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New ear pinning/tail swish

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Last activity 2016-02-04 5:58 AM
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Kizzy_177
Reg. Dec 2011
Posted 2016-02-03 2:58 PM
Subject: New ear pinning/tail swish



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I'm going to try and attach a video of what my mare is doing. She just started doing it in the last couple weeks. When asked for a counter arc/smaller short circle (as if circling a barrel) at a walk, she has been pinning her ears and swishing her tail. The ear pinning is new, and the tail swishing is not as common for her. When saddling she has been "air biting" more frequenting and pinning ears. I just want her to be happy, and I'm wondering what this could be from? I just wish they could talk... Help!? Thanks in advance...

http://youtu.be/sPywFh5rhfY

Edited by Kizzy_177 2016-02-03 3:08 PM
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total performance
Reg. Nov 2007
Posted 2016-02-03 3:08 PM
Subject: RE: New ear pinning/tail swish



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With the ear pinning, sounds like Ulcers.  
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Kizzy_177
Reg. Dec 2011
Posted 2016-02-03 3:14 PM
Subject: RE: New ear pinning/tail swish



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That was my initial thought also (unfortunately), but I'm hoping there might be some other opinions other than ulcers. I also thought of maybe sore neck/shoulder muscles, because she doesn't pin her ears from other leg pressure.
In the mean time though, is there something I could give her to notice an immediate difference? All we have around here is a Farm store.... And now that I think of it, she did not start the ear pinning until after being put on a stomach buffer supplement.

Edited by Kizzy_177 2016-02-03 3:20 PM
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imturnin3
Reg. Apr 2010
Posted 2016-02-03 3:53 PM
Subject: RE: New ear pinning/tail swish


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Chiro and a vet.
I've seen horses do this from both ulcer and out in the ribs.
Look up dr depaulo on you tube on how to detect ulcers.
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livinonlove&horses
Reg. Jun 2008
Posted 2016-02-03 3:55 PM
Subject: RE: New ear pinning/tail swish



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 Check for Kissing Spine. X-rays or bone scan. Thermal scan of the back could help determine if either of the other two diagnostics are needed
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Kizzy_177
Reg. Dec 2011
Posted 2016-02-03 4:16 PM
Subject: RE: New ear pinning/tail swish



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I guess I should have been more detailed in my post, I apologize. This mare has had regular chiropractic adjustments and her back muscles are as supple and relaxed as they have ever been. She did suffer a back muscle strain last year and has since fully recovered. As far as the kissing spine, wouldn't she show soreness in her back? I do not have any experience with that... I have been in contact with the vet and will probably begin treating for ulcers, but I just do not feel as though she's been under that much stress. Until the last 3 weeks, she's lived in a pasture, has forage available 24/7, and does not have a strenuous training schedule. I decided to move her to an indoor 3 weeks ago so I could utilize the indoor during the winter (this is when she began the stomach buffer, also). Do ulcers develop that quickly? Thanks for your help so far guys, I appreciate it.
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barrelracr131
Reg. Aug 2011
Posted 2016-02-03 4:17 PM
Subject: RE: New ear pinning/tail swish


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How well does your saddle fit?

I have one that requires a certain pad and a fleece girth, or he will fuss when I cinch him.
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Kizzy_177
Reg. Dec 2011
Posted 2016-02-03 4:19 PM
Subject: RE: New ear pinning/tail swish



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Also, I have tried the youtube video for detecting stomach ulcers, and she does not have a reaction. Maybe I am not doing it correctly?
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Kizzy_177
Reg. Dec 2011
Posted 2016-02-03 4:21 PM
Subject: RE: New ear pinning/tail swish



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As far as saddle fit, after struggling with finding the correct saddle, pad and cinch the last few years, I feel we finally have the best combo.

Edited by Kizzy_177 2016-02-03 4:22 PM
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LMS
Reg. Feb 2008
Posted 2016-02-03 4:27 PM
Subject: RE: New ear pinning/tail swish



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So the first thing I thought was the only time my gelding pins his ears (other than in the heeling box-cuz he's so excited) is when his hocks are sore-a little tail flick and head bob is usually the first indication.  BUT when I watched your video I'm not positive that is the case I'm wondering if she's just finally getting a work ethic and possibly objecting to the new idea of working this way??  Take her out of the indoor when you can and ride and do your counter arcs in the ditch or pasture and see how her response is....I'm guessing she's just a little grumpy that she's being rode/tuned more frequently and possibly stalled at a new location???  Maybe instead of riding/tuning her one day let her rip and tear in the arena if the space and time allows and see how she is.   
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Kizzy_177
Reg. Dec 2011
Posted 2016-02-03 5:06 PM
Subject: RE: New ear pinning/tail swish



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Up until the 3 weeks ago she was off for just under a month and before that all I do it outside pen/field/ditch riding. So honestly, I think you're on to something by saying she could just be grumpy... Kinda can't blame her, but I was also sick of riding her in the wind/rain/snow/ice stuff haha... She does have days off, and is out to play in the indoor everyday. I dunno, this kind of stuff is so frustrating, because it seems like it is always something :/ thank you for your help!
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livinonlove&horses
Reg. Jun 2008
Posted 2016-02-03 6:17 PM
Subject: RE: New ear pinning/tail swish



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I don't know if she would show soreness in her back with KS or not. Logic would say yes. I just know that the symptoms you listed are symptoms that horses with KS can display. My mare has KS, she did show soreness in her back that my chiro picked up on. However that was the ONLY symptom she showed. From research it seems every horse is different. Has different symptoms, degrees of being affected and all respond to treatment differently. It was just a suggestion
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hammer_time
Reg. Jul 2007
Posted 2016-02-03 6:29 PM
Subject: RE: New ear pinning/tail swish



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  I will say that my horse is not entirely fond of counter arcs either and behaves similarly … But the air biting while saddling it makes me think she doesn't like the cinch maybe? 
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readytorodeo
Reg. Dec 2005
Posted 2016-02-03 7:13 PM
Subject: RE: New ear pinning/tail swish


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I would think ulcers. For gut and hind gut. I would get some oxymax and oxygen ulcer. This really worked on my ulcer horse. And it works quick.
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Ridenrun4745
Reg. Sep 2010
Posted 2016-02-03 8:05 PM
Subject: RE: New ear pinning/tail swish


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Kizzy_177 - 2016-02-03 4:14 And now that I think of it, she did not start the ear pinning until after being put on a stomach buffer supplement.

Is it worth taking her off this for a week or two to see if things change?
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cheryl makofka
Reg. Jan 2011
Posted 2016-02-03 8:12 PM
Subject: RE: New ear pinning/tail swish


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Kizzy_177 - 2016-02-03 5:06 PM

Up until the 3 weeks ago she was off for just under a month and before that all I do it outside pen/field/ditch riding. So honestly, I think you're on to something by saying she could just be grumpy... Kinda can't blame her, but I was also sick of riding her in the wind/rain/snow/ice stuff haha... She does have days off, and is out to play in the indoor everyday. I dunno, this kind of stuff is so frustrating, because it seems like it is always something :/ thank you for your help!

I'm sorry horses don't get grumpy just because you are working them.

Generally it takes 3-4 weeks of conditioning for hock, and stifle pain to become prevalent.

Ulcers take 3 days to arise, and since she went from a pasture to an indoor stall where she cannot move around ulcers and joint pain are big considerations. I'm guessing since she is in a stall she is only getting fed twice a day, this can also cause ulcers as horses need to be able to graze 24/7.

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wyoming barrel racer
Reg. Apr 2006
Posted 2016-02-03 8:15 PM
Subject: RE: New ear pinning/tail swish


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Kizzy_177 - 2016-02-03 3:16 PM I guess I should have been more detailed in my post, I apologize. This mare has had regular chiropractic adjustments and her back muscles are as supple and relaxed as they have ever been. She did suffer a back muscle strain last year and has since fully recovered. As far as the kissing spine, wouldn't she show soreness in her back? I do not have any experience with that... I have been in contact with the vet and will probably begin treating for ulcers, but I just do not feel as though she's been under that much stress. Until the last 3 weeks, she's lived in a pasture, has forage available 24/7, and does not have a strenuous training schedule. I decided to move her to an indoor 3 weeks ago so I could utilize the indoor during the winter (this is when she began the stomach buffer, also). Do ulcers develop that quickly? Thanks for your help so far guys, I appreciate it.

They sure can. They can develope very fast and for many reasons. Just coming in from a winter layoff to spring training can start them. I have a mare now that I am treating and she literally had all the signs. I think the stress from shipping her north did the trick, who knows she may have had them before too. In 3 days she was eating better and quit looking so gaunt. 
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tin can
Reg. Dec 2013
Posted 2016-02-03 8:47 PM
Subject: RE: New ear pinning/tail swish


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What kind of flooring do they have in there stalls, do they have hard ground in there indoor? How are her feet i would find a lamenes vet and have her checked out , i had mine boarded for the winter and just brought him home the owners didn't keep the ground worked up and i didn't want my horse sored up. Some horses can't handle hard ground check your saddle, pack her feet with magic cushion and do her legs up and see if it helps
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readytorodeo
Reg. Dec 2005
Posted 2016-02-04 5:58 AM
Subject: RE: New ear pinning/tail swish


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I would go to Walmart and get some aloe Vera juice. 30 cc's morning and night. 15 to 30 minutes before feed. This is a cheap way to see if it's ulcers. You should see a difference in a matter of days.

Edited by readytorodeo 2016-02-04 5:59 AM
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