Are you paranoid about your horses health?

Penny Less

Penny Less

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i have had horses for 25 years but only been a happy hacker. I read a lot on the forum about various horsey ailments, and become convinced theres something wrong with mine !
Hypochondria by proxy?? You all seem so knowledgeable about picking up very slight lamenesses, incorrect ways of going etc, and I think Im not clever enough to pick up on slight problems, and then get paranoid that Im hurting my horse somehow. Obviously, the vet is called for anything that is a clear problem its these indefinable "feeling somethings not right" . Anyone else like this?
 
I've always worried about little b. Recently got a horse i've been in love with for ages (big b) but thought I had no hope of owning. I'm soo scared of breaking him!
 
Yes but only since purchasing a horse with the will to live of a lemming. I swear if I put him in a padded cell he'd be allergic to it.

It's the pressure of being entirely responsible for a fragile, twig legged, badly designed, unsubstantial (Tank Pony excluded) creature.

We should all take up knitting & save ourselves the heartache! :p
 
I'm glad it's not just me! Yes I am completely paranoid about my horses health and always have been, it's just who I am and I cant help it!
 
yes especially about lameness. I think when you have had a lame horse you are constantly looking for signs.

I also used to be paranoid about him being stolen but if they can load him good luck to them besides dont know who would want the lump :)
 
No, and I don't wrap my horse in cotton wool either :p Trust yourself, if you know your horse you know when something is not right. I have the vet out before now on no more than a 'gut feeling' and I've always been proved right.
 
Only once. He refused to let me get on him, to the point where he sat down and lashed out at me. He's always been a funny lad but this had be worried that something was very wrong with his back.
Nope, he was just in a strop! There was not a single thing wrong with him, thank goodness!

My dog however, every little lump and bump, I'm shouting "Muuuum!!! The dog has something on her!!!!"
 
Yes, me as well. Usually when I get that feeling that something isnt right, then there is something wrong. I think it is all about you knowing your horse and then interpreting what they are saying to you. I know when Charlie wants attention (normally quite standoffish and arrogant in personality) then I want to know how much the vets bill will be. Sometimes, it is just a very slight change that may take a few days or weeks to work out what is going on. I think that I have just learnt to listen and watch his body language and have learnt to read what it means.
 
rhino said:
No, and I don't wrap my horse in cotton wool either :p
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This, but I do have paranoid "OMG he will not clear that jump he will crash into it and break both our necks" moments :o

Same goes for the dog. If I think there's reason to be concerned, I will be, but 90% of the time a sharp "man up and get on with it" is my reaction :o My dog's a bit stupid with the electric fence and when he shocks himself he runs round the field howling. I laugh. My mother panics :rolleyes:
 
I'm paraniod about his weight :cool: and I was a little paranoid about lameness after he came back in to work from pulling a muscle but now I'm ok. I do wrap him in cotton wool a little bit but he's a hypochondriac and a little speshul :rolleyes:.
 
I'd agree with rhino. I am more careful about my daughters & animals health than my own, but think that's pretty normal. I do keep a close eye on my old mare for any signs of stiffness (eg watching she can still get over when she rolls) but I wouldn't say I worry about it, at 23 its just sensible to keep an eye out for signs she needs to slow down.
 
JFTD said:
Same goes for the dog. If I think there's reason to be concerned, I will be, but 90% of the time a sharp "man up and get on with it" is my reaction :o My dog's a bit stupid with the electric fence and when he shocks himself he runs round the field howling. I laugh. My mother panics :rolleyes:
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I used to be like that with my dog :P my Mum would be worrying and I'd be laughing and saying "Stupid mutt!"

But now she's old and has had 2 strokes, I join in the panic :P
 
Trouble is I find that you cant get the vet in and say" somethings wrong, dont know where or what" it would cost you thousands for a full work up ! Im probably too soft with him and hes just not wanting to work !
 
Yes - He suffered from colic about a week after I got him and since then v paranoid about colic- if he so much as scratches his belly or has a lay down in his stable I feel like a cold hand is closing round my heart and my tummy churns - Mind you, I am paranoid about my own health too so its prob just an extension of that.:)
 
alma said:
I think Im not clever enough to pick up on slight problems, and then get paranoid that Im hurting my horse somehow. Obviously, the vet is called for anything that is a clear problem its these indefinable "feeling somethings not right" . Anyone else like this?
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Yes... Me!
 
I absolutely adore my horse(I know I am walking food)! But he is elderly now and I love going to see if he is ok and am worrying as I approach field, if he is down or ill etc. (he hasnt ever been down) but I never use to be worried at all but now I think its because we are getting to the end really.

So I definitely am! I hate it as it wasnt like this before....but I know I can call his vet anytime and I only ever called the vet if he did actually have a problem. Anything minor I just dealt with ourselves.

At end of day it shows you are a caring owner and the horse is lucky to have such attention to detail! Unlike other poor souls..these are the lucky ones!
 
yep me...byt tbh miss mare has pretended (thankfully) that shes been going to die or need pts about 5 times in the 6 years ive had her...as well as having numerous injuries so i would say im allowed :-)
 
God No!

I am not one for running about treating every nick and scratch, I'd be a nervous wreck if I did.
 
No I am not paranoid but I do pick up on problems early on and have to spend several months convincing various experts that I am not paranoid until the problem is more obvious. :rolleyes:
 
this thread is reassuring... glad it's not just me!!

I am rather paranoid, we've had issues with lameness and I worry when we go for hacks and things, I guess I'm constantly looking for signs, and feel his legs for any heat etc every night :P
 
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Nic said:
Yes but only since purchasing a horse with the will to live of a lemming. I swear if I put him in a padded cell he'd be allergic to it.

It's the pressure of being entirely responsible for a fragile, twig legged, badly designed, unsubstantial (Tank Pony excluded) creature.

We should all take up knitting & save ourselves the heartache! :p
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Ha, you've describe me and mine exactly. I never used to worry an inch until Nitty. Now I am on constant red alert. Justifiably mind you :eek:
 
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