horse behaving oddly any ideas

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tel

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I'm new to all this so please bear with me but wondered if anyone could help. My horse was behaving very strangely this morning so had the vet out. Basically he was propping himself up in corner of stable and very quiet, almost dazed, hind legs all wobbly and uncoordinated. Went in to see him and as he moved he almost went over and did not seem to know I was there. Vet came very promptly by which time was steadier on feet but quarters hunched and lower than front end and toes on hind feet pigeon toed. Very short and stiff hind leg movement. No sign of colic and pulse and temp normal but stiff/mildly lame on near hind. No sign he’d fallen in stable but did appear bit concussed almost. He's had anti inflammatory injection and there’s to be no riding for a week, one Bute a day from tomorrow and to be seen again next week. Allowed to be turned out if kept warm (he did canter off when let out later but looked stiff in near hind). Having done hour and half searching on web I keep coming up with descriptions on azoturia pages that match some of what I saw this morning. Not sure if this making me think this is connected because of what I have read, as vet did not indicate anything that concluded what may have happened. He did have Sunday off as weather was so appalling and was in from noon to next morning and did do a reasonably fast ride Monday but nothing more than is normal and rations had been decreased but now reading that it not just feed/exercise that can bring this on, weather conditions, stress etc can all contribute. He did seem a lot better when I left yard and almost like a light switched on and he started nuzzling me and almost back to normal in personality but it seems so strange to be so bad and then better in space of 20 minutes. I rode him briefly yesterday and he seemed ok, a little lazy but thought it coz he wanted a pee as he goes bit like that when ridden and does not usually pee while riding and he did as soon as got back to yard so thought nothing more of it. But would I not have noticed this on the Monday/Tuesday or can azoturia set in later? He also twisted a shoe on that leg Friday and was reshod on that foot but again no problems since then so not sure if piecing things together wrongly as want an explanation! Now my mind is whirling and I am worried more because it all a bit bizarre and no explanation. I know few people who use this forum and think it’s great for advice so thought I'd try it! Sorry to waffle on for first time on it! He’s 24 and my best buddie (along with my other horse) and I've had him 15 years so I can’t help worrying. Thanks to anyone with any ideas. If it is azoturia seems he should be box rested so now not sure what to do…
 
No just physical check, listened to heart and gut etc. Did the test where you walk them and they pull tail out and also the flexion test, walk backwards, etc. I wonder now whether he should have done at least bloods. To be fair he there a while and thorough but no real conclusion to it all.
 
It may be one of those things that you never get to the bottom of - but will be good to keep a close eye in future.

Good luck, hope it doesn't happen again.
 
I would definately get a blood test done for azoturia as from experience, it doesn't always present 'classic' text book symptoms. My mare went lame out on a ride in her shoulder, had the vet out next day, totally sound but she took a blood test anyway and her enzyme count was massive. The symptoms you describe do point to azoturia, and I,ve seen horses displaying symptoms next day. It can be caused by a multitude of things so best get it checked. Oh and keep him nice and warm. Hope this helps.
 
The symptoms you describe sound like those experienced by a friend's horse during the winter. Nothing absolutely definite was diagnosed but the vet thought it might have been renal colic - a bit like passing a kidney stone. Anyway, the horse now is right as rain and the whole episode only lasted about 12 hours.
 
Your symptoms do sound like Azoturia but there is one thing that is making me hesitate...the shoe.

A few years ago my horse look like her back end was going - just walking round the stable it kept giving way. She was stiff and didnt want to move fowards so I immediately called the vet.

He was really worried and checked her all over and intitally thought it was colic, however said he was going check her from hoof to head before he decided. Hoof testers revealed the problem...gravel can you believe - even the vet was surprised. She didnt look lame beforehand just really stiff.
 
Thanks everyone certainly a lot to think about. Yes had vaccinations done only last week for yearly jab. He was better tonight still bit wobbly if moved too sudden or turned too tight but was backing up much better. Still a bit in cloud cuckoo land but has been doing all the necessary toilets so that is a relief. Suppose see what tomorrow brings and think will call vet for blood test just in case. Guess I wont sleep tonight as we all worry about our gee's don't we?! Thanks again!
 
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Still a bit in cloud cuckoo land but has been doing all the necessary toilets so that is a relief. Suppose see what tomorrow brings and think will call vet for blood test just in case. Guess I wont sleep tonight as we all worry about our gee's don't we?! Thanks again!

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I have been thinking about this all evening.

I wonder if your lad has had some kind of mini stroke????? If he's still in cloud cuckoo land, I would be inclined to have the vet back up personally. I would also want bloods taken to exclude the possibility of poisening.
 
Thanks AmyMay. My boy loads better today much more like himself personality wise and moving much better little short in back legs but am going to get vet back to do bloods, will update when anything becomes known!
 
oh dear, Brighteyes please can you advise what happened after the initial stroke - is the horse ok now, can he/she be ridden eventually? He seems lot better today left in to rest and took for short walk this evening and walking lot more freely, not looking tucked up and bit more lively in himself, little subdued but much more interested in surroundings. Are they likely to have another? Sorry so many questions but cannot find much about this on web!
 
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