Ovary issues, or something else?

[PuddingSummer]

Just before I start, I’ve spoken to my vet who is coming to see us on Thursday.

My Welsh Section C 3yo mare joined a new herd last November, and a new mare joined in January. Since that new mare has gone out (I’ve pin pointed the behaviour changes to pretty much exactly when this change in routine occurred), my mare has become sensitive to touch on the lumbar/rump and stomach. Worse in the mornings, she won’t let me touch her anywhere, but happily let’s me pick out and wash her feet and tail. I don’t believe this is behavioural in anyway.

I’ve had her for 18 months with no issues previously. She’s a very dominant mare, the sort that goes out and bosses everyone around and goes straight to the top of the pecking order. I’m wondering if the new mare has caused her to cycle and problems have occurred.

The mare isn’t lame in anyway, and no other behaviour has changed. Being so young she isnt in any work or ridden. I’ve never seen her come into season like my other mares over spring and summer.

I’ve experienced a lot of ulcers with other horses, and she isn’t presenting pain in the typical way for me to suspect ulcers but I haven’t ruled it out. I’ve tried changing her diet slightly so I’m excluding Alfa, any kind of soy and obviously as low sugar and starch as possible in case of an allergy reaction, however so far no success. She currently has a handful of fast fibre with yea sac and brewers yeast. I also soak hay for an hour to go on the floor and she has unlimited forage in large hole nets when in overnight.

Am I missing something it could be, or am I barking up the wrong tree with scanning the ovary’s and taking blood? It’s particularly out of character, and it’s like she’s become hyper sensitive all over her body but less so on the neck, head and lower legs. I had a physio booked, but the mare will threaten to kick even if a hand laid over her back so I don’t want to risk someone’s safety. I’ve not seen a youngster to change so drastically but, with as far as I can tell, no other symptoms. Any help or advise would be incredibly welcome so I have an idea of what to talk about when the vet comes!

 

[stangs]

Pure speculation here but, if it's not the ovaries, could be that she got in an argument with new mare and has seriously tweaked something? In that case, a chiro might help.

What's her behaviour like when out with the herd? Is she squirting? How well does she get along with the new mare? Is it a mixed herd?

 

[PuddingSummer]

Pure speculation here but, if it's not the ovaries, could be that she got in an argument with new mare and has seriously tweaked something? In that case, a chiro might help.

What's her behaviour like when out with the herd? Is she squirting? How well does she get along with the new mare? Is it a mixed herd?

I have never seen her change in anyway that would indicate a season, no squirting or flirting. I did think that she could have pulled something, I tried giving her a couple of inflacam for a few days with no affect, and we’re on our 4th week of this behaviour. Mares only and in a herd of 8, she’s up there with the boss, only 2 horses either on par or above in terms of pecking order.
Provided the scan and bloods come back clear, I will go back to original plan of a decent chiro to have a good look definitely. I have a strong feeling knowing my vet he will next suggest a gastroscope but I have a serious feeling that’s not quite it.
It’s the most bizarre, drastic change in behaviour. Eats and drinks fine, toilet habits haven’t changed. I can’t put my finger on it, and it needs to be sorted. I can’t even stroke her, imagine trying to get a saddle on her in the next few years if I can’t get it under control!

I have never had one with ovary issues, it’s the only thing I can think that could possibly be causing pain across that part of her body. And knowing how horse dominant she can be, and possibly if she’s having trouble cycling then coming into Spring is causing a problem? But as I say, I’ve never had ovary problems so I have no idea what it looks like and my searches have thrown up very little information in non-ridden horses.

 

[JackFrost]

Is it possible she is being mounted/climbed on/bitten by another horse? I've known mares as well as geldings do this,including ones that are not at the top of the pecking order, but would like to be. Could certainly cause injury and might explain why worst in the morning if she has been out in the herd.

 

[stangs]

I have never had one with ovary issues, it’s the only thing I can think that could possibly be causing pain across that part of her body. And knowing how horse dominant she can be, and possibly if she’s having trouble cycling then coming into Spring is causing a problem? But as I say, I’ve never had ovary problems so I have no idea what it looks like and my searches have thrown up very little information in non-ridden horses.

Yes, that part of the body does make one think seasons. But surely ovary issues wouldn't be worse in the morning. Is she out 24/7 at the moment? If she's being stabled over night, that would suggest some injury getting inflamed by not being able to move around.

Please do update the thread with what you find out from the vet. It'll be interesting to see what has caused this.

 

[lynz88]

I feel like I'm reading my own story since mid Dec.

Defo try chiro. Mine tweaked himself out in the field after box rest in Dec and would NOT (and still is touchy) let me touch him. Especially on the right side - I can't brush him or anything (unless he is tied up). He makes all sorts of faces, gets stressed/upset if i even approach his right side, does NOT want me touching his neck, shoulder, sternum, back, tummy, stifle area, etc. Picking out feet is fine though. If it isnt a face and stressy behaviour, he snaps at me and have to watch out. Shortly after he injured himself, he would not even let me put his blanket on and went after me when I tried to do up his belly straps even when he had food in front of his face (and this horse lives for food). Strangely would not exhibit the same behaviour with anyone else. Vet said that sometimes horses tell different stories to different people, especially their owners.

Put him on the protexin quick fix and put him on the gut balancer in case it was stomach related but also got chiro out. He was very sore/out in the SI, back, a little over the ribs, sternum, and also found a very, very sore/tight spot in the girth area/under the elbow. We think he did the splits in both the front and hind....Definite improvement after adjustment 1 at the beginning of Jan and waiting for adjustment 2 in 2 weeks time. He is still unhappy but as of last weekend was allowed to put his blanket on without him snapping back at me. Have been out with the vet and her horse (hand walking mine like a giant dog to get blood flow....) and we have noticed improvement over the past 2 weeks - especially this past weekend and wants me to try him with tack.