Horse having random episodes of erratic behavior

[carman_liz]

@rohrser

Correct- Equioxx will not stop ulcer pain. It was more of a trial to see if she has pain anywhere else and is that affecting her behavior? She’s not girthy, coat not dull, she stays fat on air, and I treated for ulcers months ago with no change in bevavior.

Hi! I know nothing about neuro, but my mare had ulcers we started treating and there was no change in her lack of appetite over a few days, vet mentioned lets treat for HIND GUT ULCERS with Misiprostol (sp?) And she started eating again within 1.5 days. So a round of that may help? You can get it at cvs n sign up for the gold rx program itll save you almost 100 on the prescription

The other question I had was why did she have to stay in due to weather please? At her age and tempermant even being turned out during the day in crappy weather with a sheet and good amounts of hay would be better than in a stall don’t you think? Just my two cents. Until my mare hit about 20 or 21, she was on outdoor her whole life and she was a firecracker when i bought her, she was 7 then. I think being out all the time just helps them so much vs stalling, or at least getting daily turnout with a sheet or medium turnout on if its cold n rainy. Maybe try setring her turnout no matter what and see if that helps at all?

I agree with everyone who has said it but to say it again, please wear a helmet around this horse, period, and if your daughter has to ride her, maybe a lunge session with her trainer first just in case she has a wild hair in her to get out would be a good precautionary idea?

Best of luck and huge jingles to you all!!!

[Jealoushe]

Hard to say without witnessing it, but could this just be a case of a horse who is very excited and blwoing off steam? One of my TB mares will do this in her stall, something sets her off like the tractor starting, then she rears and spins and bucks in her stall, but it more like she is having a good time playing than anything.

[rohrser]

@carman_liz

Hi! I know nothing about neuro, but my mare had ulcers we started treating and there was no change in her lack of appetite over a few days, vet mentioned lets treat for HIND GUT ULCERS with Misiprostol (sp?) And she started eating again within 1.5 days. So a round of that may help? You can get it at cvs n sign up for the gold rx program itll save you almost 100 on the prescription

The other question I had was why did she have to stay in due to weather please? At her age and tempermant even being turned out during the day in crappy weather with a sheet and good amounts of hay would be better than in a stall don’t you think? Just my two cents. Until my mare hit about 20 or 21, she was on outdoor her whole life and she was a firecracker when i bought her, she was 7 then. I think being out all the time just helps them so much vs stalling, or at least getting daily turnout with a sheet or medium turnout on if its cold n rainy. Maybe try setring her turnout no matter what and see if that helps at all?

I agree with everyone who has said it but to say it again, please wear a helmet around this horse, period, and if your daughter has to ride her, maybe a lunge session with her trainer first just in case she has a wild hair in her to get out would be a good precautionary idea?

Best of luck and huge jingles to you all!!!

She was in because it rained a lot and created a LOT of mud! I didn’t want her rutting up the paddocks and tearing up the grass. Plus the way she tears around, I don’t like to risk injuries playing in the slippery footing. She has princess tendencies anyways and won’t step foot outside when the rain is falling- thinks she will melt

[carman_liz]

@rohrser

She was in because it rained a lot and created a LOT of mud! I didn’t want her rutting up the paddocks and tearing up the grass. Plus the way she tears around, I don’t like to risk injuries playing in the slippery footing. She has princess tendencies anyways and won’t step foot outside when the rain is falling- thinks she will melt

Ahhh gotcha, is there a drylot area she could run around in when its raining to blow off steam maybe?

[Victorious]

I still think this is either nerve, neuro or ulcer-but thats a pretty broad range! The fact that she returns instantly to quiet and calm after tearing around is very unusual! Another poster mentioned the come-down time that usually follows after a horse gets a burr up his butt-it can be several minutes of head thrown up with wide eyes and high tail shenanigans. If your girl was doing that, I might be inclined to think its behavioral but you said your mare just goes right back to quiet after her episodes. Why did the vet say she is not a kids horse? And what do you know about her past? Is she western and possibly was tied to a wall for a long time( and maybe injured herself there?)
I also agree with the poster about the vet-it is totally not PC to say but I 100% agree!! I am so skeptical of young vets that dismiss things rapidly. I think if you can find a well-established, been around a long time, seen a lot of wild things, type of veto have a look at her, that would be best. For the record-I do use young vets, too and some of them are great as well.

[rohrser]

@Victorious

I still think this is either nerve, neuro or ulcer-but thats a pretty broad range! The fact that she returns instantly to quiet and calm after tearing around is very unusual! Another poster mentioned the come-down time that usually follows after a horse gets a burr up his butt-it can be several minutes of head thrown up with wide eyes and high tail shenanigans. If your girl was doing that, I might be inclined to think its behavioral but you said your mare just goes right back to quiet after her episodes. Why did the vet say she is not a kids horse? And what do you know about her past? Is she western and possibly was tied to a wall for a long time( and maybe injured herself there?)
I also agree with the poster about the vet-it is totally not PC to say but I 100% agree!! I am so skeptical of young vets that dismiss things rapidly. I think if you can find a well-established, been around a long time, seen a lot of wild things, type of veto have a look at her, that would be best. For the record-I do use young vets, too and some of them are great as well.

Why did the vet say she’s not a kids horse? I’m assuming just her temperament (she hates needles and vets so she wasn’t on very good behavior for the 30 minutes she was there).
As for her past- she’s Western Pleasure trained. Other than that, I don’t know anything. I’m certain she spent countless hours on the patience pole.

[AnastasiaBeaverhousen]

You may want to have an expert check your horses neck. A thorough exam with radiographs and any other test the vet recommends.
I completely understand your concerns about the costs and trailering concerns and finding a good experienced specialist.
Her being a western pleasure horse makes me wonder if they tied her neck up all the time to make her want to put her head down. Not saying that this happened to your horse, just saying it is a possibility,.
Also, she may had some kind of accident that caused some damage to her neck or spine and when she turns her head or neck a certain way it causes her pain.
Can you put her feed in a rubber feed pan on the ground in her stall ?

Eating off the ground is the natural way and may help her if she does have a neck problem.

Hope this helps
Good luck.

[candyappy]

@rohrser

So…bloodwork and tests are back from the vet. Negative for Lyme, no imbalances in her blood chemistry. I have moved her to a different stall (which also has a higher ceiling, more windows, and more space). Removed everything out of her diet but pasture/hay, a ration balancer, and gut pellet. She has not had any crazy running episodes since, but she was stalled for 48 hours last week due to weather (first time stalled in months) and she was beyond frustrated- bucking every time I was out there, the occasional itching/biting at her sides. I really am leaning towards this being more behavioral. Vet did mention ulcers but also mentioned she has no reason to have ulcers unless she has pain. She advised me to trial Equioxx for 2 weeks and see if I notice a difference.

Can you get her into a stall with attached paddock for the times the weather doesn’t allow turnout? Even 24 hours in a stall for many horses is just too much, they just can’t deal with it.

[SashaBast]

@rohrser

Good thought! I’ve had my camera ready to video the past few nights and will continue. Interestingly enough, tonight, she got anxious and was on high alert the instant I started walking her to the stall. She was prancing immediately upon entry and uneasy- head up, nostrils flaring. I made her stand still for a minute and calm down before I took her halter off, but immediately after I let her go- she was out of there! No crazy running- just ran out of the stall and into the paddock. She wouldn’t come back for her grain. I eventually took the pan outside to her and she calmly stood there and ate.

The horses have in/out access to both barns and paddocks 24/7. Now that I think about it, they used to utilize both areas 50/50, but one day months ago they all the sudden stopped going into the one (this same place I take her into each night to feed). I wonder if something happened in there to create fear?

I’ll have to keep a closer eye and ear on the surroundings/noises like you mentioned. Thanks!

Curious, how big are your paddocks?

[Victorious]

So frustrating for you, I’m sure! Keep us posted-I hope you find a reasonable answer soon

[OverandOnward]

@rohrser

Why did the vet say she’s not a kids horse? I’m assuming just her temperament (she hates needles and vets so she wasn’t on very good behavior for the 30 minutes she was there).
As for her past- she’s Western Pleasure trained. Other than that, I don’t know anything. I’m certain she spent countless hours on the patience pole.

“Why did the vet say she’s not a kids horse?”

The most important part of my answer is that I have no way of knowing why your vet said that.

The other part of my answer is that your vet was way out of her/his lane. Experienced vets have largely learned to never, ever give an opinion on anything that isn’t specifically medical in nature, and never ever ever give a forecast of what a horse is capable of learning or being trained to do. They don’t go beyond what it is physically capable of doing, supported by the information they found in their examination. They may have a personal opinion but they won’t share it with a client, due to being wrong and burned for it in the past!

That alone makes me skeptical of your vet’s professionalism. And wisdom.

Vets are not usually professional trainers as well. They don’t usually have time to vet and be a pro trainer at the same time. (There are a few rare and notable exceptions, but unless your vet is one of the tiny handful of trainer/vets, then they aren’t. :winkgrin: )

Now, it is possible that your vet was concerned, even alarmed, about the safety of the way she saw you using your horse, and what you said you were planning to do with the horse. I can completely understand a vet blurting out a warning when they think that an owner is naively on a very dangerous track. Especially if the vet thought kids might be in danger as well. That could overcome a lot of professional training, for sure. Something to think about.