Random exponential increase in spookiness?

[IPEsq]

FWIW, Bute did nothing for my horse’s neck symptoms. He also had pretty normal chiro exams albeit he didn’t have the greatest range of motion laterally. He also didn’t have any correlations to working on contact or not, or anything with head position. So, it can be a subtle but significant problem. Even though he did have joint inflammation. For neck and poll, the better temporary analgesic is probably shockwave. Of course after imaging and locating problems there. But I’d expect your issue is more cranial, like at the poll.

I’d also test for EPM—did that with my guy too when he started the spooking because he was just so not himself. It was unlikely he’d be positive and he wasn’t even borderline on the blood test, but at least I got an answer. But considering where you live, you might be more likely to have an iffy test result.

[mroades]

I had one that spooked and jumped over grass clippings out of the blue. It was epm

[mmeqcenter]

Thanks all!

Reproductive organs checked out today, they look just perfect and no apparent pain.
@Ghazzu Dr Brooks apparently comes down here to my vet’s clinic on Wednesdays, so we’re getting on the list to see him.
@mroades thank you!
@IPEsq yeah vet said EPM test would probably be iffy, would have to do spinal fluid

[EmilyM]

Dr brooks is the best! And he will impart to you a lot of his knowledge.
i had one w an enlarged corpora nigra. It actually dangled down and covered a lot of the pupil. They can be spookier in daylight because the pupil constricts and the enlarged CN covers the pupil and therefore blocks the vision. Any pattern with sunny vs cloudy days? That said I don’t think hers looks all that large. But if the fly mask on equals less pupil dilation that could equate to better vision if it is enlarged

[mmeqcenter]

Saw the ophthalmologist today.

Moderate number of vitreal floaters close to lens.
Large area of chorioretinal scarring central to disc.
These apply to both eyes, right eye has more scarring than left.

He said he’s seen worse before and those horses weren’t being spooky. But my mare is really sensitive so I could easily see her blowing something small out of proportion. But it was a diagnosis of “could be causing the behavior change but also might not be a factor.”

A couple vets don’t think EPM is likely so I’m not willing to spend that much money on one test right now.
Chiro found nothing wrong with her neck and back and thinks xrays would likely be a waste of money.

So ya know.
Yay horses

[Simkie]

Huh. Well, interesting info at least, right? Did he have any suggestions on how to rule in/rule out the eye issues as a cause?

”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹

[Marla_100]

good info on equine eyes- see vitreous floaters- can cause some horses to shy and spook especially for a sensitive horse.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/vitreous-floaters

[Marla_100]

here- also of interest Univ. of Fl. found the scarring was caused by EHV-1

https://aaep.org/sites/default/files/issues/eve-20-1-Brooks_EVE_20-1.pdf

[Ghazzu]

@Marla 100

here- also of interest Univ. of Fl. found the scarring was caused by EHV-1

https://aaep.org/sites/default/files/issues/eve-20-1-Brooks_EVE_20-1.pdf

That was authored by the ophthalmologist who saw OP’s horse.

[Alibhai_s_Alibar]

Have you experimented with riding and observing spooking behavior under different lighting conditions and different times of day? I’m trying to think of things that cost no money that you can try :^) I also want to commend you on such a thorough explanation of everything you’ve tried! Best of luck getting to the bottom of this.

[mmeqcenter]

@Ghazzu

That was authored by the ophthalmologist who saw OP’s horse.

Oh funny! He did mention that the scarring was probably from a virus when she was younger.

@Marla 100 thanks I’ll check both of those out!

[mmeqcenter]

@Alibhai's Alibar

Have you experimented with riding and observing spooking behavior under different lighting conditions and different times of day? I’m trying to think of things that cost no money that you can try :^) I also want to commend you on such a thorough explanation of everything you’ve tried! Best of luck getting to the bottom of this.

Yep.
She was slightly suspicious of the shadows one day when I rode around 5pm and the two trees cast big shadows in our riding field.
But otherwise, no time of day has really shown any difference - 9am, midday, and we usually ride around 630-7p when the sun is down behind the trees.
Thanks!

[vxf111]

I don’t think it takes a huge change in vision to cause a significant change in a sensitive horse’s behavior. I’ve had 3 horses with corpra migrants cysts. The mellow one could care less but the other two went completely haywire until we treated the cysts. I think vision changes can be really scare for herd animals, even when the changes are small

[mmeqcenter]

@vxf111

I don’t think it takes a huge change in vision to cause a significant change in a sensitive horse’s behavior. I’ve had 3 horses with corpra migrants cysts. The mellow one could care less but the other two went completely haywire until we treated the cysts. I think vision changes can be really scare for herd animals, even when the changes are small

Thanks, this is kinda what I was thinking too. I’m going to give it a few weeks riding in the fly mask and see if anything changes before pursuing anything else.

[vxf111]

NIGRA! Stupid autocorrect

[mmeqcenter]

A fun update.
She’s basically been off since Sunday.
Monday had chiro, Tuesday I got swamped with work and she pulled a shoe, Wednesday was ophthalmologist, Thursday I was swamped again plus my farrier is out of town.
So I lunged her tonight (because my mom called when I was about to tack up).

She did.not.look.at a. Single. Thing.

For the first time in six weeks now she was her completely normal self.
No fly mask.
It is very cloudy, it rained all day.

I guess I’ll find out soon enough if today was the clouds, a fluke, or the mystery hath disappeared!

[vxf111]

Cloudy could well be eyes! Could be that the bright sun or changes in the light trigger her noticing the floaters. Crossing my fingers you can figure out some way to keep her comfortable and happy. She’s a nice horse and I’ve always enjoyed your exploits with her

[mmeqcenter]

@vxf111
Thank you! I’m slightly obsessed with her. It was nice hearing the clinic vets gush over how gorgeous she is :D;)

[Marla_100]

Sounds like she just needs some cool shades on sunny bright days. Or a sun bonnet!!
You’re a good owner to try and get to the bottom of this.
But we need pictures or we don’t believe a word you say. :yes:

[mmeqcenter]

@Marla 100 :lol:
here is my 1391 pound 16.2hh pride and joy

Perfect again today. Cloudy still.