Cervical compressive myelopathy (Cervical stenotic myelopathy, cervical vertebral instability)Clinical signs, differential diagnosis, treatment and prevention in horses.

Overview

"Wobbler syndrome" -- spinal cord compression in young, rapidly growing horses from malformed cervical vertebrae. A likely genetic predisposition (Thoroughbreds, Tennessee Walking Horses, Warmbloods) combined with rapid growth on a rich diet; may also follow neck injury.

Clinical signs

Symmetric ataxia often of sudden onset; hindlimbs are most severely affected.
Space-occupying lesions in the vertebral canal produce a syndrome of progressive weakness and paralysis.
On radiologic examination, a narrow spinal canal can be demonstrated.
Myelography demonstrates compression of the cervical spinal cord.
CSF is normal.

Predisposing factors

Young, rapidly growing males; breed (Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, and Warmbloods have higher odds); in mature horses, caused by arthritis of articular facets; may be associated with trauma.

Look-alikes to rule out

Equine Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy (EDM) Equine Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy (EDM) Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) Ryegrass Staggers Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA / Swamp Fever)

Treatment

Medical treatment of rest and anti-inflammatory drugs (poor prognosis).
Slowed growth ("paced growth") program achieved by nutritional restriction of young horses (foals and weanlings) can be a conservative treatment for immature horses or those at high risk.
Surgical fusion of cervical vertebrae (surgical correction by ventral stabilization) is useful in the treatment of mild to moderately affected horses.

Prevention

1. No successful plan for control. 2. Slowing the growth rate of at-risk animals (paced growth program) is considered prudent. 3. Check parents of confirmed cases and exclude from future breeding.

Source

A Textbook of the Diseases of Cattle, Horses, Sheep, Pigs and Goat by ELSEVIER (Page 1356, Tables 14-20 & 14-21); A Textbook of the Diseases of Cattle, Horses, Sheep, Pigs and Goat by ELSEVIER (Index page 2250).

MSD Veterinary Manual — Congenital and Inherited Spinal Cord Disorders in Large Animals (accessed 2026-08-11)

Condensed and attributed, never reproduced whole. Open the full entry in the app.