Horse can't breathe ...maybe...ideas?

[Joyrider]

Hi,

Any of you have experience with a horse that has anxiety due to not being able to get enough oxygen?

I am the instructor of a lady with a HOT Connemara mare. I have ridden the horse a few times. When I first pick up the canter after a break (like me getting on and adjusting stirrups after owner has ridden her for first part of lesson), the mare canters off nicely for a bit. She goes over one jump, two jumps calmly (well still a little hot but nothing crazy) and then the frantic breathing starts and the hopping up and down and the stiff - bounce - you - out- of the tack - canter. We’ve tried every bit and hackamore and halter and two lead ropes. This horse does not need a strong bit by any means. Horse gets worked up as she goes. She gets panicky in my opinion and will canter and bounce and jig in place.

Yes, she is hot but there is another element to it. She is not bad or naughty - just frazzled. Back, hocks, ulcers, mouth/teeth all check out. My gut says breathing/tongue blocking/lack of air. Any experiences out there?

[alibi_18]

Sounds like swallowing its tongue or at least putting its tongue over the bit.

I would be drastic and try a spoon bit. (Loose ring with a rotating spoon part in the middle that prevent the horse from putting its tongue over)

Try it on the lunge first, include some jumping and see how it goes before getting on!

[Eventer13]

I’d try lunging her with a bridle on and see if you get a similar response. Ideally with her head in the same position as when she is ridden. If you think the airway is probably the problem, I’d see if I could find a clinic with access to a dynamic endoscope.

[gumtree]

Two things to try. In racing we use a tongue tie. But this horse is not being “worked” nearly as much as a racehorse. If you have access to a ring bit they work really well with keeping the horse from “swallowing” its tongue.

But IME it doesn’t sound like you are doing enough with the horse for it to be “swallowing its tongue”. It may have a “lazy pallet”, flipping its pallet and or be partially paralyzed. They only sure way to find out is to have it scoped. A dynamic scoop IMO and experience is far better than a standing scope and or “treadmill scoped”.

A horse with “anxiety issues” will “flip its pallet” which causes breathing issues. Cheapest way to “test” for this is to give 1-1 ½ ccs of Ace and see how she goes. Than go from there. It maybe pain related from something else going on.

Worst case scenario possible tumor in the horse’s trachea, lymph nodes? Try what I suggested above and then start by having the horse “standing scoped”.

A dynamic scope in my neck of the woods cost around $500-600.