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Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Original poster

Previously lovely horse showing signs of aggression

43 replies

mummyof2munchkins · 10/06/2018 21:32

Looking for some ideas please.

My sweet lovely mare who has never showed any aggression in the the two years i've owned her has started to try to bite and kick out if i brush her or touch her sides. She reacts when her saddle goes on her back but her biggest reaction is when i brush across her ribs. When ridden she is moving better than she ever has, really working well. Her previously stiff and difficult left reign is now lovely. After being ridden she seems more relaxed and less reactive when i brush, stroke her.

History: Kick in the rib 2 years ago, vet found bruising but nothing serious. 4 weeks off work to allow the bruising to fully heal and she was fine.

I've had an epic battle to find a saddle that fits well due to her changing shape from an hunter to a dressage horse. Found a perfect semi flex earlier this year that she moves beautifully in. I've booked the saddler to come and check the fit remains good.

Physio has seen her twice in 8 weeks. Last visit was Thursday. She found her to be reactive across the ribs but after a good poke and prod she relaxed. Mare was better Friday but today back to trying to bite again.

I've spoken to vet who suggested saddle check and physio before further investigations. He said he'd expect there to be more signs under saddle if it were ulcers or overies. She comes into season regularly and is very interested in the boys. In previous years she has never shown any sign of aggression even when fully in season. Just the opposite, usually she'll lean on me to get a good scratch.

I would never ride a horse if i believed in doing so i'm causing pain, currently she actually seems to benefit from moving. I'm lunging before getting on her even to hack just to be sure she's sound, comfortable etc. I'm just not sure i should be riding her at all.

I'm continuing to investigate but i'd be interested in peoples thoughts/ideas.

OP posts:
sobersandra · 10/06/2018 21:35

Quick question - teeth and hooves?

Could be 'referred' pain?

QuestionableMouse · 10/06/2018 21:37

Generally aggression is caused by pain. Could be ulcers... Does she react to the girth?

Oddcat · 10/06/2018 21:38

I don't know a massive amount about this but have heard my very knowledgeable friend talk quite a bit about ulcers in horses causing problems.

Original poster
mummyof2munchkins · 10/06/2018 21:43

Feet are good and sound, farrier is really happy with her dinner plate feet.

Teeth are up to date, seen in feb, no issues, just her usual tidy up and brush.

She doesn't act to the girth being done up at all, but she doesn't like me reaching under her tummy. She seems to bite at her self when i reach under her, even to put her rug on.

OP posts:
numptynuts · 10/06/2018 21:46

I would say this is pain related probably due to the gut. My mare had hind gut acidosis which was successfully treated.

Might sound odd, but does she have allergies or prone to laminitis, etc?

Original poster
mummyof2munchkins · 10/06/2018 21:56

No allergies or lami.

At home she is usually a very chilled out, calm mare. My DD, when she was 5 could lead her. (or at least think she was leading her despite me holding on to the halter)

I think it must be pain too. I'll have to push the vet to do more investigations. He was very cool on the phone, very much a case of "She's a mare in season, what do you expect". It's not that the level of aggression is scary. It really isn't extreme or anything i can't handle. It's the total change in personality that is worrying me, something is bothering her and she's trying to tell me. I just don't know what it is or how to help her.

OP posts:
QuestionableMouse · 10/06/2018 21:58

Gastrogard is expensive (£20 ish quid per syringe) but it should give results pretty quickly. You should also ask your vet about scoping her.

DENMAN03 · 10/06/2018 22:00

Could be ulcers.. get some gastro guard. Expensive (we call ed it liquid gold!) but it worked a treat on my horse who would bite or kick when doing the girth up

Original poster
mummyof2munchkins · 10/06/2018 22:00

Can i ask for more info about hind gut ulcers. Would they show particular symptoms.

OP posts:
FourFriedChickensDryWhiteToast · 10/06/2018 22:01

I was also going to say ulcers.

FourFriedChickensDryWhiteToast · 10/06/2018 22:03

also ulcers need managing, such as making sure that there is always ad lib hay or grazing.

Original poster
mummyof2munchkins · 10/06/2018 22:14

I'll push with vet to scope for ulcers. She isn't girthy, i can do the girth up ok both tacking up and whilst on board.

I understand you can't scope the hind gut. Would there be different symptoms for the hind gut. Could this explain why she reacts when touched quite far behind the girth, more across the ribs than saddle or girth.

OP posts:
QuestionableMouse · 10/06/2018 22:14

Iirc hind gut ulcers cause diarrhoea, resisting the girth, flank pain, trouble with ridden work and in bad cases, blood in the manure. The treatment used to be sucralfate but I'm not sure if there is anything newer.

Original poster
mummyof2munchkins · 10/06/2018 22:18

Thanks mouse. Other than her reacting to being touched she doesn't really have any of those symptoms. Her reaction seems to be in the rib area.

OP posts:
Sarahlou63 · 10/06/2018 22:20

Ulcers - get another vet who is interested.

QuestionableMouse · 10/06/2018 22:21

I think I'd want her scoped just to rule them out. I'd also press the vet to get her a really good check over where she was kicked. It could be that something just hasn't healed and doing more work has aggravated it a bit. A really good physio would be my second step.

Original poster
mummyof2munchkins · 10/06/2018 22:28

Thank you.

I think i'm going to contact a different vet tomorrow.

I really believe she's trying to tell me something. I'm still a bit bothered by the kick being in the same area she is reacting to (even though it was 2 yrs ago and she's been fine since). I'd be very happy if the problem is just mare feeling a bit hormonal and bolshy. That's the cheapest and easiest thing to deal with. I just need to know If she is suffering and i'm not understanding why.

Thanks for the advice.

OP posts:
Wallywobbles · 10/06/2018 22:31

Is she stabled or out? For gut health out is preferable.

tenbob · 10/06/2018 22:32

I know others have already said it but my first thought was ulcers, if you've ruled out all potential musculoskeletal issues

Original poster
mummyof2munchkins · 10/06/2018 22:39

She's mostly out through summer. Comes in to be worked and for a rest from the sun and flies. In at night during the worst of the winter. She has ad lib hay when ever she's in.

Not sure what to do to rule out anything further musculoskeletal. She is sound and is working well and comfortably under saddle. Stands like a rock to mount. She seems relaxed and comfortable when ridden. In her stable with a dandy brush she reacts like i've hit her with a crop.

Shes a mystery.

OP posts:
QuestionableMouse · 10/06/2018 22:53

Does she get rubs easily? Wondering if she just has sensitive skin and she's reacting because of that. Try a rubber curry rather than a dandy brush?

Original poster
mummyof2munchkins · 10/06/2018 22:57

She usually loves a good rub/brush. Just not at the moment.

OP posts:
Claystone · 11/06/2018 08:33

I'd put money on it being ulcers. There's a range of symptoms, and they certainly don't always exhibit all the symptoms. I'd get her scoped.

GothMummy · 11/06/2018 08:36

Oh dear, so sorry to hear this, I think ulcers too.

MrsMozart · 11/06/2018 08:41

Another one hopping in to say ulcers.

And get a vet who will actually come out and see her.

Hope she's easily sorted.

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