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Post by johnnysauntie on Oct 24, 2008 9:15:29 GMT -5
Hi all -
Looking for some feedback here. I was all excited to have my first lesson in ages last night - but Jag was girthy. He's never girthy - he sits there in the cross ties dozing with his ears akimbo. My trainer rode him Wednesday, and he was fine.
But last night when I tacked up he was very girthy - flinching and (!) snapping - when I just buckled the first hole (which is not tight at all on him.) My trainer agreed that something was wrong, so we took the saddle off, and handwalked. When I put my ear to his side to listen for gut noises, he whirled around, snapping again. Again, this is extremely uncharacteristic behavior - he has never, ever behaved like this ever in my experience, and we've been hanging out for a year and a half.
He was otherwise behaving normally, looking for his hay, being social, pooping - all was good. Except that sensitivity on his sides and tummy.
Last night was supposed to be his fifth dose of a Power Pack. I'm wondering if the symptoms I described sound like he could just have a gut full of dead and dying parasites, and is feeling badly as a result. The sudden onset of these symptoms is what seems to indicate this. (Unless Powerpacking can trigger ulcers?)
My trainer checked him late last night, and he was fine. They turn out at 7 a.m., and I've had no call, so everything looks good.
Looking forward to hearing what you think!
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Post by TeachU2Ride on Oct 24, 2008 9:57:33 GMT -5
I've PowerPac'd dozens of horses and never had a reaction like you describe, but there's always a first. Since he's eating normally, I'd suspect a different reason though - enough gut upset to make him that cranky would almost have to curb his appetite, I'd think.
Did you perhaps switch to a neoprene-backed girth? Some horses are allergic to that material and can be very grouchy/skin sensitive. It would be hard to see now that he's fuzzy, but it can actually raise welts.
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Post by johnnysauntie on Oct 24, 2008 10:56:32 GMT -5
I'll check that out - my trainer uses her neoprene girth on him - but I used neoprene too for about a year w. no problem (got him a nice fleecy one earlier this year. Would that flare up overnight?
Also, would that explain the sensitivity on his sides (in front of his flanks?) He objected when I laid my head against his side to listen for noises (note to self, get stethoscope) or even stroked him gently on the barrel. (rubbing his head or scratching his tail was fine, got the usual appreciative response.)
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Post by TeachU2Ride on Oct 24, 2008 12:08:44 GMT -5
Yes - neoprene can cause a reaction in one ride. I've seen a welt literally the size and shape of the girth about 3 minutes after the girth came off! And yes, the reaction sensitizes the skin well beyond the girth area, not to mention the horse's general mood.
Some horses seem to tolerate it for awhile, then experience a reaction, while others will react at the first use.
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Post by johnnysauntie on Oct 24, 2008 12:36:52 GMT -5
very interesting! thanks teach! I hope that's it. (easy to fix!)
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Post by alisonph on Oct 24, 2008 12:51:35 GMT -5
JA, I forget where you are, but I know our weather has changed drastically over the past week. One of mine has, in the past, had minor gassy, colicky symptoms at a sudden weather change. It lasted a very short time and it didn't change his appetite, as it only lasted for an hour or so.
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Post by Pam on Oct 26, 2008 5:11:54 GMT -5
I was going to say the same thing as A. It's not uncommon to have gas colics when there are weather changes. I used to managed a 40+ barn and we had several horses that would get gassy and grumpy every time here was a drastic change in temperatures. I have one here now that has coliced every spring and summer since I've boarded him (about five years now). I can tell the minute I walk in the barn that he's not feeling well because his ears go back and he does the classic pawing and biting at his sides. A dose of banamine and all is well with him. Youmight try that if he does it again. You should see improvement within an hour.
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Post by johnnysauntie on Oct 26, 2008 9:00:03 GMT -5
Thanks all for the commentary. I really don't think it was colic, b/c he did have gut sounds that sounded normal - nice and gurgly - and wasn't biting his sides or stamping.
Whatever it was seems to have abated. He's had a few days off, and yesterday I took him for a spin on the longe line (the weather has been foul and he's been inside for a few days. )
He felt great, and didn't do anything then I patted and poked his sides and tummy. I'm going to hop on today.
But I am buying a fleecy sleeve for my trainer to use on her girth - if he's sensitive to it, I want to guard against another reaction.
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Post by Goalie on Oct 26, 2008 9:44:12 GMT -5
My guy Eagle will buck you off if you use a neoprene girth on him. thankfully Vida knew this and I have never used one on him. I'm glad Jag is being a good boy for you.
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Post by jenarby on Oct 26, 2008 20:44:50 GMT -5
With a mild gas colic you don't have to have true colic symptoms. It's kinda like when you get gas pain....it's uncomfortable and your tummy is sensitive. Not so painful though that you can't continue to do your daily routine. Since it doesn't involve torsion you will still have rumbles in the tummy, maybe even moreso than normal due to excess gas.
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Post by johnnysauntie on Oct 26, 2008 20:56:18 GMT -5
Good news, he's feeling fine. He was a very good boy today and celebrated his ride by rolling in the most foul, gooiest mud puddle you've ever seen I got a fleece sleeve for my trainer's girth - so even if it's not the issue, he'll be even more comfy.  Interesting re: the gas colic theory - his condition lasted about 3 days, can that type of colic persist that long? |
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Post by TeachU2Ride on Oct 27, 2008 18:49:01 GMT -5
Interesting re: the gas colic theory - his condition lasted about 3 days, can that type of colic persist that long? It would be quite unusual. I've also experienced just the opposite with gas colics - those I have seen have been very painful, with a lot of abdomen distention and flailing about until serious pain meds took effect. Some horses can certainly get a gassy build-up if they've been grazing on really rich grass/hay they're not used to, but it's not something that usually results in pain, just farts. ;D A change in the weather does often result in more colics, though... although my vets have always blamed it on (mostly) minor impactions from lack of normal water intake. |
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Post by johnnysauntie on Oct 29, 2008 11:45:00 GMT -5
Okay. He was great on Monday - my trainer rode him and I later walked him. Had to groom him with vigor to remove mud, no problem. (or no more squirming than usual, and no ear pinning or snapping.)
Then last night, he was back to the sensitivity and snapping. Once again, took saddle off, hand walked, put him in the little indoor to observe behavior - all was fine, normal, except when I touched the side of his barrel or girth area.
I am STUMPED.
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Post by Goalie on Oct 30, 2008 7:52:49 GMT -5
hmmm, do you have a vet that you can ask him about Jag?
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Post by johnnysauntie on Oct 30, 2008 13:41:27 GMT -5
Do I have a vet! She's buying a boat with the money I've spent this year and is calling it the Jaguar Key.
I put this to COTH too and a number of people came back thinking it might be Lyme.
So yes, I'll be having her draw blood when she comes out next week, but I was fishing for ideas I could research and pursue.
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