Worried about my pony

[PomPomFeathers]

Have had my pony for 18 years, he is now 23 (shet X Welsh A). He has always preferred working and gets grumpy if he isn't doing anything so have a wee rider for him (once a week). In the last few weeks he is like a different pony. he is hyper and aggresive and has turned into a 'bad pony'. He doesn't listen when being ridden and takes the mickey, he has lashed out at other humans in the field. He chases off his field mate (ears flat back, quite nasty) and he is charging round the field.
He is perfectly healthy to look at, you'd never know his age. No arch in back, good coat etc. He has fatty lumps in his neck but this is a problem I've never been able to fix and doesn't seem to bother him. He's just not the pony I've had for 18 years and I wonder what is going on. The girl's mum has decided to give him up so thought I would try and retire him (take him out for walks with my youngster etc) but not sure if this would set him back more? We are moving yards at weekend and he is going to be back in with my youngster again (who's a big softy and just runs away so there will be no fighting, just pony being grumpy and mean).
The other night he was upset as one of his field mates was moved so I went into field with him, he continued to charge about but every now and then would come to me, charge round me, get a rub and then off he went again.

Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[Birker2020]

Sounds as if he is not happy at the moment. Could he have slipped in the field and pulled something, maybe hurt his back? He wouldn't necessarily be lame for this to have happened. Have his teeth been checked recently? I'd get a physio out to give him the once over. Don't forget moving yards is quite stressful for a horse so bear that in mind with whatever you decide to do with his retirement/riding.

 

[millimoo]

Spring grass may change his behaviour.
Also have you had him tested for Cushings? May also be worth discussing whether tumour could effect behaviour if he comes back positive.
May also be taking the Mick with his loanees.
Just some thoughts

 

[moorman]

I would be looking at the diet, especially the chance of needing more magnesium.
If you can slowly get him on as basic a diet as possible, non sugar hay, spring water, minerals and little if any grass. Give a while and then assess.
It is not always possible to find out what is causing it until you are sure what isn’t.

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

I would immediately get the vets out to take blood for ACTH test for Cushings. One of the less commonly known symtpoms of Cushings is vague personality changes, linked to the high levels of cortisol, the flight or fight hormone, whizzing round a Cushings horse's body 24/7. Other symptoms include mild ataxia, inability to control body temperature, confusion and forgetfulness, heavy smelly sweating, weight loss, loss of appetite. You can download a voucher from talkaboutcushings.co.uk which will get you the lab test done for free. If it is Cushings, Pergolide/Prascend will miraculously give you your old lad back after a couple of weeks. My veteran showed symptoms that I certainly didn't recognise as Cushings and indeed an experienced friend told me no way on earth was it Cushings! Luckily I had him tested because the statistics were against him simply because of his age (80% of horses over 25 will have Cushings). For that time of year the ACTH count should have been about 40. His came back at 200! He was put on 1st 1mg then 2mg Pergolide and he's completely back to his old self now. Good luck x