would you be worried if your horse lost weight...

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here_i_am

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...for the first time ever? We've had her for 11 years. She was a 3 year old hat rack when we bought her, but she very easily put weight on with no effort at all. Since then, she's been a good-doer. Never 'fat', but most would say she could have done with losing a few kg's. She's a 15.2/3 Welsh D X (possibly tb?). Anyway, built like a brick poop house according to our saddler!
We moved yards in October 2011. She lives out here 24/7. So this is her 2nd winter out. She's been rugged up, given hay in the field & her feeds are the same as always (speedibeet & chaff, with added minerals & linseed). But i noticed about a month ago her weight is dropping. she's gone from 520(ish) kgs to 440kg. She's by no means a welfare case, but i can see her ribs (through winter coat). I know most people aim to have their good-doers like this post-winter, but Im just wondering why she's like this now, but never before?
She's ok in herself. Maybe slightly less of a nutter, but still happy to work. My other 2 have lost a bit, but that's normal for them (and a good thing!)
Just wondering if you would be worried or am i over-reacting? If she was lethargic or anything, id get the vet to run bloods. Would it be worth it?
Her teeth were done in November & she was wormed in Feb :)
 
Just had bloods taken from my lad as he has dropped a lot of condition lately. He is usually a horse who puts weight on just looking at food. He is a little lethargic also. Initially he wasn't walking out with as much enthusiasm as normal so had saddle, back checked and sorted. You know your own horse so if they aren't right I would get her checked, for your own peace of mind if nothing else.
 
here_i_am said:
...for the first time ever? We've had her for 11 years. She was a 3 year old hat rack when we bought her, but she very easily put weight on with no effort at all. Since then, she's been a good-doer. Never 'fat', but most would say she could have done with losing a few kg's. She's a 15.2/3 Welsh D X (possibly tb?). Anyway, built like a brick poop house according to our saddler!
We moved yards in October 2011. She lives out here 24/7. So this is her 2nd winter out. She's been rugged up, given hay in the field & her feeds are the same as always (speedibeet & chaff, with added minerals & linseed). But i noticed about a month ago her weight is dropping. she's gone from 520(ish) kgs to 440kg. She's by no means a welfare case, but i can see her ribs (through winter coat). I know most people aim to have their good-doers like this post-winter, but Im just wondering why she's like this now, but never before?
She's ok in herself. Maybe slightly less of a nutter, but still happy to work. My other 2 have lost a bit, but that's normal for them (and a good thing!)
Just wondering if you would be worried or am i over-reacting? If she was lethargic or anything, id get the vet to run bloods. Would it be worth it?
Her teeth were done in November & she was wormed in Feb :)
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Id always be worried, but I would probably now start to freak out since I was in a similar situation last April, and the next thing you know, I had an emaciated horse being put down in June. Despite getting the vets out early on, for me there was nothing we could do, although we tried everything. This isn't always the case, most of the time these things are fixable but yes I would be worried and yes I would call the vet pronto... these things can spiral so fast if the vet is on the case early on, you have the best chance of turning it around
 
mine sounds similar to yours but she is 15.2 warmblood cross, has always been a very good doer but this winter her weight loss was also similar to yours and i was really worried as she was also very quiet.... mine just didnt seem to want to eat her feed or hay but would mostly finish a net of haylage.... i had assumed this was related to cushings(is already on 2 1/2 prascend daily) and arranged for another blood test , but she suddenly started to eat the hay again and her weight has gone up to 470kg and she now is looking healthier and back to being lively.... the blood test showed her levels at 47 and should be under 29 so not terrible....might be worth getting yours tested as it isnt only an old horse problem
 
Thats a big weight drop, especially for a horse who is normally a good doer. Personally I would be having the vets come out and do check on her, things like teeth and blood work
 
I'm going through the same thing with my 15yr old Welsh d mare. I've had her for 9 years and she's always been a good doer, but just recently has been dropping weight and has gone from approx 503kg down to 436kg!

I had the vet out to run bloods, but all seems clear, so I'm stuck trying to find a feeding regime to help. I've also got the dentist coming in 2 weeks just to double check her teeth.

It's so frustrating and also so sad to see my lovely girl in such a state :(
 
Thanks everybody. I'll call the vet in the morning.
She's still full of herself & still has a huge appetite, so Im not tooooooo worried. If it was her first winter out, I'd probably think it was that, but she was fine last winter so Im not sure. Her girth is way too big now, even on the tightest holes :(
I already have a cushings mare & i certainly haven't suspected it in this one too. My gelding was diagnosed at 14, so Im unfortunately experienced with it :(
I'll speak with my vet first thing though and let you know what happens. Thank you again :)
 
Spoken to vet on my lunch. She is coming to look at her tomorrow afternoon and take bloods & faecal sample to check for infection & worm burden. Hopefully it will be a waste of £114, and she'll be fine :) Bloody horses!
 
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