ADHD/ADD in horses

[Loopypony]

Does anyone know if ADHD/ADD is found in horses at all?

Was having a bit of a joke earlier saying my 4 year old has it (attention span of -0.00000001 second!!). It just got me wondering whether it is actually found in horses or whether its just in humans.

 

[Circe]

Haha.
I don't really think it does exhist in horses...but I did have 4 different people, who didn't know each other, ask at separate times if my tb is ADD. Erm, no. He's a 4 yr old tb, what do you expect. Lol.
Kx

 

[Mare Stare]

I don't really believe it exists in humans - I think the doctors just hand out the drugs to keep the parents quiet in the majority of cases.

And this comes from someone who has several nephews diagnosed with ADHD.

 

[QueenOfCadence]

Uhm. I'm ADD, to the point where I'm nearly bipolar without the proper medication. There is a lot more to ADD than just zoning out. For example here are some adult ADD symptoms:

-frequently interrupt others or talk over them
-have poor self-control
-blurt out thoughts that are rude or inappropriate without thinking
-have addictive tendencies
-act recklessly or spontaneously without regard for consequences
-have trouble behaving in socially appropriate ways (such as sitting still during a long meeting)
-sense of underachievement
-doesn’t deal well with frustration
-easily flustered and stressed out
-irritability or mood swings
-trouble staying motivated
-hypersensitivity to criticism
-short, often explosive, temper
-low self-esteem and sense of insecurity
-feelings of inner restlessness, agitation
-tendency to take risks
-getting bored easily
-racing thoughts
-trouble sitting still; constant fidgeting
-craving for excitement
-talking excessively
-doing a million things at once
-poor organizational skills (home, office, desk, or car is extremely messy and cluttered)
-tendency to procrastinate
-trouble starting and finishing projects
-chronic lateness
-frequently forgetting appointments, commitments, and deadlines
-constantly losing or misplacing things (keys, wallet, phone, documents, bills)
-underestimating the time it will take you to complete tasks
-“zoning out” without realizing it, even in the middle of a conversation.
-extreme distractibility; wandering attention makes it hard to stay on track.
-difficulty paying attention or focusing, such as when reading or listening to others.
-struggling to complete tasks, even ones that seem simple.
-tendency to overlook details, leading to errors or incomplete work.
-poor listening skills; hard time remembering conversations and following directions.

As you can see ADD is a medical problem because of a lack of connections on neurons in the brain, it's also very genetic and YES it is real (however I do feel that PATIENTS push doctors for a diagnosis and so a lot of them are diagnosed with ADD when they aren't. ADD effects ones entire life and if you ever doubt that you're ADD - then you're not. It doesn't have a midway).

I'm sure it can occur in horses, afterall they have a mortal anatomy just like the rest of use and thus can be biologically screwed . I'm sure horses could be schizo too - but it's not scientifically proven and I don't think their are any tests/experiments being done on the subject

So yes your horse may very well be but there is nothing you can do about it

 

[QueenOfCadence]

The physical difference:

 

[dafthoss]

I always joke that a dartmoor I know is ADHD he has the shortest attention span and always has to be doing something

 

[JenHunt]

no idea - but if it does then my sisters horse definitely has it!

he's classic ADD, he's always looking for things to look at, trying to concentrate on things other than what you want him to concentrate on, he has to be the centre of attention to be happy. he can't even do dressage without causing a scene (last time he did a test, he stopped for a pee by the judges open car window, then bronked down the centre line, then lot off the biggest fart when my sister asked him to halt!)

in fact - I'd only have to go down QoC's list of behaviour traits to prove it.... I can't find many that Tom doesn't show signs of!

 

[Mare Stare]

(however I do feel that PATIENTS push doctors for a diagnosis and so a lot of them are diagnosed with ADD when they aren't. ADD effects ones entire life and if you ever doubt that you're ADD - then you're not. It doesn't have a midway).

These are more like the people I know ^^

The kids in question are allowed to run riot, not reprimanded at all and say things like "It's not me - it's my ADHD." as if that excuses them for being naughty.

The kids are as good as gold when they are not with their mother - I think that's a sign that it's more of a parenting issue than a medical one.

However, adults are a completely different kettle of fish. I've never known an adult sufferer so maybe I was a bit prejudiced in my previous post.

 

[QueenOfCadence]

Exactly. ADD is a lovely excuse for people, it's an excuse to do badly at school, misbehave and have no respect for others - while still getting sympathy from everyone because "the poor kid can't help it". Bleh. I know a couple of Adult ADD sufferers (it's genetic and most males on my dad's side are ADD - so my grandad, my cousin and my brother) and then of course my poor boyfriend has it running in his family too (His dad is ADD but refuses to get medication for it) . I'm the only female adult ADD sufferer that I know (It's adult ADD from age 16 onwards. Children under 16 still stand a chance to "outgrow" it).

It really ticks me off when people use ADD as an excuse to be morons - it gives the rest of us a bad name

 

[Loopypony]

Interesting replies, thanks all.

Must add - have just re-read my post and its a 4 yr old horse I was on about!
She is the most frustrating horse I have owned by far. Always has to be doing something, cannot stand still, doesn't pay attention...the list goes on. Of course I'm sure its just her age and she'll grow out of it (secretly hoping here!)

 

[JenHunt]

keep your fingers crossed! Tom is 18 in the new year and hasn't outgrown it yet! but then he's a fruit loop all round - overgrown welsh pony - out of a welsh pony mare, by a hann stallion!, grew to 16hh but looks and behaves like a pony with ADD!!

 

[Silver]

Firstly. ADHD does most definately exist. I am a teacher in a school for children with emotional and behaviour difficulties. And re horses with ADHD I think my horse is ADHD. But the displine we play suits her. We play Polocrosse. Once in the high speed quick reaction game she is in the zone and focused if we do anything in walk and trot a stone on the floor in the wrong place will freak her out and course an over the top response.

 

[Ladyinred]

Uhm. I'm ADD, to the point where I'm nearly bipolar without the proper medication. There is a lot more to ADD than just zoning out. For example here are some adult ADD symptoms:

-frequently interrupt others or talk over them
-have poor self-control
-blurt out thoughts that are rude or inappropriate without thinking
-have addictive tendencies
-act recklessly or spontaneously without regard for consequences
-have trouble behaving in socially appropriate ways (such as sitting still during a long meeting)
-sense of underachievement
-doesn’t deal well with frustration
-easily flustered and stressed out
-irritability or mood swings
-trouble staying motivated
-hypersensitivity to criticism
-short, often explosive, temper
-low self-esteem and sense of insecurity
-feelings of inner restlessness, agitation
-tendency to take risks
-getting bored easily
-racing thoughts
-trouble sitting still; constant fidgeting
-craving for excitement
-talking excessively
-doing a million things at once
-poor organizational skills (home, office, desk, or car is extremely messy and cluttered)
-tendency to procrastinate
-trouble starting and finishing projects
-chronic lateness
-frequently forgetting appointments, commitments, and deadlines
-constantly losing or misplacing things (keys, wallet, phone, documents, bills)
-underestimating the time it will take you to complete tasks
-“zoning out” without realizing it, even in the middle of a conversation.
-extreme distractibility; wandering attention makes it hard to stay on track.
-difficulty paying attention or focusing, such as when reading or listening to others.
-struggling to complete tasks, even ones that seem simple.
-tendency to overlook details, leading to errors or incomplete work.
-poor listening skills; hard time remembering conversations and following directions.

As you can see ADD is a medical problem because of a lack of connections on neurons in the brain, it's also very genetic and YES it is real (however I do feel that PATIENTS push doctors for a diagnosis and so a lot of them are diagnosed with ADD when they aren't. ADD effects ones entire life and if you ever doubt that you're ADD - then you're not. It doesn't have a midway).

I'm sure it can occur in horses, afterall they have a mortal anatomy just like the rest of use and thus can be biologically screwed . I'm sure horses could be schizo too - but it's not scientifically proven and I don't think their are any tests/experiments being done on the subject

So yes your horse may very well be but there is nothing you can do about it

The physical difference:

These are more like the people I know ^^

The kids in question are allowed to run riot, not reprimanded at all and say things like "It's not me - it's my ADHD." as if that excuses them for being naughty.

The kids are as good as gold when they are not with their mother - I think that's a sign that it's more of a parenting issue than a medical one.

However, adults are a completely different kettle of fish. I've never known an adult sufferer so maybe I was a bit prejudiced in my previous post.

Although I agree entirely with Scrunchie and the parents and kids that use it as an excuse, I have no doubt it is a genuine medical problem for many.

Very very interesting QofC, quite an eye-opener.