🩺 Cerebellar Hypoplasia & Abiotrophy in Horses: A Vet’s 2025 Guide | Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Meta description: 🧠 A 2025 vet’s in‑depth guide by Dr Duncan Houston on cerebellar hypoplasia and abiotrophy—recognise symptoms, diagnosis, care, genetics, and long‑term management with Ask A Vet support.

1. 🧬 Overview: What Are These Conditions?

Cerebellar hypoplasia is a congenital underdevelopment of the cerebellum that produces non-progressive incoordination evident from birth or ambulation onset :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

Cerebellar abiotrophy (CA) is a postnatal, progressive degeneration of cerebellar Purkinje neurons—most often seen in Arabian or Arabian-cross foals, typically between birth and 6 months of age :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.

2. 🩺 Why the Cerebellum Matters

The cerebellum governs balance, coordination, gait modulation, and fine motor control. Damage or underdevelopment leads to tremors, uneven gait, falling, and difficulties judging distance :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.

3. ⚠️ Who’s Affected?

• Hypoplasia: Any breed, rare overall; onset at birth or first steps :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
• Abiotrophy: Mostly Arabian foals—with autosomal recessive inheritance confirmed by DNA testing :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.

4. 🎯 Recognising Clinical Signs

• Head tremors—especially during movement (intention tremor)
• Ataxia—wide-based stance, stumbling, hypermetric (high-stepping) gait :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• Frequent falling, difficulty rising
• Poor menace response, overshooting objects
• Signs appear immediately (hypoplasia) or between 1–6 months (abiotrophy) :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.

5. 🧪 Diagnosis & Differentiation

• Clinical neurologic exam focusing on cerebellar reflexes
• Breed/family history for abiotrophy; genetic testing for TOE1 mutation :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
• Rule out EPM, wobbler syndrome, head trauma, hydrocephalus via CSF, imaging, infectious disease testing :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
• Genetic CA test available commercially—prevents carrier-to-carrier breedings :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.

6. 🛠️ Treatment & Supportive Care

There is no cure. Support focuses on safety, adaptation, and maintenance:

• Provide soft footing and prevent falls (rubber mats, low walls)
• Introduce stall companions for comfort and reduce stress
• Use anti-inflammatory or steroid therapy (e.g., dexamethasone) in moderate cases :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
• Daily controlled turnout for muscle development and mobility
• Consider environmental enrichment and supervised exercise

7. 🔄 Long-Term Management & Quality of Life

• Severity varies—hypoplasia remains static; abiotrophy progresses for 6–12 months before stabilising :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
• Mild cases can live safely as pasture companions
• Severe cases may require euthanasia due to injury risk
• Careful supervision around obstacles and sharp structures
• Environmental consistency reduces stress and accidents

8. 🧬 Genetic Considerations & Breeding Advice

Cerebellar abiotrophy is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait in Arabians. Genetic testing has been used since ~2008—breed carriers should not be bred together :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.

9. 🛡️ Prevention Through Breeding

• Test breeding stock and avoid carrier-to-carrier matings
• Inform prospective owners of the risk
• Counsel breeders about genetic responsibility

10. 💬 Ask A Vet: Ongoing Support

With **Ask A Vet**, you can:

• 📸 Share videos of ataxia, tremors, or stance for expert assessment
• 📋 Receive tailored advice on stall layout, turnout safety, and enrichment
• 📅 Set up check-ins as your foal grows and signs evolve
• 🎓 Join webinars on genetic testing, neurocases, and managing ataxic foals

11. ❓ FAQs

Can a foal with hypoplasia walk and live normally?

Yes—affected foals can adapt, especially if signs are mild. They can live safely with careful management.

Is abiotrophy fatal?

Not directly, but progressive loss of coordination increases risk of falls and injury—humane euthanasia may be required.

Should affected horses be bred?

No—avoid breeding carriers. Genetic testing prevents producing affected foals.

Are steroids always needed?

Only if inflammation is suspected. Most stable cases require environmental and supportive care instead.

12. ✅ Final Takeaway

• Cerebellar hypoplasia is congenital and static; abiotrophy is progressive post-natal degeneration
• No cure exists, but horses can adapt with careful support
• Genetic testing prevents breeding of at-risk animals
• Focus on safety, consistency, and enrichment to maintain quality of life
• Ask A Vet offers ongoing expert support from diagnosis into long-term care 💙

🐾 Recognising Ataxia or Tremors?

If your foal shows tremors, falls, or coordination trouble, send footage via Ask A Vet. As Dr Duncan Houston, I’ll guide you through assessment, management, safety adaptations, and whether genetic testing is needed. Let’s help your horse thrive safely in 2025 and beyond! 🐎💞