suej102
Well-Known Member
I have an 18y.o Irish Draft Gelding who is enjoying a gentle life following being rescued from a riding school a few years ago.
Until now he has been fine but during the past month or so he came down with a bit of dehydration and impacted stools and we needed the vet out to help him pass these rock hard poos.
It followed two new horses being introduced to his paddock the same day, one mare and one gelding. My boy has spent his time since then stressing over the herd ratio and we think he may have neglected himself/drinking during this time.
I am unhappy that two horses came at once and all have had some form of problem since. He is usually in with two other mares and one other gelding who recently left.
Today at 06:30 I had a call to say he was in a bad way (he lives out) and he is now at the Royal Vet College in observation after being admitted with colic/mild dehydration.
Yesterday he was moved into the paddock next door so as his fields could be sprayed - along with his other friends, but nearer to the mares field and once again they all ran around like nutters.
Am I being paranoid that there is too much change happening at this yard for him and he is not coping with the stress of the changes and organising the herd etc. Since his fellow gelding left a month ago he has taken all of this responsibility upon himself and I think he has worked himself into a state.
I am waiting for the vet to call but it would seem that he is doing OK and not a surgical colic case thank God.
Anyone have any similar experiences and ideas as to a way to approach my livery manager with a way forward. I am considering stabling him from next winter onwards and this is possible where I am - but being such a big lad he may get stiff so not defiantely the best option.
Confused and stressed myself from a bit of a manic day!
Thank to anyone with any thoughts.
Until now he has been fine but during the past month or so he came down with a bit of dehydration and impacted stools and we needed the vet out to help him pass these rock hard poos.
It followed two new horses being introduced to his paddock the same day, one mare and one gelding. My boy has spent his time since then stressing over the herd ratio and we think he may have neglected himself/drinking during this time.
I am unhappy that two horses came at once and all have had some form of problem since. He is usually in with two other mares and one other gelding who recently left.
Today at 06:30 I had a call to say he was in a bad way (he lives out) and he is now at the Royal Vet College in observation after being admitted with colic/mild dehydration.
Yesterday he was moved into the paddock next door so as his fields could be sprayed - along with his other friends, but nearer to the mares field and once again they all ran around like nutters.
Am I being paranoid that there is too much change happening at this yard for him and he is not coping with the stress of the changes and organising the herd etc. Since his fellow gelding left a month ago he has taken all of this responsibility upon himself and I think he has worked himself into a state.
I am waiting for the vet to call but it would seem that he is doing OK and not a surgical colic case thank God.
Anyone have any similar experiences and ideas as to a way to approach my livery manager with a way forward. I am considering stabling him from next winter onwards and this is possible where I am - but being such a big lad he may get stiff so not defiantely the best option.
Confused and stressed myself from a bit of a manic day!
Thank to anyone with any thoughts.
