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[RC] March equine brain virus... - Chris Paus---I saw this on another list and it cracked me up.. I've experienced this... and am sure many of you have, LOL... Something happens in March, that cannot be explained simply by "the length of the day," or "the temperature," or "the weather." In mares it isn't entirely a case of hormonal changes. What it is, is the annual onset of the Equine Brain Stealing Virus, (EBSV.) EBSV occurs most often in, but is not entirely restricted to the month of March. Some seasonal variation has been documented depending upon the geographical locat1on of the victim. EBSV affects horses in different ways, but typical symptoms include foolish, and stupid behavior indicating a temporary absence of brains. A horse who has been driven successfully for many years will suddenly act as if she has never seen or felt a harness before, has forgotten the difference between up and down, and believes that the cart to which she has been put for the last 5 years, has become a giant monitor lizard. In a recently documented case the victim, a 9 year old appaloosa mare, professionally trained and amateur driven for 6 years, became so terrified of a particular snow bank, (one of many in the farmyard,) that she bolted while being ground driven and ran back into the barn. The driver fortunately had not had *her* brains stolen, and let the lines go, thereby avoiding an ugly ground *dragging* event. In previous and subsequent attempts to drive and/or lead this mare, she was observed spooking, balking, snorting, flaring her nostrils, dancing a tarentella and in general behaving as if she had not had one day of training, other than in exotic dance, in her life. After analysis of the symptoms, and a quick check of the calendar, the diagnosis of EBSV was confirmed. Fortunately, EBSV infection is generally short lived. Treatment consists of repeated exposure to the horse's normal world, after which time the brain gradually returns. In some cases normal brain function returns suddenly and leaves no indication of having ever been affected. The mare referenced above has not fully recovered, but after 2 hours of work on the long lines and put to a carriage, she appeared to be making significant improvement. Four miles of road work at a trot may have been the most effective treatment, and will be repeated this weekend in hopes of effecting a complete cure. Research on EBSV is being conducted throughout the Northern Hemisphere this month by many horse owners. We anticipate full recoveries of most subjects, and look forward to the reports that will certainly follow. by Laurie Neely ===== "A good horse makes short miles," George Eliot Chris and Star BayRab Acres http://pages.prodigy.net/paus ============================================================ The very essence of our sport is doing the trail as quickly as practicable, while keeping one's horse fit to continue. Taking the clock out of the equation makes it another sport altogether. The challenge is how to keep the sport what it is while honing our skills (both as riders and as those in control roles) in detecting where "the edge" is for each horse so that we don't cross it. ~ Heidi Smith ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ============================================================
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