Should I be concerned?

I have a 6yr old TB mare. She is definetly an alpha mare. I got a call from the barn owner yesterday saying she was not eating her grain and was acting more subdued than usual. I went to see her. I spent some time observing her and she was quiter than usual. Normally she is kicking the wall and showing her dominance over the TB gelding in the next stall. She also has a bad habit of dragging her teeth on the metal wall as well as the wooden one between stalls. I then took her to the indoor arena and just let her loose to play. She did her usual where she rolls then runs around and bucks, etc. then rolls again. To get to the point she is eating her hay, drinking water and eating some grain now, but not the amount of grain she usually is. She has been moving her bowels and the BM looks fine. It doesn't appear to be colic to me although I a not an expert but have seen it in other horses. Any thoughts on what maybe happening or advice? ? depression. ?Teeth maybe hurt.

Should I be concerned?
Shes got all the cribbing signs and chicken pecking her grain are screaming signs for ulcers.





I would definately have a vet evaluate her.





EDIT- this isn't really an "emergent, do it tonight call", just in the next week I would get her into an appt, but definately don't pay a callout fee for this one.





I had a mule with ulcers, he never cribbed, but chicken pecking grain, gobbling hay, pissyness, irritibility for absolutely not obvious reasons, sweet animal to bucking maniac in 2 sec, cinchyness, diarrhea, dull coat, larger belly with less topline muscling, any of these, not all by any means, but any of these are signs that if put together with your other ones, could help you make the diagnosis easier for you.





You can pay for a scope, but if your animal is exhibiting any of these or more signs, I would just ask the vet to put them on the ulcer meds and just see how they act in 30days.





Or





You can try Miracle Clay by Dynamite, wayyyyyy cheaper than the vet prescriptions, its bentonite clay. My mule was healed using this, I still use it when he is preforming etc, but just an idea if you gag at the price they throw at you at the vets for the meds. I saw positive results in 24 hrs (loss of diarrhea, his pissyness was resolved, his weaving stopped, his bucking ceased *until saddle fitting problems* and he gained 200lbs in 3 mths, hence saddle fitting nightmares lol)





I just feel for ppl that are in this perdicament, Stretch was misdiagnosed by 3 vets, 4th finally when push came to shove by me, figured out the ulcers.
Reply:Yup, ulcers. Either which way you chose, I'd have a vet come out to check up on her very very soon.
Reply:I've never had a horse with ulcers so I couldn't say what the symptoms are. It does sound as if something is up. I have a horse that sometimes picks at his grain when the manufacturer puts a little more mollasses in it. Some times a horse will eat the hay but not the grain if they have tooth problem. I agree with the others who say call the vet. He will check her teeth and evaluate whether she may have an ulcer or not.
Reply:We have found that many horses that an attitude problem or change of attitude often are dealing with a digestive problem, ulcers, gas, slightly colic.


Trouble is the horse can not tell you if they have a small belly ache.Many horses suffer from slight belly aches because of their environment, feed, stress, hard work, trailering.


A horse needs to be chewing most of the day, that is very important for the health of the tract and good for the mind of the horse. Chewing creates saliva which is essential to the health of the digestive tract.


I do not know how much grain you are feeding but in my experience many pleasure horses are over fed with grains and supplements.


We use a product, Fastrack Equine Microbial, it naturally aids the digestive tract with its beneficial bacteria and enzymes and dry chicory root.


We have seen many horses become calmer after being on the Fastrack for a few weeks, but sometimes it can take a month or two.
Reply:What the others say--ulcers sounds like a likely diagnosis, but it get checked by an equine professional. Stalled horses really have a stressful life. Grain can sure sore a stomach and lead to ulcers. Free-choice hay helps, but nothing works quite as well as 24/7 turnout and grazing. I know that isn't possible for many horse owners, so do the best you can to help your horse have a good life.


If it is ulcers, you might want to try giving her 2 oz of Aloe Vera juice a day. Very effective, inexpensive and readily accepted by most horses.



nanny agency