Horse not eating after trips out - ulcers?

[Hackback]

My 5 year old (rather stressy) Arab loses his appetite after an outing to a new place. He's fine with his regular trips to a nearby arena for a lesson but after a trip to somewhere new, that evening he often doesn't eat all his tea (he normally licks every last trace up) and more worryingly only eats about half his net. And he doesn't poo for ages.

He won't eat before we go out, presumably because when I bring him in from the field he knows something is going on, and he only ever snatches a pick of his net while we're out. When we get home I always turn him out for a while to decompress and have some grass before he comes in for the night.

I'm worried that he might colic, obviously, so if anyone has any tips for getting him to eat before or after a trip I'd welcome them.

Also worried that he either has or will develop ulcers. He's recently had allergy testing which included the normal bloods - organ function and infection indicators - and all were normal. I asked the vet if he could be lacking anything rather than allergic to something but the vet said he was too healthy - so he's not showing any outward signs of ulcers at the moment.

I thought I'd try Coligone next time. Anyone use it with good results? Any other suggestions? This little horse keeps me on my toes!

 

[MissTyc]

Coligone is wonderful stuff and there are other products that have good reputations. When he's turned out and decompressing, does he eat? Would he take a pile ofhay or bucket then?
It sounds like a stress colic than ulcers, which of course causes ulcers and then you're in a vicious circle.
Hydtration/electrolytes? A good calmer (calming cookie) ... Lots of things to try but you're right to be looking into it and interesting that he will after his usual arena hire,.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Would he eat at the venue. A nice sloppy tasty mash? Perhaps he wouldn't if he is stressed.

 

[Hackback]

Coligone is wonderful stuff and there are other products that have good reputations. When he's turned out and decompressing, does he eat? Would he take a pile ofhay or bucket then?
It sounds like a stress colic than ulcers, which of course causes ulcers and then you're in a vicious circle.
Hydtration/electrolytes? A good calmer (calming cookie) ... Lots of things to try but you're right to be looking into it and interesting that he will after his usual arena hire,.

Thanks, I'll try the coligone then. He's starving when we get home, he can't wait to get in the grass and he appears fine. He does eat some tea and some hay when he comes in, but not normal amounts although he seems back to normal the same day. Good shout about the electrolytes too - I haven't done anything too strenuous with him so not really thought about using them yet, but might give him a boost. In fact I think the Coligone has an electrolyte version.

Would he eat at the venue. A nice sloppy tasty mash? Perhaps he wouldn't if he is stressed.

I don't think he would but certainly worth trying. Good idea. I've used recovery mash in the past for the older horse. Can't remember if it has alfalfa in it (banned for young horse due to itchiness) but there'll be other stuff available I'm sure.