Delicia - not quite right in herself - advice please

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black_horse

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Well after a fabulous week with delicia, went to see her on her day off today to find out shes a little off her food. She didnt really touch her dinner last night and picking at her breakie. She seems bright and alert, just not eating.

She was out in the field but very picky at the grass. However, when i put some hard feed in a scoop she gobled it up. Walked her around the hard ground for 40 minutes. Slight kicking at her belly but i think a fly was bothering her as no other signs of discomfort. Ears forward, eyes bright and alert. She is having normal motions and drinking.

After her walk she grazed a little in hand, but again, being fussy over the grass she is eating. Put her back in the stable to observe and she started eating her hay but no real 'gusto' at it. She did a motion in front of me, normal colour and form for her.

No temperature and sign signs of trauma in her mouth. No visible ulcers/sores etc. When her put her away yesterday night after the show she sounded like she was suffering a little choke on her nighttime feed but as i turned to deal with it, she cleared it herself and continue to eat.

Could she have scared herself? Could it just be tiredness?

She worked fine yesterday but didnt eat on the journey there in the lorry (which she always does). She did eat on the journey home. However, fireworks were going off at a venue we had to pass in the lorry. This really spooked her but once we were past and out of earshot, i went in the back to check on her. She was wide eyed and snorting but i reassured her and she continued to eat her hay.

Am i doing too much with her? She had a day off on friday but had a lesson thursday, hacked wednesday (traveled to get to both destinations), trained at home on tuesday, traveled for a hack on monday. She a very fit horse.

Im a little concerned. Please, some thoughts and opinions. She can be quite a highly strung mare. But she is well hydrated and fit for the work she was doing.
 
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Hi. I wouldn't say she sounds overworked. Can you pop up later to do a late check on her? It might just be that she's feeling a little off today, maybe just keep a close eye for the next few days. X
 
jalapeno said:
in the nicest terms possible - get a grip. Its been one day, Im sure shes fine!! You have off days dont u ?
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The difference with humans having an off day is they have the ability to say what's wrong :rolleyes:.

Horses need observing, particularly if usually they eat without a problem (as mine does) and are a performance horse as I know the OP's horse is.

Well they generally need observing unless they have an owner who tells themself to 'get a grip' and only bothers about observing when they're past the point of no return.... In the nicest possible way of course :).
 
Just keep an eye on her and perhaps pop a little treat into her feed. Our little pony mare sometimes gets a bit fed up with her usual feed, so we try changing the chop to a different brand or flavour.

Is it possible you have a rat in the stable which has worried your mare, it could explain why she ate up her feed in the field but not in the stable. It is the time of year when rats start moving inside for the winter. We have already seen signs of them and have put down poisen in plastic drainpipes.

If it continues and you're really worried I would have a chat with your vet.
 
Tinker_Belle said:
The difference with humans having an off day is they have the ability to say what's wrong :rolleyes:.

Horses need observing, particularly if usually they eat without a problem (as mine does) and are a performance horse as I know the OP's horse is.

Well they generally need observing unless they have an owner who tells themself to 'get a grip' and only bothers about observing when they're past the point of no return.... In the nicest possible way of course :).
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Indeed. The only time dee was ever off her food before is when she was hit with a very rare and deadly virus 3 years ago that almost killed her.

So you can see why i am a little worried. I was in hospital at the time and the groom noticed the horse wasnt eating, but apparently 'she looked fine and was quite happy within herself'. Until i found her collapsed in her stable, weezing, with a massive odema on her chest!
 
Tammytoo said:
Just keep an eye on her and perhaps pop a little treat into her feed. Our little pony mare sometimes gets a bit fed up with her usual feed, so we try changing the chop to a different brand or flavour.

Is it possible you have a rat in the stable which has worried your mare, it could explain why she ate up her feed in the field but not in the stable. It is the time of year when rats start moving inside for the winter. We have already seen signs of them and have put down poisen in plastic drainpipes.

If it continues and you're really worried I would have a chat with your vet.
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Every yard has rats, unfortunate way of life. I know rat traps have been laid, but i dont think they are using poison. I know the poison was stored in the feed room till i said something!

She wasnt in the field when she ate, i had been walking her about ten minutes and i fed her. She has a very close bond with me so will let me do things she wont allow others to do. Her temperature seems fine (within normal range) and gums a healthy salmon colour. Nostrils might be a little pinched.

Im going to go back later, or phone the YM later. However, i did text YM how dee was and never got a response, hence why i went up there, as i wasnt overally happy with her last night. I thought the fireworks when she was traveling spooked her but today.

Somethings not right, my gut feeling is telling me (hardly ever wrong), but i have no cause to call a vet.
 
jalapeno said:
in the nicest terms possible - get a grip. Its been one day, Im sure shes fine!! You have off days dont u ?
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I have to assume you are (in the nicest possible way of course) rather new to horse ownership?:rolleyes:

One of the commonest and very earliest warning signs of the onset of several worrying conditions in horses is a clued up owner's gut instinct that all is not as it should be. Often sometime before any more obvious symptoms manifest themselves.

I suggest you get a bit more experience under your belt before you post such rude and unhelpful posts that paint yourself in such a bad and ignorant light.:(
 
You know your horse. You know how her eating patterns, her normal behaviours and reactions. If something is telling you that she is not quite right in the next 24 hours/two days then I personally would call the vet.

Considering mine is very food orientated then her being off her food would ring alarm bells with me and be a big red light that all is not quite right and normal :)
I don't know whether yours is the same or not but I would go with your instincts personally :).

That's probably not very helpful! My personal thinking is that if an animal is off it's food or water then there has to be a reason other than just an 'off day' :).
 
You own her, you ride her, you see her every day and appear to have a great relationship with her. If anything is wrong then you will be the first to notice the tiny signs, and it appears you might have. Not many horses 'go off their feed' without reason, keep an eye on her and do some extra checks. Hopefully it is nothing but you have been alerted to a possibility.

Well done to you for being observant.
 
Tinker_Belle said:
You know your horse. You know how her eating patterns, her normal behaviours and reactions. If something is telling you that she is not quite right in the next 24 hours/two days then I personally would call the vet.

Considering mine is very food orientated then her being off her food would ring alarm bells with me and be a big red light that all is not quite right and normal :)
I don't know whether yours is the same or not but I would go with your instincts personally :).

That's probably not very helpful! My personal thinking is that if an animal is off it's food or water then there has to be a reason other than just an 'off day' :).
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Indeed, ive owned her almost 7 years now, i cannot put my finger on it but somethings up. Might be to do with her mouth? Again, no idea why i think that but i do.... Dont think she is due the EDT (done every 6 months) but will check dates tomorrow.

Ive drawn a line on her water bucket and going to see how much she is consuming between now and tomorrow (its a mahoosive bucket)
 
My horse sometimes goes off his feed if something rather exciting happens. I.e. The first time the hunt went by he didn't eat properly for a day or two. Maybe she's just unsettled and reliving her outing. You are right to jeep a close eye on her if she's not eating up as usual ( and ignore the grumpy people on here). Keep a close eye on her as you are doing. I suspect she'll be fine tomorrow but just keep an eye out ESP for any tummy kicking and lack of pooing
 
Discussion with mum, whether she might not like the taste of something in her feed (although nothing has changed!)

Her alfabeet is made up in a bucket full that lasts the day. Might split her feeds into two buckets to see if she will eat both lots. But dont know whether it wise to feed her normal amounts if i suspect something is up.

nevertheless, she has missed out on two meals now and her hay consumption is minute.
 
Black_Horse said:
Somethings not right, my gut feeling is telling me (hardly ever wrong), but i have no cause to call a vet.
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I'm going to appear a hippy-trippy type now but I honestly believe instincts more than I ever do actual advice sometimes. Instincts have stood me in good stead countless times and as it seems you have a strong bond with your horse then I honestly would call the vet. If you don't feel it's right to call them out then call them and ask to speak to a vet at your practice that you trust, explain the symptoms and her history with her previous illness and explain that you feel something is amiss but you aren't sure what. It doesn't do any harm to be vigilant.

If you're not sure tonight then leave it until the morning to call and gauge how she is in the morning. Horses are tough but as I said (without wanting to worry you further) if a horse starts being picky over food etc for no reason then for me that is a sign that I should be taking note.
 
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Hels_Bells said:
My horse sometimes goes off his feed if something rather exciting happens. I.e. The first time the hunt went by he didn't eat properly for a day or two. Maybe she's just unsettled and reliving her outing. You are right to jeep a close eye on her if she's not eating up as usual ( and ignore the grumpy people on here). Keep a close eye on her as you are doing. I suspect she'll be fine tomorrow but just keep an eye out ESP for any tummy kicking and lack of pooing
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Must admit, first time i have seen her 'tummy kick'. She kept looking at her belly and kicking, but there was a fly so thats probably it.

I had a listen to her gut (used to work at a vets and have a BSc in Equine Science so think i know a little) and they sound fine, and like i said, i saw a motion.
 
Tinker_Belle said:
I'm going to appear a hippy-trippy type now but I honestly believe instincts more than I ever do actual advice sometimes. Instincts have stood me in good stead countless times and as it seems you have a strong bond with your horse then I honestly would call the vet. If you don't feel it's right to call them out then call them and ask to speak to a vet at your practice that you trust, explain the symptoms and her history with her previous illness and explain that you feel something is amiss but you aren't sure what. It doesn't do any harm to be vigilant.

If you're not sure tonight then leave it until the morning to call.
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Ill leave it tonight i think (unless she deteriorates of course or is not drinking) and phone tomorrow.
 
Hope she's ok, and yes, always go with gut instincts, you know your horse better than anyone.

Ignore rude people, they often (in the nicest possible way) don't have a clue. :)
 
It is really heart warming to read of an owner so in tune and responsive to their horse.
Your gut feeling that something is wrong is in itself good enough cause to at least speak to your vet, especially given her history, I would keep with your plan to call the vet if she is still off in the morning, fingers crossed there is no deterioration overnight.
The only thing that jumped out at me is she has been travelled allot over the last week, is it normal for her to travel this much? If not, could she be feeling the after effects of this?
I hope you go down to her in the morning and find your normal girl back with a half full bucket, empty feed and hey net and a bed in need of a good muck out, all the best, if I were a horse, I would want you for an owner :D
 
I would be reacting the same way as you tbh. If my horse wasn't eating Id be worried as well. When you have a close bond with your horse, you just 'know' when something isn't right.
I would see how she is overnight. If she is still off colour, getting the vet up to check her out and maybe take some bloods will certainly not do any harm.
 
Once was lost said:
It is really heart warming to read of an owner so in tune and responsive to their horse.
Your gut feeling that something is wrong is in itself good enough cause to at least speak to your vet, especially given her history, I would keep with your plan to call the vet if she is still off in the morning, fingers crossed there is no deterioration overnight.
The only thing that jumped out at me is she has been travelled allot over the last week, is it normal for her to travel this much? If not, could she be feeling the after effects of this?
I hope you go down to her in the morning and find your normal girl back with a half full bucket, empty feed and hey net and a bed in need of a good muck out, all the best, if I were a horse, I would want you for an owner :D
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Yes she travels, but not so often, butg the workload is no different and the hacks were walk/trot and very relaxed.

Ill phone vet in morning if no different. If she is even slightly worse tonight ill go down and phoen tonight. Ive sat outside of horses boxes all night before when they are ill, cup of tea and a book, im happy to do it if needed. I hope to go down, no hay (shes fed from floor not haynet as more natural and better for airways), water been greatly consumed, no feed left and lots of poo/urine.

I wonder, i watched her pee yesterday (yes, us horse people do this) thought it looked a little darker then usual. Maybe a season coming? There is a stallion on the yard.
 
At the end of the day, you know your own horse. If something isn't right you can tell.
My horse went off her food quite recentley, she was eating around 5lb of hay a hay a day (opposed to 15-20 lb) and wasnt drinking, stayed like this for a week, i had the vet out anyway to tend to her leg and she wasn't too concerned about her lack of food, and literally after a week, she came back to normal and is wolfing down her food.
If you're not sure then obviously call a vet, but it might just be that she's not particularly hungry, we all have days where we don't want to eat anything, and if she's bright and happy in herself i wouldn't be too concerned (what i mean is, don't loose loads of sleep over it tonight :) ).
Fingers crossed for you xx
 
wattamus said:
At the end of the day, you know your own horse. If something isn't right you can tell.
My horse went off her food quite recentley, she was eating around 5lb of hay a hay a day (opposed to 15-20 lb) and wasnt drinking, stayed like this for a week, i had the vet out anyway to tend to her leg and she wasn't too concerned about her lack of food, and literally after a week, she came back to normal and is wolfing down her food.
If you're not sure then obviously call a vet, but it might just be that she's not particularly hungry, we all have days where we don't want to eat anything, and if she's bright and happy in herself i wouldn't be too concerned (what i mean is, don't loose loads of sleep over it tonight :) ).
Fingers crossed for you xx
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wish i was off my food :D unfortunately i seem to have stolen dees appetitie :(

Just worried really, might try contact kate from colligone...sensitive mare = sensitive stomach perhaps.
 
Black_Horse said:
wish i was off my food :D unfortunately i seem to have stolen dees appetitie :(

Just worried really, might try contact kate from colligone...sensitive mare = sensitive stomach perhaps.
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haha don't we all wish we went off our food a little more often :p and that sounds like a good idea, she sounds like a sensetive soul :p let us know how things progress :D
 
I would take this behaviour rather seriously, race horses that dont eat up are withdrawn and checked out straight away. Lets face it their urge to eat is normal, to pick is a warning sign of something wrong or somthing that is manifesting itself. Please keep us updated OP, I hope all will be well. As for that poster earlier................. well REALLY!
 
One horse I had wouldn't eat for a couple of days after hunting. He used to get so excited that it would take him time to wind down.

It seems that your mare is quite a highly strung young lady and perhaps with the ' excitement' of her last few days out she may just need a little time to unwind. However you know your horse better than anyone, so if you feel unhappy about her behaviour seek veterinary advice.
 
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Trust your gut, and keep a close eye on her, this time of the year usually sees an upsurge in viruses, she might be brewing something.
When my wee mare colicked, i picked it up by noticing the change in how her bed was in the morning and the position of her head when she was standing, she had passed droppings not the usual amount for her, she was just" HINGY "
a good old scottish word !
You sound like youre doing all the right things, keep an eye on what shes eating, drinking, and passing watch her temperature and breathing, but If youre still not happy with her in the morning get her checked out just to put your mind at rest.
If you spot something amiss with your horse, dont let anyone tell you to get a grip, id guarentee you 90% of the time youll be right.
 
I know shes highly strung, but never off her food. Even when eyes on stalks she would eat hay if you offered it (wouldnt stop staring at the pony eatting monster but MUST continue to eat and put on needed calories to run away/snort at/stare off said monster).

I see it as this, eating, breathing, drinking, walking and pooing/urinating are natures musts. If an animal isnt performing one of those necessarily live tasks, somethings up.
 
marydoll said:
Trust your gut, and keep a close eye on her, this time of the year usually sees an upsurge in viruses, she might be brewing something.
When my wee mare colicked, i picked it up by noticing the change in how her bed was in the morning and the position of her head when she was standing, she had passed droppings not the usual amount for her, she was just" HINGY "
a good old scottish word !
You sound like youre doing all the right things, keep an eye on what shes eating, drinking, and passing watch her temperature and breathing, but If youre still not happy with her in the morning get her checked out just to put your mind at rest.
If you spot something amiss with your horse, dont let anyone tell you to get a grip, id guarentee you 90% of the time youll be right.
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I would rather be concerned and not ignore and be proven wrong, or be concerned but ignore and be proven right :(
 
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