Physical issues with "rescue" horses

[flintfootfilly]

One of my gang arrived here as an underweight youngster with very overgrown feet (not quite turkish slippers, but at least twice as long as the hoof walls should have been).

I now suspect physical issues, not least because she tends to put her ears back a lot and snake her head around, both at people and other horses. Even moving free of any tack in the school, she escalates her snakiness and faces when asked to trot or canter, and moves uncomfortably with back down, head up, and leaping in the air, kicking out repeatedly to the back and the inside etc.

Have chatted to my vet and he's going to take a look at her, and we'll decide from there.

But just wondered if anyone here has experience of physical issues with horses who have been in very poor physical condition. Must admit, I'm wondering about gastric ulcers (though she's in good bodily condition now, but I understand not all GU cases are underweight) or ligament/tendon issues because of the strain on them when her feet were overgrown.

Of course it could be something else totally, but I suspect it may be difficult to track down as there is no over lameness. Just a very unhappy horse.

Think I may ask for bloods to be taken anyway, just on the offchance they show anything up.

Any ideas, I'd be really grateful.

Thanks.

Sarah

 

[LucyPriory]

I know quite a lot of horses who have been dismissed as 'difficult' or even worse because they have underlying problems. Often dietary (or metabolic) in origin.

Current horse htp://danceswithgrace.blogspot.com was given the best of care as a youngster but couldn't be broken or shod and couldn't canter (my vet contacted her original vets and got the background for me).

I got her at nine. With a change in diet and some tlc none of these things have been an issue. Except I won't have a shod horse so she is barefoot.

She has EPSM - previously undiagnosed and this can be an incredibly painful and debiliating condition.

I know another which always had to be cross tied for the most simple of handling tasks. Also undiagnosed metabolic issues - absolute sweetie now the sugar is out of her diet.

Also check out things like thrush esp if the feet are very long - this can be very painful for some horses and tasks like picking up feet or taking a canter lead can be hard for them.

Gastric ulcers as you mentioned are also a possibility.

 

[cands]

Hi, I am assuming she didn't have much muscle when you got her - and that she hadn't been worked/ridden properly for a while!

My first guess would be muscle proplems over her back and or neck. Therefore she wouldn't want to be touched by anyone, nor would she want to have to run around in the paddock and let alone be lunged/asked to work. Vet out is a very good idea, but if he doesn't find much my next step would be to get the physio out.

Another thing to mention is her teeth. If her teeth aren't too good she could have a sore head and poll which would contribute to your problems. Visit from the dentist is also probably a good idea.

Good luck I really admire people like you who take on rescue horses - it's great

 

[flintfootfilly]

Just a quick update. Had EDT and vet to sedate this morning.

She had a retained cap on a premolar. It's now been removed, so it's just a matter of time to see whether that fully accounts for her recent behaviour. Hoping it does!

Sarah