Azoturia? Pulled muscles? Grass belly? Help!

floradora09

floradora09

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Sorry if a bit of a long one, but any help would be appreciated! Basically, on thursday Bramble literally ripped his fly rug to shreds, pulled all the binding off, twisted it all up, ripped it etc- one of the liveries found it hanging off him in bits. He was ridden by a friend the next day, and I've been told he was absolutely fine. After seeing the rug, it did occur odd to me that he could have done so much damage without hurting himself. Yesterday (sunday) he was clipped out all over (he has a very very long summer coat), and we gave him a bath afterwards. He was a bit fidgety but nothing awful. Then I went out for a ride on my other horse, leaving my friend to have a lesson on Bramble. When I got back, on asking how the lesson went, I was told that when he was standing tacked up in the yard, he was being really weird and appearing almost like his was trying to bend/sit/squat down and looked very uncomfortable. He then did a small rear when she got on (which is unusual), so she got off, and instructor trotted him round (unmounted) and he bucked, and apparently looked very very uncomfortable, so they left it there.

We left him in last night, as the grass is very rich and instructor wondered of the possibility of Azoturia? However I'm thinking maybe it was the rug, just taking a couple of days to show up? He was clipped as well, could this have enhanced any problems there were already? We're going down this morning to see what he's like, and take it from there! Thank you SO much! :) xxx
 
Left him in last night, to see whether it was the grass causing it, and he was better to tack up and lead, but when I got on him he stood for a few seconds, then ran backwards with his back end tucked under, as if he was going to ping. Hopefully vet out tomorrow- it's hard to describe the symptoms, but it's not colic. It seems to be more to do with discomfort along the hind quarters.
 
The same thing happened to my horse yesterday. When ridden on wednesday he was very reluctant to move forward.When i brought him in yesterday he was tied up and could hardly walk. I had to pratically drag him in. He was not sweating or pawing the ground, just shifting his weight on his hinds. And holding them up. I called out the vet who said he was concerned as his heart rate was 60. He did the examination for colic but everything was normal. He was pooing and wanted to eat. The vet pressed down his back and said he was tender on his hindquarters. Then left with instructions on managing colic. He has had colic before, this is completely different. I have goggled Azoturia and his symptoms are identical. He is still a little tied up today, put is walking much better. Eating small amounts of hay often and seems very chilled.
 
Hmm maybe a blood test's the best idea. It's odd, because another of the liveries' horses had done the squatting down thing when tacked up, but was fine to ride. Maybe it's all this rich grass?!
 
My Mare's recent bout of Azoturia - which came out of nowhere - my vet has put down to a virus. Very unspecific especially as we're on a yard of 20+ horses, none of whom have been even slightly ill recently.

It does seem as if there are a few cases flying around at the moment - but maybe that's because I am more sensitive to noticing threads on them. When she had Kissing Spines last year I felt the same about that........seems like it was the diagnosis of the month for ages!

You need a blood test to diagnose for sure. Does he have very hard muscles over his hind quarters?

Bets of luck.
 
This sounds like something we shouldnt be second guessing to be honest.

If this horse is 'tied up' then you need to know quickly to avoid long term problems. My own theory is that the clipping plus the bath was enough to chill the back and that the rug ripping is a red herring.

I would get your vet out to blood tests asap.
 
Clipping out, then washing, then standing around he's more than likely tied up, I would keep him very well rugged up for a few days to warm the muscles and only feed soaked hay, no sugar or cereals.
 
I've made a new thread, with the whole story on (there was a bit more to it than on here) , just to make things clearer! xx Thanks for the ideas everyone :) xx
 
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