The facial nerve runs down both sides of a horse’s face. It keeps the muscles associated with the horse’s facial expression moving, but does not affect the chewing of food. However, paralysis of the lips due to nerve damage may cause ‘quidding’ and drooling, which often results in half-chewed grass and saliva falling out of the mouth on the injured side.
The main cause of facial nerve paralysis (‘paresis’) is injury to the side of the face. This may be the result of a bridle or halter that is too tight, or a kick or fall. Damage to the side of the head can also happen when an anaesthetised horse goes down, or as it is attempting to rise afterwards. If an anaesthetised horse is lying on its side, it helps to put a feed bag loosely padded with hay, covered with a towel to protect the eye, under its head.
CAUSES AND SIGNS OF FACIAL PARALYSIS
This story is from the January 24, 2020 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
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This story is from the January 24, 2020 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
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