Effect of steroid injections on horse behaviour?

[BBP]

Has anyone noticed a change in their horses behaviour following steroid injections into a joint?

 

[Auslander]

Aus used to be bonkers after he'd had his. I attributed it to him feeling really really good!

 

[honetpot]

Steroid psychosis, is well known in humans but usually after large doses.

 

[BBP]

I'm clutching at straws really. Mine was so perfect behaviour wise for 10 weeks after first injection (had a follow up injection at week 5). Now down the line he is not so perfect. Vets are convinced his sacroiliac is good and not causing him an issue now. His behaviour follows his blood test results (he has a muscle disease), management for this hasn't changed massively so I don't know the reasons behind the changes in his blood work results and corresponding behaviour.

 

[C1airey]

Yep. My erstwhile plodder had injections in his hocks about 3wks ago. Today we overtook our 17hh+, long-striding Dutch Warmblood hacking buddy in trot. Erstwhile plodder is 15.2hh and usually prefers to claw himself along on the forehand rather than put any effort in from behind.

Occasionally I've felt him thinking about having a spook, but have put it down to him not having achey joints to worry about any more, so needing something else to occupy his tiny pony mind.

 

[St Nicnaclaus]

Yes after one set of hock injections and two sessions of Tildren, ex-racehorse is back to his gittish, buckaroo, "no won't do want you want me to" wonderful self! Loving it.

 

[Kezzabell2]

well my horse used to plant and rear to refuse to go forward, until he had his hock injected and remedial shoes put on

 

[Alec Swan]

It can help some win races, ask Godolphin if you don't believe me!

Alec.

 

[EventingMum]

I had a livery who was on steriods for a prolonged period of time and his personality changed and he became very aggressive towards other horses. Once off them he returned to being the sweet pony we knew and loved.

 

[burtie]

My horse who is usually very sedate has to have them for Lymphangitis from time to time, riding him whilst on them is always an exciting experience! In fact he's just had an injection today and so I've warned my sharer!!!

 

[Stacy_W]

I knew a mare who had steroids to attempt to help with headshaking and she would become a horrible bully towards the other mares.

 

[BBP]

So it's unlikely them that was the cause of him being a chilled out happy little dude for the 5 weeks after each one? Sounds like everyone else's horses were more bouncy not less. It must be his muscle disease then. I've been keeping a diary but can't figure out what factor has made him go from lovely to incredibly stressed in just a couple of days.

 

[Fun Times]

My horse had a bonescan (which I think BBP did too) followed by loads of tests, scans etc and steroid injections. His personality has definitely changed. He is less predictable and more stressy. We no longer entirely trust him loose in the field with us, he hasnt actually done anything but he somehow seems more aggressive and less reliable. Standing tied up he will now get cross and paw the ground...he never ever pawed the ground once in the last five years. So yes, i definitely think the whole sad episode has taken its toll on him altho whether that is due to the steroids or the radioactive isotope or just general stress caused by being in horsepital i dont know.