Worried bout daughters pony....thoughts please?

Y

YummyHorses

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 April 2009
Messages
596
Visit site
Okay, so 12.2h, 13 year old, scruffy, lovable skewbald. Kind, caring, safe and sensible sort but forward going. Adored by all, specially my 9 year old daughter who got him for xmas last year.

We went to a little local show this morning and just a little concerned. He wasn't particularly forward going, in fact stopped a few times in the warm up which isn't like him. She had to kick like crazy to get him into trot which is unusual, he normally responds after the first healthy pony club kick.

We spent about 3 hours there and in that time he stopped for four widdles (good proper ones) and multiple little poos. He does stop often for a poo but delivers a good healthy helping. These poos were like little meat balls and only 3/4 meatballs in a go at best. He didn't look totally sound behind but never has to be honest.

She jumped the course and got a clear round so could have gone into the jump off but I wasn't happy for him so we withdrew and went home.

What do you think?

He just doesn't seem to be himself. He normally gives so much. I have to say my little girl did ride like a muppet on occasions today (bit of a confidence crisis!) so maybe he could sense that but I would rather be cautious and make sure.

Thanks all.
 
Have you changed his routine or diet recently?
Do you know how much he is drinking is it more than usual?
He could be showing early signs of cushings or EMS ,if there is no obvious reason for his unusual behaviour today I would suggest you get the vet out for some tests as these things are better caught early and are manageable with treatment.
 
You know your pony best, so I would say a visit from the vet and some routine bloods done.
It sounds like a similar behaviour our pony displayed when he had a urine infection, which was confirmed by blood tests.
I am sure you will get to the botom of it.
 
Sounds like he gone a bit stale. I'd get the vet to check him over just incase and if he cant find anything maybe turn the pony out to grass for a few weeks while weather still nice and daughter at school. See if this brighteners him up a bit.
Also does he have a companion?
 
Crikey thanks everyone - will try and give a general response.

He is not overworked, I hate seeing ponies over jumped or put through too much so I am very strict on this. He was ridden last Sunday and has had the week off as my daughter went back to school. Before that it would be a weekend ride and possibly a week evening.

No changes to feed, routine, etc etc.

He lives with my mare and they adore each other. His routine is out all day and in at night with some hay for breakie and a small amount of hard feed for tea with more hay in his nice and warm stable!!! All through the summer I have been mucking out, complete madness but they like a comfy stable at night.

His urine looks normal, no smell, no funny colour. Poos are like meatballs, not big sloppy green ones.

I gave him some tea tonight and am gunna go and check for poo in 20 mins. Have set my watch. His stable has been normal all week and when I skipped out this morning before the show we had the normal three poos to the right and one wee to the left.

He just gives more at a show - more forward going, I suppose more willing. As I say my little girl didnt ride that well, horses can sense this, maybe he thought he would take advantage of the situation but that doesnt explain the little poos and excessive amount of weeing.

I will call my vet tomorrow. Its not an emergency situation, just one of those 'you know something is not quite right' situations.

Just wondering about cushings - he didnt really get rid of his winter coat this summer, I really had to work hard to get rid. I seem to recall cushings can affect the coat - is that right or am I mixing things up?

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate it.
 
YummyHorses said:
Crikey thanks everyone - will try and give a general response.

He is not overworked, I hate seeing ponies over jumped or put through too much so I am very strict on this. He was ridden last Sunday and has had the week off as my daughter went back to school. Before that it would be a weekend ride and possibly a week evening.

No changes to feed, routine, etc etc.

He lives with my mare and they adore each other. His routine is out all day and in at night with some hay for breakie and a small amount of hard feed for tea with more hay in his nice and warm stable!!! All through the summer I have been mucking out, complete madness but they like a comfy stable at night.

His urine looks normal, no smell, no funny colour. Poos are like meatballs, not big sloppy green ones.

I gave him some tea tonight and am gunna go and check for poo in 20 mins. Have set my watch. His stable has been normal all week and when I skipped out this morning before the show we had the normal three poos to the right and one wee to the left.

He just gives more at a show - more forward going, I suppose more willing. As I say my little girl didnt ride that well, horses can sense this, maybe he thought he would take advantage of the situation but that doesnt explain the little poos and excessive amount of weeing.

I will call my vet tomorrow. Its not an emergency situation, just one of those 'you know something is not quite right' situations.

Just wondering about cushings - he didnt really get rid of his winter coat this summer, I really had to work hard to get rid. I seem to recall cushings can affect the coat - is that right or am I mixing things up?

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate it.
Click to expand...

Yes horses with Cushings do get a longer than normal coat, sometimes a curly coat, general lethargy, and a pot belly. It sometimes goes hand in hand with laminitis, if your pony has ever had that?
 
My daughter's pony wees very very frequently when at a show. Lot large long wees jus little ones. I thought it was just a thing he had until speaking to someone today and their mare does the same!

Now thinking about it, it might just be that they need to go properly but feel a bit stressed so only go a bit then stop but then need to go again soon after if that makes sense.

As for the pooing my old pony from years and years ago used to have projectile poo at shows! Not a good thing when you are trying to do working hunter showing with a white legged coloured pony!
 
BonneMaman said:
My daughter's pony wees very very frequently when at a show. Lot large long wees jus little ones. I thought it was just a thing he had until speaking to someone today and their mare does the same!

Now thinking about it, it might just be that they need to go properly but feel a bit stressed so only go a bit then stop but then need to go again soon after if that makes sense.

As for the pooing my old pony from years and years ago used to have projectile poo at shows! Not a good thing when you are trying to do working hunter showing with a white legged coloured pony!
Click to expand...

or could the mares be scenting?xx
 
Well on the poo situation - he has been doing very neat, small round, meatball type poos at the show and only 3/4 fall down at any one time. Normally does a proper poo. Looked almost constipated but still going if that make sense.

Have just been up to see him and he has produced in the last 90 mins a normal sized but greenish, sloppy poo. No meatballs to be seen. Wonder whether something is moving through him and he has had gut ache today.

The weeing - he has been doing proper long wees. He wont be rushed and doesnt get too worked up at the shows, take it in his stride so happy to stand and finish them off!

xx
 
We had the same thing a few weeks ago...daughters pony just seemed off, took him to a local show, not big only 2ft max but he was stopping and just really really lazy and grumpy.
He wasn't over jumped as we don't even have any jumps at home he only jumps at rallies or her fortnightly lesson.
Spoke to our instructor who has known him for years and she came to see him and watched daughter riding. She suggested a general supplement (we chose global herbs one can't think of its name) and a week off then some fun hacking in the woods which he enjoys. We did this and when she started riding him again he was back to his old self, the break and some nice hacks and a blast on the downs seemed to do the trick! He is 23 and I think sometimes he just says 'enough of the shows please!' She took him to camp a few weeks later and they won the one day event and he has been fine since.
Try not to panic. Was it a show he has been to before? I know its mad, but there is one show ground we have given up going to, he hates it there and is really uncoopratative there but every where else he is fine!
 
YummyHorses said:
Well on the poo situation - he has been doing very neat, small round, meatball type poos at the show and only 3/4 fall down at any one time. Normally does a proper poo. Looked almost constipated but still going if that make sense.

Have just been up to see him and he has produced in the last 90 mins a normal sized but greenish, sloppy poo. No meatballs to be seen. Wonder whether something is moving through him and he has had gut ache today.

The weeing - he has been doing proper long wees. He wont be rushed and doesnt get too worked up at the shows, take it in his stride so happy to stand and finish them off!

xx
Click to expand...

Your description of "meat ball poos" sounds like compaction to me. My friend's pony suffers with this at times. However, if you have now seen a normal size sloppy one it sounds like it has cleared itself. You can use bran mash or epsom salts if this happens again. She has had good success with Marsh Mallow Root fed daily in feed to stock this re-occuring. If it doesn't clear itself it is not a nice procedure getting the vet to sort it out.

You sound like a really caring owner, I hope all goes well.
 
I'm with Juliette on the slight impaction, the gut processes have obviously slowed down at some point and the droppings have ended up a bit bullet like. It may be the excitement of going to a show help move the impacted droppings along a bit. When my mare had a mild colic the vet found that her bladder was very very full - the pain had stopped her wanting to wee or maybe drowned out the feeling of wanting to wee. In your shoes I would give my vet a call to tell him what had happened just to get his view on it. But good to hear he is back on track.
 
Thanks all, I kinda agree on the impaction theory. The very fact he would not go forward for my daughter worried me, even with a few big kicks. He is normally so obliging and works hard for her.

I suspect he felt bad bless him. I am glad I withdrew her from the competition. She was in tears but NOT for being withdrawn but for her pony and his well being. She loves him so much.

I will do a late night check - hope for more poos and maybe a wee.

I will keep you all informed and thanks so much for everyones kind words of support and guidance.

xx
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top