I'm worried about Benj

B

Benjamin

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But I am not sure why!
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I know people at the yard think I am mental, but Benj is just not happy.

He's not lame, although feeling the stones (he is unshod) on the way to his new feild. He just seems a little out of sorts. Resting lots in his stable, not really interested in much, eyes look a bit dull. Not off his food, but he's not right. Am I making any sense?
He has DJD in both front legs, so I was wondering if maybe that is giving him some gyp, or forming elsewhere. He is on cortaflex, but I am thinking maybe start with some bute, to see if that helps? I don't know.....I hate seeing my big man down in the dumps!

Any suggestions greatly received.

P x
 
Does he had mud fever or rainscald? My horse got a bit down last year - he wasn't off his food or anything but he just wasn't himself and very miserable. He had the beginnings of rain scald and mud fever and I fed him a Pegasus herb supplement called skin mix - perked him up no end and the scabs went away completely.
 
How odd...
Have you applied pressure on his soles? see if he is tender anywhere? as that may be an abscess forming, so not lame but just rather sore?
If its just him not being himself in terms of personality, it might be an internal problem making him feel a bit poo, in which case its a vet call
Id avoid bute before you bring the vet in, as bute can just cover up problems, and they can become worse!
Hope you figure it out soon!
 
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Vet for blood tests? It could be anything. Would probably only cost the same as a tub of cortaflex!

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This is what I have been thinkning. Just paid off my last £1300 vet bill for him, so another £60 not going to hurt eh!
Poor little love!
Thanks
 
Hi,
No, I haven't tested his feet, but I will do tonight.
I don't hold out much hope though. He got an abcess last year, tested all his feet, no pain or reaction from anywhere or any feet.....farrier just found it when he was doing his feet!
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He's a tough old bean.....which I suppose is why I am worrying!

Thanks again

P x
 
Does he have a temperature? There are quite a few virus going round, and he might have slightly filled legs leading him to be a bit stiff rather than lame.

I would try giving him something to increase red blood cell count and also check for any swollen/filled legs.
 
Sounds a bit like Mac was a couple of months ago. Nothing I could put my finger on, but not right. Had a blood test done, and although it pointed to nothing in particular, it did show that he had probably been carrying some sort of virus. I was given a supplement to boost his immune system, and now he is back to his old self.
 
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Just paid off my last £1300 vet bill for him, so another £60 not going to hurt eh!


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Ouch!
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Indeed! I have just phoned my vet to ask how much the call out, consult and general blood survey, and they want £167....
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Definitely think it is a virus - look at boosting immune system. I am doing that at the moment with mine as there are quite a few viruses going round in Essex.
 
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Indeed! I have just phoned my vet to ask how much the call out, consult and general blood survey, and they want £167....
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Yikes! That's quite steep.
 
New field. New field. Hmmmm. Sometimes a horse can get depressed because of big changes in his life. Has he lost a valued field companion? Different gang? Different grazing? Cattle next door that he hates? Can't see what's going on? Change in routine?

I'd echo all the suggestions peeps have made above but maybe he just needs time to adjust to something? In addition to all the suggestions above I'd add Olympic level molly coddling and fussing to make sure he still feels secure. Give his nose an extra kiss from me please x
 
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New field. New field. Hmmmm. Sometimes a horse can get depressed because of big changes in his life. Has he lost a valued field companion? Different gang? Different grazing? Cattle next door that he hates? Can't see what's going on? Change in routine?

I'd echo all the suggestions peeps have made above but maybe he just needs time to adjust to something? In addition to all the suggestions above I'd add Olympic level molly coddling and fussing to make sure he still feels secure. Give his nose an extra kiss from me please x

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Yes, he has moved feilds. Still with Rudy, so nothing changed there. He is now being brought in earlier, mainly beacuse Rudy fusses when the light started going. The new feild is in a different location, more horses around him and more to see. Maybe thats it? Maybe he liked the quiet life.
Also, I am ashamed to admit, he is not getting as much fuss as he is used to
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He gets all he needs, so perhaps its just the attention he is craving! An olympic effort shall me made forthwith! Extra kisses shall be liberally applied when I get home!

P x
 
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The first thing i wud do hun is take his temp if he is feeling down, and see what that is like first.
Prob just having a off day.

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I took him temp last night, 5 times in fact (poor sausage
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) and it was 37.5. So pretty normal.

I am going to speak with my vet today.

P x
 
could be SAD! horses do get it. Mayb get a sun lamp and put it in his stable for a couple of hours in the evening when u get him in! I get doen with these bloomin short days so i bet GG's do too! may need a immune boost or digestive boost. What are is poos like, how often is he weeing. Is his bed different to normal. is his coat dull. When was he last wormed??? new field, may have worms in it! and with this dodgy weather this winter the cold may not have killed them all of yet! worth a try, only £20 instead on £160!!!
 
I know exactly what you mean, last winter Cairo was exactly the same. I put him on some bute and he picked up. I felt bad that I had not realised his joints were aching but he was the sort to hide things until they were really uncomfortable.

Why not try some bute and see if he picks ups - if he does, then you may have to do as I did, light bute in the cold damp weather to keep him comfortable.

Have you also tried magnetic bands like Cairo had? I have a spare couple if you want to try them out.

Give him a huge from me.
 
Hiya T,
Benj is exactly the same! He is a tough cookie!
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I am going to speak with Jane at H&J and see what she suggests. She knows him and our situation. I will get her to leave me some Bute out. Its worth a go. I hate to think of him uncomfortable.

I have some Bioflow boots that I think I will put on him tonight.

I will pass on your hugs, think he needs them

P x
 
Same as T-F
My 17 yrs cob has DJD in both fronts and had lost all his spark. Vet had a quick look and he is back on 1/2 a bute a day and 1 bute in the morning when he is ridden (2 days a week). Result! Totally back to his old self and when i hacked on sunday he p*ssed off bucking across the field with me
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But sure he is worth every penny! let us know how it goes!
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Oh, Indeed! He would have been long gone if not!

Love him! OH asked me what was the matter last night, i said he was feeling under the weather, he said, Does he have a long face
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