Recent issues with 7 y/o Warmblood Mare (hind gut suspected?)

G

geckout

New User
Joined
22 September 2024
Messages
7
Visit site
Prior to about 5 months ago my mare would hack and jump fine with no real issues with attitude or lameness. earlier in this show season she started this hesitancy to going into the ring when there are no other horses around but once in the ring was fine. then about 3 months ago this began escalating significantly. she would just stop while trotting, begin rearing a lot, kicking out when leg used to move forward etc. she nearly refused to enter the ring or would get really pissed off when others left and she was alone. at first we thought it was attitude since it would be sporadic and once moving often would do fine in a class or in a flat class. however it has escalated a lot to where she may have one great day then three horrible days in a row after where she refuses to engage in trotting (let alone canter) and will stop, spin, kick out, or rear (though the rearing has subsided a lot).

in her stall she has zero issues eating. she eats every last piece of hey in her stall (its so clean often looks like she never got fed), she eats all her grain, all her hey, and will eat any treat provided to her.

we have had her on the following: Outlast now instead of grain (for 6 months), Calmakazi for 5 months, resolved reline GI support (6 weeks), positude (equine elixir) 6 weeks, and now sulcralfate for 3 weeks.

she has not improved one bit. in fact seems to be a bit worse at this point. so i am beginning to wonder if its hind gut or simply attitude or something we are simply missing. or have i just not given enough time for the gut to heal to see results? we are in CO FWIW.

she does seem a bit better with some riders over others but still presents these issues in general. she does seem to chew on wood (not too much since i dont see her doing it but notice bite marks on her stall rails) and whenever she gets a treat or snack she rubs her teeth along bars or the metal trey in her stall. just throwing everything out there for help. she has her teeth done every 6 months so not sure they are the issue.

would love some thoughts on if this really is hind gut and we just haven't hit it hard enough yet or given it time to settle or if attitude could be playing a role here.

thanks in advance.

bo
 
Mine was showing very similar behaviour, he had pyloric ulcers which needed 5 x weekly omeprazole injections and sucralfate added to feeds. After scoping clear he was on a low level of oral omeprazole for a few weeks. I now give him slippery elm and aloe vera juice but I doubt supplements would have got rid of the problem it's just to reduce the chance of reoccurrence.

Have you had the horse scoped to rule out stomach ulcers?
 
nutjob said:
Mine was showing very similar behaviour, he had pyloric ulcers which needed 5 x weekly omeprazole injections and sucralfate added to feeds. After scoping clear he was on a low level of oral omeprazole for a few weeks. I now give him slippery elm and aloe vera juice but I doubt supplements would have got rid of the problem it's just to reduce the chance of reoccurrence.

Have you had the horse scoped to rule out stomach ulcers?
Click to expand...
Scope is coming on tuesday next week.. just trying to gauge if this sounds familiar to others out there for gut/ hind gut issues and we are on the right path. sounds like we may need far more stronger meds to start to really curb it then maintenance going forward to keep it at bay should it be hind gut.
 
Highmileagecob said:
Someone I know had this and eventually had ovarian cysts diagnosed. Ovaries removed, sweet mare back on the scene.
Click to expand...
interestingly this was the other item we were considering. assume that the ultrasound for hind gut can also look for the cysts? want to ensure we dont do duplicate ultrasounds if one will suffice.
 
geckout said:
ill relay this info on. she eats every last piece of hay of every meal... so perhaps upping her hay by a flake is in order. thanks :)
Click to expand...
It is generally thought that you should have a birds' nest size amount of hay left over in the morning. If you have a fatty, use a small-holed haynet to slow them down and still aim to have some left over.
 
scoping was done... stomach is immaculate and zero signs or warnings of any ulcers at all.... did ultrasound (which btw was a very interesting process to witness not just from what one can see but how its done to look at ovaries ;) )
one ovary was still quite large which should only happen during ovulation / menstrual cycle i guess and due to it being fall seemed out of place but not totally uncommon. the other though showed irregularities.

"suspect possible GCT" pulled blood for AMH/Inhibin/ Testosterone
gave estimate IM to see if abnormal tissue responds.

test results should roll in this week possibly end of week or monday.

any of this ring a bell with anyone? im guessing we are looking towards ovary removal and according to the dr its not as tough a surgery as it once was and they can be up and running in 2-3 weeks post surgery. i am kinda leaning towards doing it regardless of the outcome of the bloodwork as she has always had some issues with her being in heat too often and very moody etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top