Hi everyone,

Tonight my 10 year old Belgian gelding, who is otherwise perfectly healthy with no history of problems, began shaking uncontrollably on his front legs to the point where his knees were buckling. He would back up, straighten himself, step forward again, and the cycle repeated for about 20 minutes. I was really worried he was going to go down, but he never did.

When he seemed to stabilize, I lunged him at a trot for a few minutes, practiced hips over and backing up, and then made him stand and he hasn't shaken since. I picked out his feet and felt his legs and he was absolutely fine.

He is on grass hay, no alfalfa and very minimal grain once in a while with a bit of soaked beet pulp, but it's more or less to keep him busy while my other horse gets her grain; not a full serving by any means because he doesn't need it.

He has no history of lameness or problems. I am worried it could be neurological. Any thoughts? Very puzzled...

My first thoughts w/ him being a Belgian are EPSM and Shivers although Forelimb signs are considered rare.
Occasionally there is involvement of the muscles of the forelimb.

But then if he was eating or taken from food it could have been a choke that resolved itself.

May be a leg/hoof alignment issue-upright pasterns suggest a mild contracture of the superficial flexors which interferes with the ability of the bony column at the knees to lock in place when standing. The muscles must then maintain posture and muscle trembling is pretty normal is these conditions.

But to be completely proactive your first step is a thorough evaluation by your veterinarian.