Cushings - is it fair to ride a horse that's so lethargic?

[Mitchyden]

Lana was diagnosed with cushings two years ago as a 7 y.o. I bought her as a 2y.o to be my future endurance horse but ever since she was backed, she has been so lazy it's ridiculous! I'm suspecting she possibly had cushings back then but obviously I'll never know. Her level was 81 when she was tested so she was put on 0.5mg of Prascend and they were down to 25 after a couple of weeks. She is still bone idle and I hate riding her so much to the point where I basically don't now.

She could of course just be a lazy horse but I'm worried about pushing her too hard because of her cushings. Having said this, if I take her on pleasure rides or endurance events, she flies round and in fact completed a 64km endurance ride 2 months before being diagnosed. If she was finding work too much of a problem how could she possible have got round a 64km ride?!

Has anyone else had to retire their horse due to cushings?

 

[Zuzzie]

Cushings can produce lethargy in horses but what you are describing does sound a bit abnormal. I guess you have had her checked by a vet? have you made sure she is getting enough to eat for instance?
My old horse who had Cushings for years really perked up unbelievably when I changed him from hay to haylage. He absolutely loved it and the improvement in his energy levels was so dramatic I even wished I'd put him on it when he was competing but, of course, this maybe a one off but could be worth a try with your mare.