tucked up.

[crazypony]

Hi, my horse is turned out during the day (naked, but he's a native). He's been unsettled these last few days due to being brought in at night for the first time. He has a lightweight rug on on very cold nights.
Today he was out, and seemed so settled, was really pleased. Brought him in and he seemed tucked up. Checked him over, all's fine (temp of 37.4), but still seemed tucked up. I put a fleece on him. He's fed a slice of hay at night (he's overweight), and is in a grazing muzzle during the day ATM due to the grass being so good. Always has hay left in the morning, so I don't think he's hungry. No abnormal sweating etc...any ideas what it might be? Or could he be cold in the field??

 

[spike123]

He could just be cold.Although he is a native not all of them are good at maintaining their own warmth.Some people do mollycoddle them and make them wimps.It could be that this has happened to him in a past home especially if this is your first winter of owning him.Do you know how to check if he is warm enough?

 

[crazypony]

Base if his ears are warm when he's out, and he also seems warm enough all over, generating good heat.

 

[watcherathome]

if he is muzzled by day and not even eating a slice of hay at night there is a real problem..I don't care how much weight he is carrying. Teeth and throat both spring to mind as the first place to look.
If he is now looking tucked up I would call the vet..are his droppings normal, gums a good colour, eyelids OK?

 

[spike123]

another place to check is behind your horses elbow for warmth. It could just be the change in routine especially if your horse has been living out for quite some time or because the temperature drop has been quite quick.It is still reasonably warm through the day but with temperatures below freezing at night.I doubt it is anything to worry over if he is eating and drinking and his motions are normal.He may be fretting at the fact he is now coming in while he thinks his companions are all still out.

 

[crazypony]

[ QUOTE ]
if he is muzzled by day and not even eating a slice of hay at night there is a real problem..I don't care how much weight he is carrying. Teeth and throat both spring to mind as the first place to look.
If he is now looking tucked up I would call the vet..are his droppings normal, gums a good colour, eyelids OK?

[/ QUOTE ]
oh no! Wrong end of the stick!! The hay slices are HUGE, and he has it in a haylage net to STOP him eating it all too soon. Basically because he is really overweight. His teeth, droppings, gums etc are fine, all normal, and he's really sprightly and happy in himself. And via his muzzle he seems to have his head down all day munching on the little grass he can get. When he's in all day he leaves hay, but if he's been out he munches it all, so to me that says his appetite is fine.
I was thinking perhaps stress might cause this? He's a tad upset at being separated from the others ATM because he keeps kicking them (just playing but YO is worried he might hurt one). He was fretting yesterday, but was fine today, not stressy or anything.

 

[crazypony]

He is going out on his own ATM, no other option I'm afraid. This upset him initially, but he was happy about it today, was just pleased to be out.

 

[JACQSZOO]

[ QUOTE ]
He is going out on his own ATM, no other option I'm afraid. This upset him initially, but he was happy about it today, was just pleased to be out.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think you answered your own question there.

 

[jayvee]

If he is unrugged when out in the day (exposed full-on to the elements). I personaly wouldnt rug up at night when in. It's not allowing him to govern his own body temp. The stable is just a nice sheltered place to be with hay, and IMO doesn't require rugging.
He will feel the cold first thing in morning when turned out with-out the warm rug he's had on all night.
Let him eat ad lib hay.