Ovarian cysts? Or just moody mare?

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Annsboroughlady

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Hi, I'm having some trouble with my mare and it is completely out of character for her.

She will be 14 this year and we are getting back into riding. In the last 8 weeks she has gotten progressively grumpy. This first started with having the roller done up to long rein (which she seems to enjoy) when she would make a face, I started on one hole and did it up one hole at a time. After it was done up she was fine. Now, she is threatening to bite and she doesn't want to be brushed at all- she was always the type to stand for hours to be groomed- it's almost like her skin is sore to the touch! She is getting aggressive when in her stable making grumpy faces and threatening to bite. She was always the sweetest mare! She has had her first season this week since about March. We are getting back into riding and we can't do too much due to a previous injury which isn't bothering her now, she has started bucking, threatening to rear and being a pain to mount. We've been for 3 hacks and she was fine but in the school she doesn't want me on (first thoughts saddle but it doesn't explain the aggressive behavior other times and the saddle seems a decent fit using our templates and there is no tenderness on her saddle area). She has slight tenderness at the very back of her back, past where the saddle would sit. Also, her teats seem to be bothering her. She has no fly bites or anything there but they're still bothering her.

Any suggestions welcome but please be nice!
 
I'd say your diagnosis sounds pretty spot on. The vet could have a look with ultrasound to check.
Assume you've given the udder a good clean? (if possible). Could be a back issue also. Sounds like she's miserable so best to sort it out.
Also has the makeup of your grazing changed, particularly more clover?
 
We're giving her udder a good hose lately to try and soothe whatever is going on but trying not to interfere with her natural process. Actually, the grazing has changed as we have moved yards but she was previously on a lot of clover (too much) and the grazing she is on now is far less clover, she is on longer, rough, old grass. Thanks for your advice by the way, I'm at my wits end tbh!
 
I've not encounter the clover thing the other way, but it can have such dramatic effects I wouldn't be surprised if it was a culprit.

You might need to do a really thorough wash of the udder, they can get gritty nasty bits wedged right up there. I had a mare destroying her tail and kicking her sides even though I'd done a decent clean. I did a really in depth job and was disgusted/ ashamed at some of the deep seated bits. She spent the whole time looking at me going you idiot... did you need a sign?! I like to pop bagbalm (for cows) on afterwards. I used babywash and dried it very carefully afterwards.
 
That's similar to what we did this morning.. She'd asked for arnica oil on it so she'd had that on and then someone suggested putting some ice clay on so I thought if she'll let me she needs it (she knows what she wants!) and she stood like an angel to have it on. This morning she had a 15 minute thorough wash to get the clay off. Tonight will be the tell!
 
Have a look at a video on YOUTUBE ULCER DIAGNOSIS BY MARK DEPAOLO
it is very interesting, as you have described some of the symptoms ulcers.
 
Wow i have been threw all of this, it doesnt cost much at all to have her overies scanned and a internal, if all is clear please go for a gastroscope, my horse had glandular gastric ulcers, these are very painful and will need treating!!!!!!!!! either way you do need to go to your vet to eliminate the problems and get her sorted, its only her way of telling you that there is something wrong, please please let us know how you get on xxxxxxxxxxxx
Annsboroughlady said:
Hi, I'm having some trouble with my mare and it is completely out of character for her.

She will be 14 this year and we are getting back into riding. In the last 8 weeks she has gotten progressively grumpy. This first started with having the roller done up to long rein (which she seems to enjoy) when she would make a face, I started on one hole and did it up one hole at a time. After it was done up she was fine. Now, she is threatening to bite and she doesn't want to be brushed at all- she was always the type to stand for hours to be groomed- it's almost like her skin is sore to the touch! She is getting aggressive when in her stable making grumpy faces and threatening to bite. She was always the sweetest mare! She has had her first season this week since about March. We are getting back into riding and we can't do too much due to a previous injury which isn't bothering her now, she has started bucking, threatening to rear and being a pain to mount. We've been for 3 hacks and she was fine but in the school she doesn't want me on (first thoughts saddle but it doesn't explain the aggressive behavior other times and the saddle seems a decent fit using our templates and there is no tenderness on her saddle area). She has slight tenderness at the very back of her back, past where the saddle would sit. Also, her teats seem to be bothering her. She has no fly bites or anything there but they're still bothering her.

Any suggestions welcome but please be nice!
Click to expand...
 
Yes, I have seen that video and have done the palpitations with her tonight and she wasn't particularly bothered by what I was doing, the first two (the elbow and under the belly) got ears back (not flat back) but the others didn't get anything. I have suspected ulcers before but she is never stood without food and always has at least 15 minutes of hay before 'work' and believe me she can put away some hay pretty quick. I tried riding her again tonight and was allowed to brush her (no faces or biting) and tacked up fine, lunged pretty good she's not the best to lunge. Then when I came to get on it turned into a rodeo: bucking and rear-type hop and just generally not happy. I'm not one to just give her a kick and not listen but she's really got me stumped. Well, it's settled vet is coming...
 
Annsboroughlady said:
Yes, I have seen that video and have done the palpitations with her tonight and she wasn't particularly bothered by what I was doing, the first two (the elbow and under the belly) got ears back (not flat back) but the others didn't get anything. I have suspected ulcers before but she is never stood without food and always has at least 15 minutes of hay before 'work' and believe me she can put away some hay pretty quick. I tried riding her again tonight and was allowed to brush her (no faces or biting) and tacked up fine, lunged pretty good she's not the best to lunge. Then when I came to get on it turned into a rodeo: bucking and rear-type hop and just generally not happy. I'm not one to just give her a kick and not listen but she's really got me stumped. Well, it's settled vet is coming...
Click to expand...

Sorry to resurrect such an old thread- having similar problems with my mare who is being scoped for ulcers (after already being treated before). She's in season an awful lot, so considering ovarian cysts.

Does OP have an update? Curious to know what was found in the end.
 
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