Miserable pony, but not sure why?

[StarlightMagic]

My friend has a 13.2 new new forest gelding, he is 17 and she's owned him for 7 years. He has recently been diagnosed with cushings disease, which has got noticeably worse in the last 6 months.

He used to be an incredibly fun, forward going pony who was up for anything. Now he's a sad-looking, miserable shell of his former self, he tries to reverse into other horses, bites and almost constantly has his ears back which is out of character.

He has had laminitis previously, once and that was a couple of years ago now. I have worries about his feet, the heels are very contracted and the toe is very long. Not only this but he is obviously uncomfortable on his feet on hard surfaces, he used to stride out and really motor along but now he shuffles along. He is very reluctant to trot on the road which makes me think there really is something not right.

Does anyone have any ideas of what my friend could try? I have suggested a bute trial but am at a loss otherwise. She cannot afford to go down the long investigation route.

Thanks for any replies

 

[Chestnuttymare]

sounds like the pony is in pain. kind of obvious if he is shuffling along rather than striding out as normal and won't trot and being grumpy out of character. Is she really still riding him like this? I would suggest getting the vet to see what the problem is.

 

[StarlightMagic]

He's barely in work, has had breathing problems lately and had a lot of time off, but where he's not actually lame I don't know if she thought much of it?

 

[splashgirl45]

is he on medication for the cushings? he may be feeling grumpy because of cushings so the vet would be the best person to ask and maybe get a blood test done to check his levels....sounds like he could be a bit laminitic as well so def get the vet....

 

[putasocinit]

Decent farrier, soles are probably worn flat, as you say long toes, contracted heels, what's wrong with folks these days

 

[cambrica]

This pony is undoubtably in pain. His situation is only going to get worse and not as she might be hoping better all on its own. There is only one solution - vet and ASAP. It sounds as though the pony is still laminitic in which case it needs a carefully planned diet. Laminitis is agony and just giving him bute is only going to mask the problem not cure it.
There are many things this pony could be suffering from (pedal bone/concussion or bruising etc) all of which require veterinary attention. Please tell me that she hasn't been riding or trying to make this fella trot on hard surfaces?

 

[Tammytoo]

The owners should get a decent remedial farrier to sort out his feet and he should be seen by the vet with a view to giving him the appropiate medication to sort out his depression and other cushings symptoms.

The usual treatment is Prascend tablets and it is amazing how well it works - most ponies revert to their normal chirpy selves once they've been on it for a couple of weeks. Left untreated the pony will only get worse. Prascend is NOT a cure, but it will improve the pony's quality of life by 100%.

Also it is essential that his teeth and worming programmes are kept up to date.

 

[Fruitcake]

Is he on medication for the Cushings?

It does sound like your friend's pony has other issues too (for which I'd get the vet to have a look!) but my pony suffered side effects and terrible depression when he was put onto medication for his Cushings.

I'd definitely talk to the vet and get the farrier to have a look at his feet.