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Message |
    
Michele Taipale (Imsmmt)
| | Posted on Monday, Jul 29, 2002 - 4:50 pm: |   |
I have read the article on thumps and somehow it doesn't quite seem to describe my horse's circumstances, so perhaps you could comment.... My 4 year old Hanoverian, Maus, had the oddest symptom the other day. He had been out on pasture from 8am until about 3pm when I brought the horses in prior to riding. I bring them in about 45 minutes before we ride as they usually like to drink, pee, and nap a moment before riding. They had hay in their stalls.
When it came time to ride, Maus was snoozing. I put his halter on and he stepped to the door of his stall and then planted himself there for a moment -- and every time I gave a little pull on the halter he "hiccup"ed. This happened about five or six times in a about a minute. Then I tapped him on the shoulder and he stepped out of his stall and I put him on the cross ties. He hiccupped a few more times on the cross ties then was fine. While grooming he did not hiccup until I got preoccupied refilling a fly spray bottle and he got impatient -- at which point he pawed the ground once -- and hiccupped, then 20 seconds or so later pawed the ground again and hiccupped. Every time his foot hit the ground, he would have a hiccup. This happened about 5 or 6 times.
He seemed to be in a normal state otherwise -- I checked his temp. which was normal, he happily munched carrots and a peppermint. It has been quite hot and humid all week so he has been somewhat more lethargic than usual when we get going but so has our other horse and, well, so have I. We went on an easy walk trot trail ride for about an hour and he seemed totally normal throughout and thereafter.
He is in good flesh, out on pasture all day, stabled at night, access to fresh water all the time, gets good quality timothy hay in his stall at night, plus one scoop (coffee can size) of Nutrena Senior AM & PM (why is my 4 yr old horse eating "Senior" feed? because I had an older horse here who was eating it and my vet suggested I uncomplicate my life by just feeding one feed and he said the Senior had a good balance of essentials and my horses live primarily on grass and hay anyway... the old horse is now gone but the 11 and 4 year old have always thrived on this diet, so I didn't change it...). They also have access to a salt/mineral block both in the pasture and in their stalls and they get Ration Plus in their morning feed -- no other supplements.
The pasture is generally very lush but we've had somewhat of a drought the past month so it is looking a little less yummy then usual but there is still some decent grass out there for now and they do get plenty of hay at night to supplement.
He is in light work at the moment -- we trail ride about 4-5 times a week and try to fit in one day of "serious" dressage work or jumping (in the fall/winter we'll go back to real work and training again -- too beautiful out right now)
Yesterday, I rode in the morning before turn-out -- dressage day! It was hot and VERY humid -- he was a little lazy and quite sweaty (so was I) but it was a good ride, 45 minutes or so and no hiccupping before, during, or after....
SOOOOO......
Should I be worried about the "hiccupping" symptoms the other day? Should I be worried if it happens again??
Any help would be appreciated! -- Michele |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM (Dro)
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jul 30, 2002 - 7:14 am: | |
I don't think the one time episode of "hiccups" bothers me much, though it is not clear why this occurred. If he is a bit more lethargic than normal or if this repeats it may warrant a good going over by the vet.
DrO |
Shelley Wiley (Swiley)
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jul 30, 2002 - 12:38 pm: | |
Could thumps also be triggered by a horse stomping at flies ? My mare has occasionaly had these "hiccups" every time she stomps the ground. The only evidence to the contrary is that she is on 1/2 oat hay and 1/2 alfalfa, and she drinks large quantities of water. I have never worried much but about it but she is getting older (19) and I try to keep an eye on her. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM (Dro)
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jul 31, 2002 - 6:18 am: | |
Yes it is possible Shelley, the phrenic nerve could fire in response to the mechanical giggling caused by the stomp.
DrO |
Michele Taipale (Imsmmt)
| | Posted on Monday, Aug 5, 2002 - 4:55 pm: | |
Thank you, Dr. O, for the response and Shelley for an additional example of hiccup producing stomps. I was away for several days after the last post, now have been back 4 days. Maus has had no repeats of the multiple hiccups but has had an isolated one hiccup twice within my hearing and it does seem to accompany stomping...
Is there anything else that causes a hiccuping sound in horses other than thumps?
He seems to be overall normal given the high heat and humidity so I am reluctant to call a vet out to look at him just for the isolated hiccup syndrome. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM (Dro)
| | Posted on Tuesday, Aug 6, 2002 - 6:37 am: | |
I assume if it sounds like a hiccup it is a hiccup. Thumps is not a diagnosis and has many causes that you will find listed in the aritcle, Equine Diseases: Lameness: Weakness, Exhaustion, and Overheating: Hypocalcemia, Thumps & Tetany. Has your horse returned to feeling normal, that would be the way I would decide is this important enough for the vet.
DrO |
