Ulcer Symptoms

Cribbing and wind sucking are often linked to low grade ulcers. I would also look out for vague colicky symptoms, irritation when being girthed up, seeming to strain to pee but not peeing, general grumpiness and losing or not holding condition. I'd also look at his management and consider how much forage/turnout/socialisation time he has every day as stress can contribute to ulcers as much as not enough forage.

What symptoms does your horse have? What is his management routine?
 
I am having difficulty keeping weight on her but then she is a stressy type. She goes out every day from 6.30am till 4pm. Has hay in the field but doesn;t always eat it even in this very cold weather. Has haylage and hay at night. Eats all the haylage but not all the hay ( Too much haylage makes her a bit loose) She has pasture nuts, safe and sound chaff and a vitamin supplement. She has plenty of energy for work but is not doing much at the moment due to the general winter scenario. But one thing she does do after her bucket feed is stick her head forward and move her bottom jaw backwards and forwards like something is stuck in her tooth.

Her teeth were seen to about 2 months ago by my EDT who is excellent. She did say that they were in a bit of a state and would take a while to sort out completely. She is slightly parrot mouthed.

Despite me sruggling to keep her weight up, she is by no means thin, just lean but her coat is soft and very shiny and she looks in good health. She is always so grumpy though! Maybe that's just a mare thing as I've always had geldings before this missycow!!
 
Assuming she has company in the field Tictac, that sounds a nice lifestyle for a ned. What breed is she, coz her weight might be fine for a livelier sort of ned. TB owners often struggle with weight. Have you weigh taped her? Is it just a winter thing when you struggle to keep her weight on? It might be worth you ringing one of the reputable feed helplines to get some guidance on approx weights and calorie requirements etc.

The general grumpiness could easily be just a mareish thing. From what you say about her good health and shiny coat, I wouldn't automatically leap to the conclusion that she has ulcers. Just see what the feed helplines suggest and maybe try something like Calm and Condition that advertises calories without fizz?

Good luck xxx
 
Thanks Box_of_Frogs for your advice. To be honest I have only had her for just over 7 months and this is my first winter with her. She is a Dutch Warmblood mare but is a light to middle weight sort. She has company in the paddocks either side of her. Unfortunately I can't put her out with my gelding as he is too boistrous and ends up getting kicked!

I took some piccys of her today and will take some more in a month or so just to check she hasn't lost any more weight, and will give a feed helpline a call during the week.

I probably am worrying a bit too much as I have always had good doers but I know she will pick up in the spring when the grass comes through.
 
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