Unanswered questions are found also in the attempts to diagnose EPM. Some of the tests currently being used to diagnose EPM are not conclusive; blood tests for antigens may show a symptom less horse as positive and a horse with severe symptoms as negative. An inconclusive or inaccurate diagnosis may lead to an unnecessary prescription of drugs that can be as devastating to the horse as his symptoms. Even with a correct positive diagnosis, the drugs, which are harsh and often cause side effects such as anemia, may not have the desired effects.

Once the symptoms are evident and particularly if they have been there a long time, in true EPM as well as in other nerve damaging conditions, there may have already been enough damage done that the symptoms are difficult to reverse to any degree. Still, we can look at some of the clinical symptoms presented by the horse, and treat him according to them. A definitive diagnosis is not always needed in the world of complementary therapies, which has a lot to offer where conventional medicine has little or nothing.

How Herbs can Help

Essentially, EPM causes signs of neurological dysfunction. The most common clinical manifestation of EPM is simple spinal ataxia [loss of coordination] and weakness. During the first three months of conventional treatment, the EPM horse will undergo severe stress to his body. Herbs can be used during this time for 'whole body support' while strengthening the immune system. A combination I like to use contains astragalus, siberian ginseng, feverfew, nettle, yarrow, cleavers, dandelion leaf, calendula, and boneset." Patti's horse, Moose, is a rehabilitated EPM horse, and herbs played a major part in his turnaround. Moose and Patti have successfully performed in numerous events since his rehabilitation.

Other herbs and herbal combinations can be used specifically to treat related conditions, such as anemia, or to build the immune system, to detoxify and cleanse, and even to fight the protozoa that may be present. Pau D'arco tree bark is an excellent herb for the EPM horse as it has been found to have anti-protozoan properties, and it boosts the immune system as well.

It is agreed that the positive EPM horse has a dysfunctional immune system; therefore a good course of action would be to put the EPM horse on immune-stimulating herbs. The immune system works by recognizing and destroying anything foreign to the body. This includes bacteria, microbes, foreign particles, toxic compounds, and even the protozoa. The herbs can build up the horse's strength and stamina to fight off the existing protozoa as well as increase his resistance to the protozoa, and hopefully prevent him from relapsing if exposed to high counts of protozoa in the near future. Cells in the circulatory and lymphatic systems are largely responsible for fighting off the invading organisms," she says.

Herbs that boost the immune system are generally known as immunostimulants or adaptogens. These will help increase the activity of the immune system, but they are not specific to any disease. Adaptogens increase the body's resistance to stress and exert a balancing effect on the various systems of the body independent of the type of pathological condition. An adaptogen is harmless and shouldn't influence normal bodily functions more than necessary. Adaptogens help the body deal more effectively with stress and they also serve to recharge exhausted adrenal glands. Garlic and the Chinese herbs astragalus and Siberian ginseng are excellent adaptogens."

Also of value to the EPM horse is an herbal cleansing. Cleansing is a valuable part of the rehabilitation process, especially for the EPM horse, or any horse, that has been on heavy drug therapies, particularly sulfa drugs. A thorough but gentle cleanse will help flush toxins and waste material from the body. Many herbs have the qualities to aid in the cleansing of the body by assisting the removal of waste material from the body. Some, such as lymphatic alteratives, flush the lymphatic system. Other herbs help to purify the blood while helping to build blood, which is especially helpful for EPM horses that are anemic. Cleansing helps to bring about an improved state of well-being through elimination.

Herbs contain a wide variety of balanced nutrients and have numerous medicinal properties. Supplementing with herbs can help restore balance, prevent disease, and aid in recovery from illness. Herbs are not necessarily the most appropriate course of action for every condition, so it is important to consult your veterinarian and qualified herbal specialist for guidance before treating with herbs.

Allowing the body time to heal is important. I am seeing more and more owners wanting their horses to be well and rideable in under 3 months and sometimes this is not at all possible. EPM is a long term and sometimes chronic disorder. Even after the horse appears to be fully recovered, stress will be an important factor that may affect his health for the rest of his life.

When dealing with a case of EPM, the traditional drugs have a list of side effects, so it would be wise to consult with your veterinarian and herbal specialist before proceeding with any drug/herb therapy that could further harm the horse. Treating at an early stage vastly improves the prognosis; timely treatment and proper management of the case can arrest the progression of disease and possibly bring about a reversal.

For prevention of EPM, as with anything you need to keep the horses healthy and avoid things that affect the immune system or alter their health. You need to keep the body balanced.  Keeping the body healthy, hopefully will prevent a lot of things including EPM.

Factors that can adversely affect health include:
Drugs, especially steroids
Surgical procedures and general anesthesia
Chemicals and preservatives
Vaccinations (consider titers)
Foaling
Excessive workloads and intensive training programs
Stress and pain
Management changes or new ownership
Trailering, especially long journeys
Severe weather conditions, especially very hot or very cold weather

Be sensible and aim for prevention of disease by maintaining sound, health-promoting farm management practices. Learn about all the natural alternatives and use them wisely. Good supportive care such as proper nutrition, avoidance of unnecessary drugs and chemicals, and the correct implementation of natural therapies can do much to encourage repair and aid rehabilitation as well as to prevent disease.