Lost her sparkle!

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Paula18

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I have a 9 year old mare on loan who was grossly overweight when I got her. She has lost 50kg and has been coming on really well. My instructor commented that she was looking much more bright eyed and seemed to be thriving. The last few days she has really lost that bright- eyedness and seems really lethargic, not just when being ridden but even just when walking down the yard. I rode her tonight and she sweat up and was out of breath quite quickly. This was unusual as she is quite fit now. She also kept stopping at one corner which she never does. She ate her tea no probs and was munching her net when i left. I cant put my finger on anything specific she just doesnt seem herself. Not sure whether to speak to owners about getting the vet as like i say, cant quite put my finger on anything, any advice would be appreciated!!
 
hmmm strange, she could be lacking something in her diet?
i would defo speak to owners though they maybe able to help or suggest getting vet to take bloods etc...

best be safe aye!
hope she picks up soon tho
 
Out of breath for no reason is something that does need the vet. Is she coughing? Do her gums look paler than normal? Could she have lost too much weight too quickly? Coughing could = chest infection which would lay her low and make her breathless. If her gums are pale she could be anaemic either from an infection, a bleed (unlikely) or something missing in her restricted diet. If she's maybe lost too much weight too fast, it could be her liver is trying to break down muscle to use as calories. Breathlessness accompanied by coughing could also indicate heart problems and/or COPD/RAO. I'd get the vet out for a thorough check and maybe blood tests.
 
I'd insist on getting a vet out for a thorough check up as suggested above it could be signs of quite a serious problem or it may just be symptomatic of the changing seasons..
 
I'd get the vet to check her for you; maybe she has picked up a virus, or has other problems but the vet is best to advise and the best port of call if concerned she is out of sorts.
 
She's lost the weight very gradually over the 18 months that I've had her. I've been really careful with her diet to make sure that she is getting everything she needs - happy hoof for fibre, horse & pony cubes for vits & mins, red cell for iron and also recently started her on NAF Slimline which makes up the shortfall for anything missing due to a restricted diet. I checked her gums last night and they seemed normal. I've also been really careful with gradually increasing her work load as she was so unfit. Thats why it was strange for her to sweat up so easily, I know they are getting winter coats but hers isnt particularly thick yet. I havent heard her cough at all either at work or rest. My boy has just been diagnosed with COPD and dont think she has any signs of it. She seemed her usual bright self this morning. Her owners are quite inexperienced and probably wont want to pay for a vet unless i can be more specific about what is wrong but i will just pay for it myself if thats the case. Will see how she is tonight. Stupid question but just an extra thought - i have more experience with geldings than mares, is there any chance she could be having a late season?
 
There have been a number of horses up here in the North in our yard that have had a short term viral type infection (liek we get flus) that seem to have caused them to be lethargic, sweaty and at times cough. Has all cleared up in a matter of days.

If she's not distressed, adn isn;t getting worse - maybe leave it for a few days with light work and see if she gets better - if not then get the vet out.

It's been nmuch colder at nights and then quite warm and sunny in the day - so they are throwing coats in like mad, and then too hot when working!
 
That's interesting SMID, we've had a virus sweep round our yard. Neds listless for a few days, coughing and gallons of disgusting snot - very slow to clear. Laser, I wouldn't think it's anything to do with a late season, even if she is having one. It sounds like you've done absolutely everything to help her back to a safe weight and fitness. Perhaps she just needs a bit of time for her body to catch up with the changing weather and her new winter coat x
 
My mare had dull coat, yawning, not forward in the school and we put her on red cell and a couple of day noticed a difference think coat change affected her. But another mare on yard had very late season and is still winding the boys up
 
If she were mine, I'd take her TPR rates for a few days, give her time off from work, and monitor.
If she isn't brighter in a few days, or you have any other reasons for concern, I'd get a vet, and maybe run bloods.
S
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Thanks everyone. She was noticeably brighter when i got to the yard last night. I rode her and she was sluggish to start with which isnt unusual! then picked up nicely and was quite forward going. She sweat up slightly but thats more what i would expect for this time of year. I turned her out after riding and she marched to the field. Given her tonight off but she's been her usual self in the stable and eating and drinking well. Not sure whether she might of had a bit of a virus but her bed has been wetter than usual the last few days which it often is when she's in season. 2 friends have said that theirs have just been in season and apparently the October season can be the worst one for them. Still not sure what it is but she's definitely picked up so will just keep an extra close eye on her. She seems to be on the mend.
Jojo4, dolly is on red cell too, its definitely good stuff and lasts for months, i'm still on the same bottle i bought in May!!
 
There seems to be a few recently with similar symptoms. Dolly has had yesterday off and i'll see how she is tonight but she is absolutely fine in herself now, will see how she is tonight. Let me know how you get on with your boy.
 
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