Can anyone explain the behaviour described below please?

RE: Can anyone explain the behaviour described below please?

Derek Lyon — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 10:07:24 GMT

Thank you all for your comments. He was back to normal after about an hour. Personally I think looking back it was some form of abdominal discomfort. At least it saved me going to the Vets!

Thanks again

Derek

RE: Can anyone explain the behaviour described below please?

bob lehner — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 16:00:29 GMT

Yes - definitely signifies an itchy tum. My own terrier does it all the time - she is very low to the ground and gets some sort of ventral pruritus/erythema presumably from plant/pollen contact in the spring. She'll slide down a long grassy hillside from top to bottom on her belly with hind legs splayed out behind, with great enthusiasm - seems to thoroughly enjoy it.

Also seen a mare with ventral pruritus round the teats due to ? sweet itch type allergy adopt the same posture - looks a bit odd for a horse.

RE: Can anyone explain the behaviour described below please?

Jill Butterworth — Wed, 31 May 2017 21:17:57 GMT

If all normal now, I too would suspect he was itchy for some reason. Some dogs do this manoeuvre regularly, but without the distressed part. Your description also reminds me slightly of 'false colic' where male horses get a maggot infestation in their sheath.

RE: Can anyone explain the behaviour described below please?

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 30 May 2017 16:08:25 GMT

Did you observe whether he was straining to go or the quality of his faeces i.e. were they firm and normal colour or diarrhoea, even just softer and paler than usual?

RE: Can anyone explain the behaviour described below please?

Niall Taylor — Sat, 27 May 2017 21:38:47 GMT

Just off the top of my head - could he have been stung by nettles or similar on his ventral abdomen. It sounds like he might be trying to 'scratch an itch' (or otherwise soothe it).

Any signs of a rash?

Niall