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Discussion on Involuntary stamping of rear right leg

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Diane S Cooke
Member
Username: Poppy

Post Number: 15
Registered: 8-2001
Posted on Sunday, Aug 6, 2006 - 6:17 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Following a short ride on my 26 year old Morgan mare today, I turned her out into pasture. I had applied a fly mask and body fly spray, so know the behavior was not caused by fly bites. As she walked along the fence line, she kept stamping her right rear leg forcefully..it was obviously a compulsive act. What might be the problem?
It was not in any way similar to stringhalt...more like desire to rid herself from an unwanted stimulus.
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Martha Calkins
Member
Username: Tipper

Post Number: 6
Registered: 8-2006
Posted on Sunday, Aug 6, 2006 - 6:51 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Could she have a thorn or something similar? Our horses sometimes act that way when they have a bit of cactus in them.
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Vicki Zaneis
Member
Username: Vickiann

Post Number: 332
Registered: 3-2005
Posted on Sunday, Aug 6, 2006 - 8:19 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

To me the behavior would signal some kind of physical discomfort. One of my horses had some trouble over a period of time with inflammation of the cartilage in his front feet and he would stomp or hit the foot against the stall wall. When my paint horse has a belly-ache, he will stand and repeatedly kick (and dent) my metal water tank.
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Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro

Post Number: 16340
Registered: 1-1997
Posted on Monday, Aug 7, 2006 - 9:51 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

Hello Diane,
It might be that your fly spray works like all other OTC horse fly sprays, which is not very well at all. But you will have to examine the leg to find out if there are other issues.
DrO
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KATHLEEN WHEAT
Member
Username: Kathleen

Post Number: 252
Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Monday, Aug 7, 2006 - 11:50 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

Diane,
In Texas when we see a horse doing that, we look for fire ants.
Kathleen
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Vicki Zaneis
Member
Username: Vickiann

Post Number: 335
Registered: 3-2005
Posted on Monday, Aug 7, 2006 - 12:42 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Dr. O. and Kathleen -- those are both good possibilities!
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Diane S Cooke
Member
Username: Poppy

Post Number: 16
Registered: 8-2001
Posted on Monday, Aug 7, 2006 - 7:04 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks for all the comments. She is OK today. I do think it indicates pain or discomfort in one of those complicated structures in the right rear, or even the spine (referred pain?) Vicki describes the behavior well. I will put it on the list when the vet comes again.
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