Horse very flat/ lethargic help?

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pipper

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Any ideas gratefully received.....
I have a smashing 6 year old ISH - competing ODE (low level) - she is coming on very nicely and I am really rather pleased with her. But she is extremely 'flat' at the moment, very lethargic in fact. Vet has been and bloods didn't show anything. Vet has advised rest for a couple of weeks, which I am doing.
She hasn't been clipped yet - was about to when she became flat - and as she is having a couple of weeks off I will be putting that off until she re starts. She is hacked 3 times a week with others (even that was becoming a 'kick on' affair!) and schooled a couple of time a week. Not drilled or overworked - maybe half hour at a time. All day turn out with others and fed A&P cool and collected and salt, ad lib hay.
Any ideas - maybe the time of year??? New coat syndrome??
She is bright enough in herself and eating/drinking/poohing/weeing. Back/saddle/teeth all just been checked.....
 
Hi, My ISH has also been a bit flat for last week or so. Nothing to put finger on just not quiet her usual perky self when ridden. She was like this last year coming into winter and strange as it sounds she was cold. I have started rugging her a little bit more (medium weight if dropping to around 10 at night and light/medium weight in field depending on weather) and she is much better this week. I must say I never found her with hair on end or shivering but I guess she is a bit more sensitive that I gave her credit for and feels lethargic if using too much (or any!!) energy keeping warm.
 
Thanks jane123 - my girl was cold even with a furry coat, so I too, am rugging lightly at the moment.
wonder if its just 'coming into winter' syndrome. Its worrying though isn't it? You imagine the worst - or at least I do!! :rolleyes:
 
My horse was exactly the same but accompanied with a very slight cough. Vet came out and said he may be getting over a virus so gave him something called 'Event' which I gather is like a multivitamin tonic thing that just gives them a boost. It certainly did the trick and he's fine now!
 
Ah. I have the same problem, in a horse who always seems to have his own agenda, which often includes having the handbrake on. I was going to get a physio to check him over, maybe it's the same (seasonal) thing.
 
Mine seemed the same this week, think he was also a bit cold so in a stable rug now at night, hopefully a bit perkier by weekend :) if no different i will be getting bloods done
 
My old TB was always the same at this time of the year. I'm not sure whether they put more effort into growing a coat but they always seem a bit flat at this time of year and blood tests never really showed anything up. A couple of easier weeks, a clip to get rid of the fluff and all of a sudden they are rather lively again.
 
The replies are all really welcome - it seems that she is not the only one like this at the moment. It has made me stop worrying so much - so thankyou all for taking the time to reply. be interesting to see how many more are the same at the moment.....
so keep the replies coming.
 
Micky said:
Any other symptoms? Footy on hard or stony ground..any fat pads anywhere..hairier coat or longer to get rid of winter coat?
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Hi Micky
i know where you are on this - that was my first thought - but no, none of the above and vet ruled it out thank goodness.

In fact there are no other signs of anything other than flatness....
 
I had a similar problem, with my Draft horse. I thought it was because we hadn't been on a solo hack for a while, the first time I noticed I was working harder than her a couple of days later on our next hack she was just as bad and then we went on a hack with sis and her mare and she was still very lethargic. She is usually quite strong when hacking in company , so this was a big change.
We realised that she had been on mag ox to aid weight loss (and it has done) for about 6 weeks. I stopped the supplement on Monday and she is already looking better, although I haven't had time to ride yet this week.
 
My horse did have a virus and once he was over it but still 'flat' I took him hunting - boy did that perk him up, he came home completely cured!!! (tanking me down stately home drive gave me a clue he might be feeling better for going) :-O )))
 
Everything up my yard (about 10 horses in consistent work) seem to be going through this at the moment. Also mine always gets a bit tired when his coat starts setting in. I posted about condition in the winter and people recommended linseed?
 
Glad none of those symptoms then :) I know when a horse gets first clip of the year and the coat is growing back, they can be lethargic...it is still rather warm for the time of year, maybe they do need a couple of weeks break...holiday for them :) Won't lose their fitness for 5/6 weeks, maybe worth a try?
 
my was doing the exactly the same thing awhile ago I had him fully clipped out and shortened my stirrups a hole because they were to long and I was sitting to far back on the cantle , then stopped schooling and took him for lots of slow hack like you are trying to build up his fitness for an event
 
Blowing summer coat, growing winter one? Worm burden? One of the horses on my yard had redworm recently-moderate burden and was very flat. Have you done a worm count recently?

Blood liquid may help or a bit more feed or oil maybe?
 
This time of year, its a good idea to detox a horse after a summer of grass or exercise etc, as toxins or even a build up of unwanted minerals collect in the kidneys and liver and need a bit of help flushing through. It may seem like a cold or an infection, which it could be, but since giving my horses a detox twice a year I have really noticed the difference. Global herbs "Restore" is good or L94 from Trinity is good too. In the wild, this time of year, horses will gravitate towards nettles or burdock or clivers if available. In spring horses love goosegrass as that is very detoxifying after the flush of grass.

See how clear your horses urine is this time of year. If yellow or even slightly cloudy, then give their insides a flush.
 
Great replies! i think i will give mine a few more easier rides this week then perhaps a clip and rug up to see if that helps him. Just seems to have lost his mojo, and was thinking a dose of propell or red cell for a boost for a month
 
lyndsayberesford said:
Great replies! i think i will give mine a few more easier rides this week then perhaps a clip and rug up to see if that helps him. Just seems to have lost his mojo, and was thinking a dose of propell or red cell for a boost for a month
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Last time one of mine felt like this and we could find no reason propell seemed to do the trick.
 
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