ulcers or not?

[Op_al12]

I full loan 11-year-old Connie mare. Even when we tried her she was sluggish and slow. We have asked lots of peoples opinions in the yard about her saddle and everyone agreed that the gullet was too high, panels to narrow so squeezing her shoulders. Someone with a spare GP saddle has let us borrow it until the saddle fitter comes next week. she is going so so much better in it (she would barley jump/canter before and nap on hacks) she is now jumping amazingly, not napping at all etc. But strangely, she has become girthy since using the new saddle? nothing else has changed (i changed her feed about a month ago, just a different chaff). I am not sure whether it is down to the saddle or ulcers because it seems like quite a coincidence that she is suddenly girthy with a different saddle (the saddle is shorter with the girth straps higher). She isn't showing any other signs of ulcers, no sore flank or laying, isn't lame, has a good topline etc? she is staring to engage her hind end more and more but just doesn't frame yet (thought this was due to her being a happy hacker fro 3 years and not being schooled much). She also chomps on her bit so any suggestion on how to resolve this would be great too!

 

[Wheels]

I would think not ulcers but possibly saddle and girth set up - check you are not doing the girth up too tight.

I would get a physio appointment at a similar time to the saddle fitter and take it from there

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

It might be that the narrow saddle has made her a bit sore, I would get physio or sports massage person out first and see if it resolves might be worth trying a different girth.

 

[dorsetladette]

It could be that the new/different saddle is putting pressure on her back in a different place or way that hurts. Personally I'd avoid riding until a saddler and physio have seen her.

 

[AFB]

I would think saddle too, since that's the variable. Get that sorted & a physio out and see what happens from there...

 

[Op_al12]

thank you! someone has booked the physio so will share an appointment.

 

[Op_al12]

My mare also has quite a dull coat, I know ulcers can cause this but seeing as she has no other symptoms would love recommendations! I am currently feeding a spillers daily balancer, alfalfa chaff and a handful of pony nuts. I was thinking of getting her a gut balancer, what does everyone think?

 

[Muddywellies]

Ulcers can manifest themselves in quite strange ways, sometimes with no obvious symptoms at all, like my horse. Saying that, yours doesn't really sound like ulcers but after going through what I have with mine, I would be inclined to have your horse scoped. I did this just to discount it as my mare was having behavioural problems, and we found grade 3 bleeding ulcers. She was (and still is) a picture of health so you really wouldn't have assumed ulcers.

 

[Op_al12]

update: I have loosened the girth slightly (the saddle I've been borrowing was slightly too big) so i think I've been doing the girth too tight. She is no longer girthy and perfectly happy