Can't tell if my horse is happy or depressed - what do you think?

[Holly Hocks]

I have a 9 year old TB mare who I got in April 2010 from a racing yard. After only a few weeks she became very ill and spent over two months in hospital with an illness and then another month with lameness issues. She came home and I started working her. She was always wired - hyper, jogging, weaving in her box, box walking - you name it, she did it. Anyway - more recently she has been diagnosed with navicular syndrome, bilateral spavin and a hind limb proximal suspensory ligament irregularity (believe me, the exclusions on my insurance certificate are like bedtime reading). Initially the vet said box rest etc, however when I explained that she was too hyper and stressy to do box rest he agreed to let me turn her out during the day, however said that the return to work would be further away - fine with me. So she has been off work since September - out during the day for a few hours and in at night. But she just doesn't seem right - she is very quiet, has put on masses of weight (this was a very skinny TB!), has stopped weaving and box walking (unless something really stresses her) and is just very quiet. How can I tell if she is depressed or just very relaxed/content? It is just very out of character. She is eating everything she is given (again quite unusual) and will still have her feed ball on days when the weather is too bad to go out all day....

 

[Supertrooper]

I'd say that she's just settled but see why you're concerned as it's a big change in her character. Are there any other changes physically? Ie drinking more/less, loose droppings etc

If you are concerned perhaps a vet visit xx

 

[Holly Hocks]

No, no other changes - eats, poos and drinks fine - in fact her poos have firmed up whereas they used to be like cow pats...

 

[Miss L Toe]

When the are fit from racing they can take a few months to "let down"
Depressed horses tend to be "hangdog" and fussy feeders.

 

[Wagtail]

I expect she is very happy and content. Some horses take at least a year to truely settle somewhere. Also, she is no longer being asked to work whilst being in pain. It is amazing how this thing alone will make a horse very stressy. I expect that she is now happy and content and feels secure. She knows that things are not being asked of her that she finds difficult. I suspect that this is her true temperament coming through.

 

[Supertrooper]

I think then she's just happy and content with you xxxx

 

[Holly Hocks]

thanks Mrs D - she is a fussy eater, but I've finally found stuff she will eat and it's all going down - Readigrass is the food of the moment for her!

 

[Jazzy B]

sounds like she's happy to me

 

[Holly Hocks]

I expect she is very happy and content. Some horses take at least a year to truely settle somewhere. Also, she is no longer being asked to work whilst being in pain. It is amazing how this thing alone will make a horse very stressy. I expect that she is now happy and content and feels secure. She knows that things are not being asked of her that she finds difficult. I suspect that this is her true temperament coming through.

I hope so - she is a dream while she is like this - she as a full winter coat and looks like a woolley bear. I took her for a walk in hand today for 10 minutes - normally she is bouncing off the end of the lunge line like a jack in a box - today she just ambled - not a care in the world. In fact she needed some encouragement to actually leave her stable!

 

[badgerdog]

From what you have described, I would say that she was displaying unhappiness when she box walked, weaved etc and now that she is on more turnout she is more content.

My ex-racehorse can be stressy - weaves, box walks, doesn't eat much if he is stabled, but he's a laid back lad when he's turned out. I keep mine out 24/7 and he's happy and in good condition.

Sorry you've had so many problems with your TB. It sounds like you've never had the chance to get properly started with her. Good luck with her in the future.

 

[Holly Hocks]

From what you have described, I would say that she was displaying unhappiness when she box walked, weaved etc and now that she is on more turnout she is more content.

My ex-racehorse can be stressy - weaves, box walks, doesn't eat much if he is stabled, but he's a laid back lad when he's turned out. I keep mine out 24/7 and he's happy and in good condition.

Sorry you've had so many problems with your TB. It sounds like you've never had the chance to get properly started with her. Good luck with her in the future.

Thanks - but to be honest, the prognosis isn't good - it looks like she may be a field ornament or a very very light hack at best. Still these things happen and we just have to get on and deal with them! That's horses for you! x

 

[Merry Crisis]

As Wagtail has said, I would think that she has finally unwound, she is not being asked any questions, she has no anxiety and is enjoying the holiday. When you bring her back into work you might have a very chilled mare. It must be her equivalent of The Priory! Things happen for a reason.

 

[3Beasties]

Sounds happy to me, maybe the new routine/feed really suits her or now she's pain free (asumming she now is) she is more relaxed.