Possible physical causes of behavior problems

[mags]

Thought we could come up with a list which i'll keep updating in this post. Thinking of Jack primarily and eliminating any possible causes for him but a general list others may benifit from would be good.


Crookedness
Sore back
Tension throughout the body
Sore feet
Sore teeth/mouth
Gastric Ulcers
Epsm/muscle myopathy
Arthritis in spine
Arthritis in pelvis/hips
Hock problems
Low grade laminitis
Poor shoeing/trimming-unbalanced feet
Kissing spine
Eyesight problems
Magnesium deficiency/mineral/vitamin imbalance or deficiency.
Aneurysm
Hormonal imbalances
Ovary problems

[chloe]

Sore back
Tension throughout the body
Sore feet
Sore teeth/mouth
Gastric Ulcers

[peppertop]

Oh where can I start!
I have had experiences of the following causing behavioural problems that don't show as a physical problem till much later.
Epsm or another muscle myopothy, there are several different ones but basically can anything from a reluctance to have hind feet stretched out backward, jumpyness to full blown tying up and very agressive behaviour.
Arthritus in spine causing mounting problems and then bucking you off!
Arthritus in pelvis/hips causing mounting problems but then ok to ride.
Hock problems which cause loading problems.
Low grade laminitus, never lame but became aggressive to ride.
Shoeing/badly trimmed feet causing horse to feel unbalanced and therefore got very nervous and jumpy or reluctant to move forward freely, in hand and ridden. Leading on from that, any crookedness can cause napping, rearing, bucking, reluctance to move forward, rushing, difficulties getting on, nervousness in hand and under saddle, difficulties lunging ,longlining and loading and travelling. Read this book! www.amazon.co.uk/Correct-Movement-Horses-Improving-Straightness/dp/1905693141
Ulcers, causing sensitivity to leg, slightly over top reactions,horse looked well and held its weight, very shiny coat. Another, general over the top reactions and seemed to eat a bit franticly. When vet saw him said there was no way he had ulcers as he didn't show external symptom and wasn't the type, (cobby )this is a leading vet on ulcers apparently. He ended up having two types one quite rare and both serious, took months of treatment to clear.
Kissing spine, anything ranging from difficulty mounting to bucking you off! Often these horses will show a moments discomfort then work through it, must be as adrenaline kicks in.
I think crookedness is the biggest one for me, I see horses change massively in their behaviour, become more confident etc when you start to help them use their bodies more correctly. My trainer has always said that most problems come from horses being crooked or there is a problem in there digestive system, I have to say the more I do the more I agree! All of the above problems are ultimately caused by one or the other.

[mags]

thought you would would come up with a good one ruth, will have fun condensing that down into a list

[Trouble]

Hmmmm...the Ulcers one sound like it might be worth investigating if the bloods show nothing for kidneys (for Snip)

He holds weight well, is shiny and looks very well, but he totally backs off from the legs at times - particularly when you first stsrt to ride, and his reactions are definitely very over the top!

[mags]

you know I thought ulcer's the other day with snip with him kicking at your legs

[Trouble]

I had thought it but as there were no other symptoms I discarded it for now, but it has been at the back of my mind.

Even bought a brewers yeast/yea sacc supplement for him last night after having done a bit of reading. Digestive problems being kinda next on my list!

[mags]

I thought about trying anti acids on dan and Jack as a test but cant remember which ones to get

[peppertop]

I sound like every horse I come across is broke don't I !Well I guess when they come to me its for a reason, so I get many broken ones! I know they all have taught me to keep searching for the problem as not one yet has just been that way out! I am a firm believer that horses are engery efficient and will always look for the easy option, so if they start putting lots of effort into not doing something or objecting theres always a pretty good reason. Unless they are welsh and sometimes they just do it cause they can!! Only joking welsh fans!

[peppertop]

Sorry missed your above post Mags. The one I have used is Ranitadine, needs to be given about an hour before doing something. It was an amazing transformation on the one who had severe ulcers.

[Trouble]

Agree...I mean, I know that Snip IS a naturally 'naughty' horse (and by that I mean cheeky, curious, quirky, playful - not nasty naughty) but there seems to be something else going on because when he's cheeky naughty, his ears are always forwards, at the moment when he's naughty his ears are pinned back.

[mags]

How common a problem is eyesight problems do you know, has crossed my mind with Jack. He really is looking like he is actually very easy other when something moves sunddenly or he seeing something in the distance

[mags]

Funny you say that Jo cos the thing that always stuck me with Dan was that how nice natured he is on the ground. doesnt then fit that he should then be naughty just because you'vve got on his back

[Trouble]

Apparently relatively common - it's one of the first things I had checked out with Snip (all fine btw!) doesn't need to be severe to cause a reaction either, so I was told, just enough of a difference for them to react/worry.

[Trouble]

Exactly. Snip is the same, to handle he is everyone's favourite horse, he's a great big oaf but there's not a mean bone in his body....but not one of those people will get on his back!

He's such a people horse, you can't stand near him without him getting attention, he goes out of his way to be around people.

Even ridden, get him on a normal day and he can't do enough to try and please you. Just these problem days where he is, as I've fondly named him, the Devil Horse!