Trouble
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 2,263
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Post by Trouble on Jan 3, 2010 12:20:01 GMT 1
Sorry - should have been more specific - I call it his general vitamin supplemet but it isn't an off the shelf one, it's one made up of the things he actually needs, but I have it all done as one mix to make my life easier!
I had soil analysis done earlier in the year when we got loads of Buttercups as I wantd to know what was going on there.
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Post by lisap on Jan 3, 2010 19:13:08 GMT 1
Hi Trouble, I echo other posters' sympathetic remarks regarding your heroic efforts to try to help Snip.
From everything you have written (and I have not studied every last post, so apologies if this has been discussed already), and all the investigations you have had carried out, I am wondering if the ulcers are as a result of Snip's mentality rather than anything else.
Do you know his bloodline at all? Sadly, there are a few strains of TB's that have mental problems which are handed down the line.
There was a stallion standing in Cheshire many years ago called Chocolate Bean. This stallion was very, very difficult, and unfortunately seemed to throw stock with the same unstable temperament. They were terrific performers, but could only be handled by professionals, and dealt with in ways that you would shudder to know about.
Poor handling as a youngster can also result in long term mental illness. The horse cannot get over whatever has traumatised them as a small wee child, and will suffer permanently from anxiety in certain situations, to the extent that they can become unrideable.
Unfortunately mental instability can take many forms. Sometimes the horse can be a doll to handle on the ground, and go through weeks where everything is calm. Then something will unsettle them, either external (such as fireworks, shooting etc), or internal (cuts/bruises, soreness) and they go off the deep end again. It doesn't matter how well they are looked after, or how secure their current environment is, it will not stop them becoming ridiculously stressed and 'not with you'. They work themselves into a frenzy and then physical symptoms such as ulcers result.
Again, you often see this instability in 'better' horses, mainly because they get rushed early on as they have more talent and are stressed out more by their early handling, and sometimes also because of suspect temperaments in what are good performance bloodlines.
I guess I am implying that you might take Snip apart physically, have every test carried out known to man and beast, and at the end of it he will always be the same - sometimes Ok and sometimes not. However, I applaud you for investigating every single route before making a final decision over him.
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Trouble
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 2,263
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Post by Trouble on Jan 3, 2010 19:18:48 GMT 1
In short - yes you're right. Unfortunately I may have to face that his brain is just not wired right and he will always cause this to himself....I have a few new things to trry as a result of this thread, which I already am following up on, and I have a summer to try all this out before the next dreaded winter.
If these latest things do not help, I will have him PTS before next winter. If the ulcers return next winter, I will have him PTS. It is not fair on him to keep putting him through this year after year, he is clearly not happy or comfortable.
I owe it to myself and him to follow through every possibility, but beyond that, if I cannot help him, and he will not help himself....then PTS is the only fair option.
Easy to type, not so easy to go through with though!
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Post by stablehand on Jan 3, 2010 19:27:33 GMT 1
Watching the thread with interest as i have one with ulcers. Like you run out of insurance for! but at least i seam to be able to 'manage' them but i do wonder if i'm doing best for him. Would really like a little window so i could look in his tummy to see what comes first the ulcers or the change in behaviour. Good luck and keep us posted
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Post by geeup on Jan 3, 2010 21:07:59 GMT 1
good luck trouble, before you dp any thing drastic though, try something really different, like give him responsibility over another. This worked for us, when I have difficult kids at school they often shine showing others how to do it, forget heir own problems and become leaders. As I tried to say earlier ( i often don't express myself well through typing), ours is beginning to shine by relaxation, both us and her and by her becoming a babysitter to a braver, but childish pony, she mothers him. Lets him play, our babyish pony friend jumps ditches banks and charges round the field, today he was nudging the gate shut whilst she waltz sedately in, yet when he got a scare with the ball (don't ask why it was being kicked!), she told him it was Ok to not be scared. Something she would have found scary herself a year ago. I honestly believe yours has had a sole mate and been spereated from him/her, he needs a friend. Mine interestingly is an ex brood mare who we previously fielded with other mares, I think now she prefers a one to one relationship with a more child like male rather than female equine friend, her last foal was a colt. By the way, i think you have been fantastic and I'm so sorry its not been easy for you, ours has not been easy either and seeing my daughter now with an easy pony is hard to think about all we have been through. Good luck, what ever decision you make it will be a well thought out and carefully balanced one.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2010 22:30:54 GMT 1
Trouble, sorry I can't add anything informative but just wanted to say you reallydo sound like a star! Snip is really lucky to have such a caring and patient mum. Best of luck, I'll keep an eye on your threads xx
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Post by spanisheyes on Jan 4, 2010 16:36:31 GMT 1
I would just like to reiterate what others have said about your dedication to Snip. I really hope that you have a break through and manage to find out what his underlying issue is. Please dont feel guilty though if you cannot help him, I dont think anyone could have done more.
You say you have tried lots of alternative therapies - have you tried acupuncture?
Do you think he could have headaches which give him pain and which trigger the ulcers?
Is he better if you give him painkillers? This would indicate if the trigger is a pain issue.
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Azrael
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Post by Azrael on Jan 4, 2010 22:23:48 GMT 1
I know someone who has one of his offspring and difficult pretty much sums her up! Most of her foals inherited the attitude as well, some of them starting to show it at less than 24 hours old She won loads of shows but can be a total baggage to handle in some ways, feeding time was always 'interesting'
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Post by gem on Jan 5, 2010 11:56:31 GMT 1
jo - I just think you are a super human - the way you work so hard to resolve his ulcers. I have no doubt that he will have the very best care and the right decsion made on his behalf.
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