Pony's Condition/weight - your views?

ladyt25

ladyt25

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So, I took this picture of my pony this evening. It was raining so he was rather damp. What do people think about his overall condition?

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(can't seem to get pic to re-size)

I am asking because I am a little bit concerned about him this year. He is 27 and normally is pretty 'well covered' shall we say but this year he has been struggling with putting the weight on (in my opinion). I am not used to seeing his ribs! he has not been ridden for probably nearly 2 mths now as has been suffering from on and off movement/back issues since last summer. The vet saw him a couple of months ago - said there was nothing wrong and he didn't think he was arthritic. He advised us to get a physio. He was treated and improved and this has been the case on and off for a few months. Physio is coming again in a week or so.

I am concerned the reason for the lack of weight gain is that he's in low-level pain (or maybe more) as he just doesn't look his usual self.He also is hanging on to his coat but then, given he gets a pretty decent winter coat and my other horse hasn't completely lost his, I am not overly concerned about that. He has a very high pain threshold and is the boss in the herd so he is very hard to diagnose issues with (if a vet comes his adrenalin takes over and, frustratingly he will be sound!).

Has anyone else experienced weight loss due to a horse being in pain/discomfort? He seems to eat fine, if a bit slower than he used to.
 
No, but I am not convinced that he has that necessarily. Could be a possibility. This seems to have started since he became quite crippled last year. It was very odd as he couldn't walk well - like he'll pulled muscles all down one side. Then the next day he'd be ok. He fell out badly with his field mate (they've been together for 16 years but there was a huge fall out with pony attacking his field mate and this lasted for several weeks). I think he may have fallen during this or indeed a fall caused him to take it out on his field pal!!

he was treated and seemed better and started to look better but this year he's been on and off again - it is more apparent when walking down hills, he seems to struggle. He has been to a veterinary referral clinic and they said there was nothing wrong with his movement. Our vet saw him recently, flexed his joints, said couldn't feel any stiffness but again tonight walking down a slight incline he moved very oddly with his off hind!

he is the most frustrating pony - I've had him 18 years - as he hides pain very well. I just feel he's suddenly looking old andnot carrying weight and am wondering if it's because he's in discomfort.
 
i must admit my first thought was cushings, may be worth getting him tested and this may give you the answer.

his weight looks ok to me, better to be a bit slim rather than too fat . i was really worried about my cushings horse at the end of this winter as she had lost weight, but now the grass has come through she is now too fat!!
 
Well, it could be an option if he doesn't improve after the next physio visit. What are the other signs though? I wouldn't say his coat is especially thick, just not coming out as quickly as I would maybe expect but then he's not being ridden so isn't being groomed as regularly. He had never had laminitis and I thought that was a sign of cushings?
 
My oldie who is younger than yours started to struggle to hold weight and was diagnosed with cushings. She also has teeth problems which are made worse by the cushings.

Yours looks good for 27
 
Cocorules said:
My oldie who is younger than yours started to struggle to hold weight and was diagnosed with cushings. She also has teeth problems which are made worse by the cushings.

Yours looks good for 27
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Thanks. I think Iam just used to him looking a while lot better that's all. He just seems a little sad at the moment and suddenly looks older so hence why I am a bit concerned. I know the weather's been a bit crappy and the grass hasn't come on as well as it normally would. I imagine to most people they would probally say he's a perfect (and very healthy) weight but to me he's just not 'right' but getting to the bottom of it seems hard. I need to video him walking 'oddly' so the physio can see exactly what he's doing.

Dentist saw him a couple of months back, was a new dentist using power tools but he was highly recommended. I had worried maybe he took too much off the teeth and he commented at the time that pony had amazing teeth for his age. May ask the physio to have a quick look in his mouth when he comes as he may be able to see if any soreness that could be affecting his eating (he is slower these days)
 
If he seems a little depressed it may be worth getting the test. Just a few things you mention - holding onto his coat a bit, some on and off slight lameness, just not being quite right - make me wonder. I believe the free test is still available until the end of June - if the vet is coming out at some point might be an idea? Fingers crossed though. And he does look good for 27!
 
Cocorules said:
Just to add mine has never had laminitis either
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Hmm, maybe I will get him tested. Vet will be back to see sister's 'broken horse' in a few weeks and that will be after physio's been so may be worth testing if maybe to rule it out. Seems quite a sudden onset though but then I now nothing about cushings! :)
 
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Oh, I have put the un-cropped picture on so it's larger now.Probably would have been better on a dry day as the wet look isn't becoming. I actually took it so I had something to compare in a month or so. By the way, yes the mane is shocking - it is a 'work in progress'. He can't abide it being pulled! He also is not that miserable, he is eating the hay and wouldn't smile for the camera!

I think I will take some more shots of him this weekend so I can see any changes better.

Cortez - I don't think it can be his teeth as they are (according to dentist) very good. The whole issue seems to have started when he presented with what we think was a back/pelvis injury but we have no evidence as to what he's done and he's never been consistently bad enough for any vet to see an issue.
 
snooples said:
He looks perfect to me!
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Thanks. I think to the naked eye as it were he is probably an ideal weight but in Chancer world (that's his name), it's a bit lean!

I am hoping to get him back to being ridden as he likes the odd hack out and I prefer to keep older horses in work if they're capable as I think it is good for them mentally and physically to have some variety in their life. I just have this niggle every time I look at his face that he's not quiet 100% but getting to the bottom of what the problem is is proving tricky!
 
Queenbee said:
Not the best coat, needs more topline to be perfect:D. But weight is good to me. Coat wise, would get a c test just to be sure x
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Lol. Thing is, he normally has a stunning coat and that is one concern of mine but he has lost loads (he's a welsh x so gets a good winter coat). He hasn't been ridden for a couple of months now since he struggled walking down a hill aHd I had to get off and lead him down and he was in obvious pain. He will therefore be lacking some muscle.

I probably should take a pic of him when he's not wet and the light's a bit better to fair. He'd probably be mortifed I'd put that pic up of him!
 
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ladyt25 said:
Lol. Thing is, he normally has a stunning coat and that is one concern of mine but he has lost loads (he's a welsh x so gets a good winter coat). He hasn't been ridden for a couple of months now since he struggled walking down a hill aHd I had to get off and lead him down and he was in obvious pain. He will therefore be lacking some muscle.

I probably should take a pic of him when he's not wet and the light's a bit better to fair. He'd probably be mortifed I'd put that pic up of him!
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Then definitely get a cushings test, just to be safe xxx it does sound a strong possibility that this is the cause of your worries xx
 
Your fella looks okay to me - he sounds a lot like my pony (Welsh x, field gaffer - he was 'depressed' a couple of weeks ago but now he's finally shedding properly he's been almost like himself :) )

I keep mine at a large livery/riding school and the older horses/ponies have all taken this winter badly and havent put much weight back on yet, on extra feed and havent fully got their summer coats yet - even those who normally have by now.

We're seeing improvement now with better quality haylege but they are all months behind. A few of the younger natives have almost fully shed.

Maybe its a similar story with yours? - also you should video your fella when he's not soo sound - so at least you can show that to the vet :D
 
He looks fantastic for 27! He is bound to be slowing down a bit, ie not moulting as well, not holding weight quite as well etc. To me he looks no more than 14 :-)

I have two ponies with Cushings on half a pergolide each per day. One is 22, and is looking well but I did have to clip her out as she was still rather woolly. The other was trace clipped and still has most of her winter coat . She's always been ribby but is laminitic so I can't build her weight up further. We don't know her age for sure but I guess around 24. Basically I'm saying yours looks miles better so don't worry too much.
 
RainbowDash said:
Your fella looks okay to me - he sounds a lot like my pony (Welsh x, field gaffer - he was 'depressed' a couple of weeks ago but now he's finally shedding properly he's been almost like himself :) )

I keep mine at a large livery/riding school and the older horses/ponies have all taken this winter badly and havent put much weight back on yet, on extra feed and havent fully got their summer coats yet - even those who normally have by now.

We're seeing improvement now with better quality haylege but they are all months behind. A few of the younger natives have almost fully shed.

Maybe its a similar story with yours? - also you should video your fella when he's not soo sound - so at least you can show that to the vet :D
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Well, funnily tonight we tried to video him. I have decided that s the only way to prove to the vets he's not been right! I was going to take him for a walk tonight as am attempting to get him up to being ridden again. He was stood for a while bing groomed (as per the pic). I lead him down to the track to the road (a slight hill) and the odd action with his off-hind was very evident even on a very slight slope. Forgot to video so though would lead him a bit up the road andlead him back down the hill which is slightly steepr. Asked mum to video him and, typically he walked absolutely fine! It seems he loosens up so I am leaning towards arthritis or some muscle issue. Vet seems dead set he doesn't have arthritis though.

I do hope that the late spring is the reason for him hanging onto his coat longer. They will come on to the field that's been rested a bit next week so am hoping he will pick up then.
 
legaldancer said:
He looks fantastic for 27! He is bound to be slowing down a bit, ie not moulting as well, not holding weight quite as well etc. To me he looks no more than 14 :-)

I have two ponies with Cushings on half a pergolide each per day. One is 22, and is looking well but I did have to clip her out as she was still rather woolly. The other was trace clipped and still has most of her winter coat . She's always been ribby but is laminitic so I can't build her weight up further. We don't know her age for sure but I guess around 24. Basically I'm saying yours looks miles better so don't worry too much.
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Thanks. He has always look great for his age and walks out better than his younger field mates. It is only over the last 12 mths he has suddenly got a few grey hairs over his eyes and started to look 'old'. I guess my concern is i don't want him to be in pain but there's just something in his face that seems to indicate something isn't 100% right. I can't explain. I guess I've had him so long I just sense something's not right with him :(
 
Hi, to me he looks ok weight wise for his age, mine are just starting to look a bit better now the grass is coming through. I cannot remember a winter like this so have fed so much hard feed this year just to keep some weight on.
Perhaps it isnt arthritis he is just getting old and will loosen up when he gets going ( I know the feeling !!).
I had a physio treat one of mine but it didnt help and I then had an osteopath out. She has made a massive difference to my daughters pony who I think is going to be asked to go to area Dressage this year.
Perhaps worth getting another type to have a look. My ponies are still struggling to finish loosing their winter coats aswell , even those that were part clipped. His coat does look a little curly with the wet look though .
 
maree t said:
Hi, to me he looks ok weight wise for his age, mine are just starting to look a bit better now the grass is coming through. I cannot remember a winter like this so have fed so much hard feed this year just to keep some weight on.
Perhaps it isnt arthritis he is just getting old and will loosen up when he gets going ( I know the feeling !!).
I had a physio treat one of mine but it didnt help and I then had an osteopath out. She has made a massive difference to my daughters pony who I think is going to be asked to go to area Dressage this year.
Perhaps worth getting another type to have a look. My ponies are still struggling to finish loosing their winter coats aswell , even those that were part clipped. His coat does look a little curly with the wet look though .
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Yeah, I think the wet is making it look curly. It isn't actually. Wehave a McTimoney guy treat ours and he made a huge difference last year so what he does definitely works but the problem seems to be reoccurring. He's had an 'interim' physio a few weeks ago to make him comfortable as the McTimoney guy you have to book a fair bit in advance as he's so busy. He's seeing him next week though so I am going to try video him before then.
 
He looks fine for his age, it is quite normal for older horses not to absorb nutrients so well, so could just be part of the aging process.

I would get his back / pelvis checked if you think it might be an issue, and the free cushings test is probably worth doing.

It could be just the fact that he is wet and a bit tucked up, but the way he is stood in the pic strikes me as indicative of a horse with foot pain (the hindlegs brought forwards and the forelegs behind the vertical) Obviously it could just be that particular moment in time, but it was my first thought when seeing his pic.
 
He isn't tucked up in the picture, he was just wet on top. As for how he stands, it's funny you should say that - the front legs are more just the way the pic's been taken and how he happens to be at that moment. However, he has pretty much always had a tendency to stand with his hinds slightly underneath him. No idea why but it may be he's pre-disposed to having back issues as could be a bit weak in his back. It's not affected him in the 19 years I've had him though and he moves pretty well and very freely (when he's not going through these episodes of being stiff behind anyway!).

I think it's just frustrating when you know they're not right but you don't know what is actually wrong. He has always been a very good doer who could live on air and, whilst I know he is not skinny by any standards, he just isn't the normal weight I would expect him to be at this time of year.
 
i would encourage you to get the cushings test done...i got mine tested some time ago and when the vet came she said she would be very surprised if she tested positive and she wasnt really showing signs apart from a slightly delayed shedding of coat.i just felt she wasnt right and seemed a little depressed...however, she tested at a level of 172 which was quite high so i was right(although wish i hadnt been)..... cushings is progressive so they dont show the classic signs straight away.....mine is on prascend and has been fine, shiny coat, normal behaviour, looks great(although now too fat!!)and behaving as loony as usual.

you know your horse and if you think he isnt right, then he probably isnt!! good luck
 
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