Help - is she poorly??

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Switchthehorse

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So i am a neurotic mother about my nag, but I have a niggling feeling summat is up but when I write it down I am not sure... can I have some opinions please??

Basically good health history with no real probs except one colic after lots of rain about 2 months ago. Monday when i got to the yard she looked really sad in her box, quite uncomfortable and didn't come and see me, wouldnt shift when i tried to move her, and general consensus was she was looking sad. But poo's fine, eating, drinking etc. Just looking sorry for herself. Decided to lead her round and she perked up and was fine, trying to get at grass, tank me round the yard etc, so rode her and she was fine, really springy and worked really well.

Didnt see her Tuesday then yesterday she was breathing fast for her (flanks) but no sign of distress or straining from nostrils. Watched her for a bit and it carried on. but no sign of discomfort, happily eating hay, feed, pooing normal etc. Put it down to the fact the yard had put a thick fleece on her and it was 19 degrees ish. Rode her and she was fine, really strong, really pingy etc. But still breathing fast and SO hot. Even 2 hours after riding the heat was glowing off her, still same fast breathing (not SUPER fast) but fast for her and a normal resting horse. However no other signs that anything is wrong - and not looking sad yesterday just normal.

To be honest the yard didnt notice her 'sadness' it was only me being neurotic.

She has just changed fields and there is a bit more grass so could it be she has simply pigged out and exhausted herself eating too much? Surely if she was poorly she wouldnt work well when ridden and not be inclined to do anything? Everything in terms of eating, drinking and poo is normal

So... am i being neurotic?!!?? I am not sure what to do - esp if her breathing is the same tonight.
 
As you have had no replies I will attempt one.

It sounds as though she is on full livery? If this is correct I would take guidance from the yard owner (assuming it is a good yard) as they should know her daily routine.

It could be it was her "sleepy time" having pigged out on grass!

Normally I am a get the vet person but it sounds as though all her vital signs (eating, pooing are fine). The only worry is the breathing issue (quite an important one!). She may well have been blowing if she was too hot or just ridden so monitor her tonight in normal conditions. Does her breathing sound laboured? She could be allergic to something or it maybe this is her normal breathing pattern?

If you can observe her in the field - some horses when they come into the stable after being in grass will sleep/behave differently.

If you are worried it is always worth a vet call out for piece of mind.
 
I don't know whether you are being neurotic or not, but at the moment it sounds as though you don't have enough "evidence" to convince yourself or anyone else whether or not your horse is poorly.

If it was me, I'd start recording temperature and pulse rate in the morning and evening, and if you do her breathing rate as well, then so much the better.

I'd check the digital pulses twice a day, on the offchance that there's anything happening laminitis-wise, especially with you having said she's on more grass than normal. If you notice any puffiness where you can take the digi pulse and the back of the knee, then I'd take her off grass asap, and likewise if you feel the digi pulse is too strong.

Beyond that, I think it's helpful to walk and trot them out on a hard surface like tarmac or concrete even briefly each day just for a few strides, so that you instantly know whether they are uncomfortable moving around. But if you are riding her, then you've already got that covered.

Beyond that, jot down any observations that may become significant.

I guess if you are still really worried, you could always ask your vet to take some general bloods from her. It all depends how convinced you are that something is wrong.

Sarah
 
Thanks, the yard bring her in and put her to bed etc but I do her every eve unless i am working in which case someone else does her for me. I think I know her best but the yard would pick summat up if wrong (i hope!?) TBH no one has mentioned anything to me and have said she was fine in field, to bring in etc. But you know when something is niggling at you? Pulse was fine, no lameness when trotted up, poo as normal, eating etc as normal no more/less. it was just the puffing and the coincidence that it was 2 days after the 'sadness' :) I think I was hoping someone would say pull yourself together (which is what a couple of people said at the yard :)) and i agree not sure the vet will do much apart from bloods as there is nothing to see!

Just a relief no one has screamed CALL THE VET she is DYING. So think I will just monitor it and see what happens. Thanks for taking the time to answer me.
 
If she carries on I would suggest a blood test.
She may have picked up a virus or something else - i'm sure she's fine, but you know her best so whilst not an emergency would suggest a check up.

My Shetland appeared depressed and quiet, a little off his haynet but would eat up by the morning, and grazed ok during the day. When bloods were taken turned out he had a hepatitis type liver infection (my vet tells me it can sometimes happen).
It was cleared up with aggressive course of antibiotics etc. This was 4 years ago now.

He on very rare occasions has had gassy colic, and looks a little uncomfortable. All I have to do is walk him out for 5 mins and once he's had a good fart he's fine and goes back to normal.

I hope I haven't worried you too much- she's probably stuffed to the gills, but think its worth a blood test if your vets do a zone visit so you don't have to pay the call out fee.
 
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Thanks Millimoo, I ended up getting vet out last night as after one lap of the school in walk she was puffing like she had finished burghley xc or something similar. He agreed her breathing was way up but no sign of temperature, and no wheezing or other strange noises in her chest and she looks 'fine and healthy' so he is completely baffled as well! He has taken bloods and i get them back later today so fingers crossed there is nothing sinister but heaven knows what I will do if they come back clear!? Just hope she stops huffing and puffing soon as can't really do a lot with her like she is and typically it was all just starting to come together :)
 
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