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  Discussion on Touchy Mare
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New Member:
rodger

Posted on Sunday, Jan 18, 2009 - 10:49 am:

We have a mare that has been touchy in the flank area right where the hair line changes for about 6 weeks. I had a vet check her. She thought it was in the mammary gland or something related. Her reasoning was Mares teet area had a build up of dirt from her lying down on her stomach in the paddock.

The area was cleaned and then cleaned daily and we administered banamine for four days with no change.

The vet then proscribed antibiotics for 10 days no change.

She is eating, drinking and pooping normal. Her behavior is normal except when the areas mentioned are touched. She is not is rolling, sweating or chewing her sides. Her diet has not been changed.

The vet recommended trying gastrogard for three days to see if she would show any improvement. She showed no change.

The vet then had another vet check her to see if it was an orthopedic condition. He said he did not find anything to indicate it was an orthopedic condition.

I talked with another vet (a third one) she said we can start by having an endoscope done to check for ulcers. It would have to be done at the University where the other two vets work. I talked with the other vet and she does not think its ulcer related.

I am kind of at a loss on what to do.



Thank you,
Rodger
Member:
cgby1

Posted on Monday, Jan 19, 2009 - 10:48 am:

Hi Rodger,
How long have you had her? Could it be related to ovulation?

Cynthia
New Member:
rodger

Posted on Monday, Jan 19, 2009 - 11:44 am:

How long have you had her? 2 1/2 years.

Could it be related to ovulation? I'm not sure. It has been going on since December 12th. That's when we first noticed it.

She is in a herd of 8 mares and they all just went into heat last week.
Member:
dove2

Posted on Monday, Jan 19, 2009 - 11:54 am:

My mare pinned her ears every time we tried to touch or groom her, particularly around her hips and flank. It turned out to be that she was sore all along her spinal column, and was diagnosed with kissing spine. When we first got her (3 years ago), she always traveled inverted when ridden. We have since taught her to round her back up, she's learned to trust us, and all her touchiness has disappeared. I also give her a conDrOiten/HA supplement daily, and that seems to have helped a lot.

I'm not sure if this helps, but you might want to have a vet palpate or image her spine.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jan 19, 2009 - 1:54 pm:

Welcome Rodger,
This is certainly a common complaint on these pages and in my experience a very common behavioral problem with horses and particularly with mares. Since you have made a good stab at find a medical cause for this condition and so far everything checks out I want you to consider a training technique which works well for me. Study the article Training & Conditioning Horses » Behavior and Training » Modifying a Horses Behavior: Conditioned Responses and consider how to apply this procedure to your problem.

One other medical condition which some feel sometimes leads to this behavior is pneumovagina. In this condition the vulva is conformed to act like a one way valve and inflates the vagina causing irritation. Rectal ultrasound is the best way to diagnose this as simply looking normally causes the vagina to expand with air as you part the vulvar sphincter. Poor vulva conformation would raise the suspicion level.
DrO
New Member:
rodger

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 21, 2009 - 9:22 am:

Thank you everyone for your advice.

Dr. Oglesby; I looked at the training section you recommended.

I don't feel this is a training issue. I'm her trainer and have taken her form being almost feral horse when we first got her to where she is now.

I have a little different incite than some horse owners. I train professionally and have a good understanding of controlled responsive training methods. I use a very positive reinforcement approach to many training.

I finally tracked down an Equine Chiropractor and she is scheduled for the 27th.

I'm kind taking the starting over approach. I want to start with least evasive. The chiropractor is my first step.

If no changes then my next is to have ultra sound down as you recommended. Is there anything else in the female reproductive area you recommend checking?

If everything else is inconclusive then would an ulcer be the next logical step?

If so I have one problem since she was basically a feral horse when I got her I have taken her training slow and she is under saddle. I just recently bought a trailer so I have not taught her to load.

With the ground conditions being cover in snow and ice now is not the time to attempt trailer loading in my opinion. That makes having an endoscope down rather difficult.

Are there any problems with treating with ulcergard for 30 days? Such as side effects?

Thank you,
Rodger

By the way this is a great web site even though I'm a new member I have been reading information on here for over a year. It's a great resource.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jan 22, 2009 - 6:54 am:

Taking your questions in order:
1) While you are there might as well look at all the plumbing.
2) If nothing wrong is found with the horse I have had excellent luck with (re)training for this problem. I only diagnose gastric ulcers in association with clinical signs of the disease and have not found it a good explanation for uncomplicated behavioral problems. These physical signs are described in the ulcer article.
3) For information on the use of Gastroguard in horses see Treatments and Medications for Horses » Miscellaneous Drugs » Omeprazole (Gastroguard).
DrO
Thanks for the kudos Rodger
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