Ok, ulcers, feet, legs and whatever else...

[Trouble]

Yes the ulcers and ridden bad behaviour have always gone hand in hand, though he never did quite come right this last summer (more than one clear scope - so ulcers were def gone)

It's been bad since winter 2008-2009, but the vet and I are sure that he's had them every winter, but it's hard to be sure because for the 2 previous winters I injured myself (not horsey, I'm just V accident prone!!) and was not riding, so no ridden behaviour could be observed.

Not possible to call his old owners, he was running wild in a herd in Ireland, rounded up and shipped over as a job lot, went through a sale and ended up with a dealer as a 3 year old. I bought him as backed, but the dealer's idea of backed was a rider sat on him briefly whilst he was chased forwards with a lunge whip. I knew this when I bought him so took him on to reback him.

I've had him for 3.5 years, he's now 6. Though i suppose officially he's now rising 7, seeing as it's now 2010!

[kathrynp]

I have seen several horses exhibit similar behaviour when ridden who have been found to have musculoskeltal pain on veterinary investigation. I appreciate that you have previously said he is sound but just thought worth suggesting that a vet/physio actually asseses him specifically for lameness, especially when circling on the soft.

[geeup]

well I'm rubbbish at seeing anything visually, my horses need to be physically limping for me to notice anything, but I agree theres something about those back legs , when you look at heathers book you see pictures of horses with one side of the pelvis lower than the other, she talks about the motion going from side to side when you ride, I couldn't make out this movement, but I couldn't really see the back either!!!!!

[Trouble]

Yep, that's the next plan of action. Going to go for another full work up, I've contacted a few people over the last couple of days and have a few options.

He is sound, but if I'm honest with myself his paces are not as good as they have been previously.

Got nothing to lose, either nothing will show up and I'll have a vet bill that is les than a month of Gastrogard, or something will be found and I'll be insured to go with whatever treatment he needs....so it's just about the only no lose situation about all this!

He's not insured for ulcers anymore, so lets find something he is insured for!!

[kathrynp]

Have you heard of the product Pronutrin by Boehringer Ingelheim? I am fairly sure its not prescription and is marketed as helping prevent ulcers but has been shown to reduce ulcer severity as well. Sorry I have no idea how much it is but it can't be as expensive as gastrogaurd!!

[Trouble]

There are tons of products marketed to reduce ulcers, or recent them etc....tried most of them, the ulcers came straight back.

[june]

Some horses are sensitive to alfalfa which you have in the Alfabeet and in the LucieBix. It might be another thing worth trying to eliminate to see if it helps.

[Trouble]

He's been on Alfalfa consistently thrughout the good phases as well...it's a feed that he's always done well on.

I did try eliminating it for a while last winter and it had no effect.

[june]

Have you tried adding Yea Sacc? In theory it should only help to reduce the acidity in the hind gut rather than the stomach but if it does that it might help the overall digestive system.

[tamzin]

In humans there are certain types of stomach ulcer than can be treated by simple antibiotics. Not many GPs seem to treat them this way as they are unaware of this but gradually they are understanding this could be the simple treatment. I was just wondering if it could be the same with horses (no idea about ulcers).

[mandal]

Apparently Snip has been treated with antibiotics as well Tamzin. You know all this Trouble but I thought it is a good overview of cause and treatment of ulcers in horses for others info.
www.tufts.edu/vet/sports/ulcers.html

[daisysp8]

Aw Jo, its so infuriating to stand on the side-lines and watch the most wonderful caring person try so hard to do everything in her power to help her boy ... and seem to get no where fast, i can only imagine how frustrating it must be for you

I don`t know anything about ulcers, so can`t offer any sound practical advice, though i knew a horse that had digestive issues due to crib btiing and Yea-sacc and nayural yogurt helped restore harmony there.

I know you are doing all you physically can for Snip .. and you`ll always go the extra mile for him, i just hope something turns up soon.

Have you used Faye Hayward ... Mctimony lady ? I`m sure she`s lincoln based and she was fab diagnosing Lotties Poll/Neck issues in the beginning, and helped putting a stop to some of her pain/rearing issues x

[portiabuzz]

Poor Snip & poor you.....so hope it gets resolved for you xxx

[geeup]

Were all racking our brains here, i know nothing bout ulcers either, thank god i don't from what your going through. I do know that magnesium is given to humans with ulcers, but i kinda figure you have probabaly tried that too!

[Jane]

"Supplements - he's on a general vitamin supplement "

This rather stands out to me as not maybe not having been explored as thoroughly? I say this purely because I work closely with an independent nutrionalist who mixes up bespoke mineral mixes for individual clients - including me. I know two people who do this over here so hear a lot about how general supplements are a scattergun solution to mineral needs of the individual horse. This subject is only just now coming into the domain of the 'average horse owner', as hoofcare/trimming did a few years back.

Pasture and hay analysis - forage NOT soil - underpins the individual mineral mix, but the bespoke supplement is very cheap, as it's mixed together by one person using a coffee grinder or blender, LOL.

Would you like me to do some asking around for you? I know some good people who could offer some pointers, possibly.