Something not right with my horse - cant put finger on it?

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pinkcatkin

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Over the last two days the horses have been in the nearest paddock, 2.5 acres. The land was not grazed for 2 years until we took it over in December so there has been plenty for them to munch even though it doesn't contain much goodness. They have ad lib hay at night and two feeds a day.

My mare is due to foal in early May and is usually in good heart and good health. However, yesterday when I checked her at lunchtime to take off her heavy rug as it had got so warm, she was just standing not grazing. I didn't think much about it as her fieldmate was lying down and they often stay together with one lies down. But at lunchtime today I went up again to check her for being too hot and she was just standing near the gate with her head down and her ears at halfmast. Her field mate was grazing happily.

I need to tell you that if there is something to eat, Rosie never stops eating, hence my concern.

In all respects she appears to be fine, eating her feeds and hay as normal, bright when walking to field but there is just something about her that is not quite right, and I can't put my finger on it. What is different is her demeanour - often she sunbathes and sleeps in the sun but she looks happy and content. At the moment she doesn't look happy.

Her droppings are normal.

Any suggestions (and I don't want to be told I am being neurotic!)
 
Is she going out and stuffing herself?
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My horse does this when we change fields onto fresh grass, he to is very food orientated (sp?).

Maybe she just feels full up after a good old gorge!
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Was the field quite overgrown when you took it over? I only ask because I took over a field a while ago and found all sorts of stuff dumped in it - most broken glass bottles in my case though.

She could just be feeling a bit stuffed if she hasn't had to go looking for food
 
As the others have said, also, just now, the foal will be growing a fair bit and this does take it out of them sometimes; also the foal might be moving a bit which is causing her some discomfort. I remember when expecting, I'd just settle down for a nap and there would be a drumroll on my ribcage to make things uncomfortable; I'm sure mares can be fed up at this stage too! Alternatively it might just be her slowing down and you've never really noticed how she is when she's having a nap or chilling out as they are so different from when they're usually in work.
Mine are at virtually the same stage now (1st week of May) and they often are seen just staring into space daydreaming which they don't seem to do when not pregnant.
All you can do is keep an eye on her but if she's still eating for England I wouldn't be worrying too much.
 
Mine was not quite right 5 weeks ago with similar symptons to yours and vet checked her over and could not find anything so took bloods and found she was completely anaemic. She has been on iron replacement and danylon since and is very much better now.
 
Thanks for those interesting comments, I did wonder if it might be something to do with the foal. You are right, MFH09 and Happy Talk, I don't normally check her at lunchtime but with the temperatures soaring from -7 to +8 she overheats so easily and I find it difficult to get the balance right. Roll on days when she can go naked.

I think I will take her temperature tonight, that should rule out any sort of infection?
 
Also, as Owlie said, it could be the foal is draining her system too quickly (notice the tech speak there!) and she could need additional B12. I have all my broodies on Kossolian from Christmas simply because I believe it gives them everything their system needs for that reason, I just didn't think to suggest it before. It's a cheap way to supplement them £15 for 3.5kg and I wouldn't dream of not using it (just to be on the safe side and superstitious I suppose!) a lot of trainers use it as a pick me up and I know showing yards use it a lot too.
 
hi im in the same boat i have a mare that is due at the end of may and she has days where she looks down so i put it down to pregnancy as this is not like her ever since shes pregnant shes got a bit narsty ears back trying to bit and kick
 
in that case it sounds to me shes going through the same as time goes on beaware of her fieldmates ive got my other horse in with her so i have to seperate soon as she is going to be foaling outside as no stables and beaware that she doesnt turn on you
 
Our old farrier reckoned that when they stand like this they are "communing" with the foal, not interested in the outside world as concentrating on the inside.
 
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