TB behaviour - ?ulcers

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eillim13

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Hi,

I know ulcers are v common especially in racehorses/ex/performance horses & they can vary in grading/symptoms. I've read a few threads on them on here but now have a couple of questions if anyone can help!?

Can symptoms/changes in behaviour be intermittent if a horse has ulcers?

I understand stress can be a trigger, but would quick reaction/spinning in stable/heart pounding when horse is stressed/v anxious be possible behaviour?

I am planning on investigating my horse but these bits of info would be v helpful.

Thanks 😄
 
Yes - completely aside from any possible symptoms from the specific stomach pain (girthiness, not enjoying the leg being put on, reaction on palpation) you can see all kinds of behaviours associated with higher stress. As well as being a cause of ulcers, stress is also a result: when a horse is in near constant pain, it's cortisol / adrenaline levels increase and put it on high alert. Not necessarily all the time, it can be very erratic. Behaviour is far more useful an indicator than what we used to be told to look for, eg losing weight, poor coat, etc.
 
Thanks philamena.

I watched video link on another thread, checked palpation trigger points & got a definite positive reaction on girth.

Always put her slight girthy reaction down to her being a mare! As they can be more sensitive.

Thanks again
 
Yep, its more then possible that its ulcers, my gelding would be absolutely fine one minute, and a fire breathing dragon the next. we're ~4 weeks post treatment now, and we havent looked back, he is working amazingly well in the school and is one happy bunny!

Once you've 'treated' the ulcers, I'd recommend Alltech Lifeforce as a supplement to help maintain a healthy gut, i really rate it for my TB gelding.
 
Thanks everyone.

After a discussion with my vet today I think I'm going to get her scoped. I hate seeing her stressy behaviour get the better of her. I believe I can go through my insurance if scope positivr so might just do that as it sounds like its not going to be cheap if vet finds ulcers. It'll be worth it tho if my lovely mare is happier.
 
Good luck OP, let us know how you get on.

I have one that I planned to get scoped, then I changed his diet and he had a course of acupuncture for neck pain and his symptoms have decreased considerably. I may still get him scoped but my vet thinks the 'ulcers' were secondary to his neck issue.
 
Just wanted to say a massive thank you to you all for your advice/help.

I had my mare scoped today & was horrified to find out she does have ulcers & they're grade 3-4. It's no wonder my poor mare has been extra stressy & acting dramatically at times.

The treatment my vet has started is gastrogard, a acid balancer & antibiotics. She has to be re-scoped in 6 weeks but l'm hoping to see some changes/improvements before then :)
 
Sounds a good way forwards, now you know whats wrong... hopefully you will be able to get your horse sorted and back to normal.

However as an asides, is there anything else wrong with her that could be causing the ulcers?
 
Hi wench... Vet didn't seem to have concerns, she came from p2p yard when I got her 22mths ago & cud be stressy so we're presuming lifestyle/regime there has triggered ulcers developing.
 
In a way, great to have a diagnosis so at least you have something to get to work on. I'd really really recommend getting a great osteopath to look at her as soon as you see the girthiness diminish: ulcers often come along with patterns of muscular tightness and pain as the horse holds itself against the discomfort which the horse can't undo on its own... and if the muscular pain isn't resolved then that discomfort in itself can cause the ulcers to recur as a stress response. You don't want a recurrence if you can possibly avoid it because it's £££ and will be excluded on insurance :) You want to get her fully checked over once you know the stomach is more comfortable, but as soon as possible after that IYKWIM. Depressingly, it doesn't take much to kick ulcers back off again: my mare's recurred after straining her back in a bucking fit even though she's on preventative supplements, an ulcer friendly diet and is no longer stressy.
 
Thanks philamena.

I was thinking of getting my Physio out once 6 week check done. My mare is usually tight when she has Physio but wasn't as bad as previous when she had routine check in April. I will defo organise it tho.

Yes I have read a lot about managing ulcers & I suppose I can only do what I can do to an extent. It's hard to know if day to day life is causing her stress but I decent supplement might help balance her. A friend has been thru the same last year & is giving me info she has gathered along with feeding advice.

Fingers crossed its the racing that triggered this & life with me is less stressful!
 
Absolutely, I'm sure! Mine is completely different to handle since getting her ulcers and her muscular pain sorted, but it was sorting the muscular pain which really made the difference. I will probably always need a preventative dose of omeprazole whenever she gets hurt, as I don't want her having NSAIDs and being hurt obviously creates enough stress for her for them to recur. I'd ask your physio to pay special attention to her pectorals / muscles around her shoulders and front legs as these often tighten drastically in a response to girth pain. I went through half a dozen chiro / physio types before an osteopath eventually managed to make more difference in one treatment than the others had put together.

And while it took her a while to get used to sugar free dinner, she certainly makes the most of the 'must have hay at all times' and 'chaff before riding' rules :) :)
 
That's great advice, I'll ask her to see what she thinks.

Yes hay all day & chaff before riding won't be a prob for mine either!! Thank god she's a good eater!! Lol
 
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