horse hates being groomed/rugged, touched etc

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Clodagh said:
If you are still there op while waiting for the vet next week I’d give him as lib hay and aloe Vera juice. No sugar, no bute, just make sure he has a full tummy at all times.
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I can see where you are going with this and normally would agree.
However if the horse has been diagnosed with laminitis then I’m not sure we should be advising stopping the Bute.
 
Just pondering guys/girls how many times we’ve been in the position to have to point out the glaringly obvious (to us!) to an attending vet. I know I’ve presented many horses that “aren’t the type for that” or “highly improbable to be suffering this” in the eyes of some very experienced vets.

I’ve certainly had to fight my corner on numerous occasions, so not really surprised ulcers haven’t yet come into the OP’s conversations.

I hope your appointment goes well
OP and you’re able to articulate your worries.

Re: withdrawing the bute- as others have said, if the horse is laminitic it will likely need pain relief. It might be worth a phone conversation (which will cost you nothing) to see if you can swap your unused bute for danilon in the meantime as you’re concerned ulcers may be a factor? I know my vets would be happy for me to take in and collect in this circumstance, given that they’d already have seen the horse.
 
I'm 40, fairly experienced, having had horses since age 7ish, and a horsey mum.

I've documented on here the bother I've had with 2 vets at a previous practice that caused me to leave my excellent (but sadly, only one man) vet and the absolute disaster at the new equine vets with highly qualified equine specialists.

I couldn't get her to take Chip's condition/illness serious, come out immediately when I called Sunday night ooh for a colic or his seriously worrying blood test results.

I had to switch again to a mixed practice who said from the go it was beyond them but immediately got Chip a same day emergency referral to hospital.

So I can feel for OP. You can't know what you don't know, and I get "white coat" nerves and "respect the expert" overriding feelings, and I'm old!

That's why I do think ultimately you have to move to a more professional set up to have the right support and advice. Both for yourself and for dealing with vets/farriers etc in situations like this.

There is the option of a sharer too that would help with costs and, if they are the right type of person, support
 
TPO said:
I'm 40, fairly experienced, having had horses since age 7ish, and a horsey mum.

I've documented on here the bother I've had with 2 vets at a previous practice that caused me to leave my excellent (but sadly, only one man) vet and the absolute disaster at the new equine vets with highly qualified equine specialists.

I couldn't get her to take Chip's condition/illness serious, come out immediately when I called Sunday night ooh for a colic or his seriously worrying blood test results.

I had to switch again to a mixed practice who said from the go it was beyond them but immediately got Chip a same day emergency referral to hospital.

So I can feel for OP. You can't know what you don't know, and I get "white coat" nerves and "respect the expert" overriding feelings, and I'm old!

That's why I do think ultimately you have to move to a more professional set up to have the right support and advice. Both for yourself and for dealing with vets/farriers etc in situations like this.

There is the option of a sharer too that would help with costs and, if they are the right type of person, support
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Agreed- sadly I’m absolutely miles away, but if OP was within shouting distance, definitely someone I’d take under my wing. Someone older and more experienced (and sensible!) would be a godsend in this situation.

*crosses fingers and hopes someone on here IS closer! *
 
I certainly wouldnt
Melody Grey said:
Agreed- sadly I’m absolutely miles away, but if OP was within shouting distance, definitely someone I’d take under my wing. Someone older and more experienced (and sensible!) would be a godsend in this situation.

*crosses fingers and hopes someone on here IS closer! *
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Well there is the grandma with 70 yrs experience
 
Melody Grey said:
Agreed- sadly I’m absolutely miles away, but if OP was within shouting distance, definitely someone I’d take under my wing. Someone older and more experienced (and sensible!) would be a godsend in this situation.

*crosses fingers and hopes someone on here IS closer! *
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I’m closer and currently still on maternity leave so can absolutely help advocate if needed, but ultimately not sure how much I can add if OP already has an experienced granny, YO and physio involved.
 
Backtoblack said:
Are we sure this whole thread hasn't been started by a troll? Very good advice being given and seemingly ignored.
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She definitely not a troll she getting the vet soon. What more can she do a forum can’t say what wrong with the horse she needs a vet. When you relay on your parents to pay the bills it’s not easy to convince them to pay for 5 grand scope for ulcers.
 
Lexi 123 said:
She definitely not a troll she getting the vet soon. What more can she do a forum can’t say what wrong with the horse she needs a vet. When you relay on your parents to pay the bills it’s not easy to convince them to pay for 5 grand scope for ulcers.
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Where’s the £5k come from? When M had ulcers our bill for a years worth of treatment wasn’t even half that. Also the scope is the cheapest part, it’s the meds that are costly but not £5k costly!
 
Hey , he does sound very much like her has ulcers but I’m not a vet so can’t give any certainty. Could you get him insured today?! Ulcer treatment is so expensive, I pay £38 a month to insurance emporium for insurance and they have paid out no quibbles about it.

What’s his routine ? Does he have lots of turnout and lots of hay when he’s in ?

I’ve heard lots of good things about Ron fields products and he’s meant to be very helpful if you call him. You could try his ulcer supplement and see if it helps , it won’t cure them but maybe if you see an improvement on it then that might be an indicator that’s the problem ?
 
motherof2beasts! said:
Hey , he does sound very much like her has ulcers but I’m not a vet so can’t give any certainty. Could you get him insured today?! Ulcer treatment is so expensive, I pay £38 a month to insurance emporium for insurance and they have paid out no quibbles about it.
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Any pre existing condition will not be covered by insuring today.

Ulcers wouldn't be covered for another 2 weeks anyway because only accidents are covered for the first 2 weeks. And if she wanted to claim for ulcers in 2 weeks she'd have to delay the vet, lie about when the symptoms started, and commit fraud.
 
ycbm said:
Any pre existing condition will not be covered by insuring today.

Ulcers wouldn't be covered for another 2 weeks anyway because only accidents are covered for the first 2 weeks. And if she wanted to claim for ulcers in 2 weeks she'd have to delay the vet, lie about when the symptoms started, and commit fraud.
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But insuring today could help should there be more issues along the way. Unless you have lots of savings you just can’t risk not insuring if you can’t afford to treat issues that arise.
 
Hey axe,

Well done for spotting that your horse isn't happy. You sound like a very conscientious owner, and this must be very worrying for you while you wait for the vet to come back.

Our vet practice have regular gastroscope clinics where, if you can get your horse there, they will carry out the procedure for much less than it would normally cost. Definitely ask your vet if that's something they do, or maybe ask other local practices to see if they do it.

Try not to worry too much. I know it feels like a lot, but between you and your vet I'm sure you'll find out what's bothering him.
 
Also suddenly insuring a horse that you have already owned for several months then whacking claims in for this, that and t'other will have the insurance company going over the claim and back history with a fine tooth comb.

Especially when the owner has posted numerous times on an open public forum about the various worries that she has had about this horse since she bought him, including his full name.
 
I haven’t read all 170 replies. And hope OP gets to the bottom of her concerns. On a note about horse not liking to be touched. Groomed etc. I do actually have one like that. As soon as the dandy brush touches his body, he’s doing moving from side to side. And gets very anxious. I had a massage arranged for him once. She gave up. He detested it. He absolutely hates human touch. Or being groomed. I can comb his tail though. Not keen on mane. Forget forelock. But he loves a summer bath. It’s very odd. And after 5 years, he’s not going to change. He was same with previous owner. However he’s perfectly ok with rugs. Saddle. Girth. Unlike OP horse.
 
Lexi 123 said:
I was told by a vet
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There is no vet that would have told you that, because it's so patently untrue. Scope costs between £150-300 depending on vet and area. The treatment costs about a grand or so for a month. I just went through it with my own mare and have the vet bills to prove it. You can currently get a pack of 14 Gastrogard for £225 plus vet prescription charge on E-vet, so even cheaper if you shop around.
 
Lexi 123 said:
I have been told this by a vet before I not in the uk . We don’t have insurance for everyday vet bills.
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I think you’ve got confused. It can easily cost £5K to scope for ulcers, treat ulcers (if have both gastric and glandular) and to rescope to see if have cleared up. Suspect that’s what vet meant.

Some people don’t scope to look as can’t afford uninsured treatment if it is ulcers. (And some vets think ulcers self heal if remove cause).

Cost is irrespective of whether have insurance or not.

One scope is a basic procedure and I’ve seen costs £180 to £500. Cheaper tends to be you travel into to a scoping day being run.
 
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