Talk to me about sysmtoms and a diagnosis for horses that are opposed to being groomed/touched/petted? Not disobedient or aggressive per se, but ‘grumpy’, ear pinning/tail swishing/etc. when being touched…
I have my own thoughts about what is behind this behavior but I wanted to hear personal accounts to see if theres any possiblities that I might not have considered yet.
I know it is laughed about as the diagnosis du jour, but that is classic for Lyme disease (and how my guy presented, followed by a shifting lameness!)
Is it seasonal?
It is not seasonal, and it is a gelding, if that helps! 
MsM - are you in a heavy Lyme area? Was the grumpiness acute? How soon after did he show the shifting lameness? Did the grumpiness go away with treatment? Thank you!
I would look into upping his magnesium. Helped with my OTTB. I just get it in a bulk powder form online, cheaper than the horse supplements, and easier to know that for sure he is getting the 10-13 grams per day, the is recommended. He usually hates being groomed, and i have to be very careful what types of grooming tools, I use on him. He has been much better after increasing his magnesium. He still isn’t a fan of stiff plastic brushes, but I can groom him without him getting anxious and doing his weird tongue sucking. clicking stuff. Over all he seems much more relaxed.
IF nothing else i’d suggest trying it… it took about a week to start to see him not be so sensitive.
Thank you Kottbulle! Did your OTTB show any other ‘symptoms’ other than a dislike for grooming? Girthiness? Grumpy being pet or touch even with your hand? Just curious!
Yes, he wasn’t a fan of being girthed or even petted. He didn’t like being scratched in all the usual places love, like withers etc. I thought he might have ulcers, so i did treat for those, and while it seemed to help, I suspect it may have had more to do with the fact that i really doubled up on his OTC ulcer supplement as well, which had magnesium in it.
He is still very sensitive to the touch, and some of it I suspect was from years at the track, and being roughly handled or being handle in a quick abrupt manner. He isn’t a mean horse, but hasalways been prone to nipping and he isn’t shy about throwing a cow a kick your way if he feels you are too rough. He is much better now, but still has a moment very once in awhile.
Thank you for the insight!
The girthiness and grumpy behavior sounds kinds of like ulcers. Would be worth doing a round of Nexium and seeing if he improves! Cheap and covers your bases on what’s going on!
Could be anything, but is it only/worse in certain areas of his body?
My TB does have some preferences on the type of brush I use, just because he is a bit on the sensitive-skinned side.
However, over the course of several months, he got more grumpy about his back and flank area (and occasionally girth area/belly in general). He was never girthy, though. I kind of suspected ulcers - he was also just not looking as shiny and was not gaining as much weight as I expected. I finally decided to trust my instincts after he tried to kick out at me while grooming, which is NOT typical. Yup. Raging ulcers, mainly in the hind gut (which is probably why he didn’t get girthy). Poor fella.
You’ve JUST described my horse to a TEE!!! My routine is quick swipe with either a horse-hair or goat-hair brush, then avoid the teeth or a cow kick. And girthing up is a real ‘joy’, no matter how slowly I go with any girth. I start with it barely connected, then over 5-6 stages I slowly tighten until it’s safe to mount. She’s never been pinched- I’m the only one who’s ever tacked her up and I’ve been tacking horses for >45 years.
She’s been treated for ulcers and on a preventive diet and lifestyle too, but only thing I haven’t done is the Mg. Will try it, can’t so any harm, thanks for the suggestion!
Uhhh, which Mg should we get? If I recall other threads, Mg Oxide was recommended? I see 8 different types…
CPL713 - How did you diagnose the ulcers? Treatment and improvement or did you scope? Or other testing? Just curious as this was also my initial feelings about this horse.
I think (based on my experience) horses get grumpy about being brushed/touched for any number of chronic pain reasons. For example serious dental issues, chronic back pain, ulcers and so on. I don’t know that there is an easy way to narrow it down, but I do think it is something to consider a sign of a chronic issue rather than just a behavioural quirk.
Interesting about the magnesium. I have a mare that objects to being touched, groomed (other than brushing her mane/tail, which she looooooooves), girthed, and sheets/blankets. Her previous owner (who had got her as a yearling) said she was always this way. She has been treated for ulcers with no improvement.
Maybe I’ll give magnesium a shot.
Yes, CHT I agree, horse in question has had many professionals look at him including dental exam work up with sedation and spec, gets regular chiropractic treatments with a certified veterinary practioner, has had a full veterinary check up (minus scoping and bloodwork, although those may be on the list) and a equine bodyworker who is well regarded and experienced. No one can find a source as of yet.
Magnesium Oxide is the most readily available and least expensive but least bio-available for the body to use properly. The best kind is Di-Magnesium malate as it’s highly absorb-able, bio-available, and has the least laxative effect. If giving Di-magnesium malate, 6-10 grams a day is the recommended starting dose or as the bowel tolerates it. If the deficiency is extreme, more will be necessary to correct the issue. When signs begin to improve, you can gradually taper down to a maintenance dose.
Sounds like my guy. I’ve owned him since he was a yearling, now he’s 9. For him I think it’s been a combination of ulcers and saddle fit.
I’ve come to the conclusion that he has to live out 24/7 or the ulcers come back. I wasn’t convince that this was the only thing going on though so I had his saddle fitted, was told it was good, and then several months later the stitching came loose on one of the panels and when I took it to get fixed I was told the tree was twisted (not broken, just asymmetrical). My new saddle just got here, and he’s back outside so fingers crossed. Magnesium has never seemed to work for him.
One of my horses spent a lot years being unhappy in his own skin.
getting off grain and anything with soy as the protein source was a huge help.
putting him on Magnesium Malate was the icing on the cake.
GoodTimes - Did you scope for ulcers or just treat?
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