Think I'm going mad, had my horse been doped??

[walkandtrot]

As it says, I may be going mad, but took my mare to a show today to do a hunter class, got there, took her out for a walk on the lead round the show ground, she seemed in a transe,I thought, great she's abnormally calm today, got on to warm up and she was dead and I mean dead to the leg, perservered, managed a very wobbly trot, canter, then she suddenly spooked/bolted at a tractor, she was completely out of character, so we took her home, this is the second show this has happened, she was schooled night before and was on great form, on hindsight wish I'd got the vet and blood tested as soon as I got home, are these symptoms of doping,??

 

[FestiveSpirit]

Well they might be, but in all honesty they might just be a reaction to being somewhere new/exciting with different things to see? You dont say whether you show her regularly? Is she experienced at going competing or is it all new?

 

[Damnation]

I would get bloods done. I know someone who was convinced that their horse just wan't right. Lethargic, silly, out of character etc. Turned out said horse had a virus. I would get bloods done for peace of mind if this is out of character for your horse

 

[MrsMozart]

How many shows have you taken her to?

 

[walkandtrot]

She's been there done it, and is usually very successful, she usually takes a good hour to work her in and settle her, she is never dead to the leg, even the schooling whip didnt encourage her, she's certainly not ill, rode her tonight at home and was her normal self again,. She's in a field next to a main road, which unfortunatley is easily accesable...

 

[FestiveSpirit]

I would agree with Damnation in that case, get some bloods done. I can see how you are concerned about possible doping but there might be something else underlying the changed behaviour? Sorry, I am a great believer in "better to be safe than sorry"

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

There's only one way to find out & that's have bloods done. Have a chat with your vet, they should be able to advise you on how long various things stay in the blood & if it is worth doing. People may think it doesn't happen but remember reading about an incident at a show in Jersey with the woman giving 'polos' to rival competitors ponies?

 

[Theresa_F]

I had the same as you a few weeks ago. Got Stinky out of the stable on the Saturday morning for a little hack and then a warm up to see the arenas before his class - we were at Trailblazers showing. He was very odd and tired - could only get a trot or canter with a tap of a schooling whip - so gave up.

In hand he came next to last - could not even manage to trot round to the back of the line without stopping and I felt like I was carrying him.

Gave him lots of sloppy speedibeet in case he was dehydrated and a couple of hours grazing by the trailer and he then slept like a dead horse for over an hour. In his ridden class went round ok but not with his usual zap and then refused to canter in his show.

Next day was back to his usual self and did well in hand though I then took him home as I was still worried about him.

I really think he had been given something but why I don't know - he is not a top show horse or a threat to anyone.

Some rather unpleasant things do happen in the competition world - there are some rather unpleasant folks out there who will do anything to win.

 

[bhpride]

[ QUOTE ]
She's been there done it, and is usually very successful, she usually takes a good hour to work her in and settle her, she is never dead to the leg, even the schooling whip didnt encourage her, she's certainly not ill, rode her tonight at home and was her normal self again,. She's in a field next to a main road, which unfortunatley is easily accesable...

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd be very suspicious as will

you know her better than anyone but from how you described her, the way she was at the show doesn't sound normal at all.

 

[Flicker]

My boy was similar - really sleepy, lethargic, just 'not him'. Got the vet after a couple of days and he had a low grade virus. She said it was about the fifth one she'd seen that week, so if you are in any doubt, I would get the vet and get some bloods done.