What does a veterinarian look for when evaluating a horse for neurologic disease? Hint: The neurologic exam starts with simple field tests, not sophisticated imaging equipment. Amy Johnson, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM-LAIM, lecturer in clinical studies at the University of Pennsylvania, discussed field neurologic examination of horses at the 2010 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 4-8 in Baltimore, Md.

"Each clinician has his or her own method of performing a neurologic exam; the most important aspect (of the neurologic exam) is to develop a system and use it consistently to avoid overlooking abnormalities," she began.

She described four sections of the neurologic exam as follows:

• Evaluation of mental status;
• Cranial nerve examination;
• Spinal reflexes and muscle evaluation; and
• Gait and postural examination.

Under-saddle evaluation isn’t required, and in fact Johnson recommended against this practice for safety reasons if a horse is showing neurologic signs