Opinions please

[jenie]

Hi firstly thanks for reading this I'm after some advice , I'm unsure as what to do ... my 22 year old tb keeps looking at his girth area when being ridden both sides but mainly to the left ? He started this behaviour last year I was advised to treat for ulsers so put him on Ron fields which seemed to work however he's started his again . He's had his back , teeth , tack etc looked at all of which are fine . I also invested in the prolite anatomical girth which he seemed to like . I don't ask a lot of him really just a few hacks a week max 1hour per ride, should I just call it a day with him & let him become a field ornament or get the vet out ? His condition his fabulous & looks amazing to look at , he looks a bill of health . He's also no problem to mount tack up etc he can sometimes pull a bit of a face when tightening the girth but nothing major . But it's so annoying as I know something is clearly up but just can't figure out what . When I tack his saddle off he makes no attempt to itch his side's ? & he only looks at his side's whilst being ridden , he will plant his feet look at his side ? When I ask him to go forward he usually will but within a few strides he will do it again? If I continually nag him with my leg to keep him going forward he becomes very annoyed & starts being silly prancing about & chomping on his bit which is obviously no fun for the both of us . I've had him from a 5 year old so know him well he's always been a quirky ride to say the least . I just don't know what to do say it's the right time to retire or keep investigating? Advice would be appreciated thank you

 

[SpotsandBays]

What treatment did you have for the ulcers? Did you have the horse scoped?

 

[ester]

You don't say what the vet has checked?

 

[Goldenstar]

You need to get a vet to do an old horse health check .

 

[Gloi]

Get the vet to scope him to check

 

[jenie]

I haven't had the vet out as yet , I was advised the Ron fields can't remember the name of the powder I used first but is currently still on ulsx 30 , he shows no signs of ulsers apart from this odd behaviour. Thank you

 

[dixie]

Was is this - worth trying again?

https://ronfieldsnutrition.co.uk/product/pre-ulc-powder/

 

[ester]

I'd keep investigating then, you haven't really done any yet and seems odd to jump straight to thinking of retirement without any veterinary attention at all.

 

[Shilasdair]

I'm not so sure it's ulcers - sounds more like either an injury to his sides (horse ribs are surprisingly easy to break with a field fall), or that his saddle doesn't fit him.
Have you tried gently pressing his sides (where he looks) to see if he reacts?
Does he do it with the saddle on, whilst lunged?
Could you ride him bareback to see if he still does it?

And maybe get a vet or a physio to have a look at him again?

 

[jenie]

Hi saddle was bespoke made for him & reflocked earlier this year ( which has been rechecked ) , no irritation when I touch him or brush him . I rode him bareback last year & he still did it. I haven't lunged him but will try later on . I've just spoke to the vet they have suggested giving him bute for a week to see if he still does it . I will try this as well if not I'll have an mot on him from the vet . In his opinion it's not ulsers due to his condition , coat & no loss of appetite? Thank you

 

[PurBee]

I support the getting him scoped advice. If he’s doing it bareback or with saddle, your left leg will be the agitator if ulcers are an issue.

While on the ground on his left side how does he react when you press into him with your hand/fist fairly firmly around- the area where girth sits/ riding left foot rests?

 

[jenie]

Hi he does absolutely nothing he's not bothered in the slightest where I touch him firm or soft

 

[angel7]

Was is this - worth trying again?

https://ronfieldsnutrition.co.uk/product/pre-ulc-powder/

What a price for what is basically a collection of herbs, very little of which will treat ulcers!

 

[Lipglosspukka]

A bute trial is a nice idea.

I would still get him scoped though.

What work does he do? Is it all in a school or does he get to do fun stuff like hacking?

 

[jenie]

Hi we have no school so only ever hacking , thank you

 

[jenie]

I'd keep investigating then, you haven't really done any yet and seems odd to jump straight to thinking of retirement without any veterinary attention at all.

I have tried all sorts, bareback, different girths , treeless saddle lotions & potions etc I'm not jumping to retirement it's the last thing I want however he's 22 I've owned him from a 5 year old & just want what's best for him I wouldn't want to put him through a stressful procedure for the sake of a few hacks a week & i always like to try natural remedies before involving vets , it's quite odd what he does & wondered if anyone had experienced this behaviour. Thank you

 

[AmyMay]

If this was a much younger horse I suspect you’d have investigated and treated appropriately by now. He deserves just as much consideration in his dotage.

 

[Winters100]

If this was a much younger horse I suspect you’d have investigated and treated appropriately by now. He deserves just as much consideration in his dotage.

Exactly. I don't mean to be harsh, but to me a forum is for such questions as 'vet has been and finds nothing, any ideas?' or 'vet can't come until tomorrow, what could this be?' or even 'do I need to get the horse seen by a vet?' but with such symptoms giving a very obvious indication that the horse needs the attention of a vet I don't really know what anyone here can say.

 

[jenie]

Thank you all for your opinions I will do the bute trial as recommended by my vet for a week then get then speak with them again after out trial .

 

[Goldenstar]

A bute trial is a nice idea.

I would still get him scoped though.

What work does he do? Is it all in a school or does he get to do fun stuff like hacking?[/QUOTE

Theres no way I would do a bute trial on an old horse who I suspected had ulcers .

 

[jenie]

This advice was from my vet he does not suspect ulcers

 

[SpotsandBays]

This advice was from my vet he does not suspect ulcers

It’s impossible to know without a scope. That would be my next investigation if it was me. I don’t believe it costs a lot to do. Either you find them and then can treat, or you don’t and then you know for sure that’s not the issue.

 

[ycbm]

my 22 year old tb keeps looking at his girth area when being ridden both sides but mainly to the left ?

My horse who did this had kidney failure.
.

 

[Tiddlypom]

This advice was from my vet he does not suspect ulcers

So your vet, who has not yet examined the horse, has decided that it is unlikely that your horse has ulcers? And is happy for the horse to go on a bute trial?

Time to look elsewhere for a good and competent equine vet, methinks.

 

[Gloi]

If the horse does have ulcers bute may irritate them.

 

[Winters100]

I don't know how it is in the UK, but where I am a vet would be in a lot of trouble if it got out that he had prescribed bute to a horse which had an undiagnosed problem and had not been examined. Definitely time to look for a new vet and get the horse seen. Bute can be one of the causes of ulcers, and as Gloi says may make the problem worse if it already exists. I am amazed that any vet advised this without even seeing the horse.

Edited to add that a horse on our yard was scoped last week, 2 well known vets had seen him and said that they did not suspect ulcers, but the owner wanted to be sure. Result was that he has ulcers.

 

[Melody Grey]

If the horse does have ulcers bute may irritate them.

Exactly this!! A bute trial won’t tell you anything or rule anything out if there are ulcers.

 

[Upthecreek]

Retiring the horse to become a ‘field ornament’ is not the answer. Even if he only displays the behaviour when ridden you couldn’t be sure he isn’t in any discomfort the rest of the time unless you have him assessed by a specialist equine vet.

If my vet recommended a bute trial for a horse with these symptoms I would most definitely be looking for a new vet. You said this has been going on since last year and you’ve checked the obvious (teeth, back, saddle etc.). For goodness sake get a proper vet work up, find out what is wrong with the poor horse and get him treated.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

Has he had a sheath cleaning recently?

I know it's a bit 'left field' but my lad looks to his left side if he wants to pee while out on a hack so I know to pull over a find a grassy spot. It could be something similar? If not been cleaned recently, maybe its something to add to the vet check.