So about 2 weeks apart from each other- I pulled my horse in from turnout to ride. Both times he very angrily was stomping all his feet. Fronts, hinds. Also seemed like he wanted to itch random parts of his body. It was obvious something was bothering him but not what exactly it was. The first time, my trainer wanted to see him on the lunge line and he looked fine and acted normal. We then elected to get on and do a really light ride. All seemed normal except he did try and scratch a hind leg towards the end. He was happy and normal for many rides afterwards.
Fast forward a few weeks today and I’m confronted again with this irritated stomping horse. Today we just lunged. Both times I rinsed off his legs and then applied coat defense powder.
I just can’t figure out if this is some weird random skin irritation / allergy? Or stomach irritation? He’s cold? Any ideas are welcome.
Things of note:
•It had rained the night before both times. He had no sheet on because the temperature I thought was too high(but going to try to sheet him at a higher temperature with rain)
•No flies or gnats or anything present at the time, because of weather/time of day/bring indoors.
•both times it appeared that MAYBE he had not laid down to sleep those nights. He’s a notoriously dirty guy so I notice if he’s clean especially after a good rain. He lives outside. He does have a run with a shelter with dry footing.
•He does have mild kissing spine and stifle issues. Both are managed and we see vets, bodyworkers, saddle fitters multiple times a year. But again, both days he was fine on the lunge line.
•his back seemed totally fine when I groomed him. No soreness that I could detect. Muscles were soft. But maybe a bit cool, like he did get a little cold? Maybe I’m reaching though.
Same diet he’s been on for years. And again this is only happened twice in a few weeks. It’s not an everyday thing. The only common denominator I can figure out is the rain.
The way he acts seems more like skin irritation. But the fact it happens after the rain and he doesn’t lay down makes me think that he got cold. I’m not sure. It’s all kind of vague and I feel like it could be so many reasons. All I know is that he was irritated today. We will see how he is tomorrow, fairly certain he will probably act just fine! Mystery.
