What would you guess is going on here?

[maya2008]

Small chestnut mare, 5yo, lead rein. Kids’ pony. Started biting the leader when ridden three weeks ago, progressed to spinning, then little bucks and a spin when kids got on. Then started kicking. Is now rearing at people as of tonight and owner is scared, won’t call vet…pony is mine as of tomorrow ! (Owner is an acquaintance of mine - I have full disclosure of the whole story!!)

Teeth done Feb (have seen the dated sheet written out), wormed 20th Feb. They were not using a saddle or bridle, just headcollar and kids sitting on bareback. Stopped riding a week or so ago, pony broke through electric fencing a few days ago and was then in stable with time in the sand school. Can’t see over stable door.

So… my husband has guessed lame. I’m guessing lame plus ulcers, made worse as she then had to be in and isolated? Or back pain as in with a recently gelded pony (pony gelded in February, as an adult, so is possibly mounting her and that would match the timing of the behaviour change).

Barring the possible brain tumour type answer, what else could it be?

And no, this isn’t a sensible thing to do. At all. But someone needs to help her, so…

 

[meleeka]

Could be hormones. I’d say a vet check as a start and see what they can find just by an examination.

 

[maya2008]

Could be hormones. I’d say a vet check as a start and see what they can find just by an examination.

Oh that’s the plan, just sitting here musing about the possibilities!!

 

[Melody Grey]

Hormones and/or spring grass….with laminitis and lameness potential.

So all of the above/ I have no idea basically!! good luck!

ETA…and find out how long a ‘recently gelded’ gelding is still fertile for

 

[maya2008]

Hormones and/or spring grass….with laminitis and lameness potential.

So all of the above/ I have no idea basically!! good luck!

Lami is a thought. Will check for pulses on arrival.

 

[Melody Grey]

Lami is a thought. Will check for pulses on arrival.

…and my slightly tongue in cheek ETA comment…

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Well it's obviously pain somewhere! I would observe her for a few days before the vet comes to see if you can help to narrow down the possible causes.

 

[JBM]

Hormones and/or spring grass….with laminitis and lameness potential.

So all of the above/ I have no idea basically!! good luck!

ETA…and find out how long a ‘recently gelded’ gelding is still fertile for

Just had my boy gelded she said a month to six weeks he could still do the deed

 

[maya2008]

Just had my boy gelded she said a month to six weeks he could still do the deed

Current owner says they did wait the six weeks.

Plan is for her to be a companion to my Shetland to keep her moving in her paddock (because that helps her stay sound) and just to have the summer off, because whatever we find, I’m pretty sure will take months to fix if it hurts this much! Gets everyone else off the hook taking turns dealing with grumpy grandma Shetland, and puts injured one in a quiet lami friendly paddock with one oldie for company.

If we’re told box rest, I can swing that too, but hoping small paddock rest will be ok.

(Imagine how small a 10hh x 12hh foal would be … )

 

[maya2008]

She’s here! Doesn’t want to pick up rear right leg, scrapes all over its back in hoof shaped arcs. Back sore, kind of locked tight kind of sore. Led fine, behaved fine so far. Have popped her in with my Shetland, (who was actually very nice to her) and left them to settle.

 

[tda]

I'd guess pain

 

[SEL]

She’s here! Doesn’t want to pick up rear right leg, scrapes all over its back in hoof shaped arcs. Back sore, kind of locked tight kind of sore. Led fine, behaved fine so far. Have popped her in with my Shetland, (who was actually very nice to her) and left them to settle.

If the just gelded gelding has been mounting her then it's not only hindquarters which hurt but they bite around the withers. My pony has permanent damage there from running with a stallion as did a friend's 3yo cob mare - hers was nasty on x ray

I think time to decompress with your Shetland and then see how she is. She sounds too sore for physio right now anyway poor girl.

 

[maya2008]

I took her for a walk around the field this afternoon (because I took carrots to get to know her and she shoved her head into the headcollar I was holding!). We ambled around at her pace, so she could explore. Nice little pony, polite and already very friendly with her companion. Was gentle around my children and got them giving her scratches and cuddles. Completely different pony here to the panicked descriptions I was getting from her previous home.

If the just gelded gelding has been mounting her then it's not only hindquarters which hurt but they bite around the withers. My pony has permanent damage there from running with a stallion as did a friend's 3yo cob mare - hers was nasty on x ray

I think time to decompress with your Shetland and then see how she is. She sounds too sore for physio right now anyway poor girl.

She’s really touchy along her back, especially loins. Given she can move freely and her face is soft and alert, behaviour good, I am going to give her some time before asking anyone to prod around to investigate. She has grandma Shetland to look after her, no one being mean, no one trying to put weight on her back. My Shetland loves her and thinks I have very kindly bought her a present !

I have the vet coming in a week anyway, so can get her vaccinations started and a check over done then. Hopefully vet can advise from there.

 

[meleeka]

I took her for a walk around the field this afternoon (because I took carrots to get to know her and she shoved her head into the headcollar I was holding!). We ambled around at her pace, so she could explore. Nice little pony, polite and already very friendly with her companion. Was gentle around my children and got them giving her scratches and cuddles. Completely different pony here to the panicked descriptions I was getting from her previous home.


She’s really touchy along her back, especially loins. Given she can move freely and her face is soft and alert, behaviour good, I am going to give her some time before asking anyone to prod around to investigate. She has grandma Shetland to look after her, no one being mean, no one trying to put weight on her back. My Shetland loves her and thinks I have very kindly bought her a present !

I have the vet coming in a week anyway, so can get her vaccinations started and a check over done then. Hopefully vet can advise from there.

Poor little thing. How did the previous owners not consider pain a possibility given all that?! They really didn’t deserve her.