My 25yo appears off colour – seems lethargic

GREYSMEADOW

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 December 2008
Messages
845
Location
In Mid Sussex (UK)
Visit site
My 25yo appears off colour – seems lethargic and so decided to get my vet out who has taken a blood sample to hopefully get to the bottom of his problem. He just seems rather tired and not sure if its stress related as he’s has a new companion since the end of September (who may be keeping him up). They get on ok - they can groom each other when the elec, fence is off up on the yard but when its meal time is a different story (lots of teeth and ears back).

He hasn’t dropped any weight but did have a stressy moment out in the field about 10 days ago and went through the elec fencing, he must have been galloping around for a while and was well lathered up under his rug; he cut his leg slightly and has a bit of mud fever which he has never had in the 11 years I’ve had him.
Tried to turn him out first thing at the week-end and he through a wobbly trying to knock the fencing down whilst screaming his head off so decided to bring him in. Returned again and put the youngster out first and then him and as soon as my back was turned he was streaming and charging up and down wanting to come in again! He did settle down and was out for about 40mins. The grass is rather rubbish at the moment.

A few weeks ago I had some new hay delivered and he ended up coughing so put him on some haylage until I got the hay changed as neither of them seemed to like it.

The ground at the moment is really wet and getting very boggy and the plan is to change the field set up at the week-end.

The vet checked his heart and seemed chilled out and doesn’t think its cushings either. Lovely coat and is well covered, but looks very tired in his eyes. Trotted him up on the road and didn’t appear that stiff. He is currently stabled with access to the yard area 24/7 on hay/haylege and hard feed twice a day (speedibeet/heathly hooves/fibre nuts, oil flex, and sugarbeet (instead of speedi) for pm feed. I have just got some NAF Senior vitamins for him.

I’m hoping to get the results from the vet tomorrow evening, I’m wondering if he has some some of mineral deficiency, a problem with the soil/grass etc. Has anyone else experienced this sort of problem? Can a new horse (4yo) cause an older horse a lot of stress?

Would appreciate any ideas. Thanks.
 
Yes, a new, younger horse can definitely cause an oldie stress but I'd be more concerned about Cushings. The statistics aren't in your horse's favour. Over 80% of horses over the age of 25 have Cushings and the symptoms can be weird and wonderful. It may be that they have grown so slowly you haven't noticed them but the arrival of a new horse has brough things to a head. I think the offer is still open to get the ACTH test for Cushings done for free, go to talkaboutcushings.co.uk and download the voucher to give to your vets.
 
Top