Pain is like horse experiencing electric shock

[Bramley95]

Hello,
My wonderful cob has PSSM type 1 (n/P1) which has been well managed for the last couple of years with only a few minor flare-ups.
Last year he was diagnosed with right dorsal colitis which we fixed and he now has a healthy gut.
For a few weeks, i have noticed his breathing being really heavy despite being fit byt with no coughing or wheezing, just rapid breathing and sweating lots.
About a week ago, we were out hacking and when I asked for trot he felt like he had a sudden electric shock and leapt forward.
On Saturday morning I was taking him out for a short walk and he did the electric shock like jump and then exploded - this resulted in me hitting the deck and getting pretty injured.
Since then he has been exploding in the field and keeps rushing forward while being led, all very very unlike him.
Yesterday he was lunged and did the electric shock thing repeatedly and was rushing around the school both on the lunge and loose with very odd hind leg movement.
Has anyone ever experienced anything like this at all? I have never seen a pain reaction like it, it is like he thinks someone is chasing him
My vet has seen videos and thinks he has pain in both hind legs.
Any similar experiences would be helpful or any ideas of where to start reading and investigating!

 

[Amymay Again]

Best place to start would be with an in person visit from your vet I guess.

 

[Janique]

I once rode a mare, she was flat racing and usually very good to ride.

Then one day, in slow canter, she took off with me at full speed, like she was in pain. The next day, she did it again at the same
place, after 500m, she took off like a mad horse.

She started very quielty, on a loose rein and suddenly, she went at full speed, that was horrible, i had to hold her and fight with her.

I think that she was in pain and her reaction was to run away...

It got dangerous and thank's God, she was retired to stud, not sure why she was doing this but it was a nightmare.

She now has a two years old filly and is currently in foal, i just hope that what ever it was isn't going to affect her offsprings.

 

[SEL]

You have just described why my pssm horse is retired. She's pretty bad at the moment - staring into space then exploding over the top of me - so she's obviously sore. I've asked the vet for some more danilon but I think it's grass / weather related.

You'll find similar stories on the pssm FB pages so I think the explosions are pain related - perhaps muscles firing oddly?

I use CBD which has been helpful.

 

[Bramley95]

You have just described why my pssm horse is retired. She's pretty bad at the moment - staring into space then exploding over the top of me - so she's obviously sore. I've asked the vet for some more danilon but I think it's grass / weather related.

You'll find similar stories on the pssm FB pages so I think the explosions are pain related - perhaps muscles firing oddly?

I use CBD which has been helpful.

Thank you, I had a suspicion it was PSSM related but thought I had seen all of his PSSM symptoms
Does your mare cope with retirement? I thought exercise was key to keeping them going

 

[scats]

Thank you, I had a suspicion it was PSSM related but thought I had seen all of his PSSM symptoms
Does your mare cope with retirement? I thought exercise was key to keeping them going

My PSSM mare is semi-retired. She is rising 15 now and does the odd bit on the long reins or ridden in walk and trot. I don’t hack her anymore after an accident out hacking (she’s never coped well with hacking).
Sometimes she goes a few months without working, when I’m busy, or when her chronic PSD kicks off, but she has regular turnout and copes fine.
I tend to work her when her brain is particularly ‘busy’ as it chills her out. She has the px variant so it’s like dealing with a severely autistic toddler. The last few days she has been box walking and shrieking and doing her ‘tics’ (head nod), so she was lightly worked this morning and had gone out chilled and happy.
She is the most complex horse I’ve ever met and there are days that she seriously tests my patience, but I know she can’t help it. I have this horrible feeling shes going to live til she’s about 40

 

[SEL]

Thank you, I had a suspicion it was PSSM related but thought I had seen all of his PSSM symptoms
Does your mare cope with retirement? I thought exercise was key to keeping them going

I think they either need to be properly in work or retired with type 1. They had a mad gallop the other day when the deer bolted through the fence and she looked very sore for a few days. I can also tell when she's had too much grass because she's exhausted and moves like she's walking through treacle - but that's manageable when you're not feeling pressure to ride.

I do walk her out most days in the spring / summer when the grass is rich. My field is tracked and she wears a muzzle. Out 24:7 helps and I just have a huge winter rug wardrobe.

I wasn't sure she would retire tbh and I say she won't make old bones - but she's 15 next year so who knows!