Does this sound like ulcers?

LaurenBobby

LaurenBobby

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Hi,

Does this sound like it could be ulcers??

Basically my horse was the biggest chilled out chap you could ask for, did everything you asked without a fuss. We compete most weekends at local level stuff, always having a good time and he was always nice and chilled wherever we went.

Bit of background - 12year old gelding, irish sports horse. Has always been 'nippy' when girth being done or groomed under belly (I've known him since he was 6 and always the same). Had steroid injections into his stifles for low grade lameness in July 2017, back in full work and sound currently.

Then one day late 2018 I took him on a hunt ride. We had been on pleasure rides before and he was as usual chilled about it. However on the hunt ride he started 'shaking'. Didn't think too much of it, until the next day he was still shaking. Vet was called and bloods etc done. All came back normal.

Now every time I go to take him out anywhere he gets these shakes. I've tried him on a magnesium supplement, which seems to help slightly. Ive also found that if we go out somewhere in the box in an evening, he doesn't tend to shake. It doesn't seem to matter if we travel with a buddy, without a buddy, short or long distances.

He is also a bit of a pain when we are out, he seems more stressed about the whole situation. Whereas before I could leave him tied to the box with his hay net for hours if id wanted, and he'd be happy as larry. He is also a bit more stressed at home, not all the time just sometimes, and wont stand still.

So I suppose what I'm asking is can ulcers cause a horse to be more stressed?

Vet said one of the next stages of action would be to scope for ulcers, but id just like to see if anyone else had signs like this?
 
Sorry forgot to add, no change in performance or ridden work. Still forward going and seemingly enjoying himself when actually doing the 'thing' (jumping round or dressage test) at competitions. It is just the before, and sometimes after, that he seems stressed and shakes.
 
My mare has similar issues. Vet gave her Exegus supplement for ulcers, its over £80 a tub which lasts one month but I have been giving my mare half the dosage for the last 4 months and it has made a huge difference!

She is Much better behaved now so going to see if this supplement has helped permanently and wean her of it once this tub is done (as recommended by the vet)
 
It doesnt sound like ulcers to me, but it does sound like something is wrong. The first thing I would do is try a high dose of vitamin e to see if that helped. That weird muscle trembling you describe is something I always associated with PSSM. I'd be giving 10,000mgs a day along side a low sugar and starch diet and seeing if there was any improvement. If not, then I think I'd be looking into the stifles again via a vet workup if needs be.
 
Why would the shaking have anything to do with his stifles if he’s sound? Already on a low sugar and starch diet, awaiting results of pssm tests x
 
Ps he has been scoped and grade 1/2 ulcers which we are treating, vet doesn’t think that’s anything to do with shaking but I’m not convinced it’s not a stress thing. Also vet is going to talk to a specialist from leahurst to see if they’ve any ideas 🤷🏽‍♀️
 
My mare had shakes and she had ulcers (not scoped but given gastrogard treatment). I took it to be from the pain. She’s made a good recovery and haven’t seen her shake for over a month.

Personally if you think ulcers are present either scope or put him on a course of treatment. Gastrogard is the only licenced product in the UK but it’s expensive.
 
Vet did suggest a bute trail, what are your thoughts on this with a horse whos had (hopefully not have anymore) ulcers? Ive also ordered some vitamin e supplement, can a lack of this make a horse more nervy?
 
Ooh, not bute for suspected ulcers, won't do them any favours at all. Have a look on here - lots of alternative remedies but pretty good diagnostic advice too https://equinenutritionnerd.com/201...tions-for-stomach-ulcer-treatment-prevention/
Magnesium helps with nerves (as in "running on adrenaline" ) if it is caused by a Mg deficiency. Lots of grazing in the UK is deficient in MG, which is the cause of staggers in cattle
 
Thanks, vet suggested Bute trial to see if the shaking is caused by pain anywhere, will be putting him back on the mag ox as soon as it arrives! X
 
LaurenBobby said:
Vet did suggest a bute trail, what are your thoughts on this with a horse whos had (hopefully not have anymore) ulcers? Ive also ordered some vitamin e supplement, can a lack of this make a horse more nervy?
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Yes. Ellietotz horse was an utter idiot, incredibly spooky and over reactive and couldnt settle even in the field. She tested negative for PSSM but vitamin e has completely transformed her. Make sure its just vitamin e you are feeding and you need a high dose, 10,000mgs a day to start with. Most people use equimins oil but I think some do use powder. You need to keep the rest of the diet high fibre and low sugar/starch, but thats the same as ulcers anyway.
 
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