Help, I feel like Im letting her down :/

RubysGold

RubysGold

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Just after a bit of reassurance really, am I imagining it.
I think she looks poor :confused: and I dont know what to do about it

Ive had her on a bit of a diet these last few months as was told shes fat, I dont know whether its just the fact shes fluffy but she doesnt have any shine to her coat. And I dont know if its because Ive had to retire her so shes lost muscle, but she just looks 'poor'

Any thoughts?

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Also, she gets 'grass glands' About a month back the vet had a look (she'd had them each night for a few days, vet was coming for something else so I asked her to look) She confirmed they just felt like grass glands to her.
She's started with it again the last few days, I assume because grass is growing, but her hair seems to have gone curly there? Is that normal?
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Is there anything that can be done to stop them getting grass glands?
 
I am sure the curly fluff is from the mud when she rolls, as for the glands it happens more when the grass is wet, and the snow has just melted, so maybe that is why, I think she looks great for a horse not in work!
 
Kiristamm: She LOVES a good roll when I turn her out, especially if muddy/snowy.
I have to brush the mud from there every day, and I had wondered whether that could cause it.
 
RubysGold said:
Kiristamm: She LOVES a good roll when I turn her out, especially if muddy/snowy.
I have to brush the mud from there every day, and I had wondered whether that could cause it.
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The coat is an indicator of health - and I agree hers looks dull, and suspiciously fluffy in places.
Swollen glands can indicate an infection, so perhaps it would be worth getting bloods done to see what's going on.
Once you are sure that there is nothing happening (infection/Cushings) you could think about adjusting her feed to improve her condition (I don't mean weight gain).
S :D
 
I must say, I didn't even think of cushings. My filly loves to roll and her chin has that fluff pattern (she doesn't have cushings) and grinds in the mud to her chin, but if you are worried, ask the vet next time they are down.
 
She looks a bit poorly but def not poorly cared for...can't put my finger on it, she's lost a bit of muscle maybe?

Epsolian salts maybe??
 
I dont think she looks poor that would be fat on our yard do agree about the coat looking dry so you could give her 100 grams of micronised linseed a day.
OH hunter gets terrible grass glands at this time of year I have learnt to ignore them.
If you are worried get the vet to take a look you know her best so if your worried that's what I would do.
 
Thanks for all your answers
Frumpoon: What do Epsolian salts do?
Goldenstar: Same question for the linseed, and where do I get it?
You cant see in these pictures whether she has coat shine as she has a rug on.
But does she look to be better in these pictures?
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I thought Cushings when I first looked at the photos. Why has she been retired? May be worth getting your vet to test for cushings.
 
you're not letting her down!!, you obviously care otherwise you wouldn't be worried about her;) she looks better than my big moose at the moment! she loses muscle so fast on her bum and looks awfully scraggy from behind:o just can't work her enough over winter to keep her looking nice:rolleyes: she also gets curly hair on her neck where she plasters herself in mud, and to make it worse she's a grey so spends most of the winter looking half brown and half white on the rugged bits:eek: good job we don't go anywhere posh lol;)
 
Ibblebibble said:
you're not letting her down!!, you obviously care otherwise you wouldn't be worried about her;) she looks better than my big moose at the moment! she loses muscle so fast on her bum and looks awfully scraggy from behind:o just can't work her enough over winter to keep her looking nice:rolleyes: she also gets curly hair on her neck where she plasters herself in mud, and to make it worse she's a grey so spends most of the winter looking half brown and half white on the rugged bits:eek: good job we don't go anywhere posh lol;)
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Thanks
I do care, this horse is my world :)

She was retired because she had surgery on her fetlocks to remove scar tissue and "clean up her tendons" It wasnt very successful, and it takes very little to lame her again (arena surface is too much). I got her up to an hours hacking and she did well for a while, but the mud sent her lame. We've JUST restarted, doing 15-20 mins walking hacks, if I can get her hacking again, great, if not she'll be 100% retired.
 
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