health concerns for a 22 year old mare

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showqa

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Hello there folks - hope you're all well,

I was out hacking today with a friend who was riding her 22 year old mare. She's done very little with her until the last 6 weeks or so, and slowly been building up her hacking. Today we were out for about and hour and a half, most brisk walk, some trot one short canter. The route was hilly and it was pretty warm today. Thing is, she seemed to struggle and it took a good 15 minutes after dismounting for her breathing to return to normal. I'm wondering if she has cushings because she has a wavy coat, she seems distended around the belly and a sway back, and she sweats quite a bit. I've never had a veteran, so I'm a bit lost as to what to say to my friend - but is this work ok?
 
Sounds like she may have cushings... I think the vet can do a blood test and show it like that.... then there are tablets they can take.... pergolide (I think) to help with the symptoms.

Be tactful when broaching the subject though, you dont want to offend her
frown.gif
 
Thanks all.

I really don't want to upset my friend - not least because we all hate the idea that our horses are getting older and perhaps closer to the inevitable. But just want to ensure that the best is done for the mare too.
 
My veteran is 22 and he is only in light work so really not terribly fit. We live in Wales so ALL hacks are hilly (lol) but an hour and a half in mostly walk, little trots and one short canter wouldn't have him struggling to breathe 15 minutes after we got home. Is your friend's ned overweight? You say she's been building her work up over the last 6 weeks: has she had any other episodes of struggling? Or does she ALWAYS struggle? Definitely something not quite right there and I'd get an MOT too.
 
She has 2 of the signs--long curly coat and big belly
She may need help to come out of winter coat--clip
There is a tendency to skin problems which are hard to deal with thro long coat
Having had a pony with this he was clipped monthly through summer to keep him comfortable and rugged at night according to weather
Pls get heart checked etc as slow recovery from exercise could indicate a problem
If she has borderline Cushings she needs diet low in sugar and carbs but add a good balancer like Top Spec, plus extra minerals salt and magnesium oxide
The addition of agnus castis def helps both the condition and coat shedding
The yahoo group the Metabolic Horse is very good--tells you what blood tests to ask for, interpretation and diets
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/TheMetabolicHorse/?yguid=288577994
 
I would have a vet check - for cushings and her heart. If she is overweight and very hairy this will not help with the breathing.

Cairo is now 22 and from this year only able to do light hacks but until he had joint problems earlier this year was still able to do what you described and was only semi fit with no problems. His breathing was back to normal after a good canter/gallop within a couple of minutes.

I have had several golden oldies and all were capable of the work you described and more at 22 but they had no health problems and were not overweight and fairly fit.
 
Thanks very mcuh everyone. I feel in a better position to talk about this with my friend now, and in fact plan to see her tomorrow.
 
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