Possible Virus/Cold?

[Christmas Crumpet]

I'm sure my little mare isn't 100% but can't quite put my finger on it. When I first got her 3 months ago she would quite regularily bomb off with me and was really lively. She was hunted hard over the Christmas period and now just seems a bit quieter. She has been hunting twice in just over two weeks so shouldn't still be tired.

I cantered her a bit this morning and she was blowing quite hard but her breathing recovered quite quickly. She is also a lot easier to stop despite the fact that I'm riding in a snaffle not a gag!! I always canter up hills not down because going down hill = no brakes!!

She had a bit of clear snot in her nostrils when we got back but it was quite fresh outside and I had a runny nose too. She is eating well - she's like a little lawnmower in fact.

Could she be feeling under the weather or have I finally got to the bottom of her and have learnt how to ride her? I just wondered whether there was a virus or coldy thing going round and if anyone else's horses were slightly off.

Any ideas gratefull recieved.

 

[Llwyncwn]

Have you taken her temperature and heart rate? It could well be that she is suffering from a low grade virus. Have you checked that she is getting sufficient energy from her feed for the amount of work she is doing and are you giving any suppliments? If you are concerned, it may be worth getting the vet out to give her the once over.

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

I dare you to stable her for a week and feed her oats and don't ride her then try again and see if her jet propulsion is back! It might very well be that she thrives on work so has finally settled and has found a good balance and is relaxed and happy. Equally, as Llwyncwn says, she could have a low grade virus (my boy has an intermittent cough at the moment) or - if she was blowing harder than normal - could she have a hay allergy and a bit of COPD? Maybe her previous owners would know? You could try soaking her hay. Like Llwyncwn, I'd keep a watchful eye and get El Vetto out if still worried x