01/18/2026
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I think a lot of people are not aware of things that can cause EPM flares, including steroid injections. And why it’s not always a one and done treatment, and why you may have to switch medicines. Acuscope is a wonderful tool post-meds. Their brain and spinal cord has literally been under attack and now their whole body needs to recover!
Let’s talk the talk.
EPM - “Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis”
I know I know. Salty subject. Whether you believe in it or not, it’s a thing. If you don’t know about it, I’m going to crash course you. If you have had a horse with epm, well then you know the name of the game. So let’s roll this dice.
What is it?
- It’s a protozoal parasite called Sarcocystis neurona. It is a disease most commonly picked up from opossums, cats, skunks, and raccoons f***s. Horses come in contact with it when grazing or eating contaminated feed/ water.
- Once it’s been consumed, the parasite from the intestinal tract into the bloodstream and cross the blood/brain barrier. There they begin to attack the horse's central nervous system. The onset of the disease may be slow or sudden. If left undiagnosed and untreated, EPM can cause devastating and lasting neurological damage.
Believe me when I say, the internet has never ending information on epm. You can be self educated in a hurry as far as literature goes. But I’m going to rain on some parades.
1- EPM is in ALL STATES! Not just the south.
2- yes it can kill your horse. But it can damn sure be a nothing problem if you choose to acknowledge early symptoms!
3- There are more options to treating epm than just the $1,200 meds
4- A spinal tap isn’t always 100% accurate
5- EPM starts in their Brain 🧠 and works its way down their spine. Pulling on their tail isn’t the best way to check for neruo signs.
Symptoms- some, but not all! Treat each horse as an individual. Not as whole.
* Dull hair coat
* Weight loss
* Tripping and balance issues
* Being spooky
* One side dullness vs the other
* Extremely sensitive
* Muscle atrophy starting in their neck and top line. Hips to follow.
What can cause a epm flare up?
* stress
* Injections
* Nutrition🚩🚩
- if your horse isn’t heathy weight wise, you’re more prone to diseases. You can’t expect their body to fight off much of anything when they’re poor in body condition to start with.
* some weather
* Trauma
💰 Treatment cost 💰
Well my self being from CA, I know majority is still stuck on “epm doesn’t exist.”
There are different compounds for epm. Your vet might recommend anything from $170-$1200. My favorite is a triple compound that runs around $200.
- it has Diclazuril, which treats the Protozoa. Levamisole, an intense wormer, and a high dose of vitamin E. Vitamin E alone helps so much. So for $200 you get 3 bullets for your buck. After two weeks you’ll notice a huge difference. Coat, and weight alone.
Do they have to be treated for the rest of their life? Depends on the horse and the owner in my opinion. So many factors play into this question. I’ve had some come to me spinning circles come out great. I’ve had some not make it a year later. I’ve had some that can do a 30 day treatment once or twice a year. KNOW YOUR HORSE.
Can Acuscope/myopulse help epm? Absolutely. But you still need the meds regardless. Don’t skip steps. You’ll regret them when you can’t go back and fix it.
