17/04/2026
🐴 Shivers in Horses: What Every Owner Should Know
Shivers is a chronic neuromuscular movement disorder that most often affects a horse’s hindlimbs and the way they move, particularly when backing up or when their feet are lifted for farriery. It is not a behavioural issue, stubbornness, or poor training. It is a genuine neurological condition involving altered control of coordinated movement.
What happens in Shivers?
Shivers is associated with dysfunction within the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for coordinating movement and fine motor control. Research has identified degenerative changes in specific cerebellar neurons called Purkinje cells. These cells play a crucial role in regulating smooth, controlled muscle activity. When their function is disrupted, the horse can develop exaggerated, abnormal movement patterns, particularly during specific tasks that require coordinated flexion and balance.
🧠 Because the cerebellum helps fine-tune postural control and limb coordination, horses with Shivers often show stereotypical hindlimb movements when asked to back up or when a hindlimb is lifted and held in flexion.
👀 Early Signs Many Owners Miss and Why the Farrier Often Notices First
One of the earliest signs of Shivers is difficulty during farrier visits. Horses that previously stood quietly may begin to resist lifting a hind foot, suddenly sn**ch it away, or hold it in an abnormally flexed and trembling position. Some will hyperflex the limb upward or abduct it outward. Others struggle simply to maintain the limb in a steady flexed posture.
These responses are not simply behavioural resistance. They reflect altered neuromuscular control and difficulty coordinating sustained hindlimb flexion. Because trimming and shoeing require the horse to hold the limb up for a prolonged period, farriers are often the first to notice the pattern.
📈 How the Condition Can Progress
In the early stages, horses may otherwise move normally under saddle or in the paddock. The hallmark sign is difficulty and trembling when backing up. Over time, the exaggerated movement patterns can become more obvious or occur more frequently.
😖 Anxiety and Stress Around Handling
Because lifting and holding the hindlimb becomes neurologically challenging, many affected horses develop anticipatory tension. The sensation of involuntary muscle contractions, combined with loss of balance when the limb is flexed, can lead to anxiety during grooming and farrier work. This often creates a cycle where the horse braces before the leg is even picked up. It is important to recognise that this behaviour is rooted in neurological dysfunction, not attitude.
👉 What This Means for Owners
There is currently no cure for Shivers, and treatment options are limited. However, early recognition is important. A veterinary assessment can help confirm the diagnosis, rule out other causes, and guide management strategies. Adjustments in farriery technique, handling approaches, exercise routines, and overall management can significantly reduce stress and improve safety.
🐴 If your horse has become unexpectedly difficult behind, trembles when a hind foot is lifted, or shows unusual exaggerated movement when backing up, it is worth investigating further. Early identification allows for thoughtful, welfare-focused management and a collaborative approach between owner, farrier, and veterinarian.
Early recognition does not change the diagnosis, but it can greatly change the experience for the horse.
🩺 Contact us on 0427 072 095 or book an appointment online: https://avonridgeequine.com.au/book-an-appointment/
