Horse turned feral - causes?

[HufflyPuffly]

Background first, the lovely Topaz is 20 this year, been retired to hacking duties the past two years, is out all day every day, stabled overnight.

Feed consists of ad-lib hay overnight and grass during the day, hard feed is (dry weight) a handful of grass nuts and a handful of dengie meadow grass chop to carry the forage plus balancer. I had added a smidge of speedi beet but cut that back out as it was the only change we could think off.

So to the problem, she is absolutely, hysterically, bonkers at the moment! We like that she’s not feeling her age, but my poor mum had a feral pogo stick when we went hacking at the weekend . Though she’s being just as feral to bring in too, spooky, charging about nonsense. It’s like she’s got way too much energy, as if she’s being fed too many blue smarties. Now she has always had a bonkers streak but before now it’s always bern either the environment (busy shows, hunting, etc) or we’ve got her feed wrong (that time she accidentally got fed a handful of cereals).

Shes been steady getting more and more daft through the winter. Initial thoughts was the hay as it’s quite green, it was meant to be haylage but the super hot weather when baled meant it’s definitely more hay than haylage. It’s grown on-site so same forage she gets all year really, not fertilised just muck spread from the muck heap.

It’s definitely stepped up a notch when they went back on the grass, they’ve been on dry lots until the start of Feb. But seriously can there be that much in the grass at this time of year? Plus we’ve had her 14 years and she’s never reacted to grass, spring or otherwise, like this?

We’re a bit stumped and asides from cutting her hard feed completely or soaking her hay. I’m reluctant though, as although she’s always been a good doer she’s not holding weight like she used to…

Any thoughts HHO’ers? Picture of the crazed beast.

 

[splashgirl45]

Has she been tested for cushings? That can cause weight loss and loss of muscle. Has she changed shape and the saddle is now not fitting as well as before? That could cause stress for her ,

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Has she been tested for cushings? That can cause weight loss and loss of muscle. Has she changed shape and the saddle is now not fitting as well as before? That could cause stress for her ,

No she hasn’t been tested, though it has been on my mind, she’s never really had any symptoms. But is a v wet mare and has shown more footsore’ness since we’ve moved here, but then so has Skylla so I figured it was the hacking terrain (rocky) plus maybe the forage, hence the forage plus balancer.

Saddle looks like it is still fitting, but could do with a check, though she’s being as daft on the ground too. Will suggest this to mum, along with maybe a cushing test!

Topline wise I think she looks ok still for a light hack, she was competing PSG before she was retired. Weight is more noticeable, I think she looks pretty good but normally we really struggle to keep the weight off her, which combined with her much lighter work load means it’s a noticeable change!

 

[splashgirl45]

Being very wet is also a cushings symptom and sore feet as they are prone to laminitis so I would think it’s worth testing

 

[FestiveG]

How long have you been feeding the balancer, ours were fine on the summer one, but we ran into all sorts of problems with the winter one, made worse when we added linseed meal.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

How long have you been feeding the balancer, ours were fine on the summer one, but we ran into all sorts of problems with the winter one, made worse when we added linseed meal.

Well since the start of winter, so also a potential culprit! However, from the ingredients all I could see as a potential issue would be the linseed and she’s been fed linseed in previous winters (micronised and in pink mash) and not reacted?

I’d switched from progressive earth as the periods of being slightly footy had continued with both horses, and why I’d though environmental not medical. I could try the summer one instead?

 

[FestiveG]

Well since the start of winter, so also a potential culprit! However, from the ingredients all I could see as a potential issue would be the linseed and she’s been fed linseed in previous winters (micronised and in pink mash) and not reacted?

I’d switched from progressive earth as the periods of being slightly footy had continued with both horses, and why I’d though environmental not medical. I could try the summer one instead?

I'd try removing it all together for three weeks and see what happens.

 

[Palindrome]

The grass is really good right now. My shetland broke the electric fence to get to it 2 days ago (I had turned off the fence and she took advantage, she had hay in her paddock). This Summer the horses were ignoring the grass and eating hay, I now see the reverse where they only want grass.

 

[SEL]

I can feed big mare the Spillers balancer but Bailey's has sent her anxiety levels sky high. She hardly gets any either.

 

[planete]

My first thought was also Cushings, going by the slightly hysterical behaviour of my normally sane gelding before he was medicated.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I would say partially the erratic change in weather and temperature and grass coming through. A lot of friends have fruitloops just now

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Thank you all, really useful!

I’m going to suggest a Cushing test and also cut out the balancer and see what happens!

 

[Bobthecob15]

The grass has sent the horses at my yard a little loopy! Don't be fooled, it's full of sugar!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I would get a cushings test and cut the balancer out for now and see how she goes.

Just wanted to add Arabi is 19 now and his ridden but not schooled that much and he can be an absolute nutter when his ridden, I think its down to the fact his not using his brain as much just hacking and schooling is much harder so I think it tires him out more.

So it could just be that she has too much energy and the hacking is just not enough to keep her sane.

 

[eggs]

I have a 19 year old still in full work (working advanced) who was diagnosed with Cushings a couple of years ago but is on Prascend and levels are now very good. However the last few weeks he has definitely been rather spicy. He had been on Alfa-A Oil so we cut that out to just a basic chaff but it didn't make any difference to him. Interestingly he has been on linseed meal all winter but I have just run out so will see if that makes a change to him. My other three were also on it but have all been normal including my retired boy (23) who can be a bit of a fruit loop.

It might be worth trying Valerian to see is that helps take the edge off her.

We have had warm sunny days but with quite a sharp wind and the grass does seem to be starting to come through.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

It's just odd as she's been lightly hacked for the past two years and actually the past summer was such a good girl we were laughing that suddenly she's considered the 'good' horse! Which makes the change in temperament even weirder.

I'm still suspecting its the hay, which then combined with the grass and sent her over the edge as she is sensitive to food. Normally we're pretty good at being able to spot the cause for her nonsense but we are scratching our heads a bit this time. I've been suggesting a cushing test might be a good idea for a while, so will suggest it again as I'm sure mum would love a simple way to get her hacking buddy back on an even keel again!

Will have a look at Valerian too, the one thing that has come out of this is how well baby Beryl ignored Topaz when we went out hacking , Topaz has now been banned from nanny duties until she can be trusted again!

 

[eggs]

Topaz has now been banned from nanny duties until she can be trusted again!

15 years ago my now 23 year old went out as nanny horse to my now 19 year old horse for what was supposed to be a nice hack. Well we ended up being boxed home by my friend (we had got as far as her farm) as fruit loop completely lost the plot and the baby four year old was standing quietly watching us endlessly circling her yard as I couldn't get back on after having to get off to open a gate as he refused point blank to pause motion for a nanosecond. He was never trusted again!

 

[HufflyPuffly]

15 years ago my now 23 year old went out as nanny horse to my now 19 year old horse for what was supposed to be a nice hack. Well we ended up being boxed home by my friend (we had got as far as her farm) as fruit loop completely lost the plot and the baby four year old was standing quietly watching us endlessly circling her yard as I couldn't get back on after having to get off to open a gate as he refused point blank to pause motion for a nanosecond. He was never trusted again!

I shouldn't laugh but the hack started off so well, Topaz mostly behaving and being a good lead horse. Then we splashed in the river and it started to go downhill rapidly, suggested we have a wee trot as maybe that would settle her, which was a bad idea . Topaz set off like a rocket, Beryl confused by the sudden departure of her hacking buddy went to follow but pulled up politely. Topaz then spent the rest of the hack plunging about, with only one hoof on the ground at any one moment. Mum got off before we got to the yard as the track back up was on grass and no-one trusted Topaz to rein herself in, so Beryl did the gate back to the yard, waited until Topaz was out of sight and then had her first canter under saddle out hacking . Topaz arrived back a white foamy mess, we'd only gone for a walk hack that takes max an hour .

 

[TPO]

I'd try feeding magnesium.




The grass is generally stressed just now between being eaten short, trying to grow, drowned with rain, frozen and then mild temps.





Stressed grass is high in sugars. Magnesium deficiency affects the nervous system and this can be displayed as spooky/sharp behaviour.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

I'd try feeding magnesium.

The grass is generally stressed just now between being eaten short, trying to grow, drowned with rain, frozen and then mild temps.

Stressed grass is high in sugars. Magnesium deficiency affects the nervous system and this can be displayed as spooky/sharp behaviour.

The balancer she gets does have magnesium in it already and we have tried magnesium based calmers before but they've never made any difference, but I guess it could be worth a go this time as I do think its related to what she's eating, unless it is cushings!

 

[splashgirl45]

The summer before my mare was diagnosed with cushings she was really well behaved which was very unusual because she was normally sparky all year round , once diagnosed she went back to normal .

 

[Poingsettia]

Just to add to everything suggested, maybe an eye check too?

 

[Hormonal Filly]

No help, sorry - but she looks super.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I shouldn't laugh but the hack started off so well, Topaz mostly behaving and being a good lead horse. Then we splashed in the river and it started to go downhill rapidly, suggested we have a wee trot as maybe that would settle her, which was a bad idea . Topaz set off like a rocket, Beryl confused by the sudden departure of her hacking buddy went to follow but pulled up politely. Topaz then spent the rest of the hack plunging about, with only one hoof on the ground at any one moment. Mum got off before we got to the yard as the track back up was on grass and no-one trusted Topaz to rein herself in, so Beryl did the gate back to the yard, waited until Topaz was out of sight and then had her first canter under saddle out hacking . Topaz arrived back a white foamy mess, we'd only gone for a walk hack that takes max an hour .

Sounds a bit like Arabi we go out at 100 miles an hour and the slightest thing sets him off, we get jogging passage and the odd buck thrown in his the same if his on his own or in company.

I think I frightened the life out of some walkers coming towards me, they literally jumped off the track into the under growth when they saw him cavorting around so embarrassing

 

[HufflyPuffly]

The summer before my mare was diagnosed with cushings she was really well behaved which was very unusual because she was normally sparky all year round , once diagnosed she went back to normal .

Noo don’t say that we firgured she was finally growing up and without the stress of competing learning to chill out! Mum will be gutted if the good behaviour is the fluke .

Just to add to everything suggested, maybe an eye check too?

Worth a look whilst the vets here!

No help, sorry - but she looks super.

Ah thank you, I’m pleased with her. Was a bit worried dropping the schooling would really affect her muscle tone but I think our hilly hacking is keeping her fit

Sounds a bit like Arabi we go out at 100 miles an hour and the slightest thing sets him off, we get jogging passage and the odd buck thrown in his the same if his on his own or in company.

I think I frightened the life out of some walkers coming towards me, they literally jumped off the track into the under growth when they saw him cavorting around so embarrassing

fun aren’t they! Normally it’s Skylla who is trying to go as fast as possible ad bouncing about, but she wouldn’t dream of any acrobatics or sodding off!

 

[Micky]

It will be the grass, we are having a warmer winter and the grass although not in full growth mode, will have sugars in it, that and maybe the feeds needs tweaking/reducing/stopping new/in accordance to work. I doubt it PPID as being highly alert/strung is not a symptom, being wet can be either metabolic or PPID.