Napping help

[foxy]

So just wondered if anyone else has had the same issue.
When I go XC/SJ he is can be a real struggle to keep going and most of the time I feel like I am working harder than him. He is fit and not over weight.
The last ODE we did he was in the lead after dressage, jumped clear SJ and XC but was 27 secs over the time and incurred 10.8 time faults so dropped from 1st to 10th!
I took him XC schooling this week and if he goes first he is really hard work to get going but following another horse he suddenly finds impulsion and is forward going and is a different horse but I need to be 3/4 lengths behind the other horse any more and he drops his head down and then just charges
He has ben diagnosed with EMS so I have to be careful what I feed him
Anyone had anything similar or any advice. In every other way he is fab, he is super chilled and a lovely horse to own.
Thanks in advance

 

[AmyMay]

If he’s still on the medication you mentioned in February, then I guess that’s your answer. It’s a massive ask, for a horse known to have lethargy issues, to complete a ODE.

Most horses pep up when following another.

 

[foxy]

If he’s still on the medication you mentioned in February, then I guess that’s your answer. It’s a massive ask, for a horse known to have lethargy issues, to complete a ODE.

Most horses pep up when following another.

No he's been off the medication since March. He is fit enough to complete a ODE

 

[AmyMay]

No he's been off the medication since March. He is fit enough to complete a ODE

He may be fit.

But is 16, has EMS and clearly struggles with the energy requirements of a one day event.

 

[foxy]

He may be fit.

But is 16, has EMS and clearly struggles with the energy requirements of a one day event.

He is not 16 ...not sure where you got this from. I have spoken to my vet and she is happy with the work I am doing. I was asking if anyone else had struggled with this before. I am more than aware how fit he needs to be in order to compete in a low level event so please if you have nothing constructive to add just scroll past

 

[AmyMay]

Sorry, assumed this was a horse you got in 2020 that was then 14 (which would actually make it 17).

And I thought I was being constructive, by pointing out what ‘could’ have been obvious.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Does he not enjoy it? They always perk up when following, herd instincts!

I don't know much about EMS but I would imagine it can impact energy levels...its a metabolic disease after all. https://www.bhs.org.uk/horse-care-a...quine-diseases/equine-metabolic-syndrome-ems/ it says there one of the main symptoms is low in energy...

 

[foxy]

It does enjoy it and is willing if just a bit slow, he prefers to go at his own pace unless following another horse
His EMS is under control and his levels are below where they need to be

 

[Bobthecob15]

It does enjoy it and is willing if just a bit slow, he prefers to go at his own pace unless following another horse
His EMS is under control and his levels are below where they need to be

Perhaps he's telling you he wants to go at his own pace? Given the EMS he sounds amazing!

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Has he ever had his muscle enzymes checked? Is he on restricted grazing? If so, I'd be adding some Vit E and seeing if he perks up.

My friends EMS gelding levels were good/it was under control, but he went lethargic. Vet had no idea why, but since having vitmain E hes much more full of life.

 

[foxy]

Has he ever had his muscle enzymes checked? Is he on restricted grazing? If so, I'd be adding some Vit E and seeing if he perks up.

My friends EMS gelding levels were good/it was under control, but he went lethargic. Vet had no idea why, but since having vitmain E hes much more full of life.

Thanks will look into this

 

[SEL]

The horse I was babysitting this morning was bred to event but is so, so slow if he hasn't got a tail to follow.

He's only 6 but by going out with a buddy and being asked to take the lead at times he's getting braver (a bit). Whether he'll ever have the confidence to gallop xc without a friend to follow I don't know but could you do course hire with a buddy and then see if you can keep the momentum if the buddy moves away?

If you do think it's a food issue then making sure he's getting a decent quality balancer to make up for restricted grazing is a start and I also add vitamin E. If you're doing hard work then oats can be useful even for EMS horses

 

[foxy]

The horse I was babysitting this morning was bred to event but is so, so slow if he hasn't got a tail to follow.

He's only 6 but by going out with a buddy and being asked to take the lead at times he's getting braver (a bit). Whether he'll ever have the confidence to gallop xc without a friend to follow I don't know but could you do course hire with a buddy and then see if you can keep the momentum if the buddy moves away?

If you do think it's a food issue then making sure he's getting a decent quality balancer to make up for restricted grazing is a start and I also add vitamin E. If you're doing hard work then oats can be useful even for EMS horses

Thank you for this, I will definitely try that. When he does follow another horse he is more forward going. I had discounted oats due to his EMS but think I may give a go.