Pony will not eat

[KendraK]

I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice/experiences they share. I have a 22yro mare who goes through stages of not wanting to eat for a few days. As she is old this is becoming an increasing concern for me. When it happens, she is always very bright/alert, likes to go out in the feild, move around and is interested in everything, she just refuses to eat anyting. She also drinks plenty. She has had her teeth very extensively checked many many times as well as her mouth, and there are no problems, in fact her teeth are in very good condition. Vet has also checked that she has no blockages with a tube, and done blood tests etc that have found no problems. So actually vet is stumped, but has suggested her throat/tubes might be more constricted as she is older? But still, after maybe 4/5 days she decides to eat again and is fine for several weeks/months until it happens again. We have also tried tastey food, wet mush, sugar beet, nothing tempts her when she doesn't want to eat! Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Thanks!

 

[JessPickle]

We have a 36yo that does this, also had all the same tests as you. We found keeping him in for a day with just food to keep him interested got him re interested him in his food. Allthough it does have to be mushed!!he particulary likes mushed food with carrot/apple put through a blender!! makes him eat anything!

 

[ladyt25]

It could be she has growths in her stomach and it's causing her some discomfort everyso often. We had an old pony who could be similar and I think he had growths (he had on on his larynx so his breathing wasn't fab). To be honest, if she's happy in herself and drinking and isn't dropping weight I would just leave her too it. If the vet can't find anything significant then i would leave her be.