Tummy pain - warning signs to watch for

Hello!

It is great that you have noticed your horse both changing his behaviour and seeming to feel some kind of discomfort. Here are a few thoughts that will hopefully help you:

🐴 Have you cleaned his sheath? In some geldings and stallions, smegma can build up, a mix of dirt, sweat and other matter, under the skin of the sheath. It can sometimes form into a stone or bean that hurts and irritates. You can wash the sheath with warm water and a gentle soap such as Lactacyd. Be very careful, do not aim a strong jet of water straight up inside the sheath, and do not do it too often. Get someone to hold the horse, and perhaps let him eat at the same time, as not every horse appreciates the treatment.

🐴 If you think the horse is in pain or discomfort, or if the sheath looks swollen, discoloured or otherwise irritated, I would advise you to contact a vet to examine and clean it. A vet can sedate the horse if the sheath is difficult to touch.

🥕 Another reason horses sometimes show that they dislike being touched on the belly or back in the flank can be gastric ulcers. This is by no means certain, and it cannot be diagnosed simply from the horse showing discomfort when touched, but if you suspect or wonder whether that could be the cause, I think you should contact your vet and ask whether you should bring the horse in for a gastroscopy.

🦄 Now you have two different threads to pull on. I hope this was helpful and that your horse is soon happy again 😊