New horse, ulcers??

[Cob-lover134]

I have recently acquired a lovely ISH. She came to me after a very stressful few weeks including being sold through a market. I have ridden her previously and she was fantastic. Stood perfectly, hacked alone etc. Tried to saddle her up yesterday. She was tetchy about the girth, kicking and tail swishing. She would not stand at the block at all even with someone holding her. The minute my foot was in the stirrup tail swishing, kicking and sort of bouncing her head. Vet is coming next week but just wondered if anyone had any ideas? My first thought is ulcers due to the stress. Do I try again to ride or wait for vet? Is there anything I can do in the mean time to help her? Sorry for the rambling post!!

 

[ycbm]

Yes it could be ulcers, but do you know why she ended up being sold through a market?

Several of us on the forum have had good results with damping down this kind of behaviour by feeding 25ml of aloe vera juice a day. You can buy it in 5l bottles from ebay for about £40, lasts 200 days.
.

 

[Carrottom]

I wouldn't try to ride, no point in setting yourself up to fail. I might put tack on and do some ground work to gauge reaction, see if the response is the same.

 

[Cob-lover134]

Yes it could be ulcers, but do you know why she ended up being sold through a market?

Several of us on the forum have had good results with damping down this kind of behaviour by feeding 25ml of aloe vera juice a day. You can buy it in 5l bottles from ebay for about £40, lasts 200 days.
.

Previous owner had personal problems so needed a quick sale supposedly. How quickly can ulcers present? It’s is just over 3 weeks since I rode her and she was absolutely fine then. She is such a lovely mare and very happy otherwise.

 

[Baccara]

Ulcers can present almost overnight,as I have discovered

 

[Cob-lover134]

Gosh, that quickly? I so hope we can find a solution for her.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I wouldn't ride until the vet has been it possibly be ulcers but how is your saddle fit?

 

[Cob-lover134]

I wouldn't ride until the vet has been it possibly be ulcers but how is your saddle fit?

She didn’t come with a saddle so am using one I have been lent. Had booked the saddle fitter to come next week but with not even being able to get on her i may have to rearrange. The saddle was not tight on her at all. It was the tail swishing and kicking the minute we tried to get her near the mounting block and girth on thag led me to think ulcers.

 

[fredflop]

The saddler can look at the saddle whilst just on the horse. Granted it’s not as good as seeing ridden, but it will tell you if the saddle is a good “basic” fit or not.

 

[Dontforgetaboutme]

Another possibility is being a mare she might be in season so uncomfortable to be ridden hence her behaviour.

 

[ruby92]

We had an ex racehorse who had this type of behaviour never been tested for ulcers but we treated him as of he did we used to give him a hand full of chaff 20 mins before riding to line the gut and it did work .. not saying this will work for you as I know every situation is different

 

[Cob-lover134]

Thanks all for the advice. Had vet out and he is pretty sure she does not have ulcers. Her behaviour is still the same. Not happy about saddle at all. I’m thinking a back person as next port of call?

 

[Mahoganybay]

Thanks all for the advice. Had vet out and he is pretty sure she does not have ulcers. Her behaviour is still the same. Not happy about saddle at all. I’m thinking a back person as next port of call?

How can the vet be sure she dosent have ulcers unless she has had a scope?

 

[Cob-lover134]

How can the vet be sure she dosent have ulcers unless she has had a scope?

He told me a scope would be unnecessary stress as he doesn’t believe she has them?!

 

[HobleytheTB]

What did the vet suggest could be the issue if he was sure it's not ulcers? The only way to know is to scope. Some horses can be only mildly touchy and yet have severe ulcers... others have every tell tale sign and scope clear. You really can't tell from the outside. If the horse continues to show the same behaviour I'd be pushing for a scope so you can start her on medication asap if required. The horse has been through a lot of stress recently as you said, so ulcers are quite likely.

 

[Cob-lover134]

What did the vet suggest could be the issue if he was sure it's not ulcers? The only way to know is to scope. Some horses can be only mildly touchy and yet have severe ulcers... others have every tell tale sign and scope clear. You really can't tell from the outside. If the horse continues to show the same behaviour I'd be pushing for a scope so you can start her on medication asap if required. The horse has been through a lot of stress recently as you said, so ulcers are quite likely.

He said she’s in a new place and it could just be behaviour or a back problem? I don’t know whether I should be looking at getting a second opinion.

 

[Dnd20]

My mare was like that when I took her home. She was golden first few rides then hell. She was in season - had a sensitive back (behind the saddle area) and didn't like me near her hind end or legs. Once she was settled ( 3 months +) she was a lot calmer - even though the previous owner said she was never marish and never displayed in season behaviours.

 

[Dnd20]

Also has she been wormed?
My gelding was displaying ulcer like behaviours- scope revealed bot fly infestation

 

[Melody Grey]

He told me a scope would be unnecessary stress as he doesn’t believe she has them?!

Sorry, I wouldn’t take that for an answer OP. Unless your vet has some kind of magical scope-vision, I’d be getting a second opinion.

 

[Mahoganybay]

Sorry, I wouldn’t take that for an answer OP. Unless your vet has some kind of magical scope-vision, I’d be getting a second opinion.

Yep, second opinion too. Scoping can be done with minimal stress and horses cope really well with it anyway.

The only way you are going to know what’s going on is by way of a scope, then if your horse does have ulcers receive the correct medication.