My horse is not himself! NEED some advice :-)

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Spotpony1993

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Hi everyone!

My horse Alfie is a 15.3hh cob X, 8 years old and until last week was a very cheeky young man full of energy. All of a sudden he is very flat and his usual scopey jump is demolishing most fences. He won't respond to my leg or the whip and I cannot get him forward anymore. Any Advice?
 
you know your horse, and if he's not right and nothing obvious in his life has changed that you think would initiate this change then id ring a vet just to make sure :)
 
he may have a virus or a back problem, or a teeth problem, give him a few more days, dont work him and see how he is, if no improvement i would call the vet. he might be lacking in a mineral (doubt it) so you could put him on a suplement if hes not already on one. good luck!
 
Is he carrying much weight? After the recent rain it could be early onset laminitis, even if he is not showing obvious "laminitis" signs. If you are worried get the vet.
 
Sonds like he has a virus. Stop riding him and give him a rest. My mare suffered for 5 months with a virus a couple of years ago and the vet found nothing, until eventually she started coughing. It ended up being a serious lung infection. Her initial symptoms were just lethargy, like your boys. Give him a few days off and if he's no better get the vet out.
 
Maybe before you call the vet.


If he has a virus, he will be lathargic, and quiet, and not interested in anything.

However, maybe he just wants a rest?

Maybe some days off? You didn't stipulate the work you do with him. Maybe if he is jumping alot or in the school alot he is bored and needs a holiday?
 
Thanks for all your replies, we've decided to let him have a holiday for a week, he does around 12 hours + a week as he works on the riding school so we reckon he's just tired! If after this holiday he's still off then I'll call the vet.

Thanks for the advice!!:D
 
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