just not settled.....

[buddylove]

I would bet part of the problem is the dairy farm grass which is totally unsuitable and dangerous for horses.
Most certainly should also have a normal water supply without any additives.
What is suitable for dairy cattle is not suitable for horses and in fact very dangerous.

I think I mentioned earlier on in the thread that he is not grazed on a dairy grass paddock, they have their own field of rough (er) grass, which is not treated/fertilised etc. The vet is aware that a broad spectrum vit/min is added to the water supply and is not concerned by this. In fact there is also a yard full of eventers and Hunters here on the same water supply and there are no issues linked to the water. They also have access to a tap water trough.

 

[buddylove]

We have had the gastroscope today. He was mega grumpy when the vet arrived and kept trying to bite me over the field shelter gate, clearly not impressed with being starved for 12 hours!
A bit of sedation and he was soon chilled, no issues getting the scope in at all and we soon had a perfect view of his stomach, and absolutely nothing remarkable was found!
All the vet did find was some small ulcers that were already in the process of healing, so no treatment with Omeprazole required! I am pleased we went down this route and it is one thing crossed off the list. I have just started to feed Dengie Healthy Tummy and Pro-Equine ulcer soothe, and the vet is happy for me to continue with this for maintenence purposes.
So next step is the Physio to look at his back, and the vet will check back in a couple of weeks to see if we have made any progress.
I must admit I really like my new vet, not pushing lots of investigations, just taking it one step at a time!
We are off games anyway until his new saddle comes, so lets hope we have got him a bit happier by then!

 

[GrandmareS]

Do have the vet out, this happened to our pony which we had only had for a year and the end result was severe arthritis in both hocks. She did not respond to treatment and we had to make the decision we all dread.

Good luck, hope the cause is found and treatable