Tender/sensitive girth area

[Marsha Cassada]

My new mare is so touchy at the girth. Some days she is worse than others. I've had the harness saddle on her numerous times now. At first she put up a fuss, but then it was hohum.

The other day I had to tuck a little strap up in the girth after it was buckled and she started bucking. She was tied, so I took her halter and kept saying "no". She never went totally berzerk, and did listen to me and settle down. I finished twiddling the strap and she didnt' fuss any more.

She does not like the curry comb on her girth, hand scratching there, or even brushing, though I do it constantly. There are no injuries there, no fly problem.

(Dapper Dan practically goes unconscious with delight when his stomach is scratched.)

What could be going on? Brat? Some physical problem?

I have a sheepskin pad; I wonder if I put that on the girth if she would be better?

 

[rbrown]

Skip was just like this a few months ago- absolutely hated being brushed and would kick out, pin her ears, etc, and same behavior with girthing. It came on suddenly for her, so my barn owner suspected Lyme (we also found a tick bite). Had a Lyme test run, came back negative. Thought she might just be in heat, but that wasn't it either. Then I tried a chiropractor. She was very out of alignment in her back, but she has stopped her behavior issues completely now after her 2 appointments. People had all sorts of ideas and theories for me, so hope you get to the bottom of it!

 

[hobbyhorse23]

She could just be sensitive or it could be something more complicated like RBrown is suggesting. I've heard of mares who get extremely sensitive around their flanks and bellies when they go into heat, Lyme and ulcers will also cause sensitivity and overreaction to touch around the barrel. I would DEFINITELY use the sheepskin for now because no matter what the cause, she's obviously sensitive and you don't want to give her a reason to take a permanent dislike to being girthed. At the very least it will make it less objectionable for her!

Leia

 

[Marsha Cassada]

Yes, I have a chiropractic appt coming up. I did wonder about ulcers, but when I called the vet to talk about it, she did not have any of the other symptoms.

We haven't had any ticks yet this year. I will ask my vet if there have been cases of Lyme's disease; I never hear about it.

This is my first mare, and while her seasons are not noticeably dramatic, it is possible that was going on.

I'll put the sheepskin on today.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

The sensitivity seems to be gone now, so I suspect it was cyclic. I need to mark that on the calendar and keep track. It wouldn't have occured to me for that to be the problem. Mares are certainly different than geldings! But I think I am learning to enjoy mares.

We ground drove for 2+ miles today on the road and she did very well. The first 1/4 she dragged a pvc pipe contraption, simulating shafts. I couldn't stand the noise after that, so removed it! This is the first time I've ground driven with it; before, I lead her. She still looks at it, as though it's a predator, but is getting better every time.

Haven't put the sheepskin pad on the girth yet, but I will.