abi31
Well-Known Member
Sorry, it's a bit long. Also posted in Veterinary.
My horse is kept in a block of four horses on a livery yard (which houses approx. 30 horses altogether). Yesterday morning my friends horse looked dejected and was paying no attention to her hay. I thought nothing of it and put it down to boredom or depression as they have been in for a couple of weeks due to the bad weather (stabled at night and indoor turnout during the day). However, when I got down yesterday evening my friend asked me to take a look at her horse as she was also concerned. Her mare hadn't eaten her haylage the previous night, or that day. Her pooh was runny, but her temp was normal and she was drinking lots.
When I tried to check her gums she was really reisistant to me opening her mouth or pushing her lips apart. They are very pale pink, as is the colouring around the eye. I suggested she tried her with some hard feed so she gave her some nuts and chaff which she picked over slowly. We reported it to the YO who said that a few horses on the yard had been behaving in a similar way but got over it in a few days.
We left her until this morning, but nothing has changed overnight. I said for peace of mind she should get the vet out to check and they are coming late this afternoon.
I may be paranoid but we have had strangles on the yard a few years back which saw a lengthy quarantine and the loss of 2 horses. I don't think this is strangles but am worried that it is affecting other horses too.
Does anyone have any ideas what it might be? Am I over-reacting?
She is up-to-date with flu and tet and due to be wormed shortly.
Big glass of mulled wine for getting this far.xx
My horse is kept in a block of four horses on a livery yard (which houses approx. 30 horses altogether). Yesterday morning my friends horse looked dejected and was paying no attention to her hay. I thought nothing of it and put it down to boredom or depression as they have been in for a couple of weeks due to the bad weather (stabled at night and indoor turnout during the day). However, when I got down yesterday evening my friend asked me to take a look at her horse as she was also concerned. Her mare hadn't eaten her haylage the previous night, or that day. Her pooh was runny, but her temp was normal and she was drinking lots.
When I tried to check her gums she was really reisistant to me opening her mouth or pushing her lips apart. They are very pale pink, as is the colouring around the eye. I suggested she tried her with some hard feed so she gave her some nuts and chaff which she picked over slowly. We reported it to the YO who said that a few horses on the yard had been behaving in a similar way but got over it in a few days.
We left her until this morning, but nothing has changed overnight. I said for peace of mind she should get the vet out to check and they are coming late this afternoon.
I may be paranoid but we have had strangles on the yard a few years back which saw a lengthy quarantine and the loss of 2 horses. I don't think this is strangles but am worried that it is affecting other horses too.
Does anyone have any ideas what it might be? Am I over-reacting?
She is up-to-date with flu and tet and due to be wormed shortly.
Big glass of mulled wine for getting this far.xx