Can cushings medication change a horses performance

[ChrisJackson52]

Im awaiting a hip replacement so can't ride my 16hh 20 yr old horse .Morris, my horse, is being treated for cushings and the medication is working well .He's always been an easy horse to ride and extremely sensible and safe (Ive had him for 9 urs) .I have someone who helps out with him and has ridden him for over 18 months However, yesterday he said that he had a job to stop him when cantering and didn't feel safe on him .He admitted that this wasn't the first time this had happened .I was wondering if the medication ( prescend) could be affecting him or is it just the rider ! He's suggested changing his bit which annoyed me as hes always had a light mouth .Any ideas? I can't take him out to check myself!

 

[Equi]

It’s more likely that the horse is now starting to think “hey, I’m feeling damned good lately!” (As the cushings can make them feel quite sluggish) And is the side effect of the medication working. My little 24yo mare has gone from me thinking she was nearing the end of life to thinking she’s a 4yo again. In my case it’s brilliant to see but I can see how it wouldn’t be beneficial in your case.

Ask vet to do some more bloods and see where you are to see if you are able to lower the dosage perhaps?

 

[Gloi]

It’s more likely that the horse is now starting to think “hey, I’m feeling damned good lately!” (As the cushings can make them feel quite sluggish) And is the side effect of the medication working. My little 24yo mare has gone from me thinking she was nearing the end of life to thinking she’s a 4yo again. In my case it’s brilliant to see but I can see how it wouldn’t be beneficial in your case.

Ask vet to do some more bloods and see where you are to see if you are able to lower the dosage perhaps?

I'd agree with this apart from the last bit. Check the bloods yes, but trying to quiet him down by not having the ppid fully controlled doesn't seem a healthy thing to do.

 

[Equi]

I'd agree with this apart from the last bit. Check the bloods yes, but trying to quiet him down by not having the ppid fully controlled doesn't seem a healthy thing to do.

I don’t mean to underdose him, sometimes the dosage is too high for a particular horse and needs to be lowered. It’s a balancing act.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Agree with above cushings can make them lethargic so they often seem quiet to ride, then when the drugs kick in they can start to feel better so can seem a bit more lively.

Could it be that your friend is just not riding him so much as you did perhaps?

 

[ihatework]

One of my horses had a complete personality transplant on prascend and not for the better. Very depressed.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Feeling lively is good!

A relatively common side effect of Prascend is the Prascend veil, which can make a horse depressed and lethargic. Quite often it goes away if the dose is titrated up gradually, but some horses don’t ever tolerate Prascend very well.

In this case, I think that the horse is telling you that he is now feeling well again, yee haa . Hopefully he’ll settle back into being a happy steady neddy again soon.

 

[Britestar]

Yes, and that's why Prascend is on the disallowed drug list for competing.
Although I would argue you are just taking them 'back' to where they were before.

 

[Zoeypxo]

How long has he been on the prascend? Mine has been on it 5 weeks and is just starting to get her sparkle back.
have you retested to check hes on the correct dosing?

Does he need to be ridden or could he have a break until your back in action if rider isn't feeling safe?

 

[Gloi]

I don’t mean to underdose him, sometimes the dosage is too high for a particular horse and needs to be lowered. It’s a balancing act.

Too high won't make them more lively though, it tends to make them depressed.

 

[splashgirl45]

My mare changed from a loony to ride to a very quiet horse, I stupidly thought my training had paid off but no she was suffering from cushings and once on Prascend was back to being a loony so my training hadn’t done a thing !!!

 

[ihatework]

Too high won't make them more lively though, it tends to make them depressed.

It might if it helps to control LGL and they are therefore more comfortable and forward going

 

[Gloi]

It might if it helps to control LGL and they are therefore more comfortable and forward going

A correct dose will do that.