Hi all,
First time foal mom here again…
I currently have an 8 month old filly who I weaned just over 2 weeks ago who has been displaying some strange behaviour that I am concerned about.
It began last night, when I went out to do night check - she was doing small hops in her stall (like mini rears) and looking up toward the ceiling. This behaviour escalated to her doing airs above the ground a la the Spanish riding school. She was clearly distressed, however, she calmed down as soon as I entered the stall. She had also been biting the wall throughout this episode.
I took her blanket off fearing that something could have been underneath causing discomfort, but I found nothing. I was thinking something had spooked her in her stall and gave her some hay (despite still having some from earlier) and stood with her while she calmed down.
She seemed to settle in well, and because I am overprotective I checked on her twice throughout the night and she was fine.
However, today, after turn in I was going to groom all my guys (which is pretty routine in my barn). I started to groom Visenya (the weanling) and she was totally normal because she is very used to being groomed. Until I reached her wither area… she became reactive (head up immediately and backing up). When I tried to get a look to see what was going on her behaviour escalated into something similar to last night. She became quite belligerent and definitely did NOT want me touching her withers. I don’t like to bother my horses when they are clearly in pain, however I also don’t want her to get away with such bad behaviour - I understand that it hurts but I also don’t want her reacting violently to discomfort.
A few more tidbits of info (sorry for the novel): I was petting her in the field today literally scratching her withers and she was grooming me in response so it clearly didn’t hurt at that time. This foal is on omeprazole and has been for a few months - I was planning on weaning her off of it after she was weaned. She is blanketed and was in a size 63 blanket last night, which is quite short in the bum so I moved her into a 66 last night which has plenty of room in the wither (not sure if the other was putting pressure on her)
I do work closely with my vet and will contact her about this tomorrow but I was over the moon with the responses I got on here last time and would love to get your opinions!
If there is any other info you need I will gladly share.
Thanks a lot 
