08/26/2026
Can I ride my horse if they have EPM? đ´
An EPM diagnosis doesnât always mean your horse has to stop moving completely, but there should be things you consider. Letâs talk about some common situations.
The answer depends on how neurologically affected your horse is, where they are in treatment and recovery, and what your veterinarian recommends.
For horses with mild, stable symptoms, appropriate exercise may be beneficial. Controlled movement can help maintain muscle, encourage circulation, support coordination and proprioception, and prevent some of the deconditioning that comes with extended time off. As a horse improves, carefully managed exercise may also become an important part of rebuilding strength and confidence.
But thereâs a big difference between therapeutic movement and asking a neurologically compromised horse to perform.
EPM can affect balance, coordination, strength and a horseâs awareness of where their feet are. Riding a horse whose symptoms are more significant can increase the risk of stumbling, falling or injury to both you and your horse. Pushing through fatigue can also make neurological deficits much more noticeable.
So when is a horse too symptomatic to ride?
Watch for things like:
⢠Significant stumbling or tripping
⢠Loss of balance or coordination
⢠Crossing or dragging the hind feet
⢠Difficulty backing or turning normally
⢠Noticeable weakness, especially in the hind end
⢠Trouble navigating slopes or uneven ground
⢠Symptoms that become substantially worse with exercise
⢠Any point where you don't feel confident the horse can safely carry and balance a rider
For some horses, hand walking or veterinarian-directed rehabilitation may be a much more appropriate place to start. As neurological function, strength and coordination improve, workload can be gradually adjusted.
The goal isn't to get them back under saddle as quickly as possible.
It's to give the horse the right amount of movement for where their body is today.
When in doubt, work with your veterinarian to determine what level of exercise is appropriate for your individual horse, especially when neurological symptoms are present.
As far as horses on EPMSD the same rules apply. Our product is safe to ride and perform on for horses on a maintenance dose, or as a preventative while heavy hauling/performing. But, for horses in active detox or sever rehabilitation cases light exercise, therapy work and ground work can be the better options.
**This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Always consult with your veterinarian before starting any new supplement program.**
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