Causing my mare ulcers?? Help?

Question

I have a young, green, and slightly sensitive mare. Today, I was sweeping around her, as she gets nervous with the broom, so I was desensitizing her to it, or so I thought. My farrier looked at me and laughed, and said that I was causing her to get ulcers! Mind you, to my knowledge, she doesn't have them, but could I really be causing her to get them? How would you know? Please help me, I'm scared.

2009-04-02T02:59:51Z

Well, I looked at the site, and my mare does not have any eating problems (she eats a ton!) she has great body condition (finally!), and has never, ever colicked so I'm hoping it was a joke.

Greg B · Accepted Answer

What do you think is more stressful - having one or two 'scary' experiences where the horse gets desensitized or having the broom be scary to her for the rest of her life?

I think you did exactly right. If the broom was scaring her, you teach her about the broom, and then it's not scary anymore to her. 

As Piaffes said, a farrier is not a vet. If your horse is not showing any symptoms of ulcers then she probably does not have them.

Anonymous · Answer

Well-
its april fools day =P
your farrier is not a vet.
Desensitizing a horse to a broom really shouldn't cause a horse ulcers, but I could be wrong I suppose.
If you're that worried, get the vet out =]

gallop · Answer

He was kidding.  Horses do develop ulcers from stress, but it usually follows events like 3 day shows and long hauls, or prolonged periods of confinement in stalls.  If you are worried, just be sure she gets plenty of hay to munch on throughout the day, which keeps her producing saliva which buffers stomach acids and prevents ulcers.  Let her get as much exercise as possible, and don't worry about desensitization training.....the other factors are more important when it comes to preventing ulcers.

Live4Horses/R.I.P Bond -10/18/09 · Answer

If he laughed it was probably a joke. He's not a farrier because he's a genius. If you're really worried talk to a vet, but I think you should be fine.

This site seems pretty good for symptoms:
http://www.gopetsamerica.com/horse/health-care/equine-ulcer.aspx

Causing my mare ulcers?? Help?

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