Depressed horse?!

[Beccahh]

Hi guys .. hoping someone might be able to help

I have a 24 year old welsh d always been a character and fit and well
However recently it’s like he’s not himself, he absolutely hates being turned out and will stop or walk -5mph to the field and then hang at the gate, Iv not noticed any bullying and I won’t lie our field isn’t the best limited grass and muddy at the gateway, can’t really leave him in as he stiffens up. Though he would stand in his stable all day quite happily.
Changed his feed as he had dropped weight but haven’t seen a vast improvement thought still has a good appetite and drinking water
Have noticed some arthritic changes so he’s on a good joint supplement with some devils claw, thought any suggestions to help with it is happily taken
I’m going to give the vet a call to come check him over and hopefully take some bloods just incase something else is going on I can’t see
He’s just very low on energy and doesn’t even really care for a fuss from me which isn’t like him, only noticed this the past month or so .. I know old age plays a part and he’s probably just abit grumpy
My mum thinks it’s the yard he’s on and I won’t lie since moving here he’s never quite looked as good as he did at the previous yard
I’m not sure what I’m asking really as I’m just worried about my boy also for the first time in 24 years he’s developed mild mud fever .. I’m treating this best I can but again any tips?

 

[ycbm]

Has he been tested for Cushings, depression and mud fever are common symptoms?
.

 

[FestiveG]

Has he been tested for Cushings, depression and mud fever are common symptoms?
.

I was just about to say exactly the same thing!

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Has he been tested for Cushings, depression and mud fever are common symptoms?
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My friends old boy went the same as OP, it was cushings.

 

[Beccahh]

He was tested last year and was negative .. but I’ll ask for this to be repeated when the vet comes out and this could possibly be the reason then

 

[ycbm]

He was tested last year and was negative .. but I’ll ask for this to be repeated when the vet comes out and this could possibly be the reason then

Do the TRH stim test not the cheaper one, it gives too many false negatives.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Also get a good technician to check teeth. Happened to my old boy three months after a dental check, and he was found to have a split tooth and another cheek tooth that was very loose. Possible kick whilst playing, but it was quickly sorted and he's now back on form.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

It could be being on poor grazing he doesn’t have enough vitamin E to. Can make them quiet and lethargic. Could be worth supplementing it, most horses in winter won’t have enough vitamin E as the levels in the grass go down to 0.

 

[Slightlyconfused]

Has he been tested for Cushings, depression and mud fever are common symptoms?
.

This, my boy was really low in april / may this year ans as he is 15 we tested. Had to do the TRH Stimulation test as the ACTH test came back as in te grey area.

 

[Beccahh]

Thank you everyone will call the vet and ask for the other test and also a full blood test to make sure not missing anything .. might also have a look at a yard more suited to him and if he’s positive for Cushings then more suited to that too

 

[sportsmansB]

Thank you everyone will call the vet and ask for the other test and also a full blood test to make sure not missing anything .. might also have a look at a yard more suited to him and if he’s positive for Cushings then more suited to that too

He's lucky as an old boy to have an owner as caring as you

 

[Beccahh]

He's lucky as an old boy to have an owner as caring as you

Oh thank you so much .. he’s my everything Iv had him 16 years and he has done everything Iv asked of him so he deserves the world and anything I can do to make his life comfortable I will

 

[Zoeypxo]

definitely retest for cushings including TRH stim test, mine came back borderline on the ACTH and positive on trh, now on prascend and going well.

 

[Fransurrey]

If he's arthritic, have you considered a maintenance dose of bute?

 

[Chianti]

It sounds to me as if the move to the new yard could be the reason. There may be some reason why he just doesn't like it so has become unhappy. Years ago I moved my first mare to a new yard. She was about 19 but was a feisty chestnut mare, who enjoyed life and was a good hack. A few weeks after the move she could barely trot for a couple of minutes before falling back into walk. Came to the conclusion that the yard didn't work for her. She had been living out in a huge field with a very big gang of girls and looked after by me and her old owner. New yard was small paddocks turnout, with one other, and on part livery. We moved her back to an assisted DIY yard where she was in a big field again with a herd. Within a month she was back to normal. I always thought that she just got a bit depressed at her life on the part livery yard

 

[Tiddlypom]

Has the vet seen him and diagnosed him re the arthritis, it wasn’t clear from your post? I agree about getting his ACTH levels checked again for Cushing’s, but if his arthritic pain is not controlled he will be in continual discomfort. Any reason for him not to be on bute or Danilon for that?

 

[Beccahh]

Hello everyone he had his vet visit yesterday and had full bloods that came back normal .. heart lungs and guts sound great .. his Cushings test came back today and his acht levels are normal .. vet also checked his mud fever and said the skin is healthy and just a few little scabs left so it is healing .. we have agreed his arthritis is now needing to be medicated so he will start daily painkillers from today .. only reason he hasn’t been on them is his arthritis as never been too bad and he’s never shown signs of it causing an issue until recent .. he has a little MOT when he has his vaccinations each year but then again this was summer so possibly why we didn’t pick it up .. but hopefully we will see some improvement .. and possibly a little house move in the new year for him

 

[SantaVera]

Thanks for the update ,hope things improve quickly now for your old boy. He's lucky to have such a caring owner.