VERY lethargic horse

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oldhat

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Hi all, I've been a bit concerned about my 16 year old mare who I've had since she was 16 months. I've ridden her all these years and she is always so forward going and a real trooper, a real go anywhere do anything horse (apart from after she was hit by a tractor 3 years ago but that is another story!). Well about a month ago, I noticed that she was getting really nappy and slower and slower, going through the motions when I asked for canter etc., but stopping as soon as I took leg off - usually she'd go on till I ask to stop. I've been doing shortish rides since I noticed this, interspersed with the odd long one and last weekend went out on a fairly long hilly hack with some friends. Poor Jasmine couldn't keep up, napped a little but did her best. She wasn't and isn't lame, but when we were coming back up a very steep hill, she was apparently 'roaching' her back and her left leg was wavering a little under her body. She did manage the whole hack and still no lameness, but I just KNOW that she's not right. My friends told me just to give her a couple of weeks off and see. I've started her on glucosamine, msm etc as she had locking stifles as a youngster and I wondered if she was a bit creaky with arthritis or something. I don't see much point at the mo to get the vet out, if after a couple of weeks she is still bad, perhaps, but what can they do? Give her some bute when she seems OK, do bloods? What do you lot out there think? Am I being too lax with her, should I be panicking and ringing the vet straight away? I can find no lumps or bumps, warmth or stiffness so am at a loss. I had to REALLY talk myself out of riding her to check how she was today (glorious weather). I am convinced she's not putting it on. By the way I am feeding her as per usual so it's not a lack of food!!
 
In my horse care manual, there's a diagram which helps you ascertain when to call a vet.

In the case of any illness or abnormality you cannot explain, it states in every case - to call the vet. Hope that helps.
 
It sounds like she is in pain somewhere, it could be both hind legs, hence not appearing lame as such, I would get the vet as early diagnosis usually has a better chance of the problem being resolved.
 
Hmm, yes, I think maybe you're right, and it stupidly hadn't occurred to me that it could be BOTH back legs. I feel terrible now! She seems much better in herself already and is chuckling at me when I try to catch her instead of giving me the cranky mare run around! As long as I can keep her out rather than in at night, I will as she should be better out if she's a bit sore don't you think? It's not a money thing with the vet, I just wasn't convinced that they'd be able to do a lot. Cheers for the help though!
 
I agree - time to call vet in.
Mine went a bit similar last year - after blood tests etc it turned out to be a virus..I was quite relieved as it righted itself with rest.
Before that my imagination had worked overtime & I thought it was going to be somethihg much worse.
 
Nosey - thanks for that, I will call a vet out, I think perhaps I'm being so reticent because I lost my old mare last year to a litany of things that the useless vets we had couldn't figure out and wouldn't listen to me. After making her suffer for months -she got choke and had a heart problem just to name a couple of things, it cost us a fortune and in the end I took her all the way to Aberdeen just to get it all finally sorted out by proper vets, they put her to sleep that day. I changed vets after that and the old useless ones even gave us a discount because of their uselessness. You are all right, I should stop dithering and get to the bottom of this - for her sake if not my own! I love my horses and want to do the right thing by them.
 
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