ECC ECC Neurological Assessment & Pathology

Question 1

Which cranial nerve is assessed when testing a horse's menace response?

Accepted Answer

Cranial nerve II (optic) and VII (facial)

Answer

The menace response tests the afferent optic nerve (CN II) and efferent facial nerve (CN VII) pathway.

Question 2

Ataxia in a horse is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Incoordination of voluntary muscle movement

Answer

Ataxia refers to incoordination of voluntary movements, often indicating spinal cord or cerebellar dysfunction.

Question 3

Which grading scale is most commonly used to score equine ataxia in the US?

Accepted Answer

Mayhew/Nollet Ataxia Scale (0–5)

Answer

The Mayhew/Nollet scale grades equine ataxia from 0 (normal) to 5 (recumbent), and is the standard in US equine neurology.

Question 4

A horse that consistently sways when walking in a straight line but improves on a circle most likely has:

Accepted Answer

Cervical spinal cord compression

Answer

Cervical spinal cord compression typically worsens in a straight line and may improve slightly on circles due to altered spinal canal dynamics.

Question 5

The tail-pull test in horses primarily evaluates function of which spinal cord region?

Accepted Answer

Lumbosacral (L1–S5)

Answer

The tail-pull test assesses lumbosacral spinal cord and nerve root integrity by evaluating resistance to lateral tail displacement while walking.

(ECC) Equine Chiropractic Certification Practice Test