Lethargic horse

[RHM]

My mare is normally a pretty chilled out soul at the best of times but for the past week has been really lethargic. Incredibly behind my leg, not very active in the field and apparently is not desperate to get outside in the morning.

Any suggestions of what could be causing this?

As a background, she has been lame all summer, been back in work and doing well for the past 12 weeks. Fairly fit looks well. Last seen by the vet a couple of weeks ago and they were happy she is sound and latest x-rays looking good. (She has heeled pads on behind to fix some angle issues)

Has been on very restrictive grazing all summer but has been moved onto winter grazing 10 days ago, which I suspect may have triggered this. No active pulses or lami (very cautious of this as that was the cause of lameness originally) but there is much more grass than she previously had.

She is eating, drinking with enthusiasm when in her stable. Normal amount of droppings and urine, slightly softer consistency. No raised temp. She has been tested for cushings and ems twice this year and is negative for both.

Am I over thinking this? Has she just eaten too much grass?

After a summer of no riding I am keen to avoid any and all further issues!!

 

[HopOnTrot]

Vet!
You can get them assessed for loss of performance as a vague starting point.

My mare threw up something unexpected on scoping.

 

[Carrottom]

Is she clipped? The mild temperatures can cause lethargy if their winter coat is through.

 

[RHM]

Vet!
You can get them assessed for loss of performance as a vague starting point.

My mare threw up something unexpected on scoping.

Yeah it might be worth a call to them at the very least. They know her well now at this point lol

 

[RHM]

Is she clipped? The mild temperatures can cause lethargy if their winter coat is through.

Yes she has a chaser clip, but very fluffy everywhere else.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I would retest for Cushings, ask for the TRH-Stim test, it's much more reliable than ACTH test.

 

[little_critter]

Mine is currently flip-flopping between dozy donkey and fire breathing dragon depending on the temperature. It’s been mild and misty most of the week and he’s been sluggish. Cooler tonight and he was spritely again.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I would retest for Cushings, ask for the TRH-Stim test, it's much more reliable than ACTH test.

Having said that our Appy mare was extremely lethargic in the recent warm weather.

 

[PurBee]

Mine are both somewhat less perkier than usual this past week-10 days, and i think its the very mild weather we’re having coupled with them getting very hairy preparing for cold. Some poops have been softer too, there’s probably more grass growth than even last month which was a tad colder here!

It’s been sooo very mild day AND night here west ireland, never known it so mild and dry this time of year - i’ve noticed a slight change in demeanour with both horses who are not working currently, sound and just mooching.

 

[SEL]

Mine is currently flip-flopping between dozy donkey and fire breathing dragon depending on the temperature. It’s been mild and misty most of the week and he’s been sluggish. Cooler tonight and he was spritely again.

Mine too.

Weather is warm and grass is odd. It's growing but they are desperate for hay. They've also annihilated a salt lick in a week after not touching it all summer

 

[Aperchristmas]

Ours is lethargic too, but we're 99% certain that it's because we don't have the dosage quite right for cushings. How was her coat coming out of winter?

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I would worry about low grade laminitis especially if she has pads on her shoes it masks the lameness so they don't look obvious just sluggish and not wanting to move.

Especially as she has been on better grazing I would keep her off the grass and ring your vet, our fields are lush green at the moment and I wouldn't want to put mine on the rested bit anytime soon.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Mine too.

Weather is warm and grass is odd. It's growing but they are desperate for hay. They've also annihilated a salt lick in a week after not touching it all summer

Same here fields are bright lush green and they are not touching the long stuff they normally eat in winter they want hay!

 

[live2ride]

My mare is normally a pretty chilled out soul at the best of times but for the past week has been really lethargic. Incredibly behind my leg, not very active in the field and apparently is not desperate to get outside in the morning.

Any suggestions of what could be causing this?

As a background, she has been lame all summer, been back in work and doing well for the past 12 weeks. Fairly fit looks well. Last seen by the vet a couple of weeks ago and they were happy she is sound and latest x-rays looking good. (She has heeled pads on behind to fix some angle issues)

Has been on very restrictive grazing all summer but has been moved onto winter grazing 10 days ago, which I suspect may have triggered this. No active pulses or lami (very cautious of this as that was the cause of lameness originally) but there is much more grass than she previously had.

She is eating, drinking with enthusiasm when in her stable. Normal amount of droppings and urine, slightly softer consistency. No raised temp. She has been tested for cushings and ems twice this year and is negative for both.

Am I over thinking this? Has she just eaten too much grass?

After a summer of no riding I am keen to avoid any and all further issues!!

 

[Equi]

First sign of something not 100% with any laminitis sufferer would have me pulling them off grass entirely and implementing the lami protocol. If that works you have you’re answer.

 

[Landcruiser]

I'd get full bloods done and include Selenium and Vitamin E test (cost a bit extra, not included in routine blood tests). My mare was lethargic and stiff with raised CK level (indicating inflamation) and turned out to have selenium deficiency.

 

[RHM]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys! Really appreciate it! I’ve pulled her off the grass and will be speaking with the vets today about bloods.

She does seem to fit lots of the symptoms of cushings and is an age where we would start to see signs. So definitely going to ask for the more sensitive test to double check. I will keep you all posted on the results!!

 

[CJoe]

EMS/cushings bloods, just had our little lad tested, thought it was cushings but actually EMS/Insulin Dysfunctionality off the scale...

 

[RHM]

A quick update - vet is booked in for Thursday and she is back in her lami paddock. I will keep you posted with the results!

My yard owner has just informed me that if she does need restricted grazing this winter I will have to leave. Literally could not be worse timing for me personally but also very convenient after telling me this straight after coming back from holiday when I have been looking after her horses for free..

So if anyone knows of any yards near Sowerby Bridge (near Halifax, West Yorkshire) then please do let me know!!

 

[RHM]

As promised here is your update!

Vets came out to check her over and run bloods. They are happy with her feet and her booods came back very boring.

We re ran the cushings test and apparently 26 is the upper level of normal and she came back as 26.6 so ever so slightly in the “grey area”.

We have decided to try a low dose of Pracsend to see if this picks her up. Fingers crossed she will bounce back!