Horse suddenly rodeoing in stable

[JCW]

My daughter tacked her horse up this morning, asked me to keep an eye on him whilst she got her hat and he just suddenly exploded in the stable. He suddenly started rodeoing around ismashing into the walls. Then stopped. He was breathing hard for a minute or so, then was just back to his chilled self. Needless to say we didn’t ride him after that! We’ve had him 3 years and he has never done this before. He just seemed to temporarily lose it.

it reminded me of when my other horse touched an electric fence with his nose out hacking and the shock of it caused him to do the same.

Checked him over and can see no evidence of being stung. Was back to his happy self munching on haylage shortly after. A vet arrived to see another horse and we told her what just happened but was unconcerned as he now seemed fine,

I have just remembered that he was shaking his head a bit before the explosive behaviour so I will check his bridle and ear bonnet to see if something could have irritated him.

Anybody got any ideas of what could have caused this explosion?

 

[paddi22]

could an insect or wasp have stung him or got into his ear? or could be a random trapped nerve?

 

[Fjord]

That does sound like he was possibly stung by something. How scary!

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Sort of sounds like there was an insect on him that then stung him. Sometimes swelling or a welt doesn't show up immediately so I'd take a good look again this afternoon.

 

[eggs]

I agree that it sounds as though he was probably stung by something.

 

[Barton Bounty]

My horse did this a couple of days after I tacked up, thrashing against the wall just after I had tightened his girth! I thought , wow thats bizarre! I untacked him , left him for 5 minutes gave him an apple and tacked back up and he was fine, I have a feeling maybe I pinched him or the saddle was not sitting correctly

 

[JCW]

I will give him a good check over tonight. It was frightening. Feel so lucky no one was in his stable.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I had one do that a few years ago. I was at work, had a call to get home fast as my horse was going insane and smashing the walls up. By the time I got back he was fine! (The wall wasn’t) No signs of any sting or bite but I can only assume that’s what happened. If I get bitten or stung it hurts a lot but there is never even the slightest mark left.

 

[Snowfilly]

I’d bet good money on something stinging him. Wasp or horsefly?

 

[Carrottom]

I would agree with others, provably an insect or even a spider under the saddle cloth.

 

[Landcruiser]

Maybe not even stung. One of mine goes crazy if he's restrained and there's a horsefly around him - he'll kick out and buck - maybe just a horsefly in there with him that you didn't notice.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

My sister's pony was getting very upset yesterday and that was a wasp round him.

 

[Barton Bounty]

A wasp was around bb yesterday, he started getting annoyed so we cantered away ??

 

[Sir barnaby]

I had the same as Barton bounty horse did it once When I tightened the girth, I’m very careful now and slowly tighten the girth, he doesn’t like me pulling his legs forward so make sure girth is comfortable before I mount.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I had the same as Barton bounty horse did it once When I tightened the girth, I’m very careful now and slowly tighten the girth, he doesn’t like me pulling his legs forward so make sure girth is comfortable before I mount.

Yip nice and slowly does it it will be his ulcers, hes been fully checked for back etc , and a wee mint for being a good boy

 

[Lady Tinseltime]

Don't know what area of the country you are in but Crab Fly??

 

[Archangel]

Have a look up at the inside of the roof of the stable - wasps like to make their nests there.

 

[Sossigpoker]

Definitely sounds like a sting or a bite , could even be inside the ear or between back legs .

 

[Otherwise]

Don't know what area of the country you are in but Crab Fly??

I was going to suggest crab flies, I know a couple of horses who detest them and will throw themselves inside out if one lands on them. As soon as it's gone they're straight back to normal, they have such a quick reaction to them.

 

[JCW]

i’m in Greater Manchester and I’ve not heard of crab flies. I checked his ears tonight and he was really funny about his left one so perhaps something has stung/bitten that ear.

 

[Dave's Mam]

Crab flies are horrible. They get in the coat & clamber about for ages causing huge pony distress. I read about a pony with suspected repeat colics, as he was rolling & being so distressed, he had a crab fly burrowing on his belly & he was flinging himself about in frustration. I think they're pretty much limited to New Forest?

 

[Lady Tinseltime]

Crab flies are horrible. They get in the coat & clamber about for ages causing huge pony distress. I read about a pony with suspected repeat colics, as he was rolling & being so distressed, he had a crab fly burrowing on his belly & he was flinging himself about in frustration. I think they're pretty much limited to New Forest?

Crab flies are horrible. They get in the coat & clamber about for ages causing huge pony distress. I read about a pony with suspected repeat colics, as he was rolling & being so distressed, he had a crab fly burrowing on his belly & he was flinging himself about in frustration. I think they're pretty much limited to New Forest?

I am in Surrey and we seem to have crab flies round our way now

 

[JCW]

I just thought I‘d provide an update about my horse. The following evening he came in very lame, vet Came out, suspected abscess; however, wanted to check on him Saturday morning as not 100% Convinced. Flynn was surprisingly sound Saturday. Sunday night, terribly lame again, vet back out. Vet xrayed hoof on Tuesday night and suspected a Keratoma. He had an MRI on Thursday and keratoma has been now removed.

I don’t know whether the rodeoing on the Thursday was just a coincidence or a response to sudden pain. It maybe that he was stung and banged the hoof with the Keratoma which then later became very sore. I don’t know but very odd and my vet said he is always very suspicious of coincidences.