Gassy belly- problems with girth tightening

[Kizzy's mum]

Does anyone have advice for my older 24 year old shire horse.

She's prone to losing weight, so she's been having a conditioning hard feed for the past month. Whether this is coincidence or not, she's been getting a gassy belly.

The other week she spooked with painful wind when she was tacked up. Since then I've been giving her mint and fennel to ease her belly.

However, I went to tack her up the other day, and she wouldn't let me near her with the saddle. Kicking, biting, attempting to buck, foot stamping etc.......she doesn't particularly like the girth tightening at the best of times, but she was terrible, and quite dangerous...


45 minutes later, I managed to get the saddle on and girth fastened slightly. She was then led out for a 20 minute walk instead - this enabled me to get her saddle off when we got back. She was very happy to go for the walk - no problem at all with her....

My gut feeling is that it's her belly, but I now fear she associates the pain with the saddle.

I'm slowly starting to change over to a feed good for digestive upsets and the older horse.
I'm planning to not ride until I can tell her stomach feels better - but just groom and let her be around the saddle without putting it on.

Any other advice please?

[Joyscarer]

So difficult isn't it :(

The one thing I would say to to try to keep an open mind about cuase.

Yes it might be the gas but it also could be any number of other things too such as the usual saddle fit or ulcers.

Does she do the same thing when you out on a roller?

Can you touch all round her girth area with your hand?

[Kizzy's mum]

She lets me touch her girth area ok...

I tried the saddle near her last night, and she didn't like it at all!!! We went for a walk, and when I returned, I asked the guy who used to own her to hold her for me whilst I tried the saddle - no luck....

Then I held her whilst he did it and hey presto!!!

SO, I think she's just being a bit naughty with me :rolleyes:

I can't deny that she was in pain that night with her saddle on and the bad wind - that was obvious. However, I think she's using it as a bit of an excuse now.

She always has the nack of making me look stupid :D

[devonlass]

Please as JC suggested look at other possible causes.

I have a heavy and I have to say it is unusual for them to be 'naughty' in the sense of trying it on.
It is also very unusual for them to be acting so flighty (you mentioned spooking,kicking,bucking etc).

My first thought was sadlle fit.Has it been checked recently do you know??
It really does sound like she is in some sort of discomfort,and older horses in particular can get more dipped backs etc so maybe saddle is no longer as comfortable??

Another thought is joint problems heavies are VERY prone to arthritis etc due to the amount of weight they carry,could it be deferred pain from legs to back??

Sorry for waffling and being alarmist is only in my admittidly limited knowledge of heavies,this kind of behaviour is unusal enough to set alarm bells ringing.Heavies are also very tolerant and put up with lot's of things,and it could be that she has been in discomfort for a while,but has now decided to let you know about it in a big way;)
Sorry again if sound OTT,but am only trying to be helpful,hope you sort it out soon:)