LilMissy
Well-Known Member
I just wrote a whole post, checked I was logged in and stupid thing got deleted - argh!
Anyway
Quick summary this time! I have an older retired mare - approx 25yrs old. Looked fab this time last year, fat and hairy and behaving like a baby!
However since October time she very suddenly she started to look very old - developed loads of grey hair through her neck and over her head. Started to loose weight and got a lot quieter.
Kept her in all of November and most of December as was worried about her. She has access to a large barn area with deep bed, always has company and also can go outside in big concrete turn out area. Access to adlib hay 24/7 in a feeder.
She was also being turned out in the school for a buck and a roll, which she enjoyed.
Since Jan have been turning her out in field as she is definately happer but bringing her in for a day or so every week to check her and let her dry out! Normally if she had a few days in she would charge off and have a play, in the last few weeks she has just wandered off quietly.
I noticed during the summer that she had a small wound to the front of one fetlocks, sometime looked like it was healing and then reopening. Didnt bother her, never infected so I just kept an eye. She now has matching identical wounds on front of both fetlocks, worse when she is kept in. I was wondering if she might be having problems getting up and down but as I havent seen her lying down Im not sure? (I know she has at some point as she has straw in her mane or mud!).
In the last two weeks her legs are starting to swell every time she comes in for a night, despite the fact that she can move around freely (not a stable) and she drags her hind feet as well. She also fell over on the concrete when she was attempting to tell one of the other off.
Her weight has gone back up a bit but I cant get seem to get anymore on her, dont think she can physically eat any more in her meals! She is on A&P fast fibre, micronised linseed, high fibre nuts (soaked) and buteless. I would score her between 1 and 2 on a score of 5
She has had her teeth done.
Obviously due to her age she isnt insured for vets fees (unless an accident) and blood tests have been fine. Am just shocked how quickly she looks old, genuinely last winter she was so fat and hairy I didnt even rug her! She has been rugged up to the eyeballs all this winter.
Any ideas or is it really just age catching up on her? Ive dealt with a lot of older horses but never seen one get so old so quickly (unless there was a serious illness involved).
Oh, she is fully wormed, vacc, teeth and feet done. Also gave her a course of Protexein after last worming.
Anyway
Quick summary this time! I have an older retired mare - approx 25yrs old. Looked fab this time last year, fat and hairy and behaving like a baby!
However since October time she very suddenly she started to look very old - developed loads of grey hair through her neck and over her head. Started to loose weight and got a lot quieter.
Kept her in all of November and most of December as was worried about her. She has access to a large barn area with deep bed, always has company and also can go outside in big concrete turn out area. Access to adlib hay 24/7 in a feeder.
She was also being turned out in the school for a buck and a roll, which she enjoyed.
Since Jan have been turning her out in field as she is definately happer but bringing her in for a day or so every week to check her and let her dry out! Normally if she had a few days in she would charge off and have a play, in the last few weeks she has just wandered off quietly.
I noticed during the summer that she had a small wound to the front of one fetlocks, sometime looked like it was healing and then reopening. Didnt bother her, never infected so I just kept an eye. She now has matching identical wounds on front of both fetlocks, worse when she is kept in. I was wondering if she might be having problems getting up and down but as I havent seen her lying down Im not sure? (I know she has at some point as she has straw in her mane or mud!).
In the last two weeks her legs are starting to swell every time she comes in for a night, despite the fact that she can move around freely (not a stable) and she drags her hind feet as well. She also fell over on the concrete when she was attempting to tell one of the other off.
Her weight has gone back up a bit but I cant get seem to get anymore on her, dont think she can physically eat any more in her meals! She is on A&P fast fibre, micronised linseed, high fibre nuts (soaked) and buteless. I would score her between 1 and 2 on a score of 5
She has had her teeth done.Obviously due to her age she isnt insured for vets fees (unless an accident) and blood tests have been fine. Am just shocked how quickly she looks old, genuinely last winter she was so fat and hairy I didnt even rug her! She has been rugged up to the eyeballs all this winter.
Any ideas or is it really just age catching up on her? Ive dealt with a lot of older horses but never seen one get so old so quickly (unless there was a serious illness involved).
Oh, she is fully wormed, vacc, teeth and feet done. Also gave her a course of Protexein after last worming.
