AfricanBeauty
Well-Known Member
My 22y/o retired TB has been a bit off colour for the last couple of weeks, on and off though not everyday, and today its really come to a bit of a head. She's out with 3/4 other mares and they normally all get on well or keep themselves to themselves. She's got a couple of rugs on because she gets cold and we find the layers help, and today the fleece slipped and dragged round the field, she as then chased by my other mare, who has NEVER done this to her before, she normally looks after her. When YM went to get her in the other 2 that were out joined in and she was chased ragged round the field. She's absolutely knackered, I've been checking her every half hour to an hour and shes eating a bit but not much.
She has a very thick coat although she has been rugged according to the weather but the last few weeks she has been sporadically changing temperature very quickly going from fine to sweating or freezing. Looked colicky a couple of weekends ago but kept an eye on her and she was eating/drinking/pooing normally so just let her sort herself. Given her electrolytes tonight as she was quite sweaty when she came in after being chased.
She is and has been eating and drinking etc normally but she's not herself, actually looks tired which I have never known with her and we have owned her since 2003. I'm wondering if there is something going on, and whether it is worth getting the vet down to maybe take bloods or anything else they might think is worth while. Because of her age I don't want to prod/poke more than neccessary, but obviously don't want to leave it if she is suffering (god forbid). We've added sugar beet last week, had already intended to, giving her lots of hay to keep her warm and eating, and are constantly reassessing her rugging to make sure she isn't too hot or cold. We have considered clipping a bit off her tummy to help her regulate easier but are worried that she will then get cold.
Sorry for the long post, just in a bit of a state about it all, and don't really know what to do. She was my first horse, shared with my mum and means the world to me. Suggestions on what to try would be really appreciated, and vibes for her to feel better.
She has a very thick coat although she has been rugged according to the weather but the last few weeks she has been sporadically changing temperature very quickly going from fine to sweating or freezing. Looked colicky a couple of weekends ago but kept an eye on her and she was eating/drinking/pooing normally so just let her sort herself. Given her electrolytes tonight as she was quite sweaty when she came in after being chased.
She is and has been eating and drinking etc normally but she's not herself, actually looks tired which I have never known with her and we have owned her since 2003. I'm wondering if there is something going on, and whether it is worth getting the vet down to maybe take bloods or anything else they might think is worth while. Because of her age I don't want to prod/poke more than neccessary, but obviously don't want to leave it if she is suffering (god forbid). We've added sugar beet last week, had already intended to, giving her lots of hay to keep her warm and eating, and are constantly reassessing her rugging to make sure she isn't too hot or cold. We have considered clipping a bit off her tummy to help her regulate easier but are worried that she will then get cold.
Sorry for the long post, just in a bit of a state about it all, and don't really know what to do. She was my first horse, shared with my mum and means the world to me. Suggestions on what to try would be really appreciated, and vibes for her to feel better.
xx
