Living with shivers

I don’t believe I have ever seen my mother as excited over an article in EQUUS as she was for “The Mystery of Shivers” (EQUUS 448). Her 15.2-hand registered Paint gelding, Shoshonesrainman (Dually), was diagnosed with shivers in 2012/2013. It was a roundabout diagnosis first suggested to her by an equine chiropractor, then later confirmed by our regular veterinarian. But none of us knew very much about the condition, and we found little information available online.

Dually’s signs were so subtle at first that his reluctance to back up was labeled as “lazy,” and we were told he had a “bad attitude.” It wasn’t until years later when his signs become more pronounced that we thought there was something beyond “attitude.” Chiropractor visits showed that he had subluxations, and adjustments did help. But the “sticky stifle” did not go away, his reluctance to back up was still present, and the farrier still had problems trimming his hind feet.

Once we had a diagnosis, Dually was taken off all starch, which isn’t an issue since he’s an easy keeper. He also gets daily MSM and a very good mineral/ vitamin supplement. He lives on pasture 24-7 and is blanketed when the cold weather sets in, which really seems to help him.

Since the diet change Dually’s signs have not gotten any worse. Thankfully, this horse is so quiet that when he gets “stuck” he isn’t afraid; he just looks frustrated. Our biggest fear is that Dually may be in pain because of his shivers. Because of that he has been ridden only on a limited basis. Kelly LeBrun Arnprior, Ontario