Three weeks ago, Bast under saddle was amazing. He was growing in suppleness and submission each day. We were schooling some second level, trying to finesse first, and pulling a 67% at Training. Two weeks ago, he snuggled up to me while I sat on the pasture fence, falling asleep with his head in my lap. Then he went out and bravely led on a new gallop track and schooled his first water complex.
This week? He turned into a rage monster under saddle and hid from me in the field.
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| F this. F you. And F the world. -- Bast, apparently |
Yep, just like that my lovely young horse reverted to his bolting and spooky ulcer-ridden alter ego.
On the plus side, I immediately know how to fix this issue. I ran to Tractor Supply immediately and bought several tubes of Ulcergard, texting the barn to continue his dosing until further notice. Ulcers are a PITA, but Bast does respond very favorably to 1/4 tube of the good stuff.
On the negative side, Bast's behavior recessed so badly we nearly bolted into another rider in the ring and completely embarrassed ourselves in the middle of a big clinic. I love riding a horse who looks lovely going to the right but absolutely can not turn left or canter without losing it. Oh wait, no I don't. No one does.
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| THIS IS MY ANGRY FACE. |
Overall the constant forward and back we have with ulcers and training is frustrating. While I know this setback will be brief, I can't help but wish I had a better long term management set up. I have a call in to my vet to get the little guy put on Sucralfate for a bit, just in case what we are seeing can be healed more completely.
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| EVERYTHING HURTS AND I'M DYING. |
Fingers crossed this treatment gets my happy go lucky young horse back on my side. It's really fun to work on moving up our training, but not when he feels badly and spends all his mental power thinking of ways to escape both myself and pressure. He's come a long way from his blind bolting, but it's still not fun to ride when he tries to exit stage left.
I'm so frustrated, but it does help to have a plan in place to treat and consult. I can't wait to see what else my vet has to say when we chat. Hopefully we can come up with a good maintenance plan going forward.
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| I just want my sweet young horse back. |
Poor guy! I hope a longer-term management plan takes care of this forever. Can't imagine how frustrating it must be for you right now!
ReplyDeleteI'm taking solace in the fact that he'll bounce back quickly.
DeleteOh no! This is my nightmare. So much so that I arranged with my vet to go on short course when we travel. I'm hopeful this will work. I've also kept her on a pre-pro biotic since we started back to regular schooling. There is research that aloe vera has some efficacy. I have bought a jug of aloe vera juice from walmart (of all places) for $8 and also add that into her feed when we travel.
ReplyDeleteI used to give Pig aloe with his alfalfa pellets before riding. I don't know how much it actually helped, but it was cheap!
DeleteHere's a link to research. I did trace it all back to the published study ( because I'm a nerd).
Deletehttps://ker.com/equinews/exploring-aloe-vera-equine-gastric-ulcers/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28555939
I wouldn't rely on it alone but do use it as a preventative.
Thiiiis is awesome! You so get me! :)
DeleteUgh ulcers are an insidious beast for sure. And of course, now there is research against using ulcergard long term. I've heard some people having success with purina outlast, but I have never tried it. Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteI'll be honest. I hate using a lot of ulcergard, and refuse to use it at the "tube a day" directive. It can be quite harmful for heart health, and I'm just not willing to take the risk. I am looking into other solutions, though! Bast does get outlast through his grain, but I don't think it's really doing much. Maybe there isn't enough.
DeleteUgh, how frustrating! At least you know what the problem is and can fix it.
ReplyDeletethis is my struggle too. i hates it. and it's the absolute worst causing a scene. but not as worst as how I get all human angry about it and they don't know why, they've just got a tummy ache. You've got a plan, and you'll give him a little time to be better so you don't have to fight the urge to punch him :P
ReplyDeleteLololol! Lucky guy, I haven't decked him... yet. ;)
Deletei'm sorry :( at least you can go into the treatment and management having pretty solid confidence that the horse you want and love IS in there beneath the pain and discomfort?
ReplyDeletethat canadian joint that sells the blue pop rocks omeprazole stuff sells sucralfate too, fyi
That's true! It's pretty cheap, though. So that's nice.
DeletePoor Bast! Hope he gets better soon!
ReplyDeleteArg, that is just rotten! Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery so Bast is back to his sweet self once again!
ReplyDeleteAt least he makes it obvious about what's wrong? Hopefully this bout gets cleared up quickly!
ReplyDeleteAlways nice when they are blatant? At least that's what I keep telling myself.
DeleteHoping his relief is speedy and you get your boy back soon! I am starting to learn a lot about ulcers with my new guy and I am investigating better long-term solutions, too. I've been considering trying Vitalize Alimend- there's at least some limited research on its efficacy and fewer anticipated issues for long-term use. But I whole heartedly agree with your last post- quality forage and ulcer management are crucial.
ReplyDeleteThey are just so important!!
Deletehope he bounces back fast poor guy!
ReplyDeleteUgh ulcers are a BITCH. Good luck treating them and hope Bast feels better soon! In the meantime- I keep seeing this green Kastel shirt around and I must have it. So pretty!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if they still sell it, but I am sure you can still find it somewhere. It might be like my maroon shirt. I waited too long and had to snap it up the minute I found it in my size!
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