Wits end with my horse's drastic change in behaviour -

[CharlesMax]

I posted recently on my horse's recent nappy behaviour but things are getting worse and I am at my wits end!

I have owned my 12 year old ISH for 2 years. He has been a Saint until now. He was quite green when I bought him but he has been very willing and picked things up fast. We did some low level competing last Season and ended on a good note.I kept him fit over the winter, doing the odd comp here and there, including arena eventing - all went well.

The plan this Season was to get a few 90's under our belt and go from there but I'm afraid we have got nowhere yet this season. The first ODE was a nightmare - nappy behaviour and 'explosions'/bolting in the dressage warmup, including tanking off half way through the test! . I had to retire 3 jumps into XC as he spun round and tried to tank off with me back to the warmup.

I am not the most experienced of riders but I have a lot of help available to me. I asked a very experienced friend, who competes to a high level, and schools my horse regularly, to take him out on the next ODE as we thought it could be a confidence issue. He did exactly the same with her in the dressage warmup but still managed to do a good test! He was not listening and was nappy SJ but got round - she decided not to run XC as there was no point and she didn't want to put him or her at risk.

Back and Teeth were recently checked but I called the vet anyway to ask opinion. I was told that I should explore the possibility of Ulcers. Sent him in and Grade 2 (Grade 4 being the worst) ulcers were discovered. I was told that they could POSSIBLY be the cause of the behaviour changes but they were not severe enough to be causing high levels of pain, although, some horses feel pain more than others so still a possibility. He was put on medication to clear the ulcers two weeks ago along with dietry advice, increased turnout, etc. I was told not to compete or do anything away from home for two weeks to give the medication time to work.

Two weeks in and his behaviour is worse than ever - he is stressy most of the time, has started weaving and box walking at times. He gets especially stressy when any of the other horses are turned out or put on the walker before him, etc and stresses until he gets his way. This is not like him at all - he is usually very chilled out and easy=going.

I am almost certain that taking him to a comp/show/travelling will be counter-productive at this stage. There is no point in taking him to a stressful environment if he is stressed in his own environment!

He is as good as gold in the school - we havecontinued light work and all good. He is more spooky on hacks than usual but not napping. Our yard environment is very relaxed - only 5 horses and they are all super-chilled out. He is treated like gold by the YO - so moving him to a less stressful environment is not even possible!

Basically what I am trying to say is I seriously doubt its the ulcers causing the behaviour change and running out of ideas, unless any of you have any!!??

Sorry, didn't realise that I would end up waffling on for ages! I just want my horse to be happy (and safe!!!!) again and enjoy low level competing like we have done before!

 

[be positive]

Ulcers are usually due to stress or pain so unless the root cause is found treatment will often not work, he seems stressy in his stable so turning out 24/7 would be worth a try as every time he gets wound up if he is not first out the ulcers will not be healing, however relaxed the yard seems it may not be the ideal place for him if he cannot go out 24/7.
If that fails then a full workup to look for pain elsewhere may be required, feet would be the first place to consider, also hindgut inflammation or ulcers as the gastric ulcer treatment can be contra indicated for issues there.

 

[CharlesMax]

Thanks for the advice. The yard is fantastic and very tranquil. They are turned out for about 6 hours a day. I have half thought that the regimented life might have got to him a bit and should try turning him away for 4-6 weeks. I agree that 24 hour turnout could help. if anything, it would be the best treatment for the ulcers along with the medication he is on. He had a thorough check at the equine hospital.

Putting the ulcers aside - what could the cause of such changes in behaviour when routine has stayed the same, including feed and exercise?

 

[be positive]

My friends dressage horse was diagnosed with ulcers and started treatment but after an initial improvement he got worse, he was then found to have inflammatory bowel disease which was made worse by the gastrogard, a complete change of treatment/ diet/ regime and he was on the mend being scoped and ultrasound scanned completely clear but it has involved turning out 24/7 to get to that stage.

6 hours is not much at this time of year, if he is in watching the others go out it is obviously upsetting him and it may be as simple as being in so much has just become too much to deal with, along with the increased work and fitness levels required to compete, some horses thrive on a strict routine others become almost institutionalised and start to show signs of stereotypical behaviour through being on a seemingly well run yard, they react if something is done out of order, if they have to stay in for the farrier/ vet whereas if the routine is more flexible they accept minor changes far more easily.

 

[JillA]

Can't you turn him away for a while? Feed him daily for his meds but Dr Green and real relaxation might make all the difference,

 

[CharlesMax]

I am seriously considering turning away. Do you think 24 hour turnout and continuing with exercise/schooling is an option or would you turn away, unridden for a few weeks? I would love to see what his behavior is like at comps after longer turnout so don't want him to loose too much fitness. My main aim is to do what's best fro him though.

 

[be positive]

If you can turn out full time I would give him a few days to settle to the new routine and then start to ride as normal, if he seems fine then it may be that this will suit him, there is no reason he cannot compete from grass and being out more should help with his overall fitness anyway as long as he does not put on too much weight.

 

[CharlesMax]

24/7 turnout would mean having to move him to another yard as its not an option at my current one as much as I love it there. Do you think turning him away for 4-6 weeks elsewhere and bringing him back to current yard could be an option?

 

[be positive]

If the lack of turnout is the cause of his ulcers then turning away will probably work but taking him back to such limited turnout will more than likely set them off again, I think working him off grass will give you an idea of how he really is then you need to look at your options, possibly look around to see what other yards there are, also ask this YO if he could go out overnight or at least for a full day from first thing until evening stables so he gets 12 hours rather than 6, even if it is only until the winter, if she values you as a client she should be willing to work something out to keep you and the horse happy.
Is he currently on genuinely adlib hay, do you travel him with hay as if not that may explain why he was worse at competitions.

 

[YasandCrystal]

Call me nuts but I would spend £45 and have an animal communication done. I have used several communicators the first one for a situation very similar to yours. My horse was extremely aggressive and he was scoped and just 2 grade 2 ulcers found. We knew there had to be a bigger cause, the AC told me he had a right hand upper hind injury and could not endure the pain ridden. He also described ridden abuse. He was diagnosed a few weeks later at Newmarket with chronic sacro illiac dysfunction and I got LOU for him. He is finally fixed now after a long haul rehab. PM me if you want AC recommendations.

 

[Pigeon]

I would say more turnout.

Mine is a fruit loop at the moment, so it could be the grass. He had 5 days off whilst I had exams and the first ride after that was... interesting. I've ridden him every day since and tried to tire him out each time. (bout an hour and a half hack and then, as he has still been buzzing, cantering around the edge of the arena until he settles) His sanity is returning but it's taken a good week. Today was the first ride with no amateur dramatics. So if your vet gives you the all clear I would be tempted to see if a week of real exercise helps matters.

With mine, the ulcers (grade 3) made him very lethargic and conservative with his movement, I don't know if that's the usual response?

 

[CharlesMax]

good points. Yip he gets 6-8 hours and she is making an efort to push it to 7/8 but needs to consider the routines of the others. The irony will be that he will sress out when the others are brought in before him and he's left out of their routine! He always has to be brought in first to avoid dramas. There are horses in neibouring fields our 24/7 so maybe he will eventually settle but I would worry that he would do something silly like jump the fence to get to the others on the yard. He is given ad lib hay travels with hay and gets two handsfull of chaff before exercise. Thats why a 'holiday' might sort him out where he can go to a field and be a horse in the wild for a while

 

[CharlesMax]

His exercise has been resumed and increased (and varied) as per vet's advice as he feels well in himself in the school and forward out hacking (gets 3 hacks a week) - just very spooky! We just feel that there is no way he can go out and compete if he is not even settled/happy in his own environment - again coming back to a much needed holiday/turnout to break the monotony i suppose..

 

[CharlesMax]

Call me nuts but I would spend £45 and have an animal communication done. I have used several communicators the first one for a situation very similar to yours. My horse was extremely aggressive and he was scoped and just 2 grade 2 ulcers found. We knew there had to be a bigger cause, the AC told me he had a right hand upper hind injury and could not endure the pain ridden. He also described ridden abuse. He was diagnosed a few weeks later at Newmarket with chronic sacro illiac dysfunction and I got LOU for him. He is finally fixed now after a long haul rehab. PM me if you want AC recommendations.

I don't think you are nut at all - I am going to get someone to come over as it worked for a friend of mine and they got to the bottom of the underlying issues after vets, physios, etc, etc, etc.... I really am warming to the idea that he needs a break but this will not cost much in the greater scheme on things. If the chap my friend recommends is not avail, i will PM you - thank you!

 

[JillA]

If he is as bad as you say, I would write off this season as far as competing goes. Depending what an AC says. let him have a good holiday at grass, lower his adrenaline levels (can take several weeks) take his shoes off and give his feet a holiday and then bring him up and start fattening again when he is back to full health. Always used to do it with hunters and show jumpers and gave them a much longer working life.

 

[YasandCrystal]

Op just another point is that following ulcer treatment with omeprazole you do need to resestablish the good hind gut bacteria. A great holistic vet I used put my horse a 6 week regime green clay and chlorella because she could instantly recognise from his 'high alert' behaviour that he had been treated for ulcers. I have one now on omeprazole and I shall shortly start giving him green clay daily (50ml) for 2 weeks along with a 10ml measure of chlorella, then a break in the green clay of 2 weeks whilst continuing the chlorella and then a further 2 weeks on both again. I would be doing this regardless of what any AC has to say to ensure your horse has hindgut comfort. You can buy the green clay on eBay I messaged a seller who guaranteed hers was consumption quality. The spirulina (chlorella) is available online via herb sites if you just google it. Good luck.

 

[Carefreegirl]

Are his feet / legs ok ? Mine went naughty when she started getting arthritic changes in her hock.

 

[paddi22]

i'd definitely consider changing yards. 24/7 turnout sounds like it would do him the world of good. 8 hrs a day is still 16 hours standing in a box being stressy and focusing on whats happening next in his routine. If I was in your situation i'd write off any idea of competing and just try and get him happy and back to normal. Turn away 24/7 for a while and let him unwind completely.

 

[supsup]

Have there been any changes amongst the other liveries? He sounds like a chap who is a bit insecure and pays a lot of attention to the other horses. My laid back gelding started showing signs of separation anxiety at shows only after one of his herd mates (an old companion) was PTS. Nothing else changed, but clearly the change in herd dynamics affected his relationship/dependence on the other horses. My gelding is still laid back as ever at home, but can really lose the plot at competitions, probably because the pressure is getting to him.
If you're going to change yards to 24/7 turnout, I think I would try and find place where he is turned out in a reasonably large group (at least five horses). IME, the smaller the group, the more likely the horses are to pair-bond and then become difficult to separate for riding/competing.

 

[smja]

Our old pony was very stressy in the stable, which we tried to combat by giving him as much turnout as possible. Current yard is the biggest and busiest he's been on, and he's the calmest he's ever been. He's even been on long term box rest with v little drama - previously unthinkable!

Some horses do actually prefer more things going on, rather than a quiet yard.

 

[CharlesMax]

i'd definitely consider changing yards. 24/7 turnout sounds like it would do him the world of good. 8 hrs a day is still 16 hours standing in a box being stressy and focusing on whats happening next in his routine. If I was in your situation i'd write off any idea of competing and just try and get him happy and back to normal. Turn away 24/7 for a while and let him unwind completely.

The issue lies in that the yard is right on my doorstep and a love it there - we are good friends. They unfortunately have strict rules re turnout - something I knew from the start and have to respect. Perhaps a 6 week 'holiday' somewhere with 24/7 t/out and then bring him back and see how he responds going back to a routine - if he goes back to being stressy, move him to another yard or give him to someone with the facilities to suit his personality.

I absolutely agree that competing him will not happen until the issue/s have been addressed - don't want to put anyone in a dangerous situation or ruin a lovely horse!

 

[CharlesMax]

Have there been any changes amongst the other liveries? He sounds like a chap who is a bit insecure and pays a lot of attention to the other horses. My laid back gelding started showing signs of separation anxiety at shows only after one of his herd mates (an old companion) was PTS. Nothing else changed, but clearly the change in herd dynamics affected his relationship/dependence on the other horses. My gelding is still laid back as ever at home, but can really lose the plot at competitions, probably because the pressure is getting to him.
If you're going to change yards to 24/7 turnout, I think I would try and find place where he is turned out in a reasonably large group (at least five horses). IME, the smaller the group, the more likely the horses are to pair-bond and then become difficult to separate for riding/competing.

very good points - I would want him to be part of a herd and he a horse again! Nothing has changed on the yard and it is truly the most peaceful and caring environment i know - people always comment on how happy the horses seem. He's just lost the plot - become clingy, bratty (until he gets his way) and awful at shows. When in the school he is a Saint!

 

[CharlesMax]

Our old pony was very stressy in the stable, which we tried to combat by giving him as much turnout as possible. Current yard is the biggest and busiest he's been on, and he's the calmest he's ever been. He's even been on long term box rest with v little drama - previously unthinkable!

Some horses do actually prefer more things going on, rather than a quiet yard.

Thanks. I thought about this. I would not like to change yards unless I absolutely have to so will try the 'holiday' first and take things from there. If he stresses after a break, I will have to consider other options or give him to someone who has the facilities for 24/7 turnout.

 

[Lulup]

Following the ulcer treatment, if he scopes clear but behaviour remains the same, I would consider doing a 10 day bute trial to see if he is hurting somewhere. The ulcers (which sound relatively mild) may be a symptom of the problem rather than the root cause of his behaviour. Good luck x