Why is my horse attacking me??

[fuzzle]

Hi, i have owned my horse since she was 2, she was amazing and willing. Now is is nearly 5yrs. She however as just been diognoised with gastric ulcers which she is under the vets and having treatment. Her attitude stinks she turns her bum to you every time you go in the stable, she has started to launch at you with her mouth open to bite you, which is becoming really bad, tonight i have just put her back into work and was having a gentle hack in walk next to her stable comanion when fron out of the blue she pinned her ears right back and launched at the other horse( which is has never done!!) has this behaviour got anything to do with her having the ulcers or just a age thing or do you think i have got to get to the point and give her a hard smack for bad behaviour?? I have not really told her off for this has i thought it was the ulcer problem i also got her on regumate so i know its not hormonal!!! advise please!!!!! x

 

[Micky]

Sounds like she is feeling poorly, probably from the ulcers etc...maybe ring your vet and tell him whats going on and ask for suggestions? A gentle reprimand vocally won't do much harm...her skin may be sensitive to the touch and she might want to be left alone, try and judge how shes feeling when you approach her stable...otherwise, I don't know..good luck, be interested to hear the outcome

 

[fuzzle]

Thanks hun, yes the vets are aware of this, hence why i had her in for scans for hormonal behaviour but all is fine but we put her on regumate to eliminate this problem, gastoscope was there next advise which i went for grade2 gangular ulcers which she is on gastroguard and antespin and anti biotics, must admitt she has become worse with treatment, she however had 3 weeks off and still attacking me while not in work, its so strange and frustrating has i dont konw what to do!!! but will keep you posted xxxxxxxx

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Ulcers are very painful. Being tacked up (especially the girth) and ridden (exercise causes the stomach acid to splash around, therefore the ulcer is even more painful) wont have been nice experiences for her once she developed the ulcers. I guess that you are the main person that does these things with her? So her behaviour towards you is understandable. You need to get her pain free and then do nice things with her so that she associates you with nice things, not pain.

 

[be positive]

Thanks hun, yes the vets are aware of this, hence why i had her in for scans for hormonal behaviour but all is fine but we put her on regumate to eliminate this problem, gastoscope was there next advise which i went for grade2 gangular ulcers which she is on gastroguard and antespin and anti biotics, must admitt she has become worse with treatment, she however had 3 weeks off and still attacking me while not in work, its so strange and frustrating has i dont konw what to do!!! but will keep you posted xxxxxxxx

Ulcers are going to be causing her pain, treating them is only part of the cure, if you treat the ulcers you really need to treat the cause as well it may be she needs a change of routine, a complete overhaul of diet, possibly she is not relaxed with her companion when turned out or there may be further underlying issues not yet found.

 

[mandwhy]

I reckon she'll be nice as pie once her ulcers are sorted bless her. Ulcers come up a lot on here when grumpy behaviour is mentioned so you are not alone, hopefully some people who have gone through it will reassure you.

I would bare with her and do minimal stuff with her til she is feeling better but I would still give a verbal reprimand if she tried to bite or kick etc.