Sluggish, Lack of Motivation, HELP?!

[PerryThePony]

Hi,

I have an 18 year old Welsh/Arab mare. Her typical character is forward going and alert. She has recently had her teeth done and tack fitted and has also been seen by the chirpractor so these can be ruled out.

The past month she has become sluggish, out hacking, in the school and jumping (jumping she's usually a bomb at and even when we jump now shes not forward going.)

She hasn't been over-schooled or over-jumped and has a very varied routine.

She's being fed Veteran mix and Alpha-A which keeps her weight during the winter.

We really don't know what else to try/do and were wondering if anyone had any suggestions of supplements or things to do as this REALLY isn't her.

Thanks!

 

[teddyt]

I would get the vet to check her over and also blood test her. Could be pain or illness.

If shes out of character a supplement is unlikely to help unless you can pinpoint a specific deficiency, such as if she is anaemic. For that you need a blood test

 

[Nosey]

I put a very similar post about my mare about a week ago with similar symptoms to yours. She is normally quite a whizzy woo but has been tiring / lethargic when worked which is out of character. Wasn't sure about getting vet out straight away or not but chatted with him and he is coming out this week to check her heart and lungs and do some bloods. Like the other poster said could be viral or post viral....prob worth checking out.

 

[PerryThePony]

Thanks for your replies, the blood test does sound the right idea having had a think about it. Atleast any defencies will be shown and would give some sort of explanation.

It has just come to our attention with her because winters usually her prime as she suffers with the heat so around this time she's usually forward going and no stopping her. We know she suffers from summer COPD however this is only in the winter and her breathing is usually ok during winter.

I don't know what anyone else thinks but she has just come of haylage, on dust free hay, which is of a high quality. We have been leaving it outside in the rain over night to minimise dust as much as poss, this is the only other thing me and my mum think it could be, the change from haylage to hay, however I don't know if this would make this much of a difference ...

Thanks Again

xx