HELP! Sudden change in behaviour!

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malibooth

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We have a young (1yr 6month) gelding called Spike.
Hes a heavy horse (shire x percheron) and has always been a chilled out character.
Hes incredibly friendly and loves attention from people. We've had him for 9 months and until recently I've never seen him scared or worried by anything.

On Thurday last week, we went to bring him in from the field and he wouldnt come near us. He was holding his head very low and kept walking away from us, looking very nervous and scared of us.
Thinking he was feeling a bit ill (maybe eated too many apples from the apple tree in the field), we kept an eye on him all night and he seemed ok in the morning. No rolling or other colicy symptoms. Eating hay fine. Just looking worried and not wanting to come near us.
Hes now in a very small fenced area in the middle of the field (to rule out eating anything funny from the hedges, or too many apples), but still acting very odd.

He seems to be suddenly head shy, and really looks scared when we go to put on his headcollar. Once its on, he walks fine next to us.
There are 2 other horses in the same field, and both are fine.
No obvious injuries on him at all. Hes eating, pooing and weeing as usual.
And he doesnt seem nervous around other horses, just people.
His field is on private land, and adjacent to a sheep field. Public cannot get near him in there.

I'm thinking it could be something to do with his eyes??
He sometimes has play fights with another gelding. Maybe it got rough and he got a kick near his head (although I cant see any evidence of this)??
But really have no clue!
Vet is coming out in a couple of days, but if anyone has any idea what it could be, please tell me as I'm so worried for him!
Can anyone help?!
 
To be honest reading through sounds more like someone has hit him. Are the others in the field yours or someone else's? Could they be getting heavy handed?

Hope it's nothing too serious at least the vet can rule out any health issues
 
I thought that initially too, but it very unlikely that anyone would go into his field without me there.
The others in the field are mine too.
There are other horses in adjacent fields, but there would be no reason for anyone to go in the field with my horses.

Untill this, nothing at all has phased him. He is not usually nervous of anything (I've watched him run round the field shaking a plastic bag in his mouth - other horses were terrified and ran away, but he thought it was great fun!).
Thats why I think this could be something more serious! :(
 
I know this is a silly question, but is he walking normally, or does he look a bit drunk looking? I am wondering if he has banged his head on the floor or something.

I am also wondering if he has some sort of neurological condition which might make he feel a bit stressed. Just with his breed being what it is I was wondering if he might be slightly ataxic? Long shot but nevertheless, wobblers syndrome is particularly common in fast growing heavy horses such a shires/percherons?? If he feels a little wobbly on his legs he may feel very vulnerable and unsure of things and this may make him behaviour in such a way.
 
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Oh dear, I hope thats not it!
He walked to the field ok this morning, but I'll take him in the arena tonight and check him out properly.
Thanks for the tip, fingers crossed you're not right though! ;)
 
UPDATE!

We have a new theory - hes hurt his neck/back. Its bad when we get him in on a night, as hes been out in the cold, grazing all day.
And hes fine in a morning, as hes been in a warm stable eating from a hay net (so not stretching his neck to the ground).
We're leaving him in today (hes not happy about it!) to see how he is tonight.

He had his head up this morning and was full of energy (back to his usual self), so I dont think its anything more serious than a strain. Fingers crossed!!
 
If you are still unsure, especially if you think he has hurt his neck, try the sway tail test. Get someone to lead your horse in a straight line away from you whilst you walk parallel to his bum keeping a firm even pull towards you on his tail, so his tail is at a right angle to his body. Most horses will deviate a little towards you but then their 'staying apparatus' will come into effect and you are unable to pull them towards you. A wobblers horse (or one that has a problem with co-ordination due to trapped nerves in neck) will not be able to keep a straight course and will sway towards you. Make sure you do this in a safe area like a menage and wear hats. Try another horse which you know is okay so you understand the difference.

If your horse is like this or swings his outside leg very wide when turned on a tight circle then there is almost certainly a problem in the neck area that needs investigating quickly by your vet.
 
Thats a great tip! Thank you!

I did the test on Spike (and my other 2) last night. All were fine!
He is so much happier after a few days box rest. Back to his old self and not looking to be head shy at all.

Fingers crossed, but it looks to be nothing too serious.
Phew!
 
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