I needs some advice bout my bay gelding

[gass]

Hi all
New to this forum, but I am hoping that someone out there may have an idea of what is going on with my boy.

Before I start, I have had the vet out and she has ruled out Colic, so please bear that in mind.

The problem started on 12th May, when I got a call saying he could not be shod, as he was constantly kicking his stomach, when, I got to the yard Ollie was in a state, you could see he was in pain and yes he was constantly kicking his stomach with alternating hind legs and his tail was constantly swishing in between his hind legs. He was eating and all other functions were normal, vet took bloods and gave him bute, she thought it most bizarre. Bloods turned out to show he was slightly aneamic and that he had had a virus, but nothing too much to worry about according to the vet.

I thought it was flies, but we stood and watched, and there were no flies that we could see.

He seemed to settle down with the pain killers and we had the occasional one off kick, but nothing else, and blow me he has started again this morning.

He is out on grass at the moment, and it's not very good, so he is being supplemented with 10lb haylage a day.

Forgot to say he is 17hh.

Has anyone ever experienced this, I will be calling vets again tomorrow.....

 

[Marilyn]

are there any external lumps or bumps under his tummy that might be causing him irritation?

 

[gass]

No there is nothing at all, have checked and recheked.

 

[appylass]

Could his sheath need cleaning? I've known geldings do this when they are in need of attention.

 

[gass]

Good point, not done this since we have had him, (August last year), will have to take advice on this one from people at the yard as have never done this before>

 

[gass]

Jus thinking about that, would it cause him pain though, the time I called the vet, you could visable see the pain in his face, very drawn and grinding teeth.

 

[hairymolly]

Could he have something wrong with his hocks? I know of a horse that had a bone spavin in his hock and one of the first signs was him kicking the leg.

 

[Blue-bear]

itchy heels?? my boys kick there back legs when they have itchy legs......

 

[Cliqmo]

Drawn face and grinding teeth can be discomfort without necessarily being pain and so I would definitely look at giving his sheath a good clean, and probably looking for a the elusive bean (search on HHO to find out more) - be careful you don't get kicked whilst you're helping him though!!

 

[WishfulThinker]

My gelding did this a few times. Turns out he had scabby legs under his feathers.

 

[gass]

He has few feathers, I have been told he has Cleveland Bay in him, and apparently they don't grow feathers !!
But have checekd for scabs etc on his legs as well, so it looks like sheath !!

 

[Dubsie]

Could it be stomach ulcers? Think there may have been a recent post about these.

 

[vetsbestfriend]

Could be maggot larva developing/hatching in his sheath. I got a frantic call last year to say my horse had colic as he was kicking violently at his belly. Did the normal colic routine until vet got there (he is a colicy horse anyway so well rehearsed) but I was not convinced that it was colic. Vet did all the normal colic checks and said was not that so gave him some sedative to let him drop his 'bits'. Turns out that flies had laid eggs in his sheath and the maggots were starting to hatch. Totally revolting.

He had a good clean out and then was advised to use some of the yellow summer fly cream. I do keep him clean but he had been 'showing off' to a mare in the next door field and obviously the flies had taken advantage of this!!

Might be worth while getting your vet to check your horse for the same.

 

[gass]

Well, I've had the vet out, sedation and sheath all squeeky clean, vet said it was not particularly dirty and there was nothing untoward on it or in it. She has checked him rectaly as well and all okay. Had him torting up and down, no sign of problems with legs.

She has given him a mite injection as process of illimination. So next step is to see how he goes this week, have to call next Friday, if no better, look at changing environment (he is living out at moment) if still no change into clinic for further investigation and a short stay in their paddocks and stables.

So any more suggestions coments ideas will be greatfully received.