Old Horse Question?

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carterk3

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Hi - I have an approx 21yr old Arab mare who for at least the last six months has taken to lying down in the field for a couple of hrs every day. Does anyone have any experience of this sort of thing?
Have had her blood tested but showed nothing. She does have navicular but is not that lame, has special shoes etc. Seems quite bright in herself and still enjoys going for a good gallop around the field occasionally when I turn her out is this just a sign of old age? Is absolutely fine in all other ways.

Would appreciate any advice/comments any one has of looking after older horses - maybe I'm just being paranoid?
 
What do mean exactly by 'not that lame'? Is she showing some signs of lameness - and how often? Obviously if she is uncomfortable on her feet then the likelihood is she will want to relieve the pressure as much as possible so may be doing so by lying down more often.
 
Oldies sometimes do to give their legs a break. Provided she can get up quickly when needed I wouldn't worry tbh. If she does struggle getting up tho I'd get the vet
 
I have a 33 year old (34 in a couple of weeks!) and I sometimes find him flat out having a doze. He also sleeps lying down over the winter in his stable, and is still very healthy and can canter round with the others when he fancies it.

Although I can only speak from personal experience, I personally wouldnt worry. You've said that she's had bloods etc done. If she's healthy, I'd not have a problem with it. My OH says when i'm older I'll want the odd snooze, and so does my boy!
 
Twenty-one shouldn't warrant "old age" type behavior in an arab IMO. If she's lying down more just recently it could be just that she's stuffed herself with spring grass and needs a rest, but if she were mine I'd think about doing a bute trial and seeing if it stops. If it does then you know it is likely she's been lying down because of her foot pain.
 
Flame_ said:
Twenty-one shouldn't warrant "old age" type behavior in an arab IMO. If she's lying down more just recently it could be just that she's stuffed herself with spring grass and needs a rest, but if she were mine I'd think about doing a bute trial and seeing if it stops. If it does then you know it is likely she's been lying down because of her foot pain.
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This is a very good point actually. I was very quick to read 'old horse' and talk about my old boy without a.) reading about the navicular and b.) thinking about the age....i should learn to read properly! Sorry :)
 
I have a 21yo pony who always has a few hours flat out and looking a bit dead in his stable everyday, he's perfectly healthy! Still jumps 3ft and over takes the big horses on a big field! She may just want to have a nap.:)
 
Thanks all so much for your replies. Yes I have tried Danillon but didn't seem to make much difference. Also my vet seems to think she isn't that sore hence the blood test which didn't show up anything either.

She has been retired for the last 6 years as I didn't want to push her too much when she was diagnosed with navicular as I owe this horse a lot. She also has special shoes which are slightly higher at the heel than the toe to take pressure off her heels. It would be so much easier if horses could talk! Perhaps she just needs a snooze now she's getting older and she has no problem getting up.
 
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