Thanks to Dr. Audrey DeClue and her undeniable dedication to this topic, we have discovered so much more about Shivers Stringhalt Syndrome in recent years and the structural relation to nerve damage. Through her research, she has discovered that more often than not, this is not necessarily a neurological condition, but is more often caused by nerve entrapment (impingement) or damage. This condition can be degenerative, worsening over time, due to sustained nerve damage. There are other causes of Stringhalt and Shivers to explore, including plant toxicity, and I welcome further knowledge and research on this topic.

Listen to Dr. DeClue on ‘The Humble Hoof’
and ‘The Horse First’ Podcastst

The Muscle + Skeletal + Nerve Connection

In Dr. DeClue’s experience, an injury, atrophy, or fibrosis to the iliopsoas muscle is often the trigger that disrupts the integrity of the lumbar spine & sacrum.

When the skeletal structure is affected, nerves can easily be affected. A body’s structure & soft tissues are designed to provide protection to nerves, organs and more.

The iliopsoas muscle is a group of muscles. It includes Psoas Major, Psoas Minor and Iliacus. Seeing as how the Psoas muscle is underneath of the spine and runs through the inner unit, the only way to truly palpate it directly is via a rectal exam by a Veterinarian DVM and/or Equine Osteopath.

Within the lumbosacral section of the horses skeletal structure lies the lumbosacral plexus, a major bundle of nerves that continue to branch off through the hind-end and down the legs. The lumbar vertebrae L4, L5, L6, S1 and S2 have the nerve roots that branch off to the Femoral Nerve, Obturator Nerve and Sciatic Nerve. The femoral nerve runs between psoas minor & major. When these muscles are in dysfunction for whatever reason, that nerve is susceptible to entrapment or damage.

Nerve Entrapment

Entrapment of a nerve, or a pinched nerve, often occurs due to muscle dysfunction and contraction. As a muscle contracts, the fibers shorten and condense, and entrapment of a nerve can occur. When entrapment occurs, abnormal firing of the nerve can take place, this is what causes the involuntary classic snapping and shivering that we see with Shivers-Stringhalt.

Shivers-Stringhalt in the Front Limbs

Shivers-Stringhalt Syndrome can also take place in the front-end of the horse. This happens when the horses scalene & surrounding muscles entrap nerve fibers originating from/within the brachial plexus.

Equine Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Celeste Leilani-Lazaris has similar studies focusing on what she calls “Equine Thoracic Outlet Syndrome” which oftne leads to brachial plexus nerve impingements.

In humans, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is a ‘group of disorders that occur when blood vessels or nerves in the space between your collarbone and your first rib (thoracic outlet) are compressed’.

Horses don’t have collar bones but a similar chain reaction can take place when they are experiencing dysfunction in the neck or are experiencing Thoracic Sling Dysfunction.

Treatment

In the past we’ve heard that Shivers Stringhalt Syndrome is untreatable or degenerative. Increasing Vitamin E levels has been show to help with some cases but Dr. DeClue notes how this is due to Vitamin E’s ability to help with nerve healing, however it is not capable of treating the root of the issue.

Dr. DeClue has created a treatment program for the classic Shivers-Stringhalt Syndrome that includes ultrasound guided injections. This is a skill that is incredibly refined.

Celeste Leilani-Lazaris uses a refined form of nerve release bodywork in conjunction with rehabilitation exercises that alleviate the compensation patterns that have led to the dysfunction in the first place.