HORSE TWITCHING HIS SIDE when being tacked up ?

[Jade Raleigh]

My 5yr old cob was diagnosed with ulcers after episodes of colic, a blood test was done and he had anemia. We didn't scope him because we didn't want to starve him for the 12hrs after him getting colic, vet gave him gastrogard for 7 days and he finished that about 2 weeks ago, he is also on an iron supplement for 4 weeks, he is in flying form but when I went to tack up yesterday he didn't want the saddle on when I lifted it up to put it on he started twitching his side, he did the same again today but I tried it on both sides and he does the same. But he seems fine to be girthed up ? ( Im not riding him just in case ). His saddle seems to fit him fine ( my instructor checked him a couple of months ago ), he has the physio over 2 months ago because he had a sore back over Christmas. He normally isn't fond of seeing the saddle come anyway, but I haven't seen him do this, and I rode him last Saturday and he doesn't seem in any pain, I rang my vet he said it shouldn't be ulcers because they wouldn't develop back after 2 weeks he said it generally takes a month, any suggestions i'm at my wits end ?

 

[Jellymoon]

I don’t think he thinks his saddle fits him, despite what saddle fitter may say...

 

[Jade Raleigh]

I don’t think he thinks his saddle fits him, despite what saddle fitter may say...

Yeah thats what im thinking, but he has clearance everywhere and it isn't tight anywhere but maybe im missing something as I wouldn't have a lot of experience in this area but hopefully I can get a saddle fitter out with covid ?

 

[Upthecreek]

If he’s not fond of seeing the saddle it is very likely making him uncomfortable. At 5 he will be changing physically all the time and just because it fits it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s comfortable.

 

[Bellaboo18]

I'd change vet and scope if possible.
Ulcers definitely dont take a month to form.
7 days of ulcer treatment(??) and then stopped, crazy!

 

[Jade Raleigh]

If he’s not fond of seeing the saddle it is very likely making him uncomfortable. At 5 he will be changing physically all the time and just because it fits it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s comfortable.

Thank you !

 

[Jade Raleigh]

I'd change vet and scope if possible.
Ulcers definitely dont take a month to form.
7 days of ulcer treatment(??) and then stopped, crazy!

Yeah it says 28days on the box so Im not sure, but It was just a bit risky getting a scope after impaction colic as he wouldn't drink so It is something I will consider doing now, Thank you !

 

[Bellaboo18]

Yeah it says 28days on the box so Im not sure, but It was just a bit risky getting a scope after impaction colic as he wouldn't drink so It is something I will consider doing now, Thank you !

Completely understand why you didnt scope at the time but I would now so you know what you're working with. 28 days is the golden rule for ulcer treatment and then weaning off the drug (not stopping suddenly). I'd really think he's still got the ulcers and you may also need to find why he got them in the first place...
Good luck x

 

[Jade Raleigh]

Completely understand why you didnt scope at the time but I would now so you know what you're working with. 28 days is the golden rule for ulcer treatment and then weaning off the drug (not stopping suddenly). I'd really think he's still got the ulcers and you may also need to find why he got them in the first place...
Good luck x

Thanks a million for the advice, we moved yards at the start of January and the companion pony we got bullied him so we recon it is stress related.

 

[Jellymoon]

I really would get the saddle sorted before scoping etc. Esp as you say he’s had a sore back and has never liked you coming near him with the saddle. Also the vet has said it’s unlikely the ulcers have come back so soon, so I’d go along with what the vet says.
Clearance is only a small part of the picture. You really need an expert. Which I know is hard at the moment, but actually both my saddle fitters have still seen me during Covid, they are allowed to make visits, as are vets, farriers.

 

[Jade Raleigh]

I really would get the saddle sorted before scoping etc. Esp as you say he’s had a sore back and has never liked you coming near him with the saddle. Also the vet has said it’s unlikely the ulcers have come back so soon, so I’d go along with what the vet says.
Clearance is only a small part of the picture. You really need an expert. Which I know is hard at the moment, but actually both my saddle fitters have still seen me during Covid, they are allowed to make visits, as are vets, farriers.

Thank you so much !