Horse rolling excessively when anticipating breakfast?

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Emlequss

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I bought a new horse two weeks ago and we just started him on omeprazole, he lives outside 24/7 so he has to come in and be alone in a stall for 30 minutes after administering the drug before he can eat again and he gets very worked up during this time, pacing, pawing and rolls repeatedly? The first two times we were totally freaked out and treated it like he was colicing but as soon as he gets his grain and is out of his stall he is completely fine, no rolling, continues eating, drinking and pooping. I have never seen a horse act like this but assume it is some extreme anxiety when anticipating his breakfast and dinner. I’m not sure what to do because It can’t be good for him to be rolling around in his stall so much but he needs his ulcers treated correctly which means withholding food for a while after giving the medication…my vets only suggestion was to try to keep him preoccupied with grooming or training during that time, but I work and my barn is an hour from home so going out twice a day at graining time would be a serious challenge and I can’t expect the barn owner to put her morning on hold to do this every day. Has anyone had a horse like this or have an idea of what I can do to stop him or make him more comfortable? He’s got friends in the barn with him but he doesn’t care..

Editing to add that when he is groomed during the 30 minute wait period he’s been fine, so this isn’t some reaction to the medication or fasting period
 
What are you feeding him? You mention grain, is this a general term or are you actually feeding grain? For a horse with ulcers this would be something to avoid. What about forage, does he have constant access? It sounds like feed times make him extremely anxious.
 
Our young mare rolls in excitement…when she knows others are being turned out and she s next for instance. One of the geldings on the yard rolls in the field when he thinks he’s next to come in. Nothing to worry about in my opinion.
 
Nocturnal said:
What are you feeding him? You mention grain, is this a general term or are you actually feeding grain? For a horse with ulcers this would be something to avoid. What about forage, does he have constant access? It sounds like feed times make him extremely anxious.
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He does get grain, he was severely neglected before I adopted him (hence the ulcers), so his feeding regime is supported by my vet and nutritionists to help support his needs while he is regaining weight and general health, I’m not a huge fan of excess grain aswell but I’m just following the advice I’m given for the time being, he has free choice hay when outside (24/7 aside from when he comes in for his medication)
 
Emlequss said:
I bought a new horse two weeks ago and we just started him on omeprazole, he lives outside 24/7 so he has to come in and be alone in a stall for 30 minutes after administering the drug before he can eat again and he gets very worked up during this time, pacing, pawing and rolls repeatedly? The first two times we were totally freaked out and treated it like he was colicing but as soon as he gets his grain and is out of his stall he is completely fine, no rolling, continues eating, drinking and pooping. I have never seen a horse act like this but assume it is some extreme anxiety when anticipating his breakfast and dinner. I’m not sure what to do because It can’t be good for him to be rolling around in his stall so much but he needs his ulcers treated correctly which means withholding food for a while after giving the medication…my vets only suggestion was to try to keep him preoccupied with grooming or training during that time, but I work and my barn is an hour from home so going out twice a day at graining time would be a serious challenge and I can’t expect the barn owner to put her morning on hold to do this every day. Has anyone had a horse like this or have an idea of what I can do to stop him or make him more comfortable? He’s got friends in the barn with him but he doesn’t care..

Editing to add that when he is groomed during the 30 minute wait period he’s been fine, so this isn’t some reaction to the medication or fasting period
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Maybe pay one of the staff /acquaintance to stop with and groom him for the half hours, while getting through the course of meds? - if that settles him? I’ve got one inveterate stable-roller, used to really worry me, but I’d still prefer him never to do it around any medication! Good luck.
 
A lot of ours roll at bring in time, I’ve never really questioned why they do it but just seems to be a displacement behaviour as they’re excited to come in for tea. There’s a Shetland on the yard that throws himself on the floor and rolls whenever he’s cross about something, he’ll literally fling himself onto the concrete yard in a tantrum :oops:
 
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