J_sarahd
Well-Known Member
I’ve been wracking my brain about Shadow because I think there’s something not right with him but I can’t quite put my finger on what it is.
I’ve done some research into vitamin e deficiency following a few posts on here about supplementing vit e in the second half of winter. And I’ve also done research and found that PSSM 2 can be found in connies and apparently there are some red flags in his lines.
The symptoms:
General lethargy under saddle - worse if he’s had a day off the day before. I have had rides where he feels great and forward. But these were in October/November. It often feels like I’m riding with the handbrake on. He has never done anything that raises massive red flags (except our first canter back out with others hacking after his break!) and really tries to do what I ask of him.
No muscle and difficulty building muscle. I know I’ve only had him a few months but he came to me with no muscle and I’m having difficulty building it. He looks exactly the same as he arrived despite feeding more and a high protein diet. I’ve also been really focusing our sessions on things to help build muscle- poles, hills, groundwork. I can add photos of him if people are interested.
Grumpiness in his stable especially around food.
He has had his saddle and teeth checked as well as our physio, who is due back out a week tomorrow.
He shows no negative reaction to being tacked up or groomed. Fine to pick all 4 feet up and back palpates fine.
He is out with another and is bottom of the pack. Not sure if that’s relevant but perhaps might explain the grumpiness around food.
I think he will always be a laidback sort but there’s just something I can put my finger on.
My question is, because I have absolutely no experience with PSSM, does this sound like it? And apart from adding vit e to his diet, how can I properly manage it?
(Goes without saying that if I try and manage it as a PSSM case and there are no changes in the next few weeks, I’ll be getting the vet out)
I’ve done some research into vitamin e deficiency following a few posts on here about supplementing vit e in the second half of winter. And I’ve also done research and found that PSSM 2 can be found in connies and apparently there are some red flags in his lines.
The symptoms:
General lethargy under saddle - worse if he’s had a day off the day before. I have had rides where he feels great and forward. But these were in October/November. It often feels like I’m riding with the handbrake on. He has never done anything that raises massive red flags (except our first canter back out with others hacking after his break!) and really tries to do what I ask of him.
No muscle and difficulty building muscle. I know I’ve only had him a few months but he came to me with no muscle and I’m having difficulty building it. He looks exactly the same as he arrived despite feeding more and a high protein diet. I’ve also been really focusing our sessions on things to help build muscle- poles, hills, groundwork. I can add photos of him if people are interested.
Grumpiness in his stable especially around food.
He has had his saddle and teeth checked as well as our physio, who is due back out a week tomorrow.
He shows no negative reaction to being tacked up or groomed. Fine to pick all 4 feet up and back palpates fine.
He is out with another and is bottom of the pack. Not sure if that’s relevant but perhaps might explain the grumpiness around food.
I think he will always be a laidback sort but there’s just something I can put my finger on.
My question is, because I have absolutely no experience with PSSM, does this sound like it? And apart from adding vit e to his diet, how can I properly manage it?
(Goes without saying that if I try and manage it as a PSSM case and there are no changes in the next few weeks, I’ll be getting the vet out)
