At wit's end..... advice please

C

Chillifilly

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I have a 12 y.o. 16.3 Dutch warmblood who will simpy not stay in his box. This is a complete behaviour change, blood tests are clear, he's been scoped for ulcers, teeth back etc., all checked and fine. He has shivers and I can only think that he likes to keep on the move and finds box restrictive. That said vets are scratching heads with his behaviour as there is no rhyme or reason to it. He has done this about 7 times now over past few weeks. He is on his 3rd different box and still behaviour persists. He is not interested in feeds, but eating hay, but worringly has started dropping weight at an alarming rate over past fortnight. The problem is purely related to staying in his box, in all other aspects he is fine. Has anyone else had a horse with shivers that showed same behaviour? Any ideas anyone?
 
No reason why he cant stay out 24/7, have already tried that route for 4 weeks when possibility of gastric ulcers came up. But obviously he needs to come in at times for farrier, worming etc., its just trying to identify a reason really as its such a complete change in him and its difficult to manage in a livery yard with a routine.
 
What do you mean he won't stay in his box? Is he trying to jump out, kicking the door down?

If it's a sudden behaviour change then that says to me that something has happened to him. Does anyone at the yard deal with him when you're not around? A horrible thought but could anyone have done something to him when you weren't there, something that would make him not want to be in at all?

My horse has shivers but is happy enough in his stable as long as he has company in the barn. What is your horse like when there is company?
 
He actually crashes out of the box through his door. It starts with pacing and walking in circles and builds up to running from back of stable, charging at door with his chest until eventually he breaks through door. In has last box he actually dislodged a breeze block wall in process. Its distressing to watch because he gets in such a state, but the minute he gets out, he doesnt know where to go or what to do. Of course there is chance that something has happened, but I really have absolutely no reason to think anyone has done anything to him at the yard, they have bent over backwards to help with him, we are just all totally at a loss trying to work out why he is doing it.
 
He seems fine with eyesight, in as much as behaviour happens during day or night, in lit or dark stable. Its also not instant reaction as soon as you put him in box, he can be fine for a couple of hours with hay, with or without company, but then something changes and and within 10 mins or so he has come out of box. Its almost like a separation anxiety, but he does it with horses in boxes next door and opposite and he's literally just wandering around yard once out, rather heading somewhere with purpose. All very weird.
 
Why dont you put up a grill so he cant get his chest over and get out?

Foals do this, and i have had to use a grill to restrain them.

Also has he access to smell the horse next door?

If not maybe put in a grill between stables, so he can sniff a friend through the bars.
 
[ QUOTE ]
eye sight?

[/ QUOTE ]

That's what came to my mind!
confused.gif
 
Sounds like what a herd or barn raised horse would do

The key thing is routine, bring him in at the same time every day and very much make it a fixed routine. Ideally bring a friend in at the same time that he can at least see and preferably touch.

Do not make a fuss, or otherwise he will think his fears are justified as you are acting abnormally.

After around 3 weeks you should find he settles down.
 
I completely agree with Coltswold, stick to a routine same time every day and make sure a friend comes in with him.

From personal experience of running a livery yard I would strongly recommend a product called Coligone which has had amazing results with every horse I have used it on (mostly behavioural caused by unknown pain) almost immediately. I use the powder, one scoop per day which is designed to line the gut and neutralize any acidosis which he is likely to have when stressed. It also contains lots of calcium and magnesium. If you want to know more about it, by all means PM me (I am no way connected to this product!). Coligone is my little box of magic tricks.

Here is a link http://hbradshaws.co.uk/index.php
 
Wild guess here but is he claustrophobic by any chance?

I knew a girl who was mildly claustrophobic who could deal with small places for a while then pressure used to build up until she would panic and have to get out.

Just wondered if it could be something like that






Edited to say I I hope you get to the bottom of this. It must be so distressing for all concerned
 
The only thing that I could possibly think is that horses that shiver often have PSSM don't they? If this is the case and his muscles are cramping without you being aware he may be in pain and feels he needs to move around to ease the cramps. Maybe this is why he has had a sudden change, as this disease can come on suddenly. The only way to diagnose is through blood tests and a muscle biospy.
 
Although to be fair when nervous or excited, horses shake. If it is just from stress, he should get tucked up and box walk too. This is perfectly normal.

Took my homebred barn reared horse in that (<-) picture, 3 weeks before he would stop shaking, box walking, being tucked up and generally stressing. He couldn't understand why he should be in a stable rather than loose in the barn with others (answer being he was now in serious work and I didn't want the risk of him scrapping with the others!). Upside was that the was the only time in his life he was easy to keep thin. Now he is a contented piggie.
 
Hi Cotswold. I think you are a little confused about my comments. Shivers is a neurological condition, it has nothing to do with a horse shaking, through nerves, cold or anything else. If you throw a bucket of cold water of the hind leg of a shiverer it will raise its leg and 'shiver'. PSSM Polysaccharide storage myopathy has a proven connection with horse that have this condition. This is in simplistic terms a horse that is having a bad attack of azotouria. Progress has been made in the search of a cause of Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM) or tying up to give it one of its layman terms. PSSM is currently estimated to affect more than one-third of draft horses and one-tenth of all Quarter Horses, although it has also been diagnosed in Thoroughbreds as well. Affected horses commonly have episodes of tying-up and muscle soreness; however in some cases, muscle atrophy (decrease in muscle size), weakness and gait abnormalities are present. In severe cases, horses with PSSM might be unable to rise after lying down.
 
could he have had an accident, scared himself in the box and become claustrophobic? the sudden change in behavour is odd perhaps he just needs a month to relax and forget things. otherwise you could try a horse wisperer. x
 
this might sounds stupid but we have had alot of wasps around our yard due to the weather is there any chance there could be a nest or something nearby biting him?
 
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