Horse all of a sudden girthy

[J_sarahd]

My new horse has all of sudden got really girthy - she is a 3 year old TB.

She has been absolutely fine up until probably a week ago when we got all the rain. So I am assuming (rightly or wrongly) that it’s related to the sugars in the grass as her field is getting green again. She’s fed an absolute mountain of hay in her field to keep her fibre in take right.

Is this likely to be right? And if so what should I do to help? Currently fed Topspec Comprehensive Balancer, Alfa A and aloe vera juice - though I am thinking of upping the aloe juice.

I’ve not noticed any other ulcer symptoms but obviously if it continues I will get her scoped.

 

[SantaVera]

could be ulcers or maybe her back. 3 is awfully young.

 

[J_sarahd]

could be ulcers or maybe her back. 3 is awfully young.

She has recently had the physio and apart from a small section, the physio isn’t concerned about her back. Yes 3 is quite young - but I’m only long-lining and hacking her. She’s been in race training and had a break.

 

[Regandal]

Girthy suggests stomach or gut.

 

[J_sarahd]

Girthy suggests stomach or gut.

Yes, I know. I’m asking if it is likely that the change in grass sugars due to the recent rain is likely to be the cause.

 

[Regandal]

Yes, I know. I’m asking if it is likely that the change in grass sugars due to the recent rain is likely to be the cause.

Could well be. Can you limit access to the grass?

 

[HeyMich]

Yes, change in grass or the recent move (you say she's new so I'm assuming she's moved yards not that long ago). Either way, I'd be asking the vet about ulcers. Good luck x

 

[Birker2020]

My new horse has all of sudden got really girthy - she is a 3 year old TB.

She has been absolutely fine up until probably a week ago when we got all the rain. So I am assuming (rightly or wrongly) that it’s related to the sugars in the grass as her field is getting green again. She’s fed an absolute mountain of hay in her field to keep her fibre in take right.

Is this likely to be right? And if so what should I do to help? Currently fed Topspec Comprehensive Balancer, Alfa A and aloe vera juice - though I am thinking of upping the aloe juice.

I’ve not noticed any other ulcer symptoms but obviously if it continues I will get her scoped.

She may have slipped and done the splits and her back muscles hurt.
My previous horse used to hurt doing up the girth due to the muscles on the back in pain.
I'm having my scoped later this week for 'niggles' whilst being ridden. 100% certain he will have ulcers but not sure if these relate to the niggles or he just wants more time off work!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

You say she has been OK up till about a week ago when there was a change due to the rain and the grass growing.

I agree with you that there may well be a link to her current behaviour; you are obviously seeking to limit her general grass intake by feeding hay ad-lib, however it may be that you need to physically restrict her grass intake as sweet grass will be more attractive than hay!

Are you able to fence her back so she doesn't have so much access to the grass? If you are able to, Track system would be ideal, but if not possible then I would suggest she has a much smaller portion of grass as I do feel this has been the problem.

For this reason, I wouldn't be in a hurry to scope just yet; restrict her grass radically and feed ad-lib hay, and see how that goes in the first instance.

By all means if you are concerned on an ongoing basis then yes consider scoping; but bear in mind that this doesn't tell you if there is a hind-gut problem.

 

[Ceriann]

Change in grass could cause gut issues that make them sore and grumpy. I like to use a gut balancer in summer for that reason.

Some other potential issues - have you checked tack, girth, pad, saddle - any potential discomfort. Also at that age they can sour v easily with work and this may simply be a response to type/level of work.

 

[Birker2020]

She may have slipped and done the splits and her back muscles hurt.
My previous horse used to hurt doing up the girth due to the muscles on the back in pain.

I'm having my scoped later this week for 'niggles' whilst being ridden. 100% certain he will have ulcers but not sure if these relate to the niggles or he just wants more time off work!

 

[J_sarahd]

I can restrict her grass - her field is a bit of an L shape with the top half a bit barer so I can whack some fencing up on the corner to cut it in half and restrict her grazing a bit.

Tack has all been checked - saddle was fitted on 11th. Back was done a week before with a check up mid-September. Teeth done a week after I got her at the end of June.

I have worked out that as she started her latest season on the 12th, it could coincide with that? Never had a mare before so I’m not sure if being in season can cause girthiness.

She seems quite happy to be hacking as always marching out with ears forward. Saying that, she will be getting a complete break again soon.

 

[J_sarahd]

Change in grass could cause gut issues that make them sore and grumpy. I like to use a gut balancer in summer for that reason.

Some other potential issues - have you checked tack, girth, pad, saddle - any potential discomfort. Also at that age they can sour v easily with work and this may simply be a response to type/level of work.

Which gut balancer do you use?

 

[Kat]

What about sore pectoral muscles?

Grass seems the likely culprit but a change of girth and a session with a bodyworker might be worth a try if restricting grass doesn't help.

 

[exracehorse]

When my mare started to lift a back leg and bite when being girthed .. it was because her saddle was too narrow.

 

[J_sarahd]

When my mare started to lift a back leg and bite when being girthed .. it was because her saddle was too narrow.

Her saddle was fitted less than 2 weeks ago

 

[Birker2020]

What about sore pectoral muscles?

Grass seems the likely culprit but a change of girth and a session with a bodyworker might be worth a try if restricting grass doesn't help.

That's what I was trying to say in reply 8 but lacked the right words for my explanation.
Girthiness can be due to lots of reasons, not just ulcers.

 

[exracehorse]

Her saddle was fitted less than 2 weeks ago

But you say she was fine until a week ago. And saddle was fitted less than two weeks ago. Just wondering if it is related?

 

[J_sarahd]

But you say she was fine until a week ago. And saddle was fitted less than two weeks ago. Just wondering if it is related?

It could be - we will be due a recheck soon as the saddle is new so to check the flocking etc.

 

[Ceriann]

Which gut balancer do you use?

I use protexin gut balancer and it works well for mine, who had a period of being girthy.

Seasons is also a possibility - you might want to track the behaviour in a diary before you do anything with that.

 

[J_sarahd]

I use protexin gut balancer and it works well for mine, who had a period of being girthy.

Seasons is also a possibility - you might want to track the behaviour in a diary before you do anything with that.

Great thanks!

Yeah I’ve started keeping track of her seasons. She’s only had 2 since I got her and the first one was while she was on a break so I don’t yet know if the sensitivity is related as I barely touched her.