drpression in exmoor ponie

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cocabana

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hi i have had my pony for 11 years now and he as never been like this hes 21 now he has djd, cushions and arthritis in his hips, he was out with the geldings last year and the beginning of this year until he started with his arthritis in his hips, because hes always on every farm been top dog his hips went and some of the other geldings were bullying him to take his place, so had to take him out of that field and put him in a field of his own.
he went on super-fen but also because he lost loads of weight to the point were you could feel his ribs and see them close up, i put him on 3 feeds a day, he ate the grass rite down, but his arthritis went ok but was depressed and down, so nearly 2 weeks ago i put him back out with the geldings and they were ok with him (in a 10 acre field), i went up to the gate 2day and he was in the middle of the field with his head down not eating grass so i walked over to him and checked him over gave him a scratch and kisses and cuddles went to walk back down the field and he followed me all the way to the gate i walked quarter of a mile back to the farm turned round to look if he had gone and he hadn't he was still stood there, this is not like him at all, i don't no what to do i am going to try him in with the mares tomorrow as he loves mares see if that will cheer him up, hes my baby and i hate seeing him like this, what to do people please any advice
 
I guess first of all you need to know if he has a health problem associated perhaps with his age. Would be worth getting the vet out to maybe take blood etc etc. I'd be very worried if my horse started dropping weight at the rate you have described. Have his teeth been seen to lately? Older horses often need more frequent visits from the dentist. Once all that comes back ok, the next thing is to try to work out how to give him back some enjoyment in life. It sounds to me as if the big gelding group is too much for him but equally, isolation can really stress a horse, especially one that has been used to a big group. Horses do sense weakness and illness in other horses and they can tease and torment a weak horse mercilessly. I'd find out who his bestest buddy is and put them in a smaller field together. Or could you make a breakaway Golden Oldies group made up of veteran neds who just want a quiet life to graze in the sun with a few like-minded friends? Try your hardest for him because he sounds a very unhappy lad x
 
Is he on any proper medical pain killers, not just supplements? Believe me, I get pretty depressed when my arthritis is bad, or my back is giving me hell but at least I understand what is causing it. Your pony only knows that movement hurts so he will be reluctant to move. Animals unfortunately are good at spotting the underdog and will indeed bully it as a result. My old girl only has partial sight in one eye and the field bully has sussed this already - he drives her up against the fence so that she cannot see to turn away from him, and then takes chunks out of her :( She also has arthritis in many joints and there is no way she could function at all without her daily dose of antiinflammatories, and neither would I expect her to.
 
Is he on pergolide/Prascend - if so maybe his dose is wrong assuming he's on it. Cushings or liver damage can make them depressed. Time for a check up and bloods me thinks.
And if not on painkillers & Prascend, time to start and re assess in a couple of weeks.
 
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