| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
|
Eunette
Gold Member
United Kingdom
629 Posts |
 Posted - 02 Jun 2009 : 3:39:10 PM
|
Hi guys
I am asking for some advice or suggestions on what to do with my 22 year old Welsh D.. he just isn't acting himself.
He is living out at the moment to make the most of the summer time. However his field companions have started go in during the day which means he is left on his own (I didn't realise this was happening until this weekend. On Sunday I got down to the yard and he was just standing by the gate.. I decided to move him back in with my other horses as they also live out 24/7 and have recently returned from winter grazing back to their summerfields. However has has still spend the last two days just standing by the gate. I have spoken the the girls that work on the yard and they have said he does this all the time (why they don't think this is abnormal I will never know!) I don't want to bring him in during the day because he weaves if there is activity going on and he suffers from arthritis.. so living out seems like the best thing for him, however he seems depressed.. despite the efforst of my floosy brood mare trying to coax him into the group he was still by the gate when I got there last night - the only improvement was the fact she was by his side keeping him company!
I bring him in for a feed every night which he loves and in human company he is loving fussy and enjoyed a good bath last night.. but I just have this feeling that he isn't right. he is on an iron supplement, garlic and a joint supplement as well as a little sixteen plus and hi-fi to much them down with.
I know this sounds like it is nothing.. but at his age.. anytrhing can cause a downwards turn and I just wondered what people thought or if they have suggestions etc?
Sorry for going on!
Thanks
Torey
|
toreychalk@hotmail.com |
Edited by - Eunette on 16 Jun 2009 5:16:17 PM
|
|
Report to moderator
|
|
|
heatherr
Platinum Member
England
1882 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2009 : 3:49:24 PM
|
| Just a thought Torey - you mentioned you felt your boy was depressed? As he is out it will be hard for you to see if he is drinking/peeing more, but the going quiet and seeming a bit "down" can be a pre curser to cushings - I speak from personal experience here. You could try Hilton Herbs Cush X it made an amazing difference to my old mare and she didn't need pergolide for a couple of years on this. You could of course get him tested for cushings to be really sure, but then it may well be nothing at all, just him reacting to a change in routine and company. You are welcome to pm me if you want further info. |
Heather 
   |
Report to Moderator  |
|
|
bexr
Gold Member
England
818 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2009 : 4:23:24 PM
|
| Could it be he just wants his friend. My friends mare is doing the exact same thing at the moment. Unfortunately her friend has just been PTS at 34, even though the mare has other company, she is often seen waiting at the gate,like she did when her friend went out riding. Or maybe been that little bit older, he needs a bit more rest, and that is the quieter place to be. If you are really worried get the vet to give him a check over, but if he's eating OK and seems bright and alert when you are around him, I don't think you have too much to worry about. |
Bex |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Eunette
Gold Member
United Kingdom
629 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2009 : 4:39:51 PM
|
Hi heather
Someone else mentioned Cushings to me... his eyes are occasionally bulgy in the sockets (does that makes sense) but not all the time... I will PM you for more info if thats okay.
Bex - I thought about this hence talking to the groom at the yard about him perhpas being stabled next to his orginal field companions.. however she told me that even when they are out he stands at the fence.. I know it sounds like a fuss about nothing.. but I just feel he isn't himself.. despite their not being obvious symptoms.. which is why we are reluctant to get the vet at this stage.. we had him from 3 and he had severe colic shortly after we brought him resulting in surgery.. since then he has been overly pampered... but he hates the vets.. is a total wimp with injections etc.. so in a way I don't want to upset him if it is nothing... I think I am a bit stuck between a rock and a hard place!!
Thanks for posting
x |
toreychalk@hotmail.com |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Gerri
Platinum Member
England
4211 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2009 : 5:15:38 PM
|
poor lad, I can understand you worrying, try that herb feed that someone else suggested first and see if it makes a difference, did he start standing next to the gate as soon as things changed or has it been doing it for a while? I really hope it all turns out well, keep us posted, I am thinking of you as I know what its like to be worried about them, but trust your gut instinct, as its usually right |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Joto
Gold Member
855 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2009 : 6:12:50 PM
|
| Have you spoken to the vet? I think they can do a blood test to see if it is cushings. Then you can get a diagnoses or rule it out. |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
mogwai
Platinum Member
England
2717 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2009 : 6:38:36 PM
|
I don't think you're making a fuss about nothing. I think you're being a caring owner looking out for her old boy in his autumn years.
I think i'd be tempted to have a chat to the vet and see what they think. It may be that they can run a full profile and see if there are any abnormalities (it doesn't cost a huge amount to do this) and you can work from there.
I hope he feels better soon
Ros x |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Eunette
Gold Member
United Kingdom
629 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2009 : 09:21:26 AM
|
Hi guys
Thanks for the advice, I am going to call the vet today just to see what he says, he knows what I am like with my lot and it is better to have my mind put at rest. He has been like this really only the past few weeks.. but his jonts seem to have been slowing down for a while.. the occasional hack has turned into full retirement... which perhaps might have been the worng decsion?
I will keep you posted with how he gets on.. Thanks for not making me feel silly about posting!
Torey
x |
toreychalk@hotmail.com |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
carole ferguson
Silver Member
United Kingdom
457 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2009 : 12:22:56 PM
|
| My elderly Dartmoor Mare (now 27)was very depressed - and lost a lot of weight in winter 2007 - so I changed her routine this last winter - and instead of being out with the herd (who she had always bossed about) I put her just with my ancient welsh pony mare (late 30's) - and they have lived happily all winter. I had got to the point the previous year - that I was going to have the Darty PTS as she was so thin and miserable - now this spring - I have had to put her on a diet as she is fat as butter - and I have now put a couple of the others bigger fatties in with her - and she is back to bossing my poor fat PBA mare again - so I will certainly do the same this next winter - and hopefully have her with us for some years to come. I think the Darty's main problem was a psychological one to do with the pecking order. My little Honey was able to boss even my 16.2 Saddlebred mare - but she was obviously sliding down the pecking order due to old age - and was miserable - so lost weight. |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
weirton
Gold Member
873 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2009 : 4:49:39 PM
|
We have found that, as Carole says, the oldies can sometimes get depressed when they see the younger ones going up the pecking order and they feel less important. They detach themselves from the young as they do in the wild and putting them with another oldie very often does the trick.
Jean |
       |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Grey Girl
Platinum Member
England
1554 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2009 : 5:38:56 PM
|
| It might be he has a bit of a virus - not enough to make him poorly but just enough to make him a spot off colour. The vet can do a blood test. Hope he brightens up soon - it's awful when they're not quite right but you don't know why... |
 Said the little eohippus, "I´m going to be a HORSE"  |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Eunette
Gold Member
United Kingdom
629 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2009 : 5:21:33 PM
|
WEll it has been over two weeks since we moved Shrimp (please don't ask!! - I know he is a section D!!) to be with the others and the change has been remarkable... he is back to his old self and is back in the herd full time.. no standing at the gate.. he still comes over for his feed but is happy to go back into the field and mingle when he is done.
He actually tanked off with me last night to get to his feed - and although normally I would be really cross with him... I was so relieved he had it in him still I found myself smiling as I gently put my arm back in its socket! (well not quite!!)
It just shows the impact changing the routine can have on an old horse and the effects of keeping a horse on its own for any length of time especially when they are a bit dependant (as shrimp is!).
Thanks all for the advice!
Torey |
toreychalk@hotmail.com |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
bey_sirocco
Bronze Member
87 Posts |
|
|
LYNDILOU
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
13976 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2009 : 8:19:17 PM
|
It is as always hard for a horse to be alone  . it is in their nature to be in a herd, hope he is happy know which it sounds as though he is, bless him |
   
www.dreamfield-arabians.com |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
heatherr
Platinum Member
England
1882 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2009 : 10:49:52 PM
|
| Oh Torey I am so leased that you have got to the root of shrimp's issue. Well done you for listening to him and giving him what he needed - his mates |
Heather
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Goldenmane
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4964 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jun 2009 : 06:12:44 AM
|
So pleased he's back to normal, (what a relief) well done you for being so caring.  |
 |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
brychens mum
Bronze Member
99 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jun 2009 : 07:01:28 AM
|
| Im glad that it worked out okay for your Welshie, they are funny characters arent they? Mine went down hill last year when I moved up North . After two yards that seemed lovely to me but obviously were not right for him(restricted t/o time at one and too damp at another)I have him on a yard he likes and he is thriving again. Mine has a little harem that are dedicated to him and vice versa. they all wait at the field gate if one of the herd is out for a ride. Do you still ride yours (obviously I dont know if yours has health issues that would prevent this) , it makes a big difference to mine to 'have a job' even if its much less work than he did when young. |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
marionpack
Gold Member
England
1073 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jun 2009 : 12:28:40 PM
|
| Glad he is back to normal, I know how worrying it is when the oldies aren't themselves, thankfully you found out what it was |
Berkshire
   
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Eunette
Gold Member
United Kingdom
629 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jun 2009 : 1:27:56 PM
|
Thanks all! it is a relief, I think I still need to keep a close eye on him... which I will.
Brychens mum... he is retired.. as much as we tried to keep him in work he has had intermittent lameness.. I think due to arthritis in his front joints so he is retired... to be honest he has always been a bit work shy... much prefering to be spoilt and pampered by my mum rather than do anything else! He is a funny character...he was a first horse.. a four year old section D reccommened as a family pony!!...we should never have brought him really but we fell in love with him and he has a soft soul.. wouldn't hurt a fly... but is also so sensitive to anything.. after returning from major surgery due to colic he went down with what we thought was another attack.. we called the vet out who informed us he was just fine.. nothing wrong with him..... sure enough about 30 minutes of my mum pampering him as she had done whilst he was in hospital and he was right as reign.. he has been spoilt ever since... to the point where if there is someting wrong with his leg for instance and my mum comes to have a look.. he will literally hold it up for her!! my arabs live out 24/7/365 but not him.. he is rugged up to the eyeballs and has a cozy stable for the winter!!
sorry waffle over!! thanks again for all the support and help!1
Torey
xx |
toreychalk@hotmail.com |
| Report to Moderator |
|
| |
Topic |
|
Advice on Oldie.. not acting himself - UPDATE
