Whats wrong with Zippy??

ThorArb · 05-03-2005, 11:19 AM

As all of you know, I have an appaloosa colt named Zippy. Well lately he has been getting increasingly head shy. He was always fine before. And it seems to be getting worse. I first noticed it after the first time I had clipped his ears. He stood for it just fine, I had clipped him to take him to a halter show in April. Well since then, its been really weird with him. The minute I raise my hand to rub on his forehead or anywhere near his ears, he pulls away. Now he will let me get close to the base of his ear, gradually but he will not let me actually rub or even touch them. Recently he has started getting so nervous he rears. He once fell over backwards! The minute my hand goes towards his face, he flips. He was never like this before! I dont know whats wrong. I was thinking maybe someone hit him?? Or something is bothering his ears?? I have never had to hit Zippy, he's always been pretty well behaved. Now my folks arent sooo understanding and I have been running around like a crazy maniac so I dont know if maybe one of them may have slapped him? Could be a possibility. I know that they can have pretty quick tempers sometimes, and Ive seen them slap my paint mare (for a very stupid reason, believe me, I was pissed). Maybe they were handling Zippy and he did something "wrong"? I just dont know. I cant look in his ears to see because, he wont let me. Ive never seen him behave this way! Im very worried. What should I do?? He just gives me these looks, wild eyed everytime I go to touch near his ears. And Zippy has never acted like that, not ever, he's been willing to do anything I say.

Somebody help! And another thing I noticed yesterday evening when I had taken him out for his daily halter lesson, he seems a little stiff on his left foreleg. But I can find any heat, and he is willing to let me lift his leg and flex it? Does Zippy always have to have these issues, especially when everything was going fine!

Brittany

Touche · 05-03-2005, 11:27 AM

Ahh! That's frustrating, cause it does sound like someone may have whacked him.

Healthwise does he tilt his head or shake his head?

Does he get worried when you raise your hand to any other area of his face?

TXCowGrl82 · 05-03-2005, 11:36 AM

Since the pulling away and rearing is not normal for him, I would recommend taking him to the vet ASAP! He could have bugs in his ears, or he could have hit his head on smething himself and now his brains are rattling around in there! Ok, not really, but hopefully you know what I mean. A trip to the vet to rule out something physical would be my first step, especially since he's gotten kinda dangerous. If that turns up negative, then I would have a "Heart to heart" with my folks. Let them know this is your horse, and not to mess with them (You are over 18, right? I guess I never thought about it and just have assumed you are...) See if that helps. Make sure you're doing everything for Zippy yourself so they don't have to do anything. If they did hit him and that's what's making him spooky, and they don't stop...well, that's another topic!

Rocking Horse · 05-03-2005, 12:09 PM

Brittany,

Some times when horses ears are clipped, it allows those tiny, annoying gnats to get in there. I don't think they bite, but they may affect his behavior.

I second the "call the Vet" idea.

Also, if he is really getting freaked out, make sure NO ONE hit his head, or played ruff with his face.
Did he maybe hit his head in the trailer?

Please be careful when handling him, has he been gelded?
Is he exibiting any other "strange for him" behavior?

Karen

Reis · 05-03-2005, 12:28 PM

Wow, that's rough. :-/

I'm with everyone else: have the vet come out and ask around to anyone that may have handled him in a very non-confrontational way..."hey, Zippy's been actin kinda funny, do you know anything that might've happened?"

I can't believe someone would hit a horse in the *face*...I get plenty cranky with my mare and I have smacked her a couple times, but never her face!

I hope you figure out what's going on and get it worked out!

EquineAlberta · 05-03-2005, 01:35 PM

I am not sure that a one time hitting him in the face would cause that much of a reaction, unless something was damaged, or it is an ongoing thing.

As well as an ear issue, it could be a vision issue, a bug bite or even a tooth issue, so I second the call to the vet.

I hope it resolved itself soon, and regardless of what the issue ends up being, maybe you could use it as an example for your parents of what can happen when a horse is hit inappropriately.

Karen2

Orchid · 05-03-2005, 02:56 PM

I too would say a trip to the vet is in order - even if the vet has to sedate him to check his ears, eyes or whatever is causing the problem.

If I were you, my parents and I would be having a nice, long and possibly heated discussion about how to treat my horses - but I realize that everyone's relationship with their parents is different.

05-03-2005, 11:19 AM
ThorArb Kid Safe Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Conyers, GA Posts: 6,018	Whats wrong with Zippy?? As all of you know, I have an appaloosa colt named Zippy. Well lately he has been getting increasingly head shy. He was always fine before. And it seems to be getting worse. I first noticed it after the first time I had clipped his ears. He stood for it just fine, I had clipped him to take him to a halter show in April. Well since then, its been really weird with him. The minute I raise my hand to rub on his forehead or anywhere near his ears, he pulls away. Now he will let me get close to the base of his ear, gradually but he will not let me actually rub or even touch them. Recently he has started getting so nervous he rears. He once fell over backwards! The minute my hand goes towards his face, he flips. He was never like this before! I dont know whats wrong. I was thinking maybe someone hit him?? Or something is bothering his ears?? I have never had to hit Zippy, he's always been pretty well behaved. Now my folks arent sooo understanding and I have been running around like a crazy maniac so I dont know if maybe one of them may have slapped him? Could be a possibility. I know that they can have pretty quick tempers sometimes, and Ive seen them slap my paint mare (for a very stupid reason, believe me, I was pissed). Maybe they were handling Zippy and he did something "wrong"? I just dont know. I cant look in his ears to see because, he wont let me. Ive never seen him behave this way! Im very worried. What should I do?? He just gives me these looks, wild eyed everytime I go to touch near his ears. And Zippy has never acted like that, not ever, he's been willing to do anything I say. Somebody help! And another thing I noticed yesterday evening when I had taken him out for his daily halter lesson, he seems a little stiff on his left foreleg. But I can find any heat, and he is willing to let me lift his leg and flex it? Does Zippy always have to have these issues, especially when everything was going fine! Brittany __________________ Proud owner of Gracie (98 App mare), Dezi (06 App filly), Togan (88 QH gelding)

05-03-2005, 11:27 AM
Touche Started Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 2,030	Ahh! That's frustrating, cause it does sound like someone may have whacked him. Healthwise does he tilt his head or shake his head? Does he get worried when you raise your hand to any other area of his face?

05-03-2005, 11:36 AM
TXCowGrl82 Greenbroke Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Huntsville, Texas Posts: 3,242	Since the pulling away and rearing is not normal for him, I would recommend taking him to the vet ASAP! He could have bugs in his ears, or he could have hit his head on smething himself and now his brains are rattling around in there! Ok, not really, but hopefully you know what I mean. A trip to the vet to rule out something physical would be my first step, especially since he's gotten kinda dangerous. If that turns up negative, then I would have a "Heart to heart" with my folks. Let them know this is your horse, and not to mess with them (You are over 18, right? I guess I never thought about it and just have assumed you are...) See if that helps. Make sure you're doing everything for Zippy yourself so they don't have to do anything. If they did hit him and that's what's making him spooky, and they don't stop...well, that's another topic!

05-03-2005, 12:09 PM
Rocking Horse Started Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Central Florida Posts: 2,426	Brittany, Some times when horses ears are clipped, it allows those tiny, annoying gnats to get in there. I don't think they bite, but they may affect his behavior. I second the "call the Vet" idea. Also, if he is really getting freaked out, make sure NO ONE hit his head, or played ruff with his face. Did he maybe hit his head in the trailer? Please be careful when handling him, has he been gelded? Is he exibiting any other "strange for him" behavior? Karen __________________ ~ My treasures do not clink together nor glitter, they gleam in the sun and neigh in the night ~

05-03-2005, 12:28 PM
Reis Halter broke Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 105	Wow, that's rough. :-/ I'm with everyone else: have the vet come out and ask around to anyone that may have handled him in a very non-confrontational way..."hey, Zippy's been actin kinda funny, do you know anything that might've happened?" I can't believe someone would hit a horse in the face...I get plenty cranky with my mare and I have smacked her a couple times, but never her face! I hope you figure out what's going on and get it worked out!

05-03-2005, 01:35 PM
EquineAlberta Kid Safe Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 6,417	I am not sure that a one time hitting him in the face would cause that much of a reaction, unless something was damaged, or it is an ongoing thing. As well as an ear issue, it could be a vision issue, a bug bite or even a tooth issue, so I second the call to the vet. I hope it resolved itself soon, and regardless of what the issue ends up being, maybe you could use it as an example for your parents of what can happen when a horse is hit inappropriately. Karen2

05-03-2005, 02:56 PM
Orchid Bombproof Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 11,076	I too would say a trip to the vet is in order - even if the vet has to sedate him to check his ears, eyes or whatever is causing the problem. If I were you, my parents and I would be having a nice, long and possibly heated discussion about how to treat my horses - but I realize that everyone's relationship with their parents is different. __________________ Careful what you wish; Careful what you say; Careful what you wish; You may regret it; Careful what you wish; You just might get it. ~ Metallica, King Nothing