My horse seems really down.

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eatonbraynat

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Just lately my horse seems really down and like he has lost his sparkle. He is in in the day with adlib hay and out at night muzzled as he is a cob and i am paranoid about the big 'L'. He does hate the muzzle and im not sure how much grass he gets through it, he isnt over weight at ll and is very fit as over the last 3 months we have both been working really hard and started going out to a few shows. He has had everything checked, back, teeth, saddle, etc and i have even had the vet out to take bloods, which showed he was anemic slightly so he is now on Red cell. He is also fed baileys lo cal with hifi light and blood salts. anyone elses horse going through this or gone through this. I hate to think of him unhappy.
 
Yes, very similar story last summer and the Red Cell did the trick within about a week. He got more life to him and just looked better. Have just put him back on it this week and swear I can feel the difference when riding him already. :)
 
my oh mare was like this a few months back. Just seemed down and without her usual sparkle, but nothing particular that you could actually put your finger on. It turned out to be low level pain causing her to be down. She had a medial laterin imbalance in one of her front hooves, causing discomfort in the joints of that leg and back issues as a result of it aswell. A couple of cycles of corrective shoeing and many back lady visits later, she is back to her sparkly mischevious self!
To rule out pain then you could put him on bute for a couple of days and see if there is any change in his behaviour?
 
Personally I wouldnt put him bute, as youve had everything checked its unlikely to be pain. It could be the heat getting to him or as he is anemic that will definatly have an effect. Id see how the red cell goes before anything else.
 
Thank you its so hard to know what to do. I expected the Red Cell to be an instant Pick me up but it isnt. When i spoke to the vet they said it could take any where between 4 - 12 weeks to see any difference and too keep working him as normal. But i hate seeing him so down :(
 
A few ideas, but I am certainly no expert.....

In the winter is he in at night, out in the day? Is it possible that when he is in at night he has a good kip, but isn't getting his 'beauty sleep' now that his routine is the other way round?

It has been really hot and draining recently and maybe he just feels the heat. Especially if he has quite a heavy coat even in the summer.

Does he suffer from any allergies? I get hayfever and I tend to feel pretty drained at this time of the year which makes sense as my body is dealing with the allergy.

Sorry, nothing very scientific, but things I would certainly consider if mine were looking a little off colour.
 
Thanks nikicb, yes he is in at night during winter and now out at night, could defo be something to do with not getting as much rest as although he is in during the day. He is ridden during that time and i think more goes on on the yard so maybe they wouldnt actually lie down and rest as things would be too interesting. Maybe i will swap his routine round for a week and see if he perks up. Good thinking xx
 
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