Oldenburg mare beats the odds after scary neurologic diagnosis

When a horse arrives at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center (EMC) with a suspected contagious disease, time is of the essence and strict biosecurity measures are carefully followed. 

As soon as the horse steps off the trailer, it is led into a stall at the center’s Biosecurity Level 2 Isolation unit. 

Such was the case with Belle, a 14-year-old Oldenburg mare, owned by Mariana Nork, from Tall Timbers, Maryland,

Belle was at a boarding barn which had been under state mandated quarantine due to a horse in a stall next to Belle’s being diagnosed with equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM). All horses at the facility were under close scrutiny. 

Veterinarian Paul Repenning, from Tidewater Veterinary Hospital, was called to evaluate Belle after she was noted to drag her hind limbs and appeared to have decreased manure and urine production.  Reppenning’s examination revealed normal temperature, pulse, and respiratory rate, hindlimb ataxia (a lack of coordination in movement) and a very full bladder. 

A urinary catheter was passed as a precaution, and Nork elected to have Reppenning refer Belle to the Equine Medical Center for further diagnostics, treatment, and supportive intensive care. 

The Equine Medical Center in Leesburg is one of three animal healthcare facilities of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, which is based on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg.

Nork connected with Belle as a 12-year-old horse in 2023, after an extensive search for a suitable horse to ride. Nork has since found Belle to be a kind, intelligent horse with playful tendencies. 

Encouraged by her trainer Aurora Baile at Begin Again Farm, St Mary’s County, Maryland, and benefitting from clinics and training from other visiting trainers, Nork started participating in dressage shows, winning a reserve champion year-end high score award before Belle became ill.

Handling a horse displaying neurological symptoms can be dangerous and emotionally draining. 

“When Belle was diagnosed with equine herpesvirus (EHV-1) early in December 2024, I was heartbroken and knew there was a good chance I would lose her,” Nork said. “I was grateful that the Equine Medical Center had a quarantine space available, we got her there within hours of my vet’s diagnosis.

“From the minute we left her there, communications were regular, so I knew precisely what was happening, and Dr. MacDonald and her team provided Belle the exact care and treatment she needed.” 

When Belle arrived at the Equine Medical Center, she had difficulty walking off the trailer. She lacked muscle coordination and balance in the hind end, but was otherwise quiet, alert, and responsive.

Elizabeth MacDonald, clinical instructor of equine medicine completed a comprehensive neurologic exam to fully evaluate Belle, keeping in mind the positive EHV-1 case already identified at her barn, while not excluding other potential diseases such as equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), bacterial meningitis, cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy, and trauma. 

While Belle’s diagnostic results were pending, treatment for EHV and EPM were started along with supportive care. 

After three days in the hospital, Belle started to show a marked improvement in her neurological deficits and was stable enough to walk a circle around the stall without the risk of falling, and was able to urinate without a catheter. However, she was still dragging her hindlimbs, and coordination deficits in her hind end were still evident.  

Belle’s neurologic status continued to improve over the following days. At this point, after eight days in the hospital, it was decided that Belle was stable enough to be transferred to a rehabilitation facility to continue her care and quarantine. 

Belle was taken to Always There Horse Care, in Haymarket, Virginia, where she would remain under the care of licensed veterinary technician Malena Brisbois. Follow-up at the lay-up facility showed continued improvement in Belle’s neurologic status. 

“Belle came home after well over a month of diagnosis and quarantine, and her intense rehab program at Begin It Again Farm began. Inspired by  Dr. MacDonald and her communications with my trainer, I had hope for her recovery, regardless of the level of that recovery.” said Nork 

“Fast forward to present day: Belle is back! ,” said Nork. “We made the decision to take her rehab slowly, and it worked.  I didn’t get in the saddle until almost 2 months into her rehab, and we’ve progressed from there.  Her current status? I’ve taken her off-farm for rides with other horses, and she is back to doing dressage shows — right where she left off pre-EHV and doing clinics.  I’m really pleased with her progression.”

During her treatment Belle didn’t appear to know Nork. There seemed to be no connection or response to touch, and she feared that she would never fully return to her psychologically. But now, Belle, knowing the sound of her car, greets Nork at the gate and is back to enjoying her attention and snuggles! .

Belle’s story of recovery is the result of a dedicated owner and close cooperation between a first response veterinarian on the farm, a team of emergency and critical care specialists at the Equine Medical Center, and aftercare and continued quarantine at a layup facility. Over many years, this team dynamic has saved the lives of countless equine partners.

“I originally thought that, at best, because of the EHV I would have a beautiful pasture pet,” Nork said, “and I was committed to Belle regardless; but because of the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, I have my girl back and I am so very grateful”.