Sensitive while girthing - always a sign of ulcers?

[Kirstineridesagain]

The gelding I'm riding (so not my own) has his ears back and is clearly uncomfortable when I girth him up. I'm very careful and gentle, and do the lowest holes first. He's had ulcers in the past, and I give alfalfa before every ride. Could it be the memory of pain that's causing him to make a face at me whike girthing, or is it usually a sign of ulcers when they show discomfort at being girthed? The owner says he's always been like that since he was treated for ulcers - ge doesn't show any other signs of ulcers - but I'm not sure.

 

[HopOnTrot]

Pain or expected pain somewhere, could be saddle? Girth? Ulcers? Back? The list is endless!

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

Pain or expected pain somewhere, could be saddle? Girth? Ulcers? Back? The list is endless!

Saddle check on Monday. I've been trying a new treeless saddle too, he's the same with that. It seems it's doing up the girth he doesn't like. But yes, could be anything...

 

[smolmaus]

Not really your responsibility but for a horse with ulcers previously the natural assumption would be a reoccurance. Pain memory can be a thing but imo you need to try and prove its not still pain before you assume that.

Hope the saddle check shows an easy fix!

 

[Nocturnal]

Did the owner rescope after treating the ulcers? If he’s been unhappy girthing ever since he got them I’d wonder if they ever fully healed.

 

[maya2008]

Check armpit hair also if not clipped - some girths pull out the longer winter hairs and it can be uncomfortable.

 

[Skib]

Girth can be cold in winter . I rub my hand down the horse where the girth will lie so she is ready and expecting it

 

[Wizpop]

Ulcers don’t always show “ other signs” - I’d be pushing to have some sort of gut supplement/ investigation if no improvement soon. I was shown by physio, that if you touch the chest and horse shows signs of discomfort ( which mine did at the time), then that was also an indication of ulcers. She was very unhappy about having rugs done up.

 

[Muddywellies]

In my experience, it not always a sign of ulcers. My ulcer prone horse was grumpy when girthed so I got her scoped, and she was clear. I had recently changed to one of those horrid pro lite girths and when I returned to her old one, she was much happier and the angry faces stopped. Expensive way to find out she hated the girth

 

[YourValentine]

It could be pain elsewhere that they associate with being ridden or being worse when ridden.

My boy I've just retired started to be grumpy to do the girth up before we could pick up any lameness trotting up.
The main diagnosis of pain somewhere came from putting him on bute for a week and the noticeable change in behaviour and attitude. Further investigations then revealed arthritis

Ets he'd scoped clear for ulcers

 

[cornbrodolly]

It can also be breathing problems - that was the diagnosis when a friend s horse was increasingly uncomfy when girthed. She just couldnt expand her lungs enough to feel ok under saddle. Always worth a vet check.

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

I don't really know what to do, apart from the saddle check tomorrow. He's very lightly ridden, not my horse, and once we ride away he's okay. I'll see how tomorrow goes.

Thank you for your responses.