Poll Evil

[Pink Gorilla]

Anyone ever had a horse with a Nuchal Bursa aka Poll Evil? Stoopid yearling managed to get his head caught in a gate yesterday. I've no idea how, as it's a proper horse gate with mesh on the bottom half. But he managed it anyway! Luckily it came free as soon as he pulled back and luckily he didn't decapitate himself. Anyway he has swelling behind to poll, which I think could be a nuchal bursa. Remarkably he seems in zero pain at all; rolling, bucking and chasing/annoying the pony today as though nothing happened. Anyway I'm going to get the vet, but was wondering if anyone has experienced this? Is it likely to cost an absolute fortune, or could it get better with bute and rest? Ps....please don't slate me, I already feel like the worst mummy ever...even though it was a horse gate

 

[Birker2020]

Anyone ever had a horse with a Nuchal Bursa aka Poll Evil? Stoopid yearling managed to get his head caught in a gate yesterday. I've no idea how, as it's a proper horse gate with mesh on the bottom half. But he managed it anyway! Luckily it came free as soon as he pulled back and luckily he didn't decapitate himself. Anyway he has swelling behind to poll, which I think could be a nuchal bursa. Remarkably he seems in zero pain at all; rolling, bucking and chasing/annoying the pony today as though nothing happened. Anyway I'm going to get the vet, but was wondering if anyone has experienced this? Is it likely to cost an absolute fortune, or could it get better with bute and rest? Ps....please don't slate me, I already feel like the worst mummy ever...even though it was a horse gate

Gosh I haven't heard that term Poll Evil since Transit Tetany, Purpura Hemorrhagica and Fistulous Withers were on the scene.

I have no experience sorry, hope he's okay soon though. Don't feel guilty, it's a waste of emotions. X

 

[Pinkvboots]

I had a mare that had a poll issue she had scar tissue in that area and the bony part they think was inflamed, the vet thought it was caused by some sort of trauma or ridden in too much in hyper flexion as a young horse, any pressure on that area sent her into a complete panic I had only just bought her from a field so didn't know much about her, the vet recommended physio and laser treatment and she was much better, she was always quite head shy and wary about that area but the panic aspect stopped.

I would the vet to look anyway just incase it causes issues later on seen as his so young.

 

[Pink Gorilla]

Gosh I haven't heard that term Poll Evil since Transit Tetany, Purpura Hemorrhagica and Fistulous Withers were on the scene.

I have no experience sorry, hope he's okay soon though. Don't feel guilty, it's a waste of emotions. X

Oh yes 'fistulous withers' was something I spotted on Google when I was searching for upper neck swelling

 

[Pink Gorilla]

I had a mare that had a poll issue she had scar tissue in that area and the bony part they think was inflamed, the vet thought it was caused by some sort of trauma or ridden in too much in hyper flexion as a young horse, any pressure on that area sent her into a complete panic I had only just bought her from a field so didn't know much about her, the vet recommended physio and laser treatment and she was much better, she was always quite head shy and wary about that area but the panic aspect stopped.

I would the vet to look anyway just incase it causes issues later on seen as his so young.

Yes that's a worry, could make putting a Bridle etc on a nightmare. Also I've bought him for dressage and don't want it to cause any future problems for that. Although I certainly don't plan on riding hyperflexed if I can help it!

 

[Pinkvboots]

Yes that's a worry, could make putting a Bridle etc on a nightmare. Also I've bought him for dressage and don't want it to cause any future problems for that. Although I certainly don't plan on riding hyperflexed if I can help it!

Grace got really bad to bridle but because she was new to me I thought she was just nervous as not been ridden for about 3 years prior, I was bringing her back into work slowly and she was doing OK so I decided to put a bungee on her for a bit on the lunge, omg she went berserk I just couldn't get her to stop in a total panic mode, I think the poll pressure from the bungee hurt and she just freaked out so I got the vet out.

Part of her treatment was getting her used to me touching her poll area and after a few physio sessions she was much better, I always used a padded cover on her head piece when I rode her and never used side again

She was a 16.2 lump of a warmblood and only ever ridden in a straight bar happy mouth snaffle she was so sensitive in the mouth and head.