Being paranoid but any suggestions HHO...?

Michen

Michen

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Horse went hunting sunday, came home and had a roll (no surprise there though he was dry by the time we got home). Ate dinner but noticed him dropping a bit of hay out of the left side of mouth. Didn't seem sore (certainly nothing at corner of mouth etc- he did spend three hours in a french link Cheltenham gag pulling like a train so wouldn't have been surprised) so thought nothing of it.

Monday he came in and had a roll straight away... In the two months I've had him I have never seen him roll in the stable. On the plus side eating totally normally.

Bought him in early today as I had to rush off. A friend checked him about 6pm and said he had a good roll in front of her. Again this is unusual as I have never seen him roll in stable although he definitely does lie and roll overnight, just never in front of anyone. She said he seemed to flinch when she went to touch the left side of his mouth and he gave his head a good rub when he rolled.

He is eating up, pooing and drinking normal amounts. In good spirits and generally totally normal bar this. Happily grazing in field during the day. I haven't ridden him since hunting but was planning to tomorrow (though unlikely now).

I know I'm probably being nuts but if there's one thing I've learned from Torres it's not to ignore subtle signs. The rolling is weird (though it's not colicky, if that makes sense) because it's unusual to see him do it. Could pain in his mouth make him roll?! What on earth could have happened when there is no visible soreness at all anywhere around his mouth?

Frantic ring round and have managed to get dentist to come out on the 24th, couldn't get tomorrow. Wondering whether to just get the vet out tomorrow instead?

Any thoughts? I don't see why his mouth would seem sore, then fine, then sore again?

He's definitely not too hot or over rugged, if anything he was a touch chilly at 9pm last night.
 
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Maybe just bruised on the gums if you were leaning on your left rein a bit more. Personally i would get on and ride, but on a loose contact if any and watch for any faces or avoidance tacking up and riding.
 
Michen, you've been through the mill lately. Don't stress and panic until you know you've got something to stress about. I know exactly how you feel, I see disastrous lameness every time I look at my horses. If he's feeling well in every other respect it's probably not a disaster.
 
milliepops said:
Michen, you've been through the mill lately. Don't stress and panic until you know you've got something to stress about. I know exactly how you feel, I see disastrous lameness every time I look at my horses. If he's feeling well in every other respect it's probably not a disaster.
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I'm convinced he's dying haha! Even more so because he's a loan horse, if I owned him I probably wouldn't worry so much if that makes sense! Xx
 
He may have injured his back somewhere as well as his mouth, or he is still stiff after a hard days hunting and is trying to stretch himself out by rolling.

Im glad you are not going to ride until your dentist comes, I wouldnt ride a horse that I was worried was in pain.

Its good that you're listening to the signs that your horse is trying to tell you something, he is doing something out of character for him and now the "fun" part is trying to figure out why. R.e whether to get the vet out, bearing in mind that xmas is a few days away and vet cover may be limited for several days, it may give you more peace of mind (and cost less) to get the vet out tomorrow.
 
He could just be rolling because he is finally feeling properly relaxed and at home, he may have slightly hurt his mouth hunting, but sounds to me like he is just enjoying a good roll, perhaps he is a bit itchy after the hunt, how about a good hot cloth to lift any grease and grime from his coat?
 
Michen said:
I'm convinced he's dying haha! Even more so because he's a loan horse, if I owned him I probably wouldn't worry so much if that makes sense! Xx
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it absolutely makes sense, I completely understand.

Common things are common. Yes, as Penks says perhaps he's just stretching out some stiff muscles. it's more likely, given his workload prior, and his approach to hunting, than something terrible. and you are a conscientious owner/loaner, so TRUST yourself.
I think we all know that if he came out crippled on Christmas day you'd fork out for a visit, come what may :)
 
Just can't decide between vet tomorrow or dentist Xmas eve.

Will see how he is tomorrow and have another look at his mouth.
 
That's a good idea actually. He did get a good grooming but I think I'll do that and take him for an in hand walk. He is a drama Queen!


Prancer and Vixen said:
He could just be rolling because he is finally feeling properly relaxed and at home, he may have slightly hurt his mouth hunting, but sounds to me like he is just enjoying a good roll, perhaps he is a bit itchy after the hunt, how about a good hot cloth to lift any grease and grime from his coat?
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milliepops said:
it absolutely makes sense, I completely understand.

Common things are common. Yes, as Penks says perhaps he's just stretching out some stiff muscles. it's more likely, given his workload prior, and his approach to hunting, than something terrible. and you are a conscientious owner/loaner, so TRUST yourself.
I think we all know that if he came out crippled on Christmas day you'd fork out for a visit, come what may :)
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Sods law isn't it, I didn't exercise him yesterday or.today but I will take him for an in hand hack tomorrow and see if that helps. It's such a silly subtle thing. The rolling concerns me more than the mouth!

Vet on speed dial :-P
 
I would get physio/Mctimoney first, then dentist, then vet, in that order.

If he is getting a sore mouth maybe you should back off the hunting, it does sound a bit dangerous how out of control you are? Play with bits this winter ready for cubbing next year.
 
Ha I wouldn't let a Mctimony near my horse if you paid me.


I can't play with bits because the only time he does it is hunting.


Anyway, good news is he is totally fine, no soreness this morning. Put a bit in, rode him and he was totally normal and felt great. We do seem to have a load of insects about and he's itching a lot so I think the rolling is probably down to that.



Tiarella said:
I would get physio/Mctimoney first, then dentist, then vet, in that order.

If he is getting a sore mouth maybe you should back off the hunting, it does sound a bit dangerous how out of control you are? Play with bits this winter ready for cubbing next year.
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Michen said:
Ha I wouldn't let a Mctimony near my horse if you paid me.


I can't play with bits because the only time he does it is hunting.


Anyway, good news is he is totally fine, no soreness this morning. Put a bit in, rode him and he was totally normal and felt great. We do seem to have a load of insects about and he's itching a lot so I think the rolling is probably down to that.
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Unless he is quidding his food (as you state he is eating up okay) I would guess the mouth is okay.....again assuming he is eating his grub in the normal timeframe.

Rolling can be the horses natural way of rectifying some back issues. Keep an eye and maybe get a physio check if you suspect owt.

Sympathise totally with the not being able to tell how effective a bit is until you are in the hunting field. If you have the option, with one, whilst I was experimenting, I got a friend to work him hard in the morning and then bring him to me for second horses. Initially it was a very short outing for him - I could tell almost immediately if it was worth persevering or not and then slowly built the duration up.
 
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Wish that was an option! I'm going for a bum bag with two different bits in it to change if I need to. If none are any good when we next go then I'll re start in autumn with cubbing... We shall see! Thanks :) x


gunnergundog said:
Unless he is quidding his food (as you state he is eating up okay) I would guess the mouth is okay.....again assuming he is eating his grub in the normal timeframe.

Rolling can be the horses natural way of rectifying some back issues. Keep an eye and maybe get a physio check if you suspect owt.

Sympathise totally with the not being able to tell how effective a bit is until you are in the hunting field. If you have the option, with one, whilst I was experimenting, I got a friend to work him hard in the morning and then bring him to me for second horses. Initially it was a very short outing for him - I could tell almost immediately if it was worth persevering or not and then slowly built the duration up.
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Michen said:
Wish that was an option! I'm going for a bum bag with two different bits in it to change if I need to. If none are any good when we next go then I'll re start in autumn with cubbing... We shall see! Thanks :) x
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If you're not keen on a Mctimoney, I swear by a good equine massage therapist... it does them wonders, also mine always recommends that after a hard ride, leave for an hour then give a damned good groom to help break the lactic acid up :) Im sure he will be fine, although I completely get your worry, you've really been through the mill with your neds.x
 
Michen said:
Ha I wouldn't let a Mctimony near my horse if you paid me.


I can't play with bits because the only time he does it is hunting.


Anyway, good news is he is totally fine, no soreness this morning. Put a bit in, rode him and he was totally normal and felt great. We do seem to have a load of insects about and he's itching a lot so I think the rolling is probably down to that.
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You never get any of your horses backs etc looked at?!
 
Prancer and Vixen said:
errrm... how on earth did you make that assumption from the statement: 'I wouldn't let a Mctimoney near my horse if you paid me'?
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In my previous post I put 'physio/Mctimoney' she didn't say she had physio either. There is no need to be rude (although this is hho!!) - it's how I interpreted it and I thought was a good suggestion considering the horse may have sore muscles from hunting/being tense pulling on the bit constantly?
 
I agree. He was done about ten days ago. My physio is worth her Weight in gold but I do not agree with this whole "popping the pelvis back in" rubbish. But that would be an entirely seperate thread lol!

Feel much better now and glad I tacked up/rode to see how he was. He feels absolutely fab, if anything better than he did pre hunting- he has an air of sudden confidence about him!

Xx



Prancer and Vixen said:
If you're not keen on a Mctimoney, I swear by a good equine massage therapist... it does them wonders, also mine always recommends that after a hard ride, leave for an hour then give a damned good groom to help break the lactic acid up :) Im sure he will be fine, although I completely get your worry, you've really been through the mill with your neds.x
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My horse throws himself around the stables, digging and rolling like he has severe colic, but I have found its when he comes in from the field wet, he doesn't like being wet and seems to roll to help dry off. I wonder if it is similar, perhaps he is itchy from getting very hot whilst hunting?
 
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