This message is from: "Bonnie Ehlers" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> A have a friend whose horse appeared to be having stomach distress. That is, biting at her flanks, tender when touched in that area, kicking at her stomach, and showing an overall irritable attitude. Many of the classic signs of colic, but not going as far as rolling, sweating, etc. And these symptoms were sporadic over a period of time. None of the local vets had an answer. Her farrier suggested that she may have a stomach ulcer. I accompanied her in taking the mare to a vet in another town who has a scope. Using the scope we were able to see that she was infected with encysted small strongyles. Bear in mind, this friend is a very knowledgeable, conscientious horse owner. She has always treated her horses on a rotating worming schedule, doing everything strictly by the book, still her horse was suffering from this infestation. Which, the vet thought could have begun before she had bought the horse two years prior. Anyway.........to answer your question....after treatment, she took the mare back to the vet, and again he looked at her gut with the scope to make sure the job was effective. I would assume that the only way to tell for sure is to have a vet take a look with a scope. However, in one month's time the difference in attitude and her hair coat was also proof. Oh, and that fall Kristi won a title in the State Amateur Cutting Finals riding her mare.
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