Evie91
Well-Known Member
Good Evening all, posting in desperation really. Have a poorly horse, he is receiving vet treatment but currently stumped by his symptoms. Posting on here in case anyone has experienced anything similar. None of my friends or contacts have ever experienced this and I feel stuck and desperate to help my beautiful boy.
Horse is ex race tb, 7 years old, perfect happy hacker, lives out 24/7 (as his preference - doesn’t like being stabled), going into third winter living out (previous two has thrived), has field shelter, rugs, companions, hard feed and hay, lives in large field with natural shelter and field shelter, automatic water trough, plenty of space, little mud, was ridden four times a week - mainly hacking, some jumping and schooling. Up to date with all usual checks. Horse is having vet care and I’ve tried to keep concise- he has had everything thrown at him to try and address this (not literally!).
So probably 8 weeks ago horse had what I’m now describing as an ’episode’ came into stable fine, then almost immediately began to choke. Treated with airwaves and was fine, week or so later same thing then progressed to colic symptoms- walked horse around, he threw himself on the ground, rolled once, eyes glazed over, teeth exposed and I thought he was dead! (as did professional who was with me at the time), unmoving for five minutes, got up shook himself and completely fine. Vet phoned - just monitor as seemed fine. Two days later another episode, bought in from field immediately showing colic signs, vet called, horse walked, throwing himself on the floor, laying still, jumping up. Vet attends, on examination no signs of colic (no spasms, no elevated heart rate), given pain relief.
Horse scoped has some ulcers, now six weeks into treatment and ulcers (including hind gut) 75% better. Horse continues with episodes. Has lost significant amount of weight. Episodes usually begin with horse lying flat out in field, gets up, paws the ground, refuses to eat, throws himself around Or he seems like he is suffering from mild choke but isn’t (hard to describe). Last two episodes he’s been put on the walker and seems ok after about an hour. This horse has always loved his food but now barely eats - is stood at the hay bar but picking strands rather than stuffing his face.
My concern is that although the ulcers are getting better I’m seeing no improvement in him and he continues to lose weight (obvs no longer riding). Professionals involved are stumped, he continues with ulcer treatment and weekly vet visits ( for injections). Vets are discussing next steps but unsure where to start. He’s had blood tests - all fine, heart fine, wormed, teeth fine (checked two weeks ago even though he wasn’t due). There’s probably a lot more I haven’t gone into (as want people to read and give advice, not get bored and log off). There is no pattern, happens all times of the day (assume sometimes they are missed, these are the only ones we know about), no correlation with being fed (or not), no two episodes are exactly the same although each time he does refuse food and seems off for a few days afterwards (quiet).
anyone got any advice, seen anything similar?
Horse is ex race tb, 7 years old, perfect happy hacker, lives out 24/7 (as his preference - doesn’t like being stabled), going into third winter living out (previous two has thrived), has field shelter, rugs, companions, hard feed and hay, lives in large field with natural shelter and field shelter, automatic water trough, plenty of space, little mud, was ridden four times a week - mainly hacking, some jumping and schooling. Up to date with all usual checks. Horse is having vet care and I’ve tried to keep concise- he has had everything thrown at him to try and address this (not literally!).
So probably 8 weeks ago horse had what I’m now describing as an ’episode’ came into stable fine, then almost immediately began to choke. Treated with airwaves and was fine, week or so later same thing then progressed to colic symptoms- walked horse around, he threw himself on the ground, rolled once, eyes glazed over, teeth exposed and I thought he was dead! (as did professional who was with me at the time), unmoving for five minutes, got up shook himself and completely fine. Vet phoned - just monitor as seemed fine. Two days later another episode, bought in from field immediately showing colic signs, vet called, horse walked, throwing himself on the floor, laying still, jumping up. Vet attends, on examination no signs of colic (no spasms, no elevated heart rate), given pain relief.
Horse scoped has some ulcers, now six weeks into treatment and ulcers (including hind gut) 75% better. Horse continues with episodes. Has lost significant amount of weight. Episodes usually begin with horse lying flat out in field, gets up, paws the ground, refuses to eat, throws himself around Or he seems like he is suffering from mild choke but isn’t (hard to describe). Last two episodes he’s been put on the walker and seems ok after about an hour. This horse has always loved his food but now barely eats - is stood at the hay bar but picking strands rather than stuffing his face.
My concern is that although the ulcers are getting better I’m seeing no improvement in him and he continues to lose weight (obvs no longer riding). Professionals involved are stumped, he continues with ulcer treatment and weekly vet visits ( for injections). Vets are discussing next steps but unsure where to start. He’s had blood tests - all fine, heart fine, wormed, teeth fine (checked two weeks ago even though he wasn’t due). There’s probably a lot more I haven’t gone into (as want people to read and give advice, not get bored and log off). There is no pattern, happens all times of the day (assume sometimes they are missed, these are the only ones we know about), no correlation with being fed (or not), no two episodes are exactly the same although each time he does refuse food and seems off for a few days afterwards (quiet).
anyone got any advice, seen anything similar?
