Very STRANGE Behaviour

[Mungali]

Sorry for long winded post, but am a bit worried at the mo !.

Not sure if anyone can shed any light on my boys behaviour. He has started to snatch/bite at his back legs/flanks. Basically he can be stood there quite normally and out of the blue put his ears back and violently snatch round very quickly at one or other of his flanks which is followed by lashing out with that particular rear leg.

At first I thought it was because he was getting annoyed with being in his stable away from some of his mates. But I have just been up to see him in the field (with all his mates) and for the first time ever

I have seen him do it while turned out. Can go on for a while in his stable but only did it 3 or 4 times in the field. He doesn't appear to do it every day and I first noticed him start doing it back in December.

He isn't biting at flies and he doesn't appear to be colicky.

Anyone shed any light on this please ?.

Thanks

 

[spaniel]

Mites or lice?

 

[Mungali]

Thanks - but haven't seen any unwelcome guests crawling about on him and it is extremely violent when he does it and it is only ever in relation to his back legs.

 

[tashyisaudrey]

My first thoughts were colic or flies. But you said its neither. I have to admit that sounds strange. Are you sure its not midges or something? Make a note of what times he does it -after exercise. randomly, etc. Is he fine in every other way or have you noticed any other irregularity? I'd get your vet to check him over as well, because it could be something serious going on inside him. Like I say I think its a case of finding the connection when he does it like after he's eaten or something?

 

[tashyisaudrey]

I'd also get eyes, teeth and back checked just as a rule of thumb to rule obvious out as well. A physio might even be able to help - discover a problem with his back legs perhaps? I'd investigate this one..

 

[Mungali]

Thanks Audrey - no set pattern, can happen anytime of day, before or after food, same with exercise. Have physio next week so will ask her if anything could lead to this strange behaviour.

Def not flies or midges as started in winter when none around.

 

[henryhorn]

I wuld get a McTimoney person to check his back and muscles, it may be he is getting muscle spasms which are in his flanks.. The kick may release them.
next time you see him do it carefullyfeel the area all around for tight muscles (don't get kicked!)
Other option is heel mites, does he have feathers?

 

[chestnut cob]

Friend's horse does this and it's due to him having/getting mites. You can't see them, vet will need to take a scraping and look at it under the microscope. He gets really itchy and stamps/kicks out with back feet or stamps on his own legs and makes them bleed. She has to wash his legs regularly with a special lotion, think she treats with Frontline and vet gives him jabs for it.

 

[Mungali]

Hi Henryhorn - I am seeing the physio on Friday as she came this week and wants to come back as he was very tender over his buttocks and down the back of his legs. Really am hoping it is something like that, rather than him going a bit doo lally.

Hasn't got feathers as such as is a warmblood so not very hairy at all.

 

[Folara]

Check his sheath. Friends horse was doing this and it turned out he had an infection in his sheath and had maggots. Wouldnt think it was maggots if its been happening from December but it could be a bit manky and need a clean.

Just a thought.

 

[Mungali]

Thanks Folara - going armed with the marigolds for an investigation !!