measles
Well-Known Member
This is a strange one and I'd be grateful for any thoughts as I'm increasingly concerned about A's 13.2hh jumping pony, Polly.
Our plans were in a month or so's time for B who has grown recently to begin a long gentle hacking fittening process as Polly is rising 23yo and has been out of work for about 18 months waiting for B to grow. What work she would be capable of I don't know but our plan was to monitor how she was back in work very very closely, calling it a day and permanent retirement if there was any suggestion that she couldn't or wasn't happy being ridden again. She has (aside from a check ligament injury 4 months into our ownership which resulted in her having a foal to Tiny Tim, Poppy, who B is now jumping) always been hale, hearty, bright and in great condition, never stressy in the stable and as quiet as a mouse when in.
However, about 5 weeks ago she started when she came in from the field (she is out 8-3pm) walking purposefully around her stable always to the right. She would do it for about 20mins and then stop and eat her hay as though nothing had happened, and would be settled and quiet until the same time the next day when she came in and would do the same. She almost looks "zoned out" when she is doing it and sometimes shakes her head. Most oddly for her she then started trotting around at catch time, looking to get in, which is definitely not her as she has been awkward to catch since the day we got her. Again, she would box walk for up to 30mins and then almost as though a switch had lifted she would eat and behave normally.
She had stopped this for about 10 days and been entirely normal again, and then a few days ago it started again. Just now I can see her walking slowly but always to the right around her field. Nothing at all has changed in her routine, feed, management, field companions or anything I can think of. She is vaccinated, wormed and has her teeth and feet done regularly. My vet came out a few weeks ago and took bloods but could see nothing wrong.
Does anyone have any suggestions? If it was neurological I'd have thought we wouldn't have had a couple of weeks where she was fine but I am becoming increasingly worried and clearly B can't bring her back into gentle work until we know that she is completely well. She has been the most fabulous pony for us and her other owners and will have anything she needs to make her comfortable, and has a home for life with us.
Our plans were in a month or so's time for B who has grown recently to begin a long gentle hacking fittening process as Polly is rising 23yo and has been out of work for about 18 months waiting for B to grow. What work she would be capable of I don't know but our plan was to monitor how she was back in work very very closely, calling it a day and permanent retirement if there was any suggestion that she couldn't or wasn't happy being ridden again. She has (aside from a check ligament injury 4 months into our ownership which resulted in her having a foal to Tiny Tim, Poppy, who B is now jumping) always been hale, hearty, bright and in great condition, never stressy in the stable and as quiet as a mouse when in.
However, about 5 weeks ago she started when she came in from the field (she is out 8-3pm) walking purposefully around her stable always to the right. She would do it for about 20mins and then stop and eat her hay as though nothing had happened, and would be settled and quiet until the same time the next day when she came in and would do the same. She almost looks "zoned out" when she is doing it and sometimes shakes her head. Most oddly for her she then started trotting around at catch time, looking to get in, which is definitely not her as she has been awkward to catch since the day we got her. Again, she would box walk for up to 30mins and then almost as though a switch had lifted she would eat and behave normally.
She had stopped this for about 10 days and been entirely normal again, and then a few days ago it started again. Just now I can see her walking slowly but always to the right around her field. Nothing at all has changed in her routine, feed, management, field companions or anything I can think of. She is vaccinated, wormed and has her teeth and feet done regularly. My vet came out a few weeks ago and took bloods but could see nothing wrong.
Does anyone have any suggestions? If it was neurological I'd have thought we wouldn't have had a couple of weeks where she was fine but I am becoming increasingly worried and clearly B can't bring her back into gentle work until we know that she is completely well. She has been the most fabulous pony for us and her other owners and will have anything she needs to make her comfortable, and has a home for life with us.
