Horse not acting herself?

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NicoleandRosy

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My mare usually shares a field with another field companion (gelding). However, another livery member dumped her 4 horses in my field (she has her own 2) as we believe it was because we had a hay bale in ours, and she refuses to pay out. That and her fields are trashed (just as mine!) Her one gelding is around 2 years old and was gelded I believe 4 weeks ago now. My mare was in season at the time he was placed into our field, (so would have been 3 weeks since gelded then), and today I found her not herself whatsoever.

I don't know what it is. She has food daily, and hay. Usually I walk in the field and she's either waiting or comes galloping down when called.. She lives out so is rugged, however, she stood with the other 5 horses. They all turned and pricked their ears, she stood with her head to the floor, eyes closed and completely ignored. After I put her head collar on, I had to drag her a bit, but then she kept trotting to keep up. We brought her in and fed her, and she literally ate a full feed within a few minutes (usually takes her 35 minutes). The next thing we know, she started grabbing onto wood, taking chunks out and eating it. We noticed that she's itching a lot.. I don't know whether it's the fact her coat is starting to moult or what, but she wouldn't stop itching or biting at her stomach.. I tried feeling over her stomach in places she was biting and she'd pin her ears back, turn to me and try and bite?! She's turning her bum on us, constantly pinning her ears back..

She's never been so nasty when it comes to me touching her, usually she's turning around wanting me to itch her over. But she won't stop itching/biting her stomach and trying to bite when I was feeling her over. I kept an eye on her, no laying down, kicking stomach, everything passing fine. I left her in with hay, water and a good bed, and nicely rugged, so hoping it's just the fact she needs a break from being out. But does anyone have any ideas? As soon as we put her hay in the stable, she was letting me touch her over fine as she was occupied.. no attempts of biting?

A vet will be on stand by just in case, but it's worried me. Usually she's eating slow, and loves a fuss, never bites me, and never pins her ears back when touching her over..

I don't know whether it's me being worried or over dramatic, or whether there is a reason to be concerned :/

Thank you.
 
Sounds very strange. The itchy coat/biting at her tummy might be lice - could the new horses have brought some wxtra 'friends' with them?
It's also possible one of the geldings might have been mounting her - this happened to my old mare years ago and she was in an awful state - are there any scrape marks on her rug?
 
LeneHorse said:
Sounds very strange. The itchy coat/biting at her tummy might be lice - could the new horses have brought some wxtra 'friends' with them?
It's also possible one of the geldings might have been mounting her - this happened to my old mare years ago and she was in an awful state - are there any scrape marks on her rug?
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I would agree one of them, most likely the recently gelded one has been mounting her. She could be sore and bruised on her back and sides if they have been jumping all over her. Poor little girl hope you get to the bottom of it and it's nothing serious 😕
 
Recently gelded colts should not be put in with mares as they are still capable as far as I know of producing a foal,when we had our colt gelded we were told not to turn out with the mares for three months,I am sure some one will correct me if I am wrong,many years ago we had on a livery yard a newly gelded colt that put a filly in foal.
 
That's what we're concerned about. She seemed fine yesterday, so took her for a relaxed ride.. lasted about 30 minutes and was hell. Usually, she's trying to race everything, or if another horse takes off, she's right behind. She cantered as usual, and was dripped in sweat, heavily breathing, enough to rock me back and forth. She would walk, but if you asked for trot at all, she'd pin her ears back and flick her tail. A friend then cantered off, she threw herself into canter, whilst bucking and bronking, so took her home.

Took everything off, checked her over. She's fine to touch everywhere but her stomach and flanks on both sides. I was checking her over, her stomach she's pinning her ears flat back, swinging her head around or trying to bite. When you touch her flanks, she's lifting her back legs up, ears flat back, flicking her tail or striking out with her back legs. Her bum we've noticed has gone soft near the croup and either side of the top of her tail. The rest is still muscled.

She's not in season, but has been kept in the past few days to keep an eye on her. She's eating 2 daily feeds, half a small bale of hay a day/night. Her appetite has increased, she's eating anything put in front of her, gut is making sounds, she's passing everything fine, drinking plenty. Up to date with everything.

Her back she stands like a lemon with when touched, but her stomach and flanks she's reacting badly with. I've checked all her poo too. Not hard, not water like, firm but soft, no signs of blood or worms whatsoever. Checked for lice and nothing. She's just grooming her stomach a bit too much.. Turned her out for an hour yesterday, she was grazing fine, even rolled! And when I called her, she came over, had a nose and went back to grazing :(
 
shergar said:
Recently gelded colts should not be put in with mares as they are still capable as far as I know of producing a foal,when we had our colt gelded we were told not to turn out with the mares for three months,I am sure some one will correct me if I am wrong,many years ago we had on a livery yard a newly gelded colt that put a filly in foal.
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That's what I was told. He was kept with a mare straight after gelding, and was less about 2 weeks, 3 at the latest before being dumped in my field with mine, not 100% sure, but he's not even 2, and think only 1 as removed if I remember rightly. I can touch where her bum has gone soft and she's lifting her tail straight up, but not in season.. Vets advised 6 weeks before putting in with mares.. So frustrated..
 
Her weight has changed too. Even with the hay and feeds, she's lost covering on her ribs, her flanks have started to hollow and she's gaining weight underneath. But her belly you can see from behind. So confused. Waiting for a vet, but still doesn't stop me worrying.
 
Could she have gastric ulcers?

Sounds like she has not been getting the food she should since the others have been in the field with her. Also, agree with others that it sounds as though she could have been mounted. This could have caused bruising and back problems. I definitely would not be riding her. All the heavy breathing is probably a result of severe pain.
 
Wagtail said:
Could she have gastric ulcers?

Sounds like she has not been getting the food she should since the others have been in the field with her. Also, agree with others that it sounds as though she could have been mounted. This could have caused bruising and back problems. I definitely would not be riding her. All the heavy breathing is probably a result of severe pain.
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It's only on the sides of her stomach that she's off with, I can touch all around her girth area and underneath. But it's mainly the sides so past shoulder to flanks, but not on her spine area. She won't be ridden until she is back to her normal self, and the root of the problem found. Even in the field she was brought in twice a day and fed, and had hay. But she is the dominant mare in the field, and if any other horse but her gelding companion came close to either of them, or me, she'd turn nasty, chase them, bite, grab hold of them, and kick them aggressively.
 
How old is your mare? I am only asking as you say her shape has changed,loss over the ribs a larger belly ,if you speak with your vet ask if she might have Cushings. Poor mare is probably very bruised,some people are just so thoughtless I would be giving that person the vet bill.
 
I can't believe the other owner just put their horses in with yours like that. Especially the "gelding". How irresponsible. I hope you're mare is ok.

My gelding was biting his sides last week and my vet said it was lice. He had been stabled at the top of the barn on his own but 2 weeks ago I moved him down to be with the other horses, so in than respect it made sense.

Let us know how you get on xx
 
shergar said:
How old is your mare? I am only asking as you say her shape has changed,loss over the ribs a larger belly ,if you speak with your vet ask if she might have Cushings. Poor mare is probably very bruised,some people are just so thoughtless I would be giving that person the vet bill.
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She is 4 years old, 5 years old in July. Funnily enough, they're now suddenly moving..
 
Our little mare showed these symptons .Seemed depressed not herself ,check urine is normal colour asd no jaundice in eyes /gums ... She was out competing one day and died the nest day from Atypical Myopathy which is a bacteria they get from pasture in wet /windy weather conditions .I'm not trying to scare you but if your horse has difference in its gait behind (slight wobbling /staggering ) get a blood test done .Think its chlostridium bacteria (excuse spelling ).we had 3 horses go down with it the gelding was the only one that survived ,there really were no previous symptons apart from depression and lethargy. The gelding showed colicky symptons as if his tummy was uncomfortable and the mare eventually collapsed and couldnt get up . The symptons probably with hind sight started 2 weeks before it came to a head .We just kept saying they deidnt seem quite right nothing you could really put your finger on .Then they went off hay ,drank loads but still ate short feed . I hope it's not this as there is no treatment to my knowledge but i believe that the earlier you catch it the better chance .
 
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Hi there,

This may be a long shot. I came across your post and your mare sounds very similar to what my mare has been doing. I am wondering if you ever found out what was wrong or how she is now? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much! Sara
 
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