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This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Horse Care » Routine Horse Care » Geriatric Horse: Problems and Care »
  Discussion on 19 yr old gelding resting (or pushing) his rump against stall wall
Author Message
New Member:
Dmanning

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 30, 2005 - 12:35 am:

I have 19 yr old gelding (a newly retired hunter/jumper) who spent a week in the hospital with a serious impaction. Ulcers were discovered and treated. No surgery was necessary, but we made major changes in his feed (from 100% pellets to 100% hay). His blood work while in the hospital was normal in all areas. We didn't know when he had last been wormed (he was at training barn-not at home), so he got Strongid on 10/23 and ivermectin on 11/23. I've noticed that when he's in his stall, he rests his rump against the stall wall or stall door. He does not rub so I don't think he's itchy. His coat is good. His disposition is good. It looks like he is taking pressure off of something by resting in this manner. Do I need to be concerned about this or am I overly fretful? (He did this even before his hospitalization.)
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 30, 2005 - 7:41 am:

Welcome DManning,
If there are no other clinical signs, particularly lameness issues, I would say, overly fretful.
DrO
Member:
Frances

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 30, 2005 - 9:56 am:

I know what you mean, DManning. Up until a couple of weeks ago, my mare had been doing exactly the same thing for about a month. She would basically try to SIT on anything nearby - medicine cabinet, low wall, her waterer, stable wall (a little more difficult). Like yours, not rubbing, just enjoying the pressure it seemed.

Then she stopped .... No idea why she did it and no idea why she stopped.
Member:
Sswiley

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 30, 2005 - 5:20 pm:

My 24 year old mare goes to the back of the stall, leans up against the water bucket and gently rocks back and forth bumping it ever so slightly. She LOVES doing this. I can just picture her repeating a mantra in her head.
Member:
Corinne

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 30, 2005 - 10:53 pm:

Shelly....Mine loves to rub himself on the walls of his stall as well. So we put up the brush part of a soft broom perpendicular to the floor at rump height (they did that at my last barn and he would brush himself for hours) He does this every night...he looks like he is in pure heaven. Kinda like your mare and her bucket!
New Member:
Dmanning

Posted on Thursday, Dec 1, 2005 - 12:53 am:

Thank you all for your comments. I've been wringing my hands since he came home from the hospital, so maybe I just need to stop fretting . . . so much. Thanks again!
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