Horse lacking enthusiasm/energy, ideas please??

[Nickles1973]

Sorry this is gonna be long.....My horse pulled a front shoe just over two weeks ago which resulted in proper lameness and a bit of heat/swelling in his lower leg. Shoe was replaced by an emergency replacement farrier as my usual farrier was away on holiday and this improved the lameness but obviously the heat/swelling remained. My vet visited after a couple of days and was sure there was no real lasting damage done and as he was now soundd again suggested I kept up with the cold hosing and gave him another couple of days rest till the heat settled down.
I obviously followed my vets advise but also had my usual farrier pay a visit who reset the shoe again. (Emergency replacement farrier didn't replace the shoe very well) and he also proclaimed him sound and not to worry any further.
I took him out for a gentle stroll after day 10 when all heat/swelling had gone and then after consultation with the vet I had an Equine Chiropractor visit to check for any other strains/pulls/tightness which might have resulted from our previous work and this slight injury. This lady highlighted some issues and apparently solved them. She also "adjusted" some unlevelness in my hips and back which I have to admit I have felt some difference from.
I took him for another couple of gentle hack's following his treatment as recommended by the Chiro and all felt good so I decided to have a short schooling session on Saturday. He went quite well, definately not lame at all but a bit on the stodgy side. An experienced friend watched from the ground and said he looked good, just a bit lazy. Day off Sunday then I had a stupid accident on Monday which meant another day off for him. Yesterday I lunged him and he looked good once he warmed up so I decided to school him again today. The best thing I can use to describe how he's moving is as though we're ploughing through porridge! He's actually quite soft in his mouth but just really lacking energy.
I don't know whether this could be a lack of fitness (is 2 weeks off really enough to have an effect?) I am sure he's getting the right feed but I am open to ideas. (1 scoop Alpha a oil, 500g Spillers original balancer, small amount of Speedy beet and handfull conditoning cubes plus hay with brekka and hay in field overnight)
Or is it that he just can't be ar**d with schooling after a lovely 2 week break?
My YO think's it a change in the weather/coats changing as her horse is having a similar issue but I have to admit I'm sceptical (sp??)
All suggestions gratefully recieved

 

[Kenzo]

Have you checked your horses temperature lately if not take it this evening.

Could (only saying could so don't be alarmed it just a suggestion) be that your horse is coming down a virus, sometimes they do not display really obvious signs apart from being lethargic and a little less fond of their food shall we say but not a total loss of appetite, a good quick way of checking this is by taking the temperature, if it's high, you need to get the vet down.

 

[Bertolie]

Sorry no suggestions but will watch this thread with interest as my horse is the same at the moment. Lunged him last Wednesday and popped up a small jump for him (which he usually loves!) but he was very half-hearted. Took him out for a small hack on Thursday and he seemed ok, Friday off, hacked on Saturday but lacked a bit of enthusiasm and on Sunday he was very lethargic, could barely get him into a decent walk. I have given him the past couple of days off and will take him for a short hack tonight to see if he is any better.

Was really interested in YO's comment about the changing weather/coats as Leo has gone quite 'fluffy' literally overnight. Hadn't thought about that as a possibility though I must admit to being sceptical as well!

Hope your boy feels better soon.

 

[Nickles1973]

Thank's for your suggestion Kenzo, I had thoughts this might be the suggested. Trouble is with his lack of work he's become more difficult to manage and I have felt that I have a target painted on my chest for him to aim at so taking his temperature myself could be interesting. His attitude towards food is still exciting to say the least but if this changes in the slightest I'll have the vet come. (he get's paid to take temperatures and risk his teeth lol)

 

[Kenzo]

Thank's for your suggestion Kenzo, I had thoughts this might be the suggested. Trouble is with his lack of work he's become more difficult to manage and I have felt that I have a target painted on my chest for him to aim at so taking his temperature myself could be interesting. His attitude towards food is still exciting to say the least but if this changes in the slightest I'll have the vet come. (he get's paid to take temperatures and risk his teeth lol)

It's quite simple really and can be a useful thing to check, plus if you speak to your vet via the phone it can be something they will often ask you.

If you horse will let you touch his bottom hole (couldn't think of what else to call it without sounding rude ) while munching on net and if you stroke around it (ok how weird does that sound) and under the dock they usually life the tail up rather than clamp it down, with a sterile digital thermometer with some lubrication on (spit usually does the trick ) and gently place it in and to gently downwards so it rests on the wall of the anus they usually don't batter an eye lid, it's quite quick, some thermometers beep but it’s usually around 3 minutes but you have to be careful they don't suck it in.

Horses are usually less likely to bother or kick their owners in these situations than they are the vet but if your unsure then yes best left to the man in the white coat.