Why is my horse doing this?

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Joanne4584

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Yesterday I noticed him swinging his head to his right and trying to bite his stomach. At first I thought colic, yet I've never seen him do that before when he's had colic. There were no other colic symptoms. He was eating, drinking and pooing as normal.

It seems he's been doing it again over night cause there is a wet patch on his side that he's been going for, and I caught him doing it again. Still eating and drinking, pooing and being his normal self.

I have the vet coming out tomorrow anyway for other things so will mention it but I was just wondering if anyone knows what it could be?
 
Oh no the dreaded ulcers!!!! please try the gastroplus from equine science!! this is the amazing stuff which got my horse better after all the vets treatments failed my horse was nearly PTS with ulcers and its only because the gastroplus worked that she is with us today!! she is doing amazing ridable, loving, and winning out at shows!! please if she has ulcers try this stuff from equine science it will save you a load a money to in the long run and heartache!!! xxx
 
Try itching the spot if the horse pulls in a oh yes just their way it probally just itchy skin.
At this time of year they begin to feel the lack of sunlight and many get itchy skin .
 
Joanne4584 said:
Yesterday I noticed him swinging his head to his right and trying to bite his stomach. At first I thought colic, yet I've never seen him do that before when he's had colic. There were no other colic symptoms. He was eating, drinking and pooing as normal.

It seems he's been doing it again over night cause there is a wet patch on his side that he's been going for, and I caught him doing it again. Still eating and drinking, pooing and being his normal self.

I have the vet coming out tomorrow anyway for other things so will mention it but I was just wondering if anyone knows what it could be?
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I think he may be over rugged. Its been quite mild and mine developed a rash which I assume is due to being over hot with a thick outdoor rug on. If you look down the veterinary column you will see two posts about itchy horses. Worth considering before you spend a small fortune.
 
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MrsD123 said:
I would get vet out NOW
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That's a bit dramatic! I noticed the ??? on your reply to my post too.

Gosh you must have some money to burn if you suggest vet every five minutes. To spend £43 on travel, £40 on examine equine and £?? on cost of drugs adds up to a small fortune. Some of us like to consider other possiblities first, monitor the horse, look for other signs. obviously if the horse is rolling around on the floor is displaying symptoms that are unusual (in my horses case as I explained colic is not unusual and I normally treat myself on vets encouragement) then yes call the vet by all means. But if its a bit itchy due to being too hot in a heavy rug (due to temp fluctuations in weather) than I think the vet is a bit OTT to be honest.

If it was up to you her horse would be in a blooming horspital by now, hooked up to all kinds of monitors and a team of surgeons on stand by!
 
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Lucky Lady said:
He is biting at stomach because he is in pain and can seriously harm themselves if left. .
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You don't think he might be overheated in a rug then???? Or itchy because horses are moulting due to the mild weather we have had recently? If you look down the veterinary section you will see two other posts about itchy horses for the very reason I outlined above.
 
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applecart14 said:
That's a bit dramatic! I noticed the ??? on your reply to my post too.
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I thought they were taking the pee! Oh well.

My vet didn't seem concerned about it. Bertie isn't rugged at the minute. He had a look and thinks it might be lice. Until 2 weeks ago Bertie had no horses in the stables next to him... he is now stabled next to the other horses who have had lice in the past. So he's given him an injection to see if that helps. I'm not sure it is that though....
 
I was going to say lice - I had a horse come on livery with lice and it would obsessively nibble at its sides, and rubbed its face raw poor lad. Thank god none of the other horses caught them....

The vet injected with dectomax 3 times before the owner could get rid of them.
 
Sidney said:
I was going to say lice - I had a horse come on livery with lice and it would obsessively nibble at its sides, and rubbed its face raw poor lad. Thank god none of the other horses caught them....

The vet injected with dectomax 3 times before the owner could get rid of them.
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I've had him 14 years and he's never had lice once. Grrrr. It doesn't look like he's been biting overnight, and he didn't do it this morning. I hope it clears up quickly. How long does Dectomax normally take to work?
 
In my livery's case it took a few weeks as the dectomax had to be given as a course.

She then had to wash all rugs/tack/grooming kit and was a right pita (the washing, not my livery!).

Lice can be 'just one of those things' so don't feel bad if it does turn out to be them.
 
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