By Zoë Joostens DVM MSc EBVS® DipECVDI-LA®
Photography: Equitom

Neck problems in horses can be tricky to spot, frustrating to manage, and sometimes even dangerous. Whether it’s a subtle drop in performance or an obvious stumble under saddle, issues in the cervical spine – the neck – can affect every aspect of your horse’s movement and well-being.

At Equitom Equine Hospital, we see many cases where the horse "just isn’t right," and the problem lies in the neck. By understanding the basics of equine cervical anatomy and how we diagnose and treat these conditions, owners and riders can spot red flags early and make informed decisions.

What Makes Up the Equine Neck?

The horse’s neck contains seven vertebrae, named C1 to C7, that connect the head to the body. These vertebrae allow your horse to bend, flex, graze, and carry a rider – but they also protect the spinal cord, a vital nerve highway that carries messages between the brain and body.
Between each vertebra, you’ll find:
 Intervertebral discs, which cushion movement and absorb shock.
 Facet joints (also called articular process joints), which allow motion and are frequent sites of inflammation or osteoarthritis.
 Intervertebral foramen, small openings on each side where spinal nerves exit to reach the rest of the body.
Damage or disease affecting the vertebrae, joints, or spinal cord can lead to a range of clinical problems.

Signs your horse might have a neck problem

Cervical pathology can be subtle at first. Many affected horses show changes in performance or behavior long before obvious symptoms appear. Common signs include:
 Neck stiffness: reluctance to bend or flex or even eat hay form the ground
 Muscle wasting
 Unexplained lameness, especially those not blocking to anesthesias performed in a normal orthopedic exam
 Abnormal posture or movement: difficulty holding a correct frame, exaggerated movement (hypermetria)
 Head-shaking or irritability
 Loss of coordination, stumbling, or dragging of the hind limbs

In more serious cases, neurological deficits can occur. This means the horse may show signs that the nerves controlling body movement are not working correctly.

How vets find out what’s going on

A thorough diagnosis is key to understanding the extent of the problem and choosing the best treatment. Here's how veterinarians typically approach it:

1. Orthopedic or neurological Examination
Depending on the horse’s presenting symptoms – whether it shows signs of lameness or true incoordination – an orthopedic or neurological examination is the first step in diagnosing cervical pathology....

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