Trouble weeing and pooing??

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psychick82

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hello all,

i wondered if anyone elses horse had a similar problem.

basically, before exercise (i.e. if i've just got on my horse and starting to ride out, or warming up in the school, or starting to lunge) my mare seems to need to poo and wee before she can really "get going".

i would say 70% of the time she will poo and then wee within the first few minutes, but there are frustrating times when she's trying to go - lifting up tail, almost at the point of going - but then stops. when this happens it's really frustrating to make the most of the exercise session and i also feel i shouldn't push her too much because it's obvious she's uncomfortable because she wants to go but she won't!

does anyone else have this problem? have i let it become a habit? (i have tried to not let her go, try to ask her to work properly but just makes her grumpy most times) or is this a sign or an underlying medical condition?

last year she was suffering from stomach ulcers, which finally cleared sept 2008 after anitbiotic treatment.

thanks,
gemma
 
I'd say you'd need a vet to examine her to make sure she has no internal issues if she is struggling in any way to urinate or pass droppings.
 
she does has, and always has had to some extent or another, a bit of a "pot" belly - i've read that is a sign of metabolic syndrome - she is on a very controlled diet and exercised daily but the weight is only coming off very, very slowly!

thanks for your advice, i think i will have to go down the vet route soon - i have only been doing ground work with her for the last two weeks, so if the probs are still there when i start to ride again i will def get the vet out.

thanks so much
smile.gif
 
Some horses do seem to find it tricky to walk on and poo at the same time. My very experienced (ie advanced level eventing) friend always lets her horse stand still and dung. It might take him a minute or two and he has a very interesting expression on his face while he pushes too!

She says its because he's a male and can't multitask, but I think not all horses find it easy to walk and dung, so if your mare wants to stop, just let her and accept it's her way.

Dunging is often a sign of (mild) stress, hence why so many go as they are being loaded, so if she is going just as you start work, it could be that she is finding it a little bit stressful, which is quite normal if she is only just back in work. So she feels the need to empty her bowels, only it is taking a while as maybe she has not long been, if you get my drift!

As for weeing, maybe the same reasoning? As others say, you can get her checked out for peace of mind, but if she is weeing and pooing normally in the stable, then it might just be a little bit of stress making her feel like she needs to go. Bit like me before going xc actually!
 
We have a pony a bit like this and have just had him fully checked by vet. There's nothing wrong, it's just a bit of a ahbit in his case and it's a bit of a nappy evasion.
 
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