Vets can't find anything wrong with my horse...HELP PLS

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Hollyhorse

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I've owned my horse for almost 3 years now. He's a 16.1 grey 7yo irish sport horse gelding. He was very green when I got him n very naughty but when he realised that (a) I wouldn't back down, and (b) I wasn't falling off - he gave in and became a sweetie to ride and compete, a little babyish n spooky but went from strength to strength and progressed to jumping around 1.05/1.10 BSJA tracks and elementary dressage. He spent the first 1 1/2 yrs with me at a livery yard near my university then last summer he moved across the country to my home with me. Since being home he's changed into being a difficult, lazy, backward horse that spooks non-stop at everything and nothing to the point that it's ridiculous - I am talking about leaping spooks, repetitive vertical rears and bucking broncos. At the end of last summer I took him to the vet for investigations, certain something must be wrong.

Now after a year of tests we have made little progress - medically he's better as a few things came to light but were treated either successfully e.g. he had gastric ulcers which we have gone with his new diet and some lifestyle adjustments, or the treatment made no difference e.g. muscle biopsy showed a problem but treatment did not help, front foot xrays suggested thin soles so he has remedial shoes. Vet says there is nothing more to do and I don't know what to do. All I do know is that for over a year I had a bouncy, enthusiastic, fun horse who I loved riding and now I have a lazy, backward, spooky, naughty horse. (and yes he has seen chiro, physio, saddler, dentist etc etc).

What I'm wondering is if there's a chemical imbalance which has resulted from his change from southampton to bristol when I finished uni and whether I can find that out via a blood test or something? Or are there any other test I could do? any advice would be really appreciated!
 
I am far from being an expert but it sounds to me like the change of environment does not suit him...you say he was on a livery yard and fine then moved to your home and the problems started...is he still with other horses at your home? It sounds to me like he is telling you he is not happy with his environment....just a thought?
 
Wow he is really trying to tell you something, isn't he?

I would go with the others and say there is something in the new place that is really affecting him. Have you heard of geographic stress? Energy can really affect a horse's welbeing, have you tried moving his stable, or even yards?
 
I only ask because my friend's horse moved yards quite a bit while she was at boarding school, uni, going home in uni holidays and she was noticeably more relaxed on some of the yards than others, being in a back stable really didn't suit her. She was very very chilled when she was in an old fashioned quad shaped yard so I think some are very sensitive.
 
I agree with some of the others that maybe your horse just doesn't like the new yard.

If you think it is not that - have you tried themography? The thermal camera shows up heat spots on/in the horse. This then would give you a specific area to look at.

My horses are regularly checked with the thermography camera and it was with this that I discovered my boy had psd (hind suspensory issues). The horse was still sound and winning but he was being nappy when being ridden.

If you would like any more details then please pm me.
 
I think I too, would question his new environment. I have a friend who's horse has always been the most dependable, bombproof horse you could find, but earlier this year he went from living on a yard with five others to being on his own.

Since moving, although appearing outwardly happy and settled in himself, he has become quite spooky to ride and difficult- napping and rearing. She has had him 2.5 years and never in that time has he behaved this way until he was on his own.

You don't say whether he's got company at home or not but just a thought if your lad is now on his own..
 
Very interesting re environment. Changing yard is not really an option now as I have horses at home!! The yard at uni was a riding school, livery yard and competition centre so very busy and lots of horses. At home he is in a field with another horse (was on individual turnout last year) n we have 6 horses total - all in paddocks next to each other if that makes sense!? I would definitely agree that he loved the busy scene at the uni yard, buzzing n lively n he thrived in that but that's not really an option now because I have them at home. Maybe I should get liveries to add more buzz...

What's scintigraphy?? will look up as sounds very interesting. Also love the sound of thermography - will look into both of these so thank you.
 
There is a big WB on the yard that was bombproof, was stabled next to a busy road, on a busy yard. His owners managed to buy there own place, he is out with 2 other geldings, has other horses arround and now some days is a wreck. He isnt ridden anymore as his behaviour changed so much his owner was concussed at one point, he now also has a few leg issues so is slightly unsound. He went from hacking on a busy main road to freaking out on the bridleways. Some days hes fine, others he weaves constantly, spooks badly on the way to the field and seems vacant. He changed almost as soon as they moved him to the quiet new yard. I reckon this is definately your horses problem.
 
Why dont you try him at a local busy yard for a month or two. Then you will get your answer. Then you can decide what you want or can do about it.

My horse changed overnight from a bit of a "dizzy" but happy go lucky girl to a complete and utter head case. If i had not owned her for the 5 years i had already, i would have sworn she was drugged.

Dont know why to this day - but the place i moved her to she hated - it was so bad i had to take her to the field in a bridle, gloves and on a lunge line -no one else would touch her.

I moved her yards - and i must admit i thought she had a brain tumor - she saw that box and ran onto it - she walked off the ramp at new yard - and just settled - she changed so much in 30 mins it was awesome. Sometimes they just know their own mind.

Poor you and good luck
 
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A scintigraphy can be hugely helpful but will cost a lot of money and your insurance won't pay for it if nothing is found.

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Really? Is this the bone scan with radioactive isotopes? Just because my horse is having one of these, and I've checked with insurance who have said I am fine to claim for it, and I don't have any exclusions. I even told them that we don't know what is wrong or where the problem is (hence why having it) and they said that wasn't a problem.
 
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