'Girthy' and under the weather Mare - WWYD

Random question (and havent read all of the replies): is she on any alfalfa by chance? Mine was not happy to be touched, was girthy, was very itchy too until I removed alfalfa. He still is girthy and doesnt like his tummy touched but it js because his back gets tight due to his arthritis compensations. If I massage his back he is a much happier critter.
 
lynz88 said:
Random question (and havent read all of the replies): is she on any alfalfa by chance? Mine was not happy to be touched, was girthy, was very itchy too until I removed alfalfa. He still is girthy and doesnt like his tummy touched but it js because his back gets tight due to his arthritis compensations. If I massage his back he is a much happier critter.
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This crossed my mind last week so I am quietly transiting away from Alfa-a on to speedy beet as a precaution. However, prior to the symptoms starting at the end of July she actually wasn't fed anything, if she was in hard work she might get a handful of Baileys Sweet Meadow mix before work but otherwise she's just lived on grass and hay for the most part so I don't think this was the initial cause of the symptoms but it could be contributing to them now.

Hopefully get the results of the Cushings and EMS, PSSM and Liver bloods this week, though it is starting to look more like its a hormone issue, the girthyness seems to flare up every 3 weeks and then settle down before flaring up again. Depending on what the bloods show Vets will probably be back out first week of January to run bloods to look at the hormones too.
 
Things I would check:
- pasture plants. Some horses are not educated as well by their dams or have a penchant for poison and eat things other horses won’t touch. Those things can cause liver issues and other attendant problems.
- video her on hard and soft and tight turns under saddle and on lunge, jumping included and just check, really check for any lameness. I’ve seen plenty of cases where physio said nothing wrong but there was.
 
SEL said:
My starting point is usually the general blood panel. Is she on a balancer though? Bleaching out of the coat is often copper deficiency and lots of land in the UK is low in copper.

For a general pick me up pending vet i like L94 from Trinity.
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Brilliant stuff x
 
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