change of character, scared pony

LovesCobs

LovesCobs

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not sure if anyone has any ideas, my daughters 12.2 pony is currently very scared, not eating much (though has had some hay) not drinking much.
we have had her nearly a year and have had strong winds and snow a few times this winter, but starting on Thursday afternoon she has really changed behaviour:(
she came in that night went into her stable but wouldnt come to the door.
Friday morning she displayed lots of fear took me ages to get near her in the stable and I put her hay on the floor at the back of the stable. her normally neat bedding was a mess. they went out for an hour or so yeterday, she bombed out to be with the others. on bringing them in, she came to the gate but then ran off to the back field. had to walk to the back of 4 acres in the snow to get her! took ages to come in, she was scared everywhere, then took me ten minutes and a dualy halter to get her back in her stable.
I cant leave her out and she was still scared when she was out.
I'm worried as to why the drastic change in her. yes we have gale force winds and a lot of snow but as i say, we have had this before.
the other 3 are fine.
might sound stupid but I've even wondered if she might have an underlying health issue thats causing her issues in this weather? eye issues?
if I was on a livery I'd be concerned that someone had messed with her but theyre at home and Ive been home so no strangers out etc to have caused her harm?
Any ideas? Not sure if I can make it to shop to get calmers today either, the snow is very deep and drifting
 
yes, only got her back into stable when I put the light on (wasnt dark outside but obviously was darker in stable) she wont put her head over the stable door and jumps when I move towards her. this is my daughters pretty much bomb proof pony that we never have jumpy issues with, she rarely spooks
 
Has the snow been sliding off the roofs at all? That freaks our lot out although not to this extent but then horses are very different. Sounds like something's upset her so, for the time being I would try and just act normally with her and not be too delicate handling her as that may make her worse if you're being different that normal. The snow is supposed to be going over the next few days so, if that is the issue she may improve.
If she is eating ok then I wouldn't worry too much. I have a pony who can get upset about thinhs and it can take a few days from him to settle - he's a lot better these days but then he is 27 now!
If she gets worse and it's worrying you then no harm in getting a vet to check her over to give you peace of mind.
 
she's not touched any water, warm or cold or with juce in. she's sweating and very nervous, its now been since thurs night (before the snow?) only now touchng her hay as I've moved it to the back of her stable. any movemet I make she jumps a mile. and she's generally bombproof. I'm making some watery sugar beet now and her light is on. trouble is nothing has changed enough to warrant this. we had loads of snow this winter and she loved it and we had no problems. we've had strong wind, with o problems :(
think I might call the vet for advice, it's horrible to see her so stressed. I have been normal with her, but have to be careful in the stable as the fear is taking over her when I go in. If I bring her out she is going to bolt. I'm concerned as its such a drastic change
 
just a possibility water and electricity.
Do you have metal buckets and any connection to electricity supply. Have seen horses refuse to drink out of a metal trough that had inadvertently been connected to an electric fence.:eek:
The damp weather may have caused a short circuit somewhere in the stable.
 
Does she jump away if you touch her? Does she seem to have trouble with changes in light, ie light to dark and vice versa? Is she over reacting to normal noise? Is her movement normal? Is she peeing more than normal?

I would have the vet and I would get them to take bloods. Specifically check for magnesium levels.

I had similar in a horse and I'm sorry to tell you that the outcome wasn't good. I hope that your horse is okay.
 
Poor thing, my boss's horse had uveitis and by the time he was nearly blind had got very panicky and would scare himself, forget where he was. His built up gradually though over many years. Hope the vet can shed some light on it. Only other thing I can think is some sort of infection making her feel odd?
 
Suelin said:
Does she jump away if you touch her? Does she seem to have trouble with changes in light, ie light to dark and vice versa? Is she over reacting to normal noise? Is her movement normal? Is she peeing more than normal?

I would have the vet and I would get them to take bloods. Specifically check for magnesium levels.

I had similar in a horse and I'm sorry to tell you that the outcome wasn't good. I hope that your horse is okay.
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yes to most of that. vet has now been and taken bloods. her temp is up a bit but not sky high. she ate the warm very watery sugar beet, but not alot else (nibble of hay here and there). eyes fine. my vet is concerned as she knows her and can see the complete change. the most significant issues are noise, even the slightest noise (like taking the tiny lid off the bloods tube) caused a big reaction. getting her back in a stable is traumatic for her. but she's not bumping into things.
blood results just come back: no liver issues, no raised white count so no infection?
so we're a bit stumped. cushing test will come back on tuesday.
she's also lost weight. took her rug off (havent for 2 days as she's been so jumpy) and I can see quite a difference in her)
Next step is to put some cotton wool in her ears and a fly mask to cover them, bit of sedalin, more sloppy beet and see how we go :(
 
Any toxins showing up in the bloods at all?
Possible toxins from seepage up out of ground, or from other rainwater run-off into fields could affect pony from ingestion.

Sound like your vet is on the case tho, really hope you get to the bottom of it x
 
That does sound strange. My immediate reaction is eyesight, then liver toxins. Good luck op I hope you get to the bottom of this x
 
Lovescobs said:
yes to most of that. vet has now been and taken bloods. her temp is up a bit but not sky high. she ate the warm very watery sugar beet, but not alot else (nibble of hay here and there). eyes fine. my vet is concerned as she knows her and can see the complete change. the most significant issues are noise, even the slightest noise (like taking the tiny lid off the bloods tube) caused a big reaction. getting her back in a stable is traumatic for her. but she's not bumping into things.
blood results just come back: no liver issues, no raised white count so no infection?
so we're a bit stumped. cushing test will come back on tuesday.
she's also lost weight. took her rug off (havent for 2 days as she's been so jumpy) and I can see quite a difference in her)
Next step is to put some cotton wool in her ears and a fly mask to cover them, bit of sedalin, more sloppy beet and see how we go :(
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I have pm'd you. My horse also lost weight.
 
I know this may not be possible but I would put her in a stable or barn with another pony that is calm and is friendly as if she is frightened this will help settle her.
Last year my old pony lost alot of weigh despite alot of feed and good grass. She was turned out with some other mares who were blooming. When I eventually moved her she was in a field with less grass but was much happier with and old gelding and is now too fat and is even on a diet.
I have had ponies change when moving yards but it has only been short term and mine live together in a group even when at livery. They are herd animals and I have noticed that often their place in the group effects their welbeing. I think she has been spooked and she needs some sort of nanny for a while.
 
Thank u, I've moved her into another stable where there is a small gap between the 2 stables on the internal wall and they can also reach each other from their doors. The Sedalin has helped a bit. She's had her feed but not much hay or water. It seems to now be a waiting game.
I'm convinced its not just a fear issue as I've had her a year and she's a real calm, 1st pony. But I hope it is and it settles
 
Get vet to check all vital signs are normal, ask if you can give her a calmer for a few days just to settle her down, would you say it is the staleshe is scared or the field, if field i thought might be a dog chasing her, but if stable, can she swap stables or share with a friend for a few days, poor thing.
 
Sorry I don't have anything useful to say but could read and run. Hopefully you can find the problem and get her sorted very soon. Fingers and toes crossed for you!
 
Vet had check all signs and except for a slightly raised temperature found nothing. Bloods clear. However vet agrees with me that it's not a specific scare, she's the same in the field, in the stable and it's triggered by both movement and noise. She's not touching her water. I've tried warming it, adding juice. The only thing that worked once was very watery speedi beet which she drank 1st and then ate. She's refused to do that again. She's having a little bit of steamed hay but I'm concerned about her lack of water intake. Any other ideas? I've done juice, warm water and sloppy beet. Non are now working :-/
 
What a horrible position to be in. i do hope she improves. we feed ours calm and condition which you have to damp down. We do make it very runny so they slurp it up. Just worrying having to change about with feeds etc when she is obviously not right. Can you give her succulents ? if she is losing weight will she eat carrots and apples etc . Not the whole answer but might stimulate her appetite .
 
little update, took her in to Ashbrooks today (had to dig the trailer out but roads were fine) she'd had no fluids for pretty much 24 hours except for hand feeding apple and carrot. if I blended them into warm or cold water she wouldnt touch it. She also shook like a leaf most of the morning and tried to wee a lot.
At least now she can be watched 24/7 and they can get fluids in and begin some tests
 
Lovescobs said:
Vet had check all signs and except for a slightly raised temperature found nothing. Bloods clear. However vet agrees with me that it's not a specific scare, she's the same in the field, in the stable and it's triggered by both movement and noise. She's not touching her water. I've tried warming it, adding juice. The only thing that worked once was very watery speedi beet which she drank 1st and then ate. She's refused to do that again. She's having a little bit of steamed hay but I'm concerned about her lack of water intake. Any other ideas? I've done juice, warm water and sloppy beet. Non are now working :-/
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Try lifting the bucket to her for her to drink. Make it tasty as all the other suggestions. It may be that putting her head down to the darker space and then up to the light is scaring her. I had to do this for a bit. Your vet may have to tube some water into her. Good luck.
 
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