Bast Gets a Brain

Alternative title: Ulcer treatment is a miracle cure

A couple of days into Bast's stall rest from his violent fence interaction, I started him on Gastrogard. This was more than just a preventative action, though. I'd planned for months to start him on a full 28 day omeprazole treatment. His fence "altercation" only solidified my plan.

See, Bast had already been exhibiting a ton of ulcer symptoms. He was tight in the belly. He was a funny (not necessarily finicky) eater-- he trampled hay and spurned grass for clods of dirt, but hoovered up his grain. His nervous behavior and tendency to suddenly shut down also matched ulcer symptoms. With the changes in lifestyle in his imminent future, I knew we would have to treat now. So, I spoke with my vet and charted out a treatment plan. I would give him a daily dose of Gastrogard. Once his treatment was done, I would pursue a daily supplement or preventative.

"Dude?! Why would you choose dirt over this lush grass buffet?!" -- Pig, obviously

Last fall, I did the "nexium experiment" and noticed a positive change in Bast; so, I was pretty sure this would help. However, I knew the nexium dosage wasn't truly enough of the drug to really heal the ulcers. As expected, the moment I tapered the pills down the symptoms ramped up again (though they also never completely disappeared). Because of this, I wasn't sure what to expect.

Tracking his improvement was difficult. I didn't notice a real difference at the old barn. I was impressed by his behavior and ease at the new barn, but I don't think that was really due to the meds. (He had shown very nervous behavior at the old farm up to the day we left.) However, a couple of weeks into the new barn leaves me positive the Gastrogard was a necessary treatment.

Sign of improvement #1? Calmly eating grass and not bashing through this fence...

I've been constantly impressed by Bast since ramping up work with him recently. He's still a nervous internalizing horse, but he doesn't jump right to Level 100 Panic Mode. He takes a moment and actually thinks. He's breathing, not just hiccuping, in stressful situations.

In other words, he's acting like a normal horse coming off the track into training. Thank god.

"IDK what we're doing, but I guess I'll give it a try?" -- Bast
"Don't fuck this up, kid." -- Pig

At the suggestion of the vet, I began ponying and lunging Bast regularly to help the hematoma in his hind end work it's way out. With every interaction, I've been extremely pleased by Bast's level of attention and willingness to play the game.

Ears and eyes on me, right where they should be!

I'm so excited to take this new horse back to real work! We took a step in that direction this week, when I finally deemed the little guy sound at all three gaits. Once that milestone was passed, there was no reason not to hop back on him. So... I did.

💖💖💖

He was a complete star, even when we left the ring to walk around a soggy, hilly field in a drizzle. I'm so happy with this champion young horse and his great brain. Hopefully we can keep his confidence up and we ramp back into work!

Anyone else notice a huge difference with ulcer treatment? Have you gone in for the whole gastrogard treatment before?