26 mo. old horse biting his sides?

Question

he's been treated for ulcers by the vet. he's free from worms ,lice,mange and fungus. he had only one nut that we thought it might be then at 22 mo. he dropped his 2nd. It did not help.Last week we had him trimmed and he's still doing it.we along with our vet cannot figure out what's wrong.a diff. vet said it could be selfmutilation.any ideas?

Answer 1

I'd probably check his diet. My first guess would have been some kind of skin problem, but you already eliminated that. Sometimes when animals don't get the proper balanced diet that they need they will start chewing on themselves.

In cattle and hogs they have an Ivomec treatment for parasites. Have you tried anything like that on your horse already?

Answer 2

Has this guy been gleded yet.
It not do it as soon as fly season is over.
It very well could be self mutilation. That is more common in stallions than geldings. Stallions will do it out of frustration. They get upset and have nothing to take it out on and some will turn on them selves for an outlet.
I would geld and see if that helps.
If not look at putting some type of a muzzle on him to protect him from himself.
They make grazing muzzles or ones that prevent cribbing one of those would also stop biting.
Also maybe some tranquilizers are in order.

Answer 3

Get yourself a vet that specializes in horse care. Sounds like self mutilation to me . Also stallions do this when they are bored. Is he or has he been gelded. if he has then he definately needs to be seen by a vet that specializes in horses. Good Luck .

Answer 4

Usually a horse biting at its self is a sign of pain or discomfort, i doubt its itchy cos it would be scratching on trees and things like that, if hes biting at his stomach, his stomach is sore.

You need to get this checked out, even if you see another vet.