Bonkers horse - D&H Safe & Sound...or something else?

[0ldmare]

I just dont understand it, Barney looooves his stable. But actually he has only come in 4 nights so far this year. He usually munches everything you give him by the morning, but something isnt right with him. Each morning I go out and he is dripping in sweat - literally running down his legs, nose etc and hasnt eaten more than 1/2 a slice of hay, cant eat breakfast, twirling round the stable etc.

He's fine when he comes in, wants to come in and eats dinner but overnight turns into a nutcase!

Now old mare (who is the stressy one) is all chilled out and eaten everything so I can rule out most things as its obviously not effecting her, whatever it is!

The only thing thats different this year to any other year is that I've been feeding him on D&H Safe and Sound as I bought it for old mare and she wont touch to stuff. Barney is as fat as a pig so thought it would be a good solution. Could it be that do you think thats causing him to go bonkers? Anyone else had anything similar?

He's not over rugged - he is a 'cold' horse and is only wearing a medium weight Amigo and anyway he's all wild eyed and barmy which isnt consistent with being over hot.

Any ideas?

 

[spike123]

I feed Safe and Sound to my horse too.He has only been on it for just over a week and so far has been chilled and relaxed.However with the snow and being enforced to stay in his stable(yard rules) I'm not sure he will stay that way. If your horse is already on the large side could you try putting him in a lighter rug and see if that makes the difference. Another thing to consider is do you have rats or mice as I know it sounds silly but if your horse seems to prefer to be out and is a sweaty mess by the morning could he possibly be getting upset by rodent activity. I have known several horses who were upset by them to the point of getting highly stressed.A move to a different stable put a stop to it.

 

[Sprout]

I have used Safe & Sound on my natives for several yerars now, and never had any problems with it, they love it and do well on it.

Sorry I cant be more helpful!

 

[0ldmare]

Hmm I hadnt thought of rats/mice. Certainly no evidence of them when I mucked out today, but its definitely a thought. (Mind you the tabby in my siggy is an amazing hunter so the rodent population is somewhat decimated around her lol)

I'm going to switch him back to his old food tonight and see if that makes a difference ie hifi lite and a scattering of mix.

Just very very odd. I'm half wondering to give him a titchy bit of Sedalin to see if it relaxes him.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Unfortunately other people's experiences with any feedstuff won't be helpful, as every horse is different. I had a mare years ago who was fed on exactly the same as her stable companion. Over several years her behaviour deteriorated until she was becoming unhandleable, she also suffered from heatlumps and had a cough.
By chance (this was years ago, before knowledge of allergies/intolerances was widespread) we changed her diet and within a week, she was like a different horse. We realised that she was allergic to cereals and cane sugar. We have had another which can't tolerate alfalfa - it sends her completely loopy VERY quickly.
In your position, I would take him off all hard feed to give his system a rest for a week or so, make sure he has plenty of hay/lage and then take it from there.

 

[noblesteed]

Hmm ditto pearls, my dobbin gets silly on molasses but it could be anything really, any type of intolerance. I just switched him to top chop lite and he's eaten half a bag and gone off it! Now trying the new hifi molasses free.

But could be a whole manner of causes!

 

[Nari]

I immediately thought of rats too.

Can you try him with some different hay? Maybe he doesn't like this lot. Does he eat it in the field?

Does he have to come in? Under the circumstances I think he'd be safer out.

Can you put him in a lighter rug, or leave him naked? I'd also try no bucket feed, though I'd be surprised if that was the problem unless it's gone off or contaminated with something. Also if it was the feed Iwouldn't expect him to calm down once he was in the field.

Finally could you sit somewhere he can't see you & watch him for a couple of hours to see if anything changes when the lights are off & the yard's quiet? Of maybe do a couple of late night checks, though that's not as good since you turning up will disturb him.