soloequestrian
Well-Known Member
I've just read the 'to scope or not' thread and it mentions several non-prescription treatments that can be effective for ulcers - I wonder if people could expand on those e.g. sources, doses etc?
I've never knowingly dealt with ulcers but my instructor suggested that my young horse might have them. Her only suggestive behaviours are being grumpy about having her saddle on, having her girth checked and having rugs put on. She pulls faces for all of these but doesn't actually move away (very rarely tied up). I know that sounds like her saddle probably hurts but I can tighten the girth with absolutely no reaction once the saddle is sitting on her back - it's the part when it first touches (before there is any pressure) her that she doesn't like. I can also tighten the girth from in the saddle with no reaction at, it's only when I put my finger in to check it that she squeals and does a little cow kick. This is fairly recent and started when she had a massive season at the beginning of the year. Her seasons have calmed right down since then.
She is out 24/7 on grass and has a handful of hard feed each day for her minerals. The only life events I can think that might have stressed her were weaning (over 6 years ago) and the death of one of her field mates last year and subsequent arrival of another horse. She is very chilled when ridden, works well over her back, has no adverse reaction to any of the aids.
Given that she's pretty happy most of the time I don't want to go down an unpleasant or expensive treatment route, but would be interested to see if anything changed with something I can source and feed her.
I've never knowingly dealt with ulcers but my instructor suggested that my young horse might have them. Her only suggestive behaviours are being grumpy about having her saddle on, having her girth checked and having rugs put on. She pulls faces for all of these but doesn't actually move away (very rarely tied up). I know that sounds like her saddle probably hurts but I can tighten the girth with absolutely no reaction once the saddle is sitting on her back - it's the part when it first touches (before there is any pressure) her that she doesn't like. I can also tighten the girth from in the saddle with no reaction at, it's only when I put my finger in to check it that she squeals and does a little cow kick. This is fairly recent and started when she had a massive season at the beginning of the year. Her seasons have calmed right down since then.
She is out 24/7 on grass and has a handful of hard feed each day for her minerals. The only life events I can think that might have stressed her were weaning (over 6 years ago) and the death of one of her field mates last year and subsequent arrival of another horse. She is very chilled when ridden, works well over her back, has no adverse reaction to any of the aids.
Given that she's pretty happy most of the time I don't want to go down an unpleasant or expensive treatment route, but would be interested to see if anything changed with something I can source and feed her.
