Neurotic Pensioner (sorry can't spell)

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Sven

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My beloved old friend is getting increasingly neurotic the older he gets (now 21) he is effectively retired as he has been suffering from arthritus for some years now. He is very attached to his companion and can't be seperated which makes taking him out for a walk a bit of pain - my husband has to bring the pony with us. At the moment everything and anything makes him stress and worry (consequently me too!)

He is on Magic and various other supplements - I do wonder if cocktail of supplements is adding to the problem.

Any ideas on how to calm him down?????
 
Has he started to lose some of his senses such as sight or hearing as that will make him rely upon his companion and cause the world to seem a frightening place.
 
I'm pretty sure his eyesight is fine, having had a partially sighted pony before, I think I would notice if he was having problems seeing. However, the vet coming to see itchy shetland this Friday so will get him to check.

He is on:
Magic
Cortaflex
Benevit Advance (Feedmark)
Echinachea (spelling again)
Garlic
Veteran Supplement (NAF)
Hardy Hoof (Feedmark)

He is fed, Happy Hoof and Senior Maintenance Mix and sugar beet.

Also, when he is in he wants to be out, and as soon as he is out he wants to be in. He's never been the great outdoorsy type. But this is getting rediculous.
 
If you are feeding a mix and happy hoof, and a vit & mineral supplement, you could be doubling up on his vits. Probably wouldn't make him act like you are suggesting but just a thought! You could be wasting your money.

My 30 year old just has senior mix and sugarbeet. He used to have supplements for his stiff joints but doesn't now. He lives out with plenty of hay and he is sounder than he was when he was coming in at night.
 
Whow! What an impressive cocktail of sups! Does he really need all of them? Are you sure they don't counteract each other or overdose on stuff?
With the bringing in - turning out ... My lad can be a bit of a pest - the more attention he is getting the worse he behaves. The only thing that helps with him is a strict routine, i.e. feeding at set times, turning out and bringing in at set times etc.
 
Yeah its quite a cocktail, which has evolved over the years. Probably not all necessary but apart from the neurosis he looks amazing for his age! I will start to drop them off one by one and see how he goes.

He does have a set routine, he just doesn't always like it. If you are the slightest bit late he hates that too, you can set your watch by him.

He goes out at 6.30am. He comes in at 12pm for lunch and a snooze. (this "evolved" as he will not stay out all day and will just stand and dig at the gate or run and up and down the fencing which is no good for him at all). He then goes back out at 4pm for a couple of hours to break the day up for him. This has been his routing for ages now and he knows it well.

I know everyone will say he should be out as much as possible, but he just doesn't like it. You should see the holes he digs. He even fractured his pedal bone once!

He has had arthritus since he was 14, has had Adequan in his hocks several times. Was suspected of having navicular about 3 years ago and had Tildren. Oh and he has had a fractured nose to compound the COPD type problems he has had since he was 8.

Did I mention I paid for the extension at the vets!

Ah well I've lived with him and all his problems for 15 years now, I guess I will learn to live with his neurosis too!

Thanks for the input.
 
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