Would you scope for ulcers ?

[sjdress]

Horse started napping, walks off when tacking up, sometimes paws front legs. Happy to be brushed , doesn’t seem sensitive to touch , not girthy but seems anxious when tacking up. Started box walking but this has now stopped.
Has not lost any weight , in fact the opposite and lovely shiny coat. Not off feed, very greedy. Strong to turnout and gallops off to find new grass.
Would you suspect ulcers ?

 

[Timelyattraction]

Im assuming the same napping happened with your instructor today, so you need a full poor performance work up at the vets and yes I would also get a scope at the same time. Assuming you have had the saddle checked.

My horse had ulcers and psd diagnosed. She started being nappy and un happy being tacked up. She hadnt lost any weight and was happy to be brushed , so yes could be ulcers but ulcers are normally secondary to something else (pain or stress)

 

[Zoeypxo]

Mine years ago would nap, walk off when tacked up, paw at the ground, rear, gallop off walking to the field etc.
Hock arthritis and ulcers were found .
She also was in good shiney condition and had a good appetite.

Sounds like you definitely need a vet visit

 

[sjdress]

She’s had hoof balance problems and was lame with this. Had full vet workup at the time and only found feet to be the issue. This was in March. Has since done 6 weeks walking and now trotting following time off when she first went lame in Feb and had treatment for this so I’m wondering if it stems from this. She sound now and I hope no longer hurting , but she showed non of this behaviour then so it’s a bit odd. My instructor rode her and she tried it on a little bit with the napping but not like she has done with me…

 

[Equi]

A strong rider can ride through the pain. I’d ask about omeprazole.

 

[Timelyattraction]

She’s had hoof balance problems and was lame with this. Had full vet workup at the time and only found feet to be the issue. This was in March. Has since done 6 weeks walking and now trotting following time off when she first went lame in Feb and had treatment for this so I’m wondering if it stems from this. She sound now and I hope no longer hurting , but she showed non of this behaviour then so it’s a bit odd. My instructor rode her and she tried it on a little bit with the napping but not like she has done with me…

If she had hoof balance problems were her suspensories also scanned? Hoof balance can cause compensation issues elsewhere so there might be more going on elsewhere. What has your farrier been doing to correct the hoof balance? Id ring the vet and explain and get her booked in for another work up and scope. Otherwise its just going to be constantly playing on your mind.

 

[dorsetladette]

Does your saddle fit? If horse has put on weight from being off work, could the saddle now not fit the same as before? could be pinching or just putting some pressure on the slightly wider bits.

 

[AppyLover1996]

My lad was exactly the same as your horse - I had him scoped and we found ulcers.

Sometimes horses don't read the rule book when it comes to illness etc - my friend once had a horse that wasn't lame in the slightest despite the biggest and grossest abscess I'd ever seen!

 

[sbloom]

If she had hoof balance problems were her suspensories also scanned? Hoof balance can cause compensation issues elsewhere so there might be more going on elsewhere. What has your farrier been doing to correct the hoof balance? Id ring the vet and explain and get her booked in for another work up and scope. Otherwise its just going to be constantly playing on your mind.

I'd say it can affect way more than that, the compensations caused by poor hoof balance, especially behind, can cause issues throughout the body.

Definitely get the saddle checked and probably a bodyworker, ulcers are (nearly?) always secondary, so if there's not been a stressful event/period then it could well be a physical trigger and often those are really early days so it can be hard for vets to spot them. If you do have ulcers diagnosed don't settle at that, keep looking if you possibly can (and not necessarily expensive vet diagnostics). Not meaning to put doom and gloom out there at all, but good to keep in the back of your mind.