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Message |
    
wendy clower
Member
Username: Wendy
Post Number: 130
Registered: 7-1999
| | Posted on Wednesday, Feb 5, 2003 - 12:52 am: |   |
My mare cocks her tail to the left side in a very obvious position and keeps it there throughout the ride. Does anyone have any idea/experience with this strange behaviour? She is not in heat but the stance is exactly like she displays when she is in heat. She only does this while moving along and it is most noticeable while in faster gaits (trots/canter). Her tail head is perfectly straight in walk. On the trail, it is so obvious as to be embarassing. It goes on forever. I have never seen another mare display this strange behavior. Does anybody have any ideas? Signed, shy being behind the "cocked", "in-heat" mare up ahead, wondering what in the world is going on with this mare??? Thanks for any insights. Wendy |
Holly Wood
Member
Username: Hwood
Post Number: 237
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, Feb 5, 2003 - 5:17 am: | |
Is she an Arabian?
Holly |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 7737
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, Feb 5, 2003 - 7:01 am: | |
I have seen a number of horses with this behavior and always presumed there had been damage to the nerves on one side of the tail leading to deviation do to uneven pull on the tail. When the muscles are relxed the tail drops normally but when activated the tail is pulled to the side of the active nerves. Sometimes this damage is manmade with uneven alcohol tail blocks and is transient. I cannot think of a reliable treatment. Blocking the healthy side is temporary and may lead to total paralysis.
DrO |
joj
Member
Username: Jojo15
Post Number: 349
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Thursday, Feb 6, 2003 - 10:05 am: | |
My mare does this, too! and for years. I always thought it was poor back muscles never thought about nerve damage.
She never shows discomfort and after doing everything, acupuncture and massage and chiropractic, i just gave up.
Unless she shows discomfort than I haven't worried about it since. But you're right its kinda embarrassing on the trail... looking for love in all the wrong places? huh!
joj |
Holly Wood
Member
Username: Hwood
Post Number: 238
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, Feb 6, 2003 - 10:40 am: | |
I wasn't trying to be facetious when I asked if the horse was an Arabian . . . . I have noticed that many Arabians go with their tails up and ed to the side when they are being ridden, or even just walked on a lead. I, myself, have two that do this . . . one mare and one gelding.
Holly |
Susan Cline
Member
Username: Scline
Post Number: 10
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, Feb 6, 2003 - 6:00 pm: | |
I have an Arabian mare who also does this. More so at a trot or gallop but sometimes also while she's walking! |
