Old horse

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kingdom

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hi my 26 yr old cob seems to be sleeping flat out for longer and more often than i have ever noticed before. The day before yesterday i relieved my little pony of the duty of standing over him while he slept and i would say he was asleep for 1,25- 1.5 hrs he did raise himself a few times on his chest but led flat out again a few mins later. In the end myself and the field owner decided to get him up which he did himself after me saying get up really. While he was flat out his breathing became a bit strange he took two deep breaths then a few shallow ones and then stopped breathing for a little while, it was probably seconds but seemed like ages at the time. I really thought he was on his way out but was happy to let it happen if it was going to because he was so peaceful. I have been to see him today and again he was down sleeping no funny breathing today and again he seemed very peaceful. I again stood with him to relieve the pony -who is always happy to leave him and get on with some grazing, I left after an hour as I was getting a bit wet and cold and he was down still but on his chest when i left.
So my question really is do any of you have experience of older horses winding down and how does it end up ie do you have the horse put down or have yours gone naturally and did it seem peaceful.
I am awaiting a vet to ring me back for advice medically, i am thinking of getting his bloods done to see if his is going into organ failure.
He is perfectly happy and healthy and has never had any health issues. He is on good grazing with no additional food all year round and looking at him you would not realise he is an oldie.
Thanks for any advice you can offer
 
I've got an elderly TB (26 nearly 27) and she spends quite a bit of time asleep in the field, but in her case it is standing up. She seemed a bit quieter than normal on Christmas Eve and like you, I wondered if her time was up. I think it was something to do with the cold, frosty weather although she has an extra rug on and I always put hay in the field when the weather is rough. She was back to normal on Christmas Day. Oldies are a worry aren't they?
 
Had asimilar problem with MR T the winter before he got colic and had to be PTS. I was at uni in London and Mum was constantly ringing me as Mr T would lay down flat out in the snow and not get up. He did this for an hour or so but then Ted charged at him- appearing confused as to why Mr T was laying down in the snow. Mr T then got up and seemed fine. He did it a lot that winter and into spring. He always appeared peaceful but his breathing was irregular at times and we prepared ourselves for the worst on numerous occasions.

The vets didn't seem to think we should be worried unless he physically couldn't get up, as he was otherwise healthy and in good condition.

He was unfortunately pts due to severe colic in June that year. He had never had colic before, but I doubt it's related to his laying down. It was just a shame the colic was so distressing for both him and us.

Another pony I knew in his 30's used to spend a lot of the day laying down in the field in winter. Unfortunately he got kicked by the field bully while laying down and had to be pts as he couldn't get up! So I would make sure his field companions are safe, although sounds as if his friend is looking out for him standing watch.
 
Hi thanks for replies. I am lucky as his field companion is a very gentle soul who is 19yrs old. He does seem to really watch over his giant friend but as i said is happy when i relieve him. I did last year have another two youngsters in with him but am glad they are now in another field so at least he can sleep peacefully.I just want the best for him and dont want him to suffer if i can help it. A very wise saying sticks in my mind- It is better a day too early than a day too late.
 
My old cob used to sleep flat out in the field. He did this for several months but then stopped doing it. Throughout this time he seemed perfectly happy in himself though
 
An old mare we had did this a lot (31yrs) but she started doing it approx 18mths before she finally left us in her sleep. She was perfectly happy at lights out and in the morning was found peacefully gone in a sleeping position. A nice way for her to go.

I agree with Kingdom's saying re a day too early is better.
 
Our old pony did this once - in my presence so it's the only one I know about - but it didn't spell the end at all. Pretty scary and I honestly thought she was leaving us as she too did the funny breathing and, very unlike her let me sit beside her and fuss her. After about twenty minutes, she opened her eyes, sat up and looked a bit surprised to see me, then got up on her own.

I wish she'd slipped away then, to be truthful - it looked very peaceful.
 
Hi vet has just been, breathing, heart and temp normal .Has found arthritis in stifles but does not think that would make him sleep for so long. I arrived at field at a different time this am and again he was flat out and even let the vet say hello while still down. Blood is going to be tested so hopefully i will hear the result this pm. We are going to try bute for 5 days to see if that helps him. He has looked to be cushingy for a few years but progress is very slow so once new year is over i will get him tested for that and then try him on peroglide.
He has been health checked every six months by the vet.
The vet did say maybe he is really lucky and is able to just sleep his days away.
 
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