Sudden change of behaviour

[Lifeofapiebaldcob]

It’s screaming ulcers at me and I’m going to ring the vet but I just thought I’d ask on here for suggestions too!

13 year old cob gelding, known arthritis but that’s it, no other health concerns. Owned him since 10 months old.

Moved yards at the end of September, first few weeks wasn’t settled and jumped out the field twice. Since then he’s been fine, settled with the herd no problems.

The last couple of weeks I noticed he was snapping his head round when changing rugs. Absolutely fine when being tacked up and ridden apart from being a bit spooky… usually he’s fine. He’s not lost weight (other than the weight he usually drops in winter), he’s not off his food and he’s not lame. I can run my hands along his stomach and he’s fine, no reaction at all.

With the snow and ice he had nearly 2 weeks of limited turnout and this is when it seems to have all started

He’s currently on NAF Gastriaid which I started at the end of last week.

 

[SEL]

Mine are out 24.7 and even they are showing gut problem signs - I think the grass has gone to a brown mess after the snow, ice, rain and we all need summer.

I think gut is a good starting point. Biting at me putting rugs on is a giveaway with my littlest cob.

 

[Traks]

Our mare does this, she’s always been a bit like it but definitely worse the past month. She’s also been pretty bad with the tack but we’ve just found out her saddle didn’t fit at all so she’s got a new one and is much better. Got physio this week so will see if there are any sore areas…otherwise we may well end up scoping too for ulcers.

Does your rug and saddle etc fit ok?? I assume so but it’s worth checking. They we often a bit more acidy when they are in more in bad weather etc… our mare is so much better when she’s out more. She’s been in a lot the week of snow and ice and she definitely got worse since then too. Roll on spring!

 

[Highmileagereindeer]

If he can tolerate alfalfa, it will act as an acid buffer, but choose one without added extras. Is he being bullied? Has he found his happy place in the new herd, or is he used to being the alpha? He may possibly be experiencing more pain from the arthritis - cold weather is not very kind to creaky joints. Hope you can sort him out!

 

[BBP]

Based on my experience this week. Get him scoped. Dont faff around with supplements and thinking you know what might be happening or trials of medications. Take a look and see what is happening. Mine started off with not liking being rugged and has escalated. Scope was this morning and I wish I hadn’t spent time trying this that and the other over the last few months. I can brush her no problem, but rugs have been a big ‘F you’. Major red flag for me now.