Why does my gelding go dopey in the Spring/Summer?

Charla

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 January 2011
Messages
585
Location
Kent
Visit site
I've recently moved my gelding to his summer field with all his pals. Plenty of grass out there! However, (and I noticed this last year too) he goes all dopey in the warm weather. His eyes sometimes get a little swollen too.
He looks and acts like he's half asleep a lot of the time when he's out!

Is this just because he's stuffed himself on spring grass?
The heat?
Hayfever?
 
My lunatic filly does the same. I've always assumed it's the warm weather and nice full tummy feeling. Can hardly get her to trot over the pole without her falling over it for being so dopey in the summer. :rolleyes:
 
Usually when they are bloated or carrying too much overweight and unfit, it tends to have that effect on them, not saying that is reason in your horse's case but it's quite common.

It's like us, the more we eat (sugar foods) if you don't burn it off the more lathergic we feel. :)
 
does your horse have a mask on? My gelding used to be like that, he now has a fly mask on with a nose gaurd, last year he went really odd and got vet out, he was having an allergy to the pollen so we think thats what it is. He is however much better when the flies cant get to his eyes, and fingers crossed the nose gaurd will help with the pollen this year!
 
Thanks for the replies. He's definitely not overweight. Was in work but waiting for the back person to come out before continuing. I put his fly rug on yesterday evening as the flies were bothering him but I haven't got him a face mask....I will invest in one though if it helps him in anyway!

Glad it's not just my boy, and that others have experienced this because I get ever so worried about him! He's only a youngster too, with plenty of energy usually.
 
Top