Gut feeling. Vet or feed?

C

circuit dancer

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Hello all. Need some advice.

Oki doki. 12yr old ex racer. Retired at 9 and did 81 races. I got him 2 years ago and has had a few behaviour issues but nothing we havnt overcome now :). He's always been very very forward going and never need much leg input at all.

Anyhoo he's calmed down unbelievably well and has become a plod, Wich Dnt get me wrong I love!

But here's the thing. When Iv been riding him for the last month he has been quite lethargic. I just put in down to change in the weather n not a lot of grass out there. ( he's in at night and has a good amount of hay and a small feed. His weight is bang on even a lil too well covered)

Iv noticed when bringing him in he's been like a donkey Even slower. He used to march up next to you and keep pace. But now it's like he suddenly can't be bothered.

And riding him tonight. I had to properly give him a kick to get him moving in trot. Never have I had to do that. Then my brother got on him n when he went from canter to trot. Dancer just went to walk then stopped like it was a relief 3 times Iv ran my hands down his back n can't find any sore spots ( he's very good at telling if his back hurts )

The past 3 weeks Iv looked at him and my gut is telling me something f isn't right. I can't afford to call vet to investigate or I would have by now ( other horse got lami and using extra funds ATM)

A lady on my yard said about trying abit of oats or some red cell to perk him up abit Feed with abit more "go". But I still get that gut feeling its something else :/

Any advice? Or am i being a neurotic owner?
 
The thing is, as a horse owner you need to be able to find the money for a vet when you know they aren't quite right.
We can all have a blind guess at what's wrong with your horse but only the vet can tell you for sure.
Good luck
 
If he were mine I'd find some money somehow and get the vet to give him a check and get bloods done if that's really out of character for him.

If you really don't want to go down that route yet, get hold of some Equine America Propell plus - red bull for horses!! And see how he goes for a week or so.
 
There will be money there if he really needs it. But the other one is doing a nice job of racking up the vet bills to

I'm just not sure if its the weather or me looking into things to much and maybe he is just turning into a care free plod

Oh how I wish they cud talk!
 
Does he display any other signs that could indicate cushings?

Lethargy + reluctance to work can be indicators, along with footiness?

Talk about Laminitis are offering free cushings test atm so could be worth a test?

Obvs if there are no other signs then it's unlikely but my vet said a general lethargy + unwellness can be the first indicator.

Good luck with your boy xx
 
Not really no He's sound n moves well. When he gets going. Just just lost his spark

I did have his back shoes take off 2 weeks ago but he's been acting weird before this

He is in good condition too Just very lethargic
 
You should consult the vet (credit card at the ready) any sudden change in condition or behaviour should be investigated. Good luck
 
If any thing his work has backed off as Iv had major problems st work and am now in the middle of changing jobs. But it's never affected him before,

I'm on a lovely 12hr shift today so my sister will ring the vet.

I just wasn't sure if I was jumping in to quick by calling a vet I know they can have down or feeling low times just like us

Thanks x
 
My ex-racer has been *exactly* the same, & is now slower than my EPSM horse.

We have started with full bloods, which have come up absolutely normal. I've sent hair from him & my EPSM horse to a lab that can detect EPSM via a DNA test (the EPSM horse wasn't formally diagnosed altho **everything** else was ruled out & the high oil diet worked).

He is on an ulcer supplement from the vets to see if that makes a difference as he had 3 v stressful episodes a couple of months ago. So far, it hasn't. Vet is coming on Tues to remove a wolf tooth that's in the way of the bit, but he doesn't think it's causing the lethargy.

All very frustrating! Hope you find answers for yours!

T x
 
Spoke to vet this morning, he said a lot of bigger horses especially tbs are feeling the sudden change in temp.
He advised putting him on something like speedi beet to give abit more energy and keep him warm if he is still lethergic in a week or two he will come out and do bloods.


P.s I'm her big sister :D
 
wipeout said:
The thing is, as a horse owner you need to be able to find the money for a vet when you know they aren't quite right.
We can all have a blind guess at what's wrong with your horse but only the vet can tell you for sure.
Good luck
Click to expand...

+1

Out of character and gut feelings are normally the top reason to get a vet out imho. You know your horse and if somethings nagging at you, somethings normally wrong. Find the money. Bloods aren't extortionate, I had to get some on oldie last year and though expensive, didn't kill me for the month. Worth every penny to have your mind at ease and your horses health caught before anything might get worse.
 
slightlyconfused said:
Spoke to vet this morning, he said a lot of bigger horses especially tbs are feeling the sudden change in temp.
He advised putting him on something like speedi beet to give abit more energy and keep him warm if he is still lethergic in a week or two he will come out and do bloods.


P.s I'm her big sister :D
Click to expand...

Ah, glad to hear vets been out :)
 
My ex-racer became a bit lethargic too so got vet out and it turned out he was anaemic.

Iron supplement fed for 3 weeks and bloods redone and all back to normal.

Worth getting investigated.
 
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