horse cast in snow???

digitalangel

digitalangel

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 November 2006
Messages
1,857
Location
BellEnd.
Visit site
Has this happened to anyone before?

I got a big old fright, I put my mare out this morning, she rolled as normal, then just lay flat out and didnt get up. she did try ( feebly) a couple of times, but then kind of just gave up. My OH and i pulled her up to a sitting position eventually and she got up from there. This is very strange for her, shes been in in snow before with no problems. Took her back to the stables and checked her over, she curled her lip a bit and had a tiny sweat patch near the girth, so put her on the walker and called the vet for advice in case of colic. She has been in for the rest of the day and seems normal. Vet says to monitor, which we are doing, but never seen or heard this before... am quite concerned.
 
I had something similar with my warmblood, but in mud rather than snow. Back in November we had two solid weeks of rain, and my field is on quite a slope. Lui was coming down for his breakfast one morning, not at speed (because he doesn't do speed) but he slipped and went over on his side.

Like yours, he made a couple of fairly half hearted attempts, and then just gave up. At 16.3, it was hard for me to help him, so I rang the vet straight away. I managed to undo his rug as this was hindering his attempts, and he'd also managed to slip around so his legs were pointing up hill. I knew he'd never get up like that, so I carefully pulled his head and front legs around until they were at right angles to the hill. At this point he made another effort and managed to get to his feet.

The vet arrived right about then, and she checked him over - he'd hurt his hip, which was probably why he couldn't get up. She put him on Danilon and restricted movement (not stabling as he would have stiffened up) and lots of rest - although he's had more than prescribed because of the weather!

I hope your girl is OK after her experience.
 
She maybe weas feeling a little colicky? You know, just a bit uncomfortable and this is why she lay there. The thing is, you were there and saw her do this but we never know how many times our horses do these odd things when we're not there.

My sisters horses acted 'odd' a few weeks ok. Funnily it was on the day the vet was due for some vaccinations of other horses. My sister's horse looked generall uncomfortable and like he wanted to roll - he was also curling his lip up a lot. i just thought it didn;t look right so the vet checked him over. I think he said his heart rate was up a bit but nothing major and his gut sounds were normal (he had also had a poo whilst we were there). It was very odd. The vet injected him with some bute that also contained something to help stimulate the gut within about 10 mins he was back to normal.

All we can think was he was a bit gassy from the grass (he is a bit of a bloater! hehe) and it was making him feel uncomfortable.

If she seems right in herself now and is acting normally and eating/drinking nornally I wouldn't be too worried about her
 
Maybe the chill of the snow shocked her or something *struggles to find a reason* mine shot straight up as they are clipped (not my idea, the clipping :( )Or winded herself? The lip curling is a sign of tummy pain I believe but I hope she's OK now and has no relapses.
 
I am actually quite worried. she didnt slip, she went down to roll. shes not really on a hill either. she was down for about 15-20 mins and my OH was calling for reinforcements when we finally got her up.

:( :( thanks guys, but its most odd, as you say, and unlike her. had we not been with her i would shudder to think - lying in the snow light that cant be good for them. She was breathing rather heavily while she was down too. Ive not dealt with not being able to get a horse up on its feet, normally a shake and a waggle of the lead rope and they get up but my mare wouldnt even lift her head.
 
It just does sound like a bit of colic, spasmodic maybe? Our donkey got it once, lay down and groaned a fair bit, his breathing was heavy and I thought his time was up. Then, 20 mins later was right as rain. Another 30 mins or so and he started acting the same and went down and was feeling very sorry for himself. I think we did get the vet out (it was many years ago) and he gave him some pain relief and we poured some paraffin down his neck and he was fine after that. i think he suffered once again but never again after that.

Horses can get some degree of stomach ache or gas and they do look very sorry for themselves but it does not mean the worst is going to happen by any means. she probably felt more comfortable lying down at that time. They do not care about lying down in the snow wither - our 26 yo TB had a nice long nap flat out in the snow the other day!

The main thing is if she's returned to normal behaviour now - is bright and alert and has passed faeces, drank some water etc. If she is not acting normally then if you are worried then maybe give the vet a call and see what they think.

Honestly though I thought our donkey was at deaths door - he really was doing the "I am dying act" at the time and we struggled to get him up (and he was only little!).

It isn't nice when they scare us like this but you said in your first post she seemed normal later on. You are the only one who can tell this though and if you don't think she is right then by all means call the vet.
 
thanks you so much for the reassurance. just went and checked on her and she does seem her grumpy self, gut sounds, normal poo, etc... im pretty sure shes ok... just worry about her..you are right it was very very scary, coz i did think for a second that was it for her. never want to experience that again, am keeping her in while the snows around just in case, she can go on the walker instead.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top