Lying down suddenly when out hacking

[Lucky788]

I wonder if anyone has any ideas what could of caused this.

Out riding today the pony I ride out with suddenly lay down. He had moved onto the verge she thought to go for a wee but he just lay down. (didn't try and roll just lay down) She got straight off and he got up he looked ok but breathing was heavy. Leading up to this we had a trot & canter but had been walking for the last 10 minutes or so both horses go out regularly so fairly fit. we did no more than normal although it was warm and he's very fluffy at the moment. We were a few miles from home so she walked him for a mile or so then he seemed back to normal so she hopped on. She only loans him and owner popped up and felt he was fine. My horse is clipped but even he sweated a little today.
On returning the yard he went out in the field (lives out) and trotted off to meet his friends and grazed happily seemed back to normal.

Myself and loaner are worried what could of caused it and don't want it to happen again. Any ideas? Tea & cake if you got this far!

 

[skint1]

That's kind of strange, but perhaps he was going to have a roll if he was a bit hot and sweaty and then decided not to, can anyone keep an eye on him to see if he remains well?

 

[touchstone]

My friends pony did this on a long hack and went on to develop colic and laminitis a day or so later, he never did it before or afterwards, so we can only assume it was related. I've also heard of horses with girth pain doing this.

It may also be that he was hot sweaty and fed up!

 

[Cortez]

I've also seen a horse with mild colic do this, horse had a bit of gas that resolved itself in the natural way -)

 

[Dusty85]

I was reading your post and thought colic before I'd read the other replies. He may have been sweating and puffing because he was uncomfortable and laying down was him trying to relieve his pain.

I would keep a close eye on him over the next few hours/days, Check he is eating/drinking/pooing. Did someone take a temperature?

 

[Lucky788]

Thanks all for replies so far. Yard owner lives on site so there is someone watching over and owner and myself back up this evening for tea time checks.
She loosened the girth once he stood up before waking with him, and he was very warm as still loosing his coat, he didn't roll when back out in the field just went off to graze with his friends.
Will be keeping a close eye on him, he's never done anything like that before and we've been riding together for a long time now.

 

[JoJo_]

Colic was the first thing that popped into my head too. Definitely keep a good eye on him and call the vet should he get worse.

 

[Stormynight]

First obvious symptom of my guy's colic was laying down while ridden. He died later that day, despite surgery. Please keep a close eye.

 

[shergar]

I wonder if anyone has any ideas what could of caused this.

Out riding today the pony I ride out with suddenly lay down. He had moved onto the verge she thought to go for a wee but he just lay down. (didn't try and roll just lay down) She got straight off and he got up he looked ok but breathing was heavy. Leading up to this we had a trot & canter but had been walking for the last 10 minutes or so both horses go out regularly so fairly fit. we did no more than normal although it was warm and he's very fluffy at the moment. We were a few miles from home so she walked him for a mile or so then he seemed back to normal so she hopped on. She only loans him and owner popped up and felt he was fine. My horse is clipped but even he sweated a little today.
On returning the yard he went out in the field (lives out) and trotted off to meet his friends and grazed happily seemed back to normal.

Myself and loaner are worried what could of caused it and don't want it to happen again. Any ideas? Tea & cake if you got this far!

ANAEMIA will cause shortness of breath and fatigue .Anaemia is always secondary to another problem,blood loss ,worms ,ulcers ect check worming is correct and up to date If the pony has the same problem again I would ask your vet to take a blood sample to be on the safe side.

 

[WindyStacks]

I've regularly ridden in 35+ degree heat and I've never had a horse lie down when ridden. Good luck.

 

[fatpiggy]

I knew a mare in a RS that would lie down between lessons, and sometimes during - turned out to be rather pregnant! I think the OP definitely needs to have the vet come and take a look though. Rolling is one thing and can be an evasion (we had one in the RS that did that too, wicked old devil!) but this pony sounds like he is struggling for whatever reason.

 

[Floofball]

My big lad very rarely lies down but took to his bed the other week - no other symptoms, just laid down. Got the vet and it turns out he had rather a large 'bean' (think walnut sized!) inside his urethra (sp?) out of sight but obviously causing discomfort, bless him. Due to the size vet also treated for possible underlying UTI/kidney infection - was a costly Easter but he's been very pleased with himself since!!
Definately worth getting him checked if he's never done anything like it before - they're usually trying to tell you something.

 

[Floofball]

Sorry, meant to say he rarely lies down when I'm there or there's something going on - he does lie down everynight, and has the s#\|stains to prove it :-(

 

[SaffronWelshDragon]

Saf did this a few years ago when warming up at a hunter trial. Spasmodic colic, drugs etc and travelled home all fine.

 

[Goldenstar]

I think colic is the likely culprit but I would want the vet to have a look at the horse before it was ridden again .

 

[FfionWinnie]

Quite a big thing for a horse to do out of the blue so I would also keep a very close eye and get the vet if he does anything else remotely odd.

 

[smellsofhorse]

It could be many things.
Horse was hot, sore feet, colicy, itchy somewhere or was planning to roll then didn't!

The main thing I'd be worried about is a heart issue.
The horse could have had issues with its heart beat, felt faint/ palpitations etc.
When was the last time vet checked the horses heart and lungs?

Could be nothing.
All you can do it keep a close eye on him.