I think Ferrah is sick.

[Ferrah]

I think my 21 year old Arab/QH mare, Ferrah is sick. For the last couple of days she has not been acting like herself. Usually when she sees me coming with her food she will not stop talking until she gets her food. For the last couple of days she hasn't been talking to me when I bring her food. She still eats her food, but not with the same enthusiasm.

I usually try to ride her every day or every other day because, believe it or not, she won't eat enough if I don't ride. I rode her today and yesterday. Usually she is raring to go and as soon as I ask her to canter, shes right there with me. But yesterday she was really slow and lethargic and today she wouldn't canter at all.

She is still drinking normally and pooping and peeing normal and she doesn't have a temperature. I think I should call my vet, but my parents don't think I should because they say she is just a little "down." But this isn't normal for Ferrah.

I am going to call the vet tomorrow if she isn't any better...but I wanted to know what you guys thought about this because my parents are not very horsey. What could it be that is making Ferrah sick?

 

[nootka]

Hmm...has anything changed, lately?

I mean something you might not have thought of firsthand, like another animal coming or going, or dying...?

A family member she is fond of not visiting her enough...?

Just trying to think of something that might be affecting her emotions as well as her physical health. Or maybe it's just the time of year.

I wish I had some ideas, but if you feel she should be seen by the vet, by all means, give them a call for peace of mind. They could probably do some bloodwork to see if she could be having a problem you won't detect.

I hope it's nothing, but I'd want to know....you know her best, after all.

Liz M.

 

[Marty]

I think she's sick.

These are signs leading to depression and when a horse begins to act differently that is a red flag for me.

This can be anything. This could be nothing. Could be something as simple as the weather changes bothering her. But I would want a blood test done. No need waiting and putting it off.

This shows me that you are quite a horseperson. You have picked up on a few signs that others would over look and pass off as "she's just having a bad day".

Don't ride her.

 

[Ferrah]

I can't think of anything that might make her emotionally down. I have not changed anything that I have done with her, and as far as I know no one at the stable I have been boarding at has changed anything either.

I asked the other boarders if they had done anything out of the ordinary and none of them had. I can't figure it out.

 

[nootka]

Well, as Marty said, it may be nothing or it may be something, but something is off about her and kudos to you for noticing.

If you do exercise her, maybe some hand walking or light lungeing would be ok, but I think it sounds like a vet call would be in order. I just know if it were me, I would never forgive myself if there were something that I could have fixed or anticipated with a few simple tests.

Beyond that, I am afraid it is out of our hands with older horses, though she's not THAT old, I wouldn't say.

I have one here that is 30 and fit and sassy (she's a mini, though), but she goes through some off times now and then and I get a little more than worried but it's generally not quite what you're describing, just behavior quirks.

Let us know what you find out, if anything. Good luck!

Liz M.