Ear shy

Identityincrisis

Identityincrisis

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Just looking for experiences really.

I’ll probably get the vet as it’s escalated.

My 11yr old Arab has always been a bit iffy with his ears but has always allowed me to put his bridle on if I’m careful and efficient. He has awful aural plaques 😢 which i know can be sore (he wears a fly mask in the field at the first sign) but in the last 3 weeks he suddenly decided I’m not allowed to put his bridle on without dismantling it fully. I know it’s his ears , as opposed to teeth etc, as he objects to the headcollar being put on with only tge throat lash unclipped, and I can’t even touch his ears (one is definitely worse) i have made slight progress with rewards for allowing his reins over his head and now the headstall (no browband or bit attached so it just goes on) but he’s sooooo defensive, any thoughts?
 
I have a pony with aural plaque. Not ridden now due to other issues but when ridden he would allow me to put the bridle over his ears. Initially I had to dismantle it. It was just a matter of patience and trust. Eventually he would put his head forward and down for me to put the bridle on, it had to be his choice otherwise I had to dismantle it. He just got to know I was going to take time and be careful not to touch his ears. He is the same now with headcollar.
 
Identityincrisis said:
Lol I already have one, I literally have to undo cheeks, nose and brow band. It’s an inconvenience but at least for now I can still bridle him
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Charlie was a bit odd. He wouldn't let me push his ears forward under the headpiece but he was perfectly happy for me to use the headpiece to push his ears backwards. I just needed the clip browband so I could push the headpiece far enough to let his ears pop back up.
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My friends horse has the aural plaques. Vet has said whenever we have asked about them, to leave well alone. She is ear shy, we can now put on a fly mask, but headcollars, bridles are always undone. It is what she is comfortable with and keeps her happy.
 
Aural plaques are caused by papillomavirus, I had one with them a few years ago. At that time the vet advised that there wasn't any effective treatment but it might help if you can boost the immune system for example, giving vitamin e if not already. Mine had a poor start in life which probably didn't help but they did improve with good nutrition and as his immune system matured.
 
nutjob said:
Aural plaques are caused by papillomavirus, I had one with them a few years ago. At that time the vet advised that there wasn't any effective treatment but it might help if you can boost the immune system for example, giving vitamin e if not already. Mine had a poor start in life which probably didn't help but they did improve with good nutrition and as his immune system matured.
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Yeah he’s on Vit E as standard in Winter as I struggled with weight and muscle, he was also poor when I got him at 5

ycbm said:
Charlie was a bit odd. He wouldn't let me push his ears forward under the headpiece but he was perfectly happy for me to use the headpiece to push his ears backwards. I just needed the clip browband so I could push the headpiece far enough to let his ears pop back up.
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Hmmm he’s definitely better having them handled forwards rather than back, hopefully I’ll work up to that one day
 
Does he need a noseband? If not you can get the clip on bit attachment and a clip on browband which will make dismantling the bridle much easier as a compromise

The le mieux work bridle has them, as does the shires equivalent from memory. If he needs a grackle or similar you could get the big rubber type ones that racing yards use that fold back on themselves as they're separate from the bridle entirely and big enough to slip on without touching the ears
 
Friend had a pony with aural plaques, who needed the bridle broken down to be put on. Vet suggested anti- fungal treatment, whether that was for a secondary infection I don't know. Her children outgrew the pony and she was sold on but is still around locally.
 
My horse is funny with her right ear too. I don't think she has anything going on inside but weirdly she's beem good for ages but the last 3 weeks shes started being bad again. She 17'2 and put her head up so high i can barely get her to lower it again. Even with treats.
 
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