Horse seemingly randomly falling over...help?

[Dobby]

Hi guys,

I've recently started playing polo, and we go to a proper polo yard so you'd really expect them to know about this but the instructor did not seem in the least bit phased, and I'd really like some advice. The horse I ride is quite hard work and slow, which might be related...

Today, I was stood with the reins gathered and about to mount, as I put my weight in the stirrup he collapsed to the floor, completely fell over onto his knees from a standstill. He scrambled back up straight away and looked completely nonplussed. The instructor came over and asked if everything was alright - I said what had happened and she, without blinking, said "oh right...did you step on the reins or something?" ...what!? then she walked away without another word?!

Also a few days ago, he was being ridden in a match and the rider was mounted and waiting to start, and he was clearly falling asleep, his legs were completely splayed out and his head was drooping...then he started to fall over but she caught him and pulled him up in time. That exact thing happened to another rider the first time we went as well.

What's wrong with him? Clearly something isn't right but I haven't got a clue...I thought maybe it was a narcolespy type thing, but then it would be more frequent? I only see him once a week so I don't know all the ins and outs...but I've ridden for years and haven't seen this before

Any ideas?

 

[Serenity087]

Ragwort poisoning!

Carrie used to do it before she was diagnosed! That horse needs a vet NOW!

(even if it isn't, he's obviously got something wrong with his head!)

 

[fatpiggy]

Yep, narcolepsy. Classic symptoms.

 

[Booboos]

I would wonder about narcolepsy as well. Whatever it is, it sounds serious and dangerous both for the horse and anyone ridding it - should be seen by a vet really.

 

[Rowreach]

Sounds like narcolepsy to me, but whatever it is, please don't agree to ride that horse again for your own safety

 

[fatpiggy]

Narcoleptics are actually usually safe to ride. It is just a matter of finding out what the trigger is and then avoiding it. For many, it is doing the girth up. In this case it sounds like the bit being brought into play by gathering up the reins (bridling often does the same). The horse must be kept awake and moving too. Dozing in the sun is asking for trouble.

 

[Dobby]

Hmm. Thanks everyone, I'll ask next time I go and find out for sure, if indeed they know what it is. It just seemed quite shocking! If I'd had made it as far as swinging my leg over i'd've gone straight into a metal beam/concrete floor. Thing is, they've put absolute never-sat-on-a-horse-before beginners on him which just says to me they don't seem that bothered. Hmm!

Thanks again

 

[pedilia]

Have you though about Wobblers, I had my youngster PTS last month and he displayed some of the symptons you are describing.

 

[kerilli]

get vet to check horse over asap, before he hurts someone (or himself).

 

[ladyt25]

How odd - could be narcolepsy yes,def seems like it needs checking by a vet. We had an old horse who did this when he dozed. It was only as he had got quite old and we think it was that he had lost the ability to lock his check ligaments in his front legs.

Therefore with this horse it could be the same but seems odd doing it when you're getting on as you'd assume the horse wasn't close to being asleep then. Our horse really had to be nodding off for a while!