LEC
Opinions are like bum holes, everyone has one.
I would feed something like MaxGut health. It could easily be grass issues with gut and you have nothing to lose trying it for a couple of weeks. Grass and sugars can do funny things to them.
At a loss with intermittent anxiety/adrenalin spikes
- Thread starter Nichola_BEquestrian
- Start date
sbloom
Well-Known Member
I just want to make a comment that so often vets can't find anything, physics even, but it doesn't mean it's not physical discomfort. Best current understanding is that a horse whose balance is poor, is in poor posture and moving in compensatory movement patterns, feels unsafe, and will be more likely to be reactive or shut down.
I often see horses whose posture is screaming that they're dysfunctional but the vets can't find anything. Addressing balance and posture can make all the difference for many of these horses.
Definitely agree with keeping a diary, I recommend it often to customers, and for sure, diet could easily be playing a part. But severe reactions can come from issues that are pain but the vet can't see. I saw one just a couple of weeks ago and only by the horse getting worse through simple groundwork has the owner been able to really get after the vet and insist on bone scans, revealing 3 significant issues, which the vet had previously said didn't exist and the horse just needed to sent away for training. I see it often.
I often see horses whose posture is screaming that they're dysfunctional but the vets can't find anything. Addressing balance and posture can make all the difference for many of these horses.
Definitely agree with keeping a diary, I recommend it often to customers, and for sure, diet could easily be playing a part. But severe reactions can come from issues that are pain but the vet can't see. I saw one just a couple of weeks ago and only by the horse getting worse through simple groundwork has the owner been able to really get after the vet and insist on bone scans, revealing 3 significant issues, which the vet had previously said didn't exist and the horse just needed to sent away for training. I see it often.
Nichola_BEquestrian
Member
I moved yard because of this problem. It started on our previous yard. So I moved yard summer last year
tatty_v
Well-Known Member
I’m having the same problem as you. Naturally anxious horse (didn’t have the best set up on his previous home, which I think has done a fair bit of mental damage). He’s normally fine, not great to solo hack but ok in company and schools nicely. Chomps a lot but that seems to have been a lifelong habit.
However, last three months he has been an unpredictable nightmare, culminating in a broncing session this morning that very nearly had me on the floor. I’m going to get the vet to give him the once over, if nothing obvious found then scope for ulcers (given anxiety levels and the explosiveness), re-check saddle etc. Instinctively though I think it is linked to the rapid grass growth as it’s worse after rain and this is the lushest grass we’ve had in the time he’s been with us.
He’s muzzled and in at night in soaked hay but it doesn’t seem to be enough
So not a lot to recommend but just to say I feel your frustration!
However, last three months he has been an unpredictable nightmare, culminating in a broncing session this morning that very nearly had me on the floor. I’m going to get the vet to give him the once over, if nothing obvious found then scope for ulcers (given anxiety levels and the explosiveness), re-check saddle etc. Instinctively though I think it is linked to the rapid grass growth as it’s worse after rain and this is the lushest grass we’ve had in the time he’s been with us.
He’s muzzled and in at night in soaked hay but it doesn’t seem to be enough
So not a lot to recommend but just to say I feel your frustration!
Nichola_BEquestrian
Member
So sorry you’re also going through thisI’m having the same problem as you. Naturally anxious horse (didn’t have the best set up on his previous home, which I think has done a fair bit of mental damage). He’s normally fine, not great to solo hack but ok in company and schools nicely. Chomps a lot but that seems to have been a lifelong habit.
However, last three months he has been an unpredictable nightmare, culminating in a broncing session this morning that very nearly had me on the floor. I’m going to get the vet to give him the once over, if nothing obvious found then scope for ulcers (given anxiety levels and the explosiveness), re-check saddle etc. Instinctively though I think it is linked to the rapid grass growth as it’s worse after rain and this is the lushest grass we’ve had in the time he’s been with us.
He’s muzzled and in at night in soaked hay but it doesn’t seem to be enough
So not a lot to recommend but just to say I feel your frustration!
Nichola_BEquestrian
Member
Thank you all again for your replies.
I’ve been adding in the mag ox and he’s on nothing but hay and some chaff when he’s in. He’s turned out over night and in for a few hours in the day.
I’m going to get some alfalfa free chaff for him to try rule out alfalfa intolerance too
He has been much more relaxed in himself recently.
When we ride, he starts off fine, but gets more and more tense, the more we do. Then the explosive spooks start when he’s tense. He’s a naturally hot horse, so maybe that’s a training issue that I need to work on?
I’ve been adding in the mag ox and he’s on nothing but hay and some chaff when he’s in. He’s turned out over night and in for a few hours in the day.
I’m going to get some alfalfa free chaff for him to try rule out alfalfa intolerance too
He has been much more relaxed in himself recently.
When we ride, he starts off fine, but gets more and more tense, the more we do. Then the explosive spooks start when he’s tense. He’s a naturally hot horse, so maybe that’s a training issue that I need to work on?
ycbm
Einstein would be proud of my Insanity...
I'm really sorry but that sounds like a physical pain issue to me. The build up to an explosion is characteristic of a stoic horse who holds it together and holds it together until he just can't any more.,
I know your vets have ruled out pain because they can't see anything on any of the diagnostics, but not all problems can be found with the techniques available. Has his spine been x rayed, neck and back?
Has anyone suggested Lymes disease?
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Nichola_BEquestrian
Member
I’ve had this conversation with my vet, who doesn’t think there’s a problem as the horse can be fine for weeks/months at a time. And that physical issue of that kind would be apparent more frequently.
I can ask again though
I'm Dun
Well-Known Member
I'd have Tom Beech out as he can find things other vets don't sometimes. Then I'd be adding 10gms of salt per 100gms of bodyweight, tripling your magnesium dose, and adding 10,000 ius of natural vitamin e for a month. And I'd keep him off the grass for that month. He might well be sporadically eating something when he's grazing.
All just shots in the dark, but I'd try them all.
All just shots in the dark, but I'd try them all.
ycbm
Einstein would be proud of my Insanity...
Your problem seems fairly consistent now. Has the neck and back been x rayed?
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exracehorse
Well-Known Member
My warmblood is like that. Especially when schooling. One day it’s a Blue sky. Warm. Relaxed boy. Next day it’s the same temperature but perhaps grey. Wind is moving the trees on outside of fence. Shoot off. Throws some bucks in. Is a twat. He’s improved over time/age. But he’s unpredictable as well. He’s one you watch your weather app. Before you saddle up.