New pony - odd pain reactions??

Ginger Bear

Ginger Bear

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Posted on here the other day about a new pony we have that had started 'playing up' when being schooled..wasn't sure if he was showing pain or messing Around but now completely sure his reactions are pain related.

We got him last August & he was very out of shape, had a huge round, low gut (which has always looked a bit unusual), no topline etc, we always noticed that he clamped his tail down, he has never been that happy with you lifting or moving his tail around & his bottom looked a bit tucked under but we decided to take him on with the intention of getting him treated by our vet/osteopath/dentist.

He Was extremely forward when we first got him but never dangerous & very well behaved.. After about 3 months his schooling was coming on great, he lost the excess weight, started building topline & looking in proportion.. In the last week/2 weeks he has become what some would call 'naughty' in the school.. First not wanting to stay on the track in the ménage, then being very difficult to turn, then when being asked to go forward to trot very very unhappy, eArs flat back, kicking out but he has never attempted to get us off.. He literally cannot stand your leg on him, he shortens & crunches up under you. Got my instructor out to see him do this, we untracked him popped him on the lunge & he was much better but no good under saddle. My instructor them put her hands on the sides of his abdomen & he was trying to bite at her.. It's all completely out of character, he is owned, ridden by my 11 year old nervous cousin & he has given her a lot of confidence so it's just not like him. He's also unhappy lifting his hind feet when picking his hooves. Still rolling, eating, grazing, prancing down to his field normally.. His teeth have been done, is shod just in front, had a new saddle fitted & checked & have now booked him in with our osteo who is also an equine vet in Newmarket in a few weeks (first appt available) in the mean time any advise would be great.. Thanks
 
Just too add when working his belly looks normal but when resting he looks a bit like he has a beer belly hanging down lol.. Also I mean he's no good with a rider not no good under saddle, he's happy Being lunged with saddle on his back. Thanks
 
Yes we changed him from normal pony cubes to mix only a very small amount as in a tiny handful.. But we took him off this completely 5 days ago. His dinner & breakfast is just a small handful of hifi original, speedy beet & a carrot.. Ad lib hay with all day turnout.. This morning he was very very tetchy.
 
Could be anything tbh...

Could be KS or ulcers, or anything else in between. Have you had his saddle checked recently
 
The belly hanging down will be his abdominal muscles that need toning, and the fact that his stomach does show when he is on the move is because he is using that muscle group. The pain on his sides may be general ligaments and muscles that are sore, and this may be coming from pain in his back and/or hocks. All this is guess work, and the vet will soon tell you. Good luck x
 
I think as your pony is grumpy and not going forward he may have ulcers if you type in on net ULCERS IN HORSE S there is a video equine ulcer diagnosis by Mark Depaolo its very interesting We also had pony out of shape she had been un ridden in field for 2 years I fed happy hoof with high fibre cubes a vitamin mineral supplement and I cooked linseed 3 times a week she turned out fab and has more than repayed us Good luck with your pony
 
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