EPM in Horses: What Owners Should Know
Plain-language EPM basics, why your veterinarian leads, and how everyday spine & nerve nutrition can fit into your horse’s routine.
Veterinarian formulatedMade in USA 4.9 from 1,269 Spine & Nerve reviews
What is EPM?
Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a neurological disease caused by a protozoal parasite, most often Sarcocystis neurona. It affects the brain and spinal cord, and it can look very different from one horse to the next. Signs owners notice include:
- Stumbling, weakness, or a gait that looks uneven or “off”
- Trouble with coordination (ataxia), especially on turns or slopes
- Muscle loss on one side, often over the hindquarters or topline
- Changes in balance, head carriage, or swallowing
Horses pick it up by eating feed, hay, or water contaminated by opossum droppings. It doesn’t spread from horse to horse.
If you notice any change in your horse’s coordination, gait, or behavior, call your veterinarian right away.
Why ImmuBiome Spine & Nerve?
Spine & Nerve is our most-reviewed formula, built around Lion’s Mane for daily spine and nerve nutrition. It’s meant to sit alongside your vet’s care, never instead of it.
Formulated to support
Where it fits alongside your vet’s plan
Choosing a supplement for a horse with EPM
Your vet’s diagnosis and treatment come first. Once that plan is in place, many owners look for daily nutrition to support their horse through treatment and the months after. A few things worth checking:
- Veterinarian formulated, with a full ingredient list you can show your vet
- Ingredients chosen for nerve function, such as Lion’s Mane
- Gut support (prebiotics and probiotics), since a healthy gut helps a horse make the most of its feed
- Free from fillers, added sugars, and molasses
- Something your horse will happily eat every day, because consistency matters most
Spine & Nerve was built with those boxes in mind. Bring the label to your vet and decide together whether it’s right for your horse.
Spine & Nerve or Nerve Boost?
Both are built around Lion’s Mane. Most horses start with Spine & Nerve; Nerve Boost is there when your vet would like a little more.
Spine & Nerve
From $69
The everyday formula: Lion’s Mane plus five more mushrooms, colostrum, and probiotics for spine, nerve, and gut support.
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Nerve Boost
From $69
Extra organic Lion’s Mane and prebiotics, fed alongside Spine & Nerve for horses who need more nerve support.
Shop Nerve Boost
What’s inside Spine & Nerve
- Lion’s Mane plus five functional mushrooms: King Trumpet, Reishi, Antrodia, and two Cordyceps species, chosen to support healthy nerve function
- Probiotics and prebiotics: 3 billion CFU of probiotics and 8,000 mg of prebiotics for everyday gut health
- Bovine colostrum: nutrients that support normal immune function and tissue maintenance
- Human-grade ingredients: no fillers, no added sugars, no molasses
What owners say about Spine & Nerve
4.9from 1,269 verified reviews. Read all reviews
Spine & Nerve works!
“Spine & Nerve has really made a difference for my horse coming back from EPM. His nervous system is more even keeled, his proprioception has improved, and overall I am so pleased we finally tried this product!”
Benefited my horse with EPM
“ImmuBiome Spine and Nerve has benefited my horse with EPM. He has more stamina, less ataxia and feeling good enough to play in turnout.”
Great Product!
“My young hunter had 2 foraminotomy surgeries in the last 12 months and has been on the Spine & Nerve product to help his recovery. He is doing great on it! He’s back to 100% and showing again.”
Vet recommended
“This was vet recommended for Lyme & I will continue to use to support neurological system. I like that there is some clinical data to support your products.”
EPM and Spine & Nerve: common questions
What are the early signs of EPM?
Early signs can be subtle: a little stumbling, a gait that looks uneven, trouble on turns or backing up, or muscle loss on one side. Some horses just seem “not right.” Because these signs overlap with lameness and other neurological problems, only your veterinarian can tell what’s going on. If you notice changes, call them sooner rather than later.
How do horses get EPM?
Opossums carry the parasite (Sarcocystis neurona) and shed it in their droppings. Horses are exposed when they eat feed, hay, or water contaminated by those droppings. EPM doesn’t spread from horse to horse. Keeping feed rooms closed, storing grain in sealed bins, and covering water sources all help reduce exposure.
Does Spine & Nerve treat EPM?
No. Spine & Nerve is a nutritional supplement. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent EPM or any disease, and it doesn’t replace veterinary treatment. Many owners feed it alongside their vet’s plan for everyday spine and nerve nutrition.
Which formula should I choose: Spine & Nerve or Nerve Boost?
Most horses start with Spine & Nerve, the everyday formula. Nerve Boost adds extra Lion’s Mane and is fed alongside Spine & Nerve when you and your vet want more nerve support. If you’re unsure, the Formula Finder or our team can help.
How long should I feed Spine & Nerve?
Most owners feed it every day as part of the routine, during treatment and for the months after, then keep going for ongoing support. Give it at least a few weeks of consistent feeding, follow the label directions, and check in with your vet about the long-term plan.
How soon will I see results?
Many owners tell us they notice a difference within 2–4 weeks of consistent daily use. Every horse is different, so give it time and keep your veterinarian in the loop.
Can I feed it alongside my vet’s treatment?
Many owners do. Check with your vet first and bring the label along; Spine & Nerve is a daily nutritional supplement and is meant to sit alongside, not replace, your veterinarian’s care.
Is Spine & Nerve safe for all horses?
Spine & Nerve is designed for horses of all breeds and ages. Follow the label directions, and check with your veterinarian first if your horse is under treatment.