Horse suddenly sensitive

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Hi not sure I am posting in the right place but thought would just see if anyone has any advice.
I have had my new horse about 8 week. She has finally more settled. And shes lovely still a little spooky but getting there. Anyway she has always been great to tack up even doing her girth she does flinch.
Then over the weekend she was reactive when I first did her girth she lifted her back legs and went to bite.she was fine then once on. I had a feel round her and she was very reactive when I felt round under her right back leg. She is otherwise fine.
I went and checked on her today. Didnt ride today. But I give her a quick feel round and again she was very reactive when I felt behind her right leg again. Lifting her leg everytime I touched there. I could feel a little lump. She is normally absolutely fine no matter where you touch her. We have had bad flies /midgies in one bit of the field so wondering if she could of been bitten. Any advice welcome. She is absolutely fine in herself . Thankyou

 

[AmyMay]

Is is a girth gall?

 

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I cant see or feel anything in her girth area ? X

 

[Mule]

Maybe keep an eye on it and when she is no longer reactive try the girth again. If it's some sort of pain/ discomfort it would be best to give her time

 

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I was thinking the same.I have just left her today and will check her tomorrow and definitly wont ride. It's strange because there is definitly a small.lump under her back leg ans shes so reactive to touch there. But not sure how this would irritate her when doing girth ? I have recently had her back checked and got saddle fitter out and got her a new saddle and girth as both didnt fit when I got her. X

 

[Mule]

I was thinking the same.I have just left her today and will check her tomorrow and definitly wont ride. It's strange because there is definitly a small.lump under her back leg ans shes so reactive to touch there. But not sure how this would irritate her when doing girth ? I have recently had her back checked and got saddle fitter out and got her a new saddle and girth as both didnt fit when I got her. X

I don't know either. All I can think of is to just keep an eye on it and see how she is.

 

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The flys have been bad in our field so I am thinking maybe she has been bit ? Just going to keep an eye on her. Its just very out of character for her to be so reactive x

 

[Mule]

The flys have been bad in our field so I am thinking maybe she has been bit ? Just going to keep an eye on her. Its just very out of character for her to be so reactive x

I had a mare that was very sensitive to fly bites, the bites used to swell up in an allergic reaction. During the summer she would have very uncomfortable lumps on her skin from them

 

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Would she. Was she sensitive when you touched them ? What did you do to help her ? And how long did they take to settle. Inknownits not summer but me and another girl on yard noticed the flys and midgies were bad in one part of the field in the long grass. So I am definitly thinking it could be a bite . It's just confusing me with being sensitive to girth too ? X

 

[Mule]

Would she. Was she sensitive when you touched them ? What did you do to help her ? And how long did they take to settle. Inknownits not summer but me and another girl on yard noticed the flys and midgies were bad in one part of the field in the long grass. So I am definitly thinking it could be a bite . It's just confusing me with being sensitive to girth too ? X

She was sensitive to the touch. I started putting a clove of fresh garlic cut up in her feed every day. She stopped getting the reaction after that. I have heard since, that there is some question about side effects from feeding horses garlic but I didn't know about that at the time. Apparently garlic can cause anaemia in horses but it takes a very large amount of garlic for this to happen.

 

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I might have to try that! she doesnt have a feed at the minute as she lives out 24/7 on good grass. And is overweight. Hopefully we are coming to an end of fly season. She is starting to have a feed on a night in a couple of week so will def add a bit of garlic to it. How long did it take for her to not be sensitive once she had a bite ? X

 

[shortstuff99]

These symptoms could also indicate ulcers, might be worth giving that a read.

 

[Mule]

I might have to try that! she doesnt have a feed at the minute as she lives out 24/7 on good grass. And is overweight. Hopefully we are coming to an end of fly season. She is starting to have a feed on a night in a couple of week so will def add a bit of garlic to it. How long did it take for her to not be sensitive once she had a bite ? X

I can't remember now, it was a long time ago.

 

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Yeah I was reading about them last night. But she seems absolutely fine in herself and in every other way. Definitly worth keeping an eye on though. Thankyou x

 

[Keira 8888]

This was exactly the situation I was in a few weeks ago! My horse Prince had never been girthy or negative about being tacked up and all of a sudden he put his ears back and made a face when I went to get the saddle cloth, even more so for the front riser - and then turned his quarters towards me and threatened to kick when I picked up the saddle! I got the vet out to have him scoped and he has ulcers. Not severe ones though...enough to spend a small fortune on gastro guard though ?

My other train of thought (and I could be TOTALLY wrong here) is that... if they are relatively new they COULD just be testing us out to see if a little threatening behaviour could get them out of work.
In my case, with Prince, there were other signs that suggested ulcers.. for example he played with his water A LOT but didn’t drink it. He took a long time to urinate having assumed “the stance.”

Are you insured? If you are, I would def recommend a scope just to rule out ulcers. I’ve also switched Prince to a pink mash to help his hind gut as that can also hide a smorgasbord of problems not picked up by a normal scope.

I hope you get to the bottom of it. Xx

 

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Thankyou for all this advice ! I will see how she is over next couple of days and if shes no better will call vet. I am insured. There is just no there signs really. She is drinking and urinating normally. And is definitly not losing any weight! Its typical I had the vet out for her injections last week !
It just through me because shes so reactive (lifting leg) when I touch under her back leg which she isnt normally and it is definitly when I touch a small lump she has under there. That's why I was thinking fly bites.
You could also be right in trying it on as before i got her she had been ridden a handful of times in the last 8 month ans is suddenly being ridden more often. My friend who is very experienced is going to check her over for me too. Incase I have missed something x

 

[Keira 8888]

Thankyou for all this advice ! I will see how she is over next couple of days and if shes no better will call vet. I am insured. There is just no there signs really. She is drinking and urinating normally. And is definitly not losing any weight! Its typical I had the vet out for her injections last week !
It just through me because shes so reactive (lifting leg) when I touch under her back leg which she isnt normally and it is definitly when I touch a small lump she has under there. That's why I was thinking fly bites.
You could also be right in trying it on as before i got her she had been ridden a handful of times in the last 8 month ans is suddenly being ridden more often. My friend who is very experienced is going to check her over for me too. Incase I have missed something x

It could DEF be just a fly bite!!! Am beginning to realise horses have “off days” just like we do. She may just need a little encouragement and routine to get back into work. I reckon if she doesn’t respond to a little “discipline” (eg tap with lead rope) and still plays up, you should investigate further. Great job you are insured xx

 

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These horses have us worrying dont they ! Shes my first horse I have owned too. And when she came to me she arrived ill! Then was so unsettled so definitly not been a smooth transition for her. I will keep an eye on her over next few days and if gets worse i will be investigating further. First thing I did was insure her ! Definitly cant cope with big vet Bill's. Thankyou for all advice. And your definitly right about there off days too! X

 

[Keira 8888]

I know exactly how you feel. I bought my first ever horse in June (TOTALLY unsuitable for me and completely my fault for selecting a “pretty” horse over something more suitable) but I spend hours learning as much as I can each day - and reading this forum - and I’m now pretty confident that if you love being around horses and have the time and energy to ask questions - you will be well set up to make the right decisions!

 

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Did you ! Ha. I am the same I swore I wasnt going to buy unless I was 100 percent. Then i went to view a horse for my friend and I ended up buying her ! I did want a cob though but a ploddy been there done that one. But I ended up buying one that's been out of work for 8 months and likes to try it on so have to be firm and also a little spooky ha ! And overweight new all this but just wanted her !
I also have 3 kids too ! But I have been spending lots of time with her and taking it slow. And asking loads of questions and asking advice from experienced horse friends! And reading this forum !
Hope it works out for us both xx

 

[Keira 8888]

I feel your pain! I have two young kids and managing them around Prince is SO hard! I have come to the conclusion that when they are with me at the yard I am completely stressed as I want to keep them safe - and Prince def picks up on that. When I am alone with him (when ungrateful turds are at school) he is far calmer and manageable. I’ve fast come to realise that - although I want to shower him with affection - all he wants is a strong leader who will make him feel safe. Tough love!!! Although you still have to listen to any changes in behaviour and eliminate pain etc.... it’s a bloody minefield!!

 

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Thats the same with me. 2 of my kids love her and love to come with me and fuss her
And so far she has been good with the kids but I am always worrird about there safety . Always leave with a headache ha .
I am going to keep a close eye on her ad is a change in behaviour. She has still been ok to rode though. My friend is going to check her over for me today x