Not sure how worried I should be......

[Jaegermonster]

To set the scene:
Our property is 5 acres, rectangular shaped. The barn, house etc is at one end of the rectangle and the rest is pasture. I have nice grass, mostly rye and some real grass starting to come up and the horses get free choice rolls.

This horse is a 9 yo TB mare. She's a little sensitive to things, but I dont know if that's relevant to this or not.

The issue:
this morning at 8 when I went out to feed, all the other horses came right up to the barn, but this mare was all the way out at the farthest end of the pasture in the corner next to the fence at the woodline. She never moved.
After I got done feeding etc I walked out there to check on her, and she seemed fine. No injuries, no blood, no blanket straps hung on the fence, nothing. I visited with her for a little while, and then left her be, but kept an eye on her since I was outside most of the morning.
When I left to go to work at noon she was still standing in the same spot.
That fence line is right next to my neighbors house and he has been keeping an eye on her while I have been at work.
He called me a bit ago and said he visited with her and she seemed fine, he put out some hay and a bucket of water out there for her since she hasn't gone to the water all day, she took a few steps toward it and ate a couple bites of an apple but then went back to the corner.
She hasn't been rolling or showing any signs of distress, she just won't leave that spot.
My neighbor said he will call me again at dark and let me know what's going on, and I'll be home around midnight. It will be wicked cold but I am going to walk out there and make sure she is ok or bring her in or whatever.
Im just worried that she is going to dehydrate and then I'll have a big issue.

I just can't imagine what is going on with this mare. Has anyone else had anything like this happen and did you figure out what the problem was?

[jn4jenny]

This is a long shot, but could she be tying up? I don't mean with a rope, I mean the medical condition.

Whatever it is, it's weird. Jingling that it's just a weird horse thing and nothing serious...

[Dalemma]

When you get home you might want to bring her into the barn for observaton.....maybe the walk in will reveal something.

Dalemma

[Retropony]

Foot abcess? One of my kids did the exact thing a couple weeks ago and when I went to bring him in he couldn't bear to set down his right front foot. He's the sensitive TB type ;)

[Percheron X]

Yes, the mare needs to be evaluated as her behavior is atypical compared to your known history of her.

Her Temperature, Pulse, and Respiration should be checked, as well as her gum color and capillary refill time. The skin of the neck pinched to check for dehydration.

Walking the horse and observing the gate may reveal an issue. It may also be necessary to jog or lunge the horse if it seems doing so may provide additional clues as to a suspected cause.

Read about Vital Signs here:
http://www.equusite.com/articles/health/healthVitalSigns.shtml

A horse that won't move or eat is a strong signal to make a full evaluation, or call a vet if unsure how to properly do the evaluation yourself.

[Jaegermonster]

I would be surprised if she is tying up. She hasn't done anything since Sunday besides stand around and eat hay. They live outside unless the weather is really nasty. But I suppose it's a possibility, and one that I had not thought of. She doesn't have a history of it, at least not with me. I've had her here since last July. I'm hoping too it's just a weird horse moment, but I have a niggling feeling it's not.

She's been known to walk up for breakfast and then kind of act like "meh" and go eat hay

I am definitely going to bring her in for observation as soon as I get home and see what happens.

As far as an abcess, she was bearing weight on all four feet and my neighbor said before that when she moved around a bit to see him she looked sound.

Neighbor just called:
he gave her some water, she drank down 2 buckets, he's going to give her some more in just a little bit after he feeds his own critters.
He said he did not see any manure around her, so at least since 8 am she has not pooped, and i don't know how long she was there overnight. All was well when i got home at midnight last night, so sometime between midnight and 8 she went to the corner.
He also said a few of my other horses went out there and visited with her and she took a few bites of grass and then they all moved off and she went back to the corner.

The no manure thing has me very concerned.
I think I will be spending the night in the barn. Brr. Thank God for my LQ trailer with the heat.

[Jaegermonster]

Yes, the mare needs to be evaluated as her behavior is atypical compared to your known history of her.

Her Temperature, Pulse, and Respiration should be checked, as well as her gum color and capillary refill time. The skin of the neck pinched to check for dehydration.

Walking the horse and observing the gate may reveal an issue. It may also be necessary to jog or lunge the horse if it seems doing so may provide additional clues as to a suspected cause.

Read about Vital Signs here:
http://www.equusite.com/articles/health/healthVitalSigns.shtml

A horse that won't move or eat is a strong signal to make a full evaluation, or call a vet if unsure how to properly do the evaluation yourself.


Agreed. Unfortunately I am at work right now and don't get off til midnight. My saint of a neighbor is keeping an eye on her, she is not moving but she is also not up and down thrashing either, which is good.
But as soon as I get home I'm going to go get her and bring her in and see what's what.

most of the morning while I was in the barn, she appeared to be napping, so I thought she was ok. But something told me a bit ago to see if my neighbor could check on her. I'm getting more worried as time goes on.

[cssutton]

I would have a vet out if I had to get him out after midnight and pay the going rate.

The horse could have an impaction.

I had a horse die of colic. He showed no signs until he was dead on his feet (ruptured).

There are numerous things that only a vet can find.

Anytime a horse behaves in a manner far from his normal behavior, it is time to get serious.

CSSJR

[Jaegermonster]

I agree. Just finagled around and begged favors off my Sgt. I'm outta here and headed home.
will post something when I know what's going on. Ican't sit here with this going on at the farm.

[shea'smom]

Some horses are too stoic for their own good. I agree, get a vet. Jingles for her, please let us know how she is. I know you must be worried, is this a leave work early moment?

[Zu Zu]

Jingles for the mare ~ AO ~ Always Optimistic !

[Wheel Whip]

Don't know if y'all have any Erlichia in your area. One of mine (and several in our area) had an impaction as a symptom of Erlichia. Check to see if her feet are warn. Mild laminitis also a related issue. Mine didn't want to come out of his stall. IV Oxytet for three days, Banamine for a month. Others had to go to Cornell. Careful!

[SFrost]

I once work at a barn where a horse did something like this. he stood in one spot for about 24 hours. (I have no idea why in the world they let him stand that long.) He appeared okay.

Finally, someone moved him. Turns out he broke his leg. No swelling, no sign of injury. It wasn't until they moved him and got the vet out that they found the issue.

I would get a vet out.

[Percheron X]

I had a one colic of an undetermined cause (we believe it was a gas colic), where the horse only lay down and looked like he was peacefully sleeping.

But that was very unusual for him, I called the vet, the vet agreed he was colicking, we tubed him, and he recovered.

Not all horses will exhibit the typical, pawing the ground, rolling, looking at their flanks symptoms of colic.

Jingles for your mare to be ok.

[dwblover]

Hope your mare feels better soon. The only time I have seen this behavior was when my friend's horse had an abscess in the hoof. He just wouldn't move, but when we did coax him into moving he was three-legged. Sounds like your mare was sound when she was walking around, so perhaps not an abscess. I'm thinking mild colic going on, or perhaps something viral. Keep an eye on the other horses as well.

[LuvMyTB]

Jingles! Hope it turns out to be nothing major. Keep us posted.

[esdressage]

Jingles!

[alteringwego]

sounds awfully suspicious of colic to me! I'd get your vet out or at least give her a dose of banamine.

[Jaegermonster]

alright, left work right after my last post about begging sarge (left around 7 got home around 730, about an hour ago)
quick change of clothes, grabbed a flashlight and went out to get the little whore (and you'll see why I called her that in a minute)
she was about 20' from where i had last seen her, but looked fairly bright, ears up, etc. I did look and did not see any manure in the general area where she had been. So I haltered her and we began making our way through the field to the barn.
As we were walking, something must have spooked her, she leapt straight up in the air, landed on me, knocked me down, danced on top of me for a minute and galloped off. I laid on the ground for a mnute in a ball. I now have hoof prints on both shins (which are bleeding) on the back of my left arm and all up and down my back.
Anyway, collected the whore. continued heading to the barn, with her barging and shoving all the way and getting nailed for it.
Got her in, vitals are good, gums are pink, she actually looks much better than I expected.
Put her in the stall and made her a nice hot soupy bran mash with treats in it, which she has promptly consumed. She has also drank a whole bucket of water, and is eating hay. And I gave her 10 cc of Banamine about 10 minutes or so ago.

So now that I have chewed a whole handful of Aleve and can barely walk, I think I am the one who needs the vet, as we are now anxiously on poop watch.
Actually I may just go get myself a crown and coke. I'm really hurting.

[Jaegermonster]

alteringwego, I'm just curious but why was there a need to post on this thread as an alter?

[LuvMyTB]

alteringwego, I'm just curious but why was there a need to post on this thread as an alter?

Jaeger, I *think* she uses that as her regular screenname.

And--definitely hit that crown and coke. You deserve it. Horses.....:mad:

[hollynanne]

Okay, for starters, totally thought you were talking about Jaeger... you seemed awfully calm for that being Jaeger (not that you don't love 'the whore' and all... :) )

I'm thinking mild colic, especially with the zero manure output.

Sorry about you getting your arse stomped. That would suck all the way around...

Keep us posted!
:)

[LarissaL]

I would definitely think she's feeling unwell. My guy will act similarly when his ulcers flare up. To someone who doesn't know him, he looks like he's resting (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4391402182_c426392077_b.jpg) (he stayed there for HOURS that day). Sounds like your girl is feeling better though, hopefully you're doing the same tomorrow :lol:

[Jaegermonster]

Jaeger, I *think* she uses that as her regular screenname.

And--definitely hit that crown and coke. You deserve it. Horses.....:mad:

ah ok didn't know that, have had some uh problems here in the past so was curious.

And no Hollyn, it's wasn't Jaeger it was Genny. But either way, I've had lots of practice keeping my cool under pressure/stress, going into freak out mode doesn't help anyone.

but she does seem fine now. I actually put everyone out, and she is acting normally now. I, however, am getting all these lovely hoof shaped bruises all up and down my legs and back, and on my arms and my shin is bleeding. I don't know what set her off.

and you know what Larissa, I have been wondering lately if she may have ulcers. she seems to really stress herself out sometimes in spite of 24/7 turnout with grass and free choice hay and really not getting worked enough. I have noticed some mild cribbing on my top rail and I'm suspicious she may be the culprit.

so for now I think that all is well, thank goodness and I am taking my beat up self on to bed. Sheesh. Horses.

[FatCatFarm]

Oh my goodness, I bet you said some bad words. Sorry about the injuries. Hope the crown and coke, and the drugs, all help. Feel better.

[Hampton Bay]

Ouch! I'm sure your dirty words were about as bad as my dirty words when the filly kicked me and knocked me down. I hope your injuries heal quickly. I suggest taking the rum and coke into the bathroom and making a nice warm bath with some epsom salts.

As for the mare, mine has been acting similarly odd lately, minus the stomping. I'm wondering if the drastic change in weather doesn't have the sensitive ones all out of sorts. Ulcers have been on my mind as well, but my girl does this type of stuff every winter. She just cannot believe she has to eat hay instead of grass and alfalfa cubes :rolleyes:

Hopefully she is better tomorrow.

[Jaegermonster]

Yeah it really hurt. Actually I think that I am very fortunate I wasn't killed.
I think she spooked at something, have no idea what, and spun her butt right into me, and that knocked me forward as I tried to get out of the way, I hit her chest and then she ran right over me. I remember seeing hooves flash in front of my face as I tried to roll into a ball in the dirt. It was one of those ones where you lie there for a minute groaning because you're afraid to get up right away.
But once I realized I wasn't going to get a return stomp, I located the flashlight and was able to get up, with a little help from the dogs who had come to check on me.
That was one of those times I realized how truly vulnerable I am here at the farm alone while hubby is deployed. If I had really been hurt there is no telling how long I would have lain out there. My neighbors know I work til midnight, plus you really can't see where I was from their house or from the road. At least I had my phone in my pocket, thank God.
As it is a couple of the hoofprints are really starting to swell and turn some ugly colors. And I don't bruise easily at all.

And I'm so sore and beat up right now I don't care if the bitch drops dead.

[Jaegermonster]

Although I was pretty mad at her last night, I was very relieved this morning when she was standing at the gate as usual.
She's still acting a bit dingy but she seems fine and shared her pasture mates breakfast instead of eating her own. Hopefully they will share hers too.

I, however, feel as though I have been hit by a train with bruises in places I didn't even know last night I got stomped on. I'm sore as hell.
But I'm a whip, so it's off to hunt I go.

[BunithGrace]

My first thought reading your first few posts was, is she the Alpha mare in the herd? She seemed fine but fixated at her post, looking at something. Perhaps she saw something in the woods and since then was keeping guard, including when you came out? Did she look really alert? My old gelding was the leader in the herd and he would leave his food sometimes to go up the hill to "look" and then come back down, or stay up there for a while until it was "safe."

Hope you feel better - that just sucks she got you like that, when you got off work to bring her in. I know they don't understand that, but of course it kinda stinks when things like that play out!

[allpurpose]

Wow, so glad your'e moving and able to get about. Whipping today? Yikes! Probably good thing to keep moving! Hope you put some ice packs in the freezer (along with the crown) to make your evening better!;)

[jdeboer01]

Jaegermonster, you should probably get yourself to a doctor to be checked out. There could be internal injuries, or fractures you aren't aware of. PLEASE go see a doctor!! :)

[seabreeze]

Jaegermonster, you should probably get yourself to a doctor to be checked out. There could be internal injuries, or fractures you aren't aware of. PLEASE go see a doctor!! :)

I was thinking the same thing.

[LauraKY]

There is a virus going around. Temps 103 to 104 and anorexia. Hits some horses harder than others. One of mine was really sick, stocked up in back, digital pulse in front, temp 104 very stiff and 4 leg lame and mildly anemic.

Did you take her temp? A lot of the time they don't want to move with a high temp. I always take temp, listen for gut sounds, check for dehydration, pulse and respiration. It's helpful if you have a record of their normals to compare to.

Vet said for those with just a temp, banamine and time. For my guy, the works. Still don't know what it was, but I'm hearing from others with the same symptoms, so we are still thinking virus.

[Marestache]

Most of you have more experience that I do. I have owned 2 mares for 10 years and a 3rd pony mare for one year but I did not grow up with horses.
This is just a thought and I might be way wrong, like I said, this is just a thought...
It seems like when my mares come in season in the late winter or spring it affects them more strongly as far as personality changes or mating behaviors, than as later when they come in and out of season through the warm months. Two of my mares personalities and actions are "off" right now, and questionably the third, and they seem to be showing some signs of coming in season. The pony was acting out the other day galloping around more than is normal. She is a total glutton for food and she also chose to stand at the end of the pasture flirting with one of the neighbors horses until I reminded her that her dinner was ready (that NEVER happens). My own mare is witchier than usual, she is the boss mare and she is threatening the others constantly the last couple of days and also standing beside the fence in some sort of serious silent discussion with the neighbors horses at times. Her appetite for hay is off too. When the two horses were younger, there was more positioning, peeing, bucking and squealing around other horses in the springtime. They are not doing that right now though.
So, I am just wondering, could coming into season have anything to do with your mare's antisocial and moody/spooky behaviors? (I could be way off base...) I am so sorry you got hurt, that is really a HUGE bummer.

[Jaegermonster]

Bunithgrace, no she is actually at the bottom of the herd. I don't know what her problem was.

I was very stiff when I woke up this morning, but a handful of Aleve knocked that out. Of course the whore was out there galloping about when I went to feed. so I went ahead and hunted, I can hurt here at my house and be miserable just as well as I can hurt having fun. And fun it was, one of the best days all season, even though we had a wet cold rain the whole time. But it was worth it. Although I do have a lovely parade of hoof prints all up the left side of me under my arm and up my leg and all up the left side of my back.

Did take her temp and checked all vitals, all was fine except for the hanging out in the field like that.

I've had this mare since July, and she has never behaved like this before. But I will say that I really don't think she will make a staff horse so she is going to have to go. For a horse that can't do what I need her to do she causes entirely too much drama. But she will be a nice horse for someone who doesn't hunt or wants to ride in the field.

[JSwan]

No good deed goes unpunished, eh Jaeger? Glad you weren't hurt too badly.

Hope both of you are feeling better and that she is pooping up a storm.



So now that I have chewed a whole handful of Aleve and can barely walk, I think I am the one who needs the vet, as we are now anxiously on poop watch.
Actually I may just go get myself a crown and coke. I'm really hurting.

[Nes]

Maybe she was PMSing?
(no seriously, my girl goes through all sorts of weird behaviour when she's in heat, especially when they are a little out of season).

At least you have some awesome bruises to show off for your ordeal ;).

[Jaegermonster]

She seems fine today. At least as fine as she normally is.
On a couple of the bruises/hematomas you can actually see the imprint of the shoe, the nail heads and the word "eventer". It's very nice.

[HealingHeart]

Hi Jaegermonser, when you get to feeling better and are stronger, keep your attention on her behavior for perhaps a unknown animal that she senses that others do not or have move away from. Something is making her freeze..... most horses would stay together or run, but 4-whatever, she seems to freeze and feels safer at that back location.

When you attempted to walk her in., something made her jump..., perhaps that samething was making her stay put, freeze...., and seems to have put her in a fight mode, your injuries

Just an idea to watch for... since she is sensitive and may react differently than others...

Hope you heal fast.... take care

[Cloverbarley]

I don't like to make posts like this because as we know, every scenario is different, and I always think it's unnecessary as it can cause anguish and alarm, however just as a gentle word of caution ... last year I came home from being away in PA for 5 days. I left all horses alive and well; no issues at all. The day I arrived home, I noticed my little Arab nanny mare was very quiet. I kept an eye on her and she seemed just quietly standing underneath the line of trees in her field. All her buddies were way up the hill in the field. Anyway, I wasn't too worried about her. The next morning, she was still in the same spot. I checked her vitals and nothing appeared greatly amiss. I took her out the field for a walk and then popped her in a small quarantine paddock just so I could monitor her poops. Well she pooped twice in the couple of hours she was in there and then she started running around, tail in the air (typical arab) and shouting away to her friends. So I thought, hmm must be feeling better and I put her back in with her wards. She started eating and appeared normal. I checked on her again that night about 1am and she was still eating and acting normally. The following morning, I woke up and turned my head on my pillow and I could see her out the window lying in the field shelter alone and flat out. I leapt out of bed, grabbed on some clothes and flew out the door with my cellphone. When I ran down to her, I spotted immediately that she was frothing at the mouth and her eyes were wild. She was still lying flat out. I phoned the vet immediately and told him I had a horse that I suspected had twisted gut and needed to be destroyed. I managed to get her up and lead her out of the field and into the corral (her final resting place) and the vet arrived about 2 or 3 minutes later. His diagnosis was the same as mine and she was put to sleep then and there.

I honestly don't want to worry you but I am just giving you this information as a word of caution. Keep a very close eye for the next 36 hours. My problem was that I had been away so I had no idea how long my little mare was in the condition she was in - had I been at home, I expect I would have paid more attention and put her on a watch and maybe she would still be alive today, but of that, of course I can never be sure.

[JSwan]

Cloverbarley -

You're pretty brave to post that because there are a lot of people on this BB who would happily tear you to shreds if they read your post. (guess they've never had an animal crash unexpectedly or have x ray vision or something)

I'm sorry you lost your horse - and I can very well understand how you'd think everything was ok...only for disaster to strike. My condolences.

Jaeger - you know you're pretty darn lucky - the foxhunting community up here lost a very dear person due to a simple accident in a stall.

[Cloverbarley]

JSwan - it was an unfortunate situation all the way really. My own vet was out of the country and although I have a hugely stocked veterinary room at home, it's no good for twisted guts sadly. When I saw her early the morning of her death, I had no choice but to call the cattle vet (they claim they deal with equines but they are not people I would use for my horses). No way could I have them investigate or operate on my horse and all I had left was for her to be put out of her misery as quickly as possible. I couldn't care less if some wish to pick my post apart because that was not the reason I posted - I posted about it purely as a cautionary tale to the OP.

Thank you for you kind thoughts though :). It was not a nice situation to be in, I'd owned the mare for 4 years since she was a baby, and I had to make the best of what was available to me. Pretty much anything else I would have (and over the years have multiple times) been capable of dealing with, but not twisted gut.

[hollynanne]

Cloverbarley- I cannot imagine how hard that would be for you. Any horse owner would play the 'what-if' game after something like that.

I will say that I know Jaeger personally and she's a smart cookie. I would guess that she's checked gut sounds and such. I know for a fact that she has her vet on speed-dial! :D She's a "better safe than sorry" horse mom.

Jaeger- that sucks about her not being a huntsman's horse. I'm sure you'll find her an awesome home. (I know you're very good at finding awesome homes for "non-hunting" mares! ;) )

Glad you're feeling a bit better today.

[MunchkinsMom]

Wow! Glad you escaped the stomping with just bruises. Put some Sore-No-More on them, they will heal faster (ask me how I know).

I would have been worried also if any of my horses acted like that. My mare did that the first spring she was here, turned out that my neighbor had a pony (not sure if he was a stud or not) in a pasture that was kitty-corner to our pasture, and she was madly in love with him, and when she was in heat, she would just stand there all day mooning over him. And trust me, this mare will not miss a meal!

[Jaegermonster]

Cloverbarley, did you have a farm sitter or anything and they didn't notice? that is so odd, I'm so sorry you lost your horse like that.


JSwan, yes I do know I was very lucky last night. When I raised my arm as I fell and she stepped on the back of my bicep, if I had not done that she would have stepped right on my left cheekbone. I actually could not get up right away, and my other mares (my beloved Penny and her 7 yo daughter Jaeger) came and stood over me and I pulled myself up on one of their legs.

Thanks Hollyn :) yep I was out there last night with the thermometer and the stethoscope, and checking gums and all that stuff. Everything was normal, not even elevated respiration. And yes I am disappointed that she is not going to work out, but at this point I just want to cut my losses with her and find her a home where she will be happier. She's just not fabulous enough at what I like to do to put up with this kind of crap. You're right, I totally don't play around with colic, I always at least call the vet and give him a heads up, then an update in a hour or so> But I really don't think this was a colic. I don't know what the deal was but I really am sure it wasn't a colic.



And MM, I have a whole thing of the Sore no More wipe things in my tackroom! DUH! What didn't I think of that! (going out now)

[Zu Zu]

Jingles for you to feel better soon ~ you were very lucky!

[AHorseSomeDay]

Glad you and your mare are ok. I hope you feel better. It could have been worst. My trainer was leading a horse to the barn from the pasture when the horse spooked and knocked her down and ran over her. My trainer ended up with 4 broken ribs and her thigh was ripped open.

You never know with horses :sigh:

[Jaegermonster]

Yeah I am really hurting, I feel the hematomas in my thigh and shins with every step and of course the shin ones are right where the stirrup leather goes across (thank you you miserable cow).
And the left side one is under my arm even with my boob so I feel that one with every breath.
But I refuse to let it slow me down any.

[atr]

Owie. My two got spooked in the pasture once when I was doing up a belly strap on a blanket.

They both went over the top of me. Thank God they weren't shod, as I think I got kicked in the head, as well as stomped all over. It's all rather fuzzy.

Fortunately it was springtime and muddy so it was soft... and smelly.

I'm much more careful now.

I'm glad your mare is feeling better and I hope you will soon, too. It will get worse before it gets better though.

[alteringwego]

Jaeger- sorry I'm a bit late for the party... things got busy here and going to be another busy one tomorrow. (sigh- still paradise though)
I'm not much of a creative one in terms of developing a screen name so I just went along with the alter idea. Perhaps not a very good one but been working for me :-)
Glad your mare looks good and very sorry to hear of her antics. Why is it when they supposedly feel so bad they always manage to have the energy to plow over you. [alteringwego is now remembering the decision to ship a colic to the vet clinic around 11pm one very cold night. Apparently he was no longer lethargic when he saw the horse trailer... bruises to prove it]
It happens. Hope you're healing!

[Cloverbarley]

Cloverbarley, did you have a farm sitter or anything and they didn't notice? that is so odd, I'm so sorry you lost your horse like that.

Yes, I had the groom here to look after the horses and the handyman to look after the dogs and for general farm help; both living in my farmhouse for the duration of our trip away. Both know all of the horses well and did not notice anything amiss. It was just a very unfortunate turn of events all round really and part of the reason why I rarely leave the farm.

Anyway, sorry to hijack a little and I'm glad Jaeger doesn't think it is colic and I hope your injuries feel better soon. :)

[NoExcuses]

Rye Grass Staggers? What does vet say?

[Jaegermonster]

Yes, I had the groom here to look after the horses and the handyman to look after the dogs and for general farm help; both living in my farmhouse for the duration of our trip away. Both know all of the horses well and did not notice anything amiss. It was just a very unfortunate turn of events all round really and part of the reason why I rarely leave the farm.

Anyway, sorry to hijack a little and I'm glad Jaeger doesn't think it is colic and I hope your injuries feel better soon. :)

That is so awful. I am so sorry. I"m the same way though, I very rarely leave the farm for more than overnight, and even that is rare.

[Jaegermonster]

Rye Grass Staggers? What does vet say?

What is that? I"ve never heard of it. They have been on the rye since October though, so I would imagine whatever that is would have shown itself before now, wouldn't it?

I didn't call the vet, since she obviously was feeling well enough to almost kill me, and since then has been acting normally, although I am watching her fairly closely when I'm here. And actively trying to find her a new home, even if I have to give her away.

[NoExcuses]

Rye Grass Staggers a neurotoxic disease that occurs on either annual or perennial ryegrass, or even hybred rye grass. Often when the rye grass is in the flowering stage or the seed production stage. Symptoms often appear to go away when the horse is left alone. but when asked to move they may have tremors, incoordination. Horses often try not to move around too much. What does your vet say? Keep horse quiet and remove from pasture until vet can see him. Good Luck

[naters]

Im late to the party, but my horse had a minor gas colic once upon a time, and was acting very similar to your mare...

[TheJenners]

I've had the same type of horse as naters. I had a stallion who was a big weenie, and he had mild "gas colic" on and off for several months before we deteremined he had an ulcer(s). This was before everyone was quick to cry out "check for ulcers." He would stand and seemed to be dozing for long periods, or would lay quietly. Never rolled, never thrashed, but it is what it is. I remember sitting with him once while he was laying there, and he would look at me and siiiiiigh all dramatic like as if I really shouldn't bother, because he is dying after all. I called it his Eeyore impression.

I think if he had been in a situation where he didn't get moved from stall to paddock and back, he would have probably stood for hours like your mare.

Just a thought. Another thought...eat food with the Aleve. I gave myself bicep tendinitis a few weeks ago doing pullups with MY Sgt, the professional lifter, and the doc told me to take Aleve to get rid of the horrible swelling. I think I gave MYSELF an ulcer with that stuff, oy.

[mellsmom]

but it's freaking me out..... I'm reading along and all of a sudden you refer to aposter as hollyn...which is my name and I couldn't find where I had written a reply to you..then I saw hollynanne posting...whew.... thought I had finally lost my mind. ;-) And fingers crossed that you mare is ok.

[Jaegermonster]

Thanks everyone. She's fine. My trainer rode her yesterday, and although there has been lots of improvement compared to when I first got her, she is not going to cut it as a whip's horse. The incident the other night was the last straw, now she has to go. Honestly I about can't stand the sight of the horse now, and yesterday when I was unloading her when we got back from the trainers she acted like she had lost her mind. I don't know what her problem is.

I am giving her away and found someone who wants to come get her on Sunday so hopefully it will work out.

[MunchkinsMom]

Fingers crossed for you that the new home works out.

[jazzrider]

Bunithgrace, no she is actually at the bottom of the herd. I don't know what her problem was.

First of Jaeger, so, so sorry for the beating you took. Hope you are on the upswing of pain now that it's been a few days!

I've only gotten to the middle of the second page of this thread, but wanted to give this one thought, based on your quote above. My horse Luke who is at the bottom of the herd will go stand in the far corner of my pasture, closest to our house, and not move when he's had the crap beat out of him by our herd leader (Jazz :sigh:). He'll stay there, frozen like a statue, all day if I don't do something. It happens a few times a year. I usually give him his own pasture for a day or two (and the first day he'll still go to the furthest part of that pasture and freeze), then add a friend, then put him back with the herd when he tells me he's over it and ready. Could that have been it?

[Jaegermonster]

I suppose it's possible, but I really doubt it. They usually all hang together and no body gets picked on, the order just really only determines what order they proceed through the gate to the barn at feeding time ( I let them in and they walk to their stalls).
I think she just has a screw loose to be honest with you. But she is leaving Sunday so she is about to be somebody else's problem.

[LarissaL]

If you suspect ulcers, I wouldn't be surprised to find there's a link between those and her behavior. The gelding I mentioned is a NUTBAG if I interact with him when the ulcers flare up. Spooky as all get out, overreactive to the nth degree (like nearly throwing himself on the ground during a light rain), breaks cross ties and is overall unrideable. If I try to sit on him we go nowhere but up, sideways and/or backwards.

I can see why you are frustrated and glad you've found a place for her. Hopefully she'll one day get comfortable in her skin and be a happy horse for someone.

[Jaegermonster]

That's what's so weird. She probably has the lowest stress of any horse on the farm. She gets ridden at home maybe one or two days a week, and that's just some light flat work and working on accepting your hands, and then maybe one day of hunting with a very laid back hunt.
24/7 turnout, premium feed, free choice hay and grass.
I had actually considered sending her out for a month's training, and/or maybe having her scoped before the last meltdown the last time I tried to hunt her, which she had melted down before when she played polo and once in a lesson, but never hunting. But then as the season progressed she was more challenged by having to be closer to the hounds and more in the thick of things. The more challenged she was the worse it got.

These people just want a trail horse, and for that she is practically bomb proof so hopefully it will work out.

[KrazyTBMare]

Layla would act the same way esp with being "meh" about her grain. I put her on zantac per the vet and havent had any issues since. Mention that to whoever is getting her. They can seem to lead very easy lives but some horses, esp sensitive mares, worry about willy nilly things. Even the crazy up and down weather we have been having here will upset them.

[LarissaL]

I have found managing my guy's ulcers to be one of the most frustrating things I've ever dealt with. I have a thread about it a few months back, where I really didn't know where to go next. Mine has a SUPER low stress life too, free choice hay, have tried 30 days GastroGard/cimetidine/ranitidine/omeprazole/supplements/herbs, multiple low carb feeds, beet pulp, alfalfa, you name it I've probably dropped money in that bucket :lol:

We've finally turned a corner after I added flax, vitamin E and magnesium. Who knows why. I quit guessing.

Sorry you've had a hard time with your girl too. The under saddle troubles are enough to make you lose your mind, right? This was my guy before treating with Gastrogard last winter (http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/swf/mvp.swf?7%3A136764=&v=110052780133&s=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fswf%2Fembed.s wf%3F7%3A134871&ts=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fswf%2Fmvp_ta il_slate.swf%3F7%3A134155) - he's a former Prelim level eventer, 3'6 jumper and a real gentleman in good times but this was seriously like his brain had fallen out. I'll hope the new home works out well and that your replacement horse is a little better fit for the life :) Sounds like you did a lot for this girl and it just wasn't going to happen.

[Percheron X]

I have found managing my guy's ulcers to be one of the most frustrating things I've ever dealt with. I have a thread about it a few months back, where I really didn't know where to go next. Mine has a SUPER low stress life too, free choice hay, have tried 30 days GastroGard/cimetidine/ranitidine/omeprazole/supplements/herbs, multiple low carb feeds, beet pulp, alfalfa, you name it I've probably dropped money in that bucket :lol:

We've finally turned a corner after I added flax, vitamin E and magnesium. Who knows why. I quit guessing.

Sorry you've had a hard time with your girl too. The under saddle troubles are enough to make you lose your mind, right? This was my guy before treating with Gastrogard last winter (http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/swf/mvp.swf?7%3A136764=&v=110052780133&s=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fswf%2Fembed.s wf%3F7%3A134871&ts=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fswf%2Fmvp_ta il_slate.swf%3F7%3A134155) - he's a former Prelim level eventer, 3'6 jumper and a real gentleman in good times but this was seriously like his brain had fallen out. I'll hope the new home works out well and that your replacement horse is a little better fit for the life :) Sounds like you did a lot for this girl and it just wasn't going to happen.

Did you have his ulcers confirmed by having him scoped?

If so that's a great video of behavior caused by an ulcer!

[LarissaL]

I didn't. The cost of GG prohibited me from also scoping. Once I put the pieces together though, his symptoms were just so textbook it was a unanimous decision to treat him. I could list them all out but they're pretty much exactly what you'd read in a "what to look for" article :winkgrin:

Same horse, after treatment (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0qPYwnMkyU). Same farm (his home farm), same ring, same weather, same rider, different horse.