EPM is a disease characterized by incoordination, lameness and ataxia in horses.

It is caused by a single-celled protozoan (Sarcocystis neurona) that infects the horse’s central nervous system.  The infection causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord leading to the incoordination, lameness and ataxia.

Horses are infected by accident through the ingestion of opossum feces.  The opossum serves as the host to this protozoan parasite.

Treatment of the disease remains difficult.  New research is showing promise in the use of the daily wormer -Strongid C for the treatment of this disease.

Nutritionally, keeping horses away from opossum feces- contaminated hay or grass is a good practice.

Supplementation with vitamin E to aid neurological function may also be warranted in infected animals.