Liver Enzymes / Grass sickness? Help needed please

[MagicMelon]

A friend would like to ask this question:

I have a fantastic Novice event horse. Always sound during winter and summer. Each May and September he goes 'funny'. Ties up, stiffens up and doesn't want to move. He's lethargic and won't go forward. I take him for short hacks which seem to help him. This has been happening for eight years. The whole episode lasts for a couple of weeks ­ and I always know it's coming. He was tested during an episode a couple of years ago and increased liver enzymes showed up ­ but that's all. He's always been a gassy horse ­ farts continuously... I have always believed his condition to be related to his gut (as laminitis). I have also always believed it's grass. As the sap rises, so he goes down. This year the grass is early and he has gone down. I should have been ready for it. Now he's on a mud patch with his usual winter diet ­ haylage and he's coming sound again. He's bedded on shavings so it's not straw. We have no ragwort. Someone suggested its really, really mild grass sickness as the nervous system seems to be attacked... it always hits him at times of the year when grass sickness is prevalent.

Any ideas???

 

[spaniel]

I have no idea of the cause but do know a warmblood who does the very same thing year after year.

 

[K_T]

Could it be a magnesium deficiency? Muscle tremors and fatigue are both symptoms.

 

[maisie]

Could be EPSM? I think my cob has this as he is doing exactly the same thing. look at www.ruralheritage.com on the vet page - gives you all the symptoms.

 

[PuddingandElla]

Wierd - i have heard of a few people with "virus" type things where liver enzymes are up. My friends welsh D is going though it at the moment.
Sounds the same - just felt really alzy, not wanting to go forwards, generally a bit quiet.
He had some bloods done and they said it was a virus type thing.
The next week he went down hill even more -showing signs of laminitius - vet came out - took shoes off but they are not convinced it it. So he is in on box rest and on bute. But he look heaps better now (a week later)
I think, as you say, i think its the grass that is coming though early. Our place is so green everywhere - not that we are comlpaining!!