Have you seen a horse with dementia?

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katyjinny

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I have 2 elderly ponies who have been together for over 15 years and have been inseparable. For the past 3 years I've worried that the eldest, Mojo who is in his late 30's, would not make it through the winter. He's losing his teeth and I have difficulty keeping weight on him. But he always perks up in the Springtime. This year, in addition to the normal weight issues, I'm wondering whether he's developing dementia. If I don't tie him up to eat he seems to forget what he's doing and will wander off. It can take over an hour to get through his feed which is all soaked in warm water and weighed so I know exactly what I'm offering him and it isn't too much. In the past he's always headed for shelter at the first sign off rain but now he'll just stand out in it on his own. He's becoming really grumpy with the other pony. Generally he just seems to be a bit vacant. He's rugged up and doesn't seem to be in pain anywhere. Does this sound familiar to anyone?:confused:
 
I've no idea about dementia in horses and not sure if we could diagnose it without scans tbh. Sounds like it could be something gastric or guts to me. Perhaps he's feeling full quicker or getting a bit of discomfort? Discomfort might explain his grumpyness as well.
What a good age. :)
 
I have an elderly pony too (mid thirties roughly). Also has not many teeth.
Hes still fairly 'with it' , shelters, eats, interested in the herd etc.
Does everything very slowly, as you would expect.
I do think though perhaps there will come a time when he also loses interest in things, and becomes distant.
Will watch this thread with interest :)
 
Have you tried medicating him for pain to see if it makes any difference in case it is general low level stiffness/discomfort getting him down?
 
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