Horse losing muscle

[asommerville]

This might be long so bear with me.

My 18 year old mare has very suddenly lost quite a lot of muscle over her bum and shoulders and I've no idea why. She looked brilliant all summer, has had lots of issues with lameness in the past, but been sound for a few months now and is ridden lightly at least three times a week.

While her weight is fine, I just think she look crap muscle has just disappeared and I haven't idea why so suddenly, and no one else sees it!! She has a shiny coat, is fed ad lib hay, fast fibre and molasses free chaff and a balancer and out at day and in at night.

The only difference to her routine is that last time she was shod her feet were sore after (normal farrier didn't tell me he was going on hol and sent someone else, if I'd known I would have been there but left her with YO) she seems ok now though.

Vets up in two weeks for jags so could get a general health check done but its strange isn't it??

Any ideas folks??

 

[JCWHITE]

Strongly suggest detailed blood tests ,

 

[asommerville]

But what could it be??

 

[be positive]

I had one that dropped muscle rapidly, he also had increased water intake/output but looked bright and was in regular work, he had cushings without ever being laminitic which is the symptom usually associated with it.

 

[OLDGREYMARE]

I would suspect cushings disease too and if your vet agrees test for EMS also.

 

[asommerville]

That's what I was worried about, argh poor big horse hope vet listens to me as everyone else keeps saying she looks fine....it's just me that doesn't think so

 

[babymare]

If you are not happy then push for vets to investigate. you know your horse best .And I really hope its all ok

 

[Echo Bravo]

The sudden drop in temperature at night and the lack of goodness in the grass.