Experiences, suggestions, kissing spines, ulcers, girthy?

J

JVB

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Hi All

Sorry for essay but would appreciate any ideas or suggestions for things to try and others' experiences.

Thanks to help from other forum members I have on trial for a month a TB from a race yard.

He is 6, 16.3, big rangy type never been raced as not matured into his big frame, too slow and as homebred not a priority. Pretty nicely put together but quite weak behind, been out of training and in field since Dec. He is bit fat but totally lacking topline.

Had 5 stage vetting which went ok but my vet had concerns as after flexion tests he said although not lame was quite weak behind and recommended trying him out as much as poss and having couple of xrays taken to rule out kissing spines.

Trainer has been very honest, family business and his parents were sad to see horse go and obviously think a lot of him.

So, he seems a very laid back, friendly chap, taking everything in his stride.

We are only on day 4 so very early days, put saddle on him yesterday to check fit and luckily one of mine is pretty near the mark so will be fine for months trial. Girthed up and no problems, moved saddle round a bit, prodded and poked, testing for any sensitivity - nowt.

Today, took it very slowly in school, walked on lunge with just cavesson - fine. Added bridle, more walking - fine. Added saddle, girthed up quite tightly and while stood was fine, moved off then leaped, rearing in air for about 5 seconds - then fine, lunged in walk & trot both reins, relaxed and stretching nicely. Untacked no problems.

So, there is something going on, I suspect cold backed, kissing spines, ulcers.

Plan is to repeat same tomorrow but girth up much more slowly and gradually, may add sheepskin girth cover. Also having watch vid from another thread on here will check out acupuncture points for ulcers. Plan is if trial goes well then I don't mind forking out for xrays about 3 weeks in.

So, any ideas on what I could try to get to the bottom of this, I don't want to spend a fortune as don't own him, just want to know if anything I can try that may give an idea?

Thanks
 
If you try girthing up slowly tomorrow suggest you also ask him to move forwards after each time you do the girth up a notch. That can be sufficient for some. Sorry if that was what you planned but thought I would just mention it.

Not saying it couldn't be any of the other issues but agree that is worth trying before you start paying for further investigations.
 
I would be interested in what people think too. Mine goes thru phases like this. Sometimes just puts his back up when you get on for first 5 mins. Other times will buck. He has sheepskin numnah, saddle checked, back checked regularly etc.
 
Cocorules said:
If you try girthing up slowly tomorrow suggest you also ask him to move forwards after each time you do the girth up a notch. That can be sufficient for some. Sorry if that was what you planned but thought I would just mention it.

Not saying it couldn't be any of the other issues but agree that is worth trying before you start paying for further investigations.
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Thanks, had planned on taking about 10-20 mins over it, it'll be interesting to see if he reacts at a certain point or not at all, or straight away!
 
As above try doing one buckle up one hole then moving him around and so on and so on, you could try a week of ranitidine (£1 per box for tesco own brand) feed half a box twice a day, that would give you an indication of whether there are ulcers present, its cheap enough to do and won't do any harm and would rule it in or out.
 
maggiesmum said:
As above try doing one buckle up one hole then moving him around and so on and so on, you could try a week of ranitidine (£1 per box for tesco own brand) feed half a box twice a day, that would give you an indication of whether there are ulcers present, its cheap enough to do and won't do any harm and would rule it in or out.
Click to expand...

Doesnt the Ranitidine only work on gastric ulcers? If the horse is girthy isnt it more likley to be hindgut ulcers and/or Right Dorsal Colitis. Just worried that if there was a negative response from feeding Ranitidine then hindgut ulcers can not necessarily ruled out?
 
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