation and mobilization may indicate ganglionitis and neuropathic pain; horses showing these signs warrant advanced diagnostic imaging and careful neurologic evaluation before behavior management attempts
- •Chronic axial skeleton pain may be progressive and life-limiting; early recognition of pain-related behavior could improve welfare outcomes and prevent unnecessary euthanasia decisions based on behavior alone
Key Findings
- •All 14 horses with dangerous behavior and performance limitations had moderate to severe ganglionitis at multiple vertebral levels
- •Subdural and epidural hemorrhage or hematomas were present in 71% of horses, primarily in cervicothoracic and lumbosacral regions
- •Ten of 14 horses (71%) showed severe behavioral responses during myofascial and mobilization examinations
- •Neuropathic pain from dorsal root ganglia inflammation was identified as the underlying cause of dangerous behavior in these cases