Previously lovely horse showing signs of aggression

[mummyof2munchkins]

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.

Gastrogard too expensive. Try clay, works really well.

thenaturallyhealthyhorse.com/bentonite-clay-horses/

It's expensive because it works.

Cystic ovaries cause pain and aggression in mares too, might be worth investigating?

If shes insured then surely she will be covered for the cost of scoping and gastroguard if necessary? I thought ovaries too but would expect more discomfort under the saddle for that? Good luck. There's got yo be something wrong, a nice horse does not just turn nasty after two years for no reason.

Hmm it sounds too much of a coincidence not to have anything to do with the kick. Bute trial?

My horses rib cage had moved forward after a fall. He was totally sound but demonstrated symptoms as you describe. I used a chiropractor to click everything back into place. 3 months on and he's back to his lovely self

Beware of using Bute until you have the all clear from ulcers.... we did this before having our mare scoped. She went vertical and nearly fell over backwards! (Bute is an irritant to the gut lining so made the pain even worse in our case!)

Our mare showed similar symptoms... not particularly girthy but hated her tummy touched. They don’t need to show all the signs listed. Turned out she had grade 3 ulcers. (Before we purchase 3 years ago, she’d had strangled and was in a stable for 6 months with no turnout, vet thinks that’s what caused them). Treated with Gastroguard for a month, now on Agrobs Musli, fenugreek and a feed balancer specific for ulcer prone horses - helps to restore correct balance of bacteria etc. She’s been absolutely fine for the last 12 months with no re-occurrence.
Look up Equinox - it’s only available online and they’re on FB. It works out cheaper than other feed balancers too and after 1 container you then go onto the ‘normal’ one.

Good luck - Let us know how you get on.

It's expensive because it works.

I agree, so do cheaper alternatives.

Now, this wasn't cheap....my mare went through a complete detox under veterinary supervision. Actually it was a trial my vet developed supported by NFU so they covered the cost. 6 months and £1500 later my horse had no further issues from hind gut acidosis but it was a long haul, no riding, rest, loads of probiotics, prebiotics, 3 times a day plus other goodies, but afterwards she no longer had the behavioural issues, headshaking, metabolic syndrome, fat pads, elevated digital pulses, allergies, etc etc. Basically all caused by processed feed, fertilised grazing, unnatural conditions and diet. Like us I guess.

My horse gets better treatment than me!

Sorry to add the ulcer idea too. one of the lads in our yard uses this for a fussy TB mare and swears by it.
www.fenuhealth.com/

Sounds exactly like my mare. Turned out to be ulcers.

Could be ulcers most likely.

If not, get her back checked. My horse had the same symptoms and it was kissing spine. But would be expecting more than what she's doing really for that.

Just to add hind gut ulcers won’t show up with a scope. There is a relatively inexpensive test called Succeed which vets use to test for hind gut. Equine Science Gastroplus worked better and faster than gastrogard for mine and treats/coats front AND hind gut allowing it to heal.

Thank you everybody for your advice. I've registered with a new vet who has decided she should be taken in for a scan and further investigations so she's off to horsey hospital on Friday. Vet examined her and felt any treatment at the moment is just guessing so she wants an abdominal scan as a starting point and they'll see where that takes them.

Good luck; hope they get to the bottom of it

Thank you for all of your advice. Grateful for everybody's input.

Update: Abdominal scan showed a badly torn muscle. She'll need around 8 weeks to recover and will have some bute to help with the pain.

My next challenge is trying to keep weight off her whilst she can't be worked. In a few days i'll start walking her in hand but don't want to over do anything and slow her recovery.

Hello OP - so glad you’ve found out what the issue is. Have a look at ArcEquine - innovative technology, drug free and non-invasive to aid quicker recovery. I have one and it’s brilliant. You can hire them.

Glad you were able to find out what it was. Just goes to show that there is often a physical reason for these changes in behaviour.

Draughty, can i ask where you can hire the arcequine from. I've looked at prices to buy and they are v expensive. Hopefully it would only be needed for a short time.

Hi OP, contact details are here:
www.arcequine.com
Ian Thirkell is the chap you need to speak to, so give them a call.