Stressed filly....

[Field-of-Dreams]

We have a new-to-us AMHR/ASPC 5MO filly who is not eating right. She eats her hay well but just picks at her grain. She had been eating quite well, but while we were at Nationals, she tried to hang herself in the hose! Our pony-sitters found her, quite literally, hanging, tangled in the hose. They got her out, and she seems unharmed. This was Friday a week ago. We did move her from that barn (it's our isolation barn and all our showhorses from Nationals are in it right now) to the mare barn. Her buddy is right next to her and she can see him, so she isn't alone. We haven't been able to turn them out as often as they were since their field is next to the isolation barn- we tried turning them out in a different field and they went through the fence. And once in the big field, you can't catch them. (They went THROUGH the water trough to get out) We ended up running them into the barn to catch them.

I have GastroGuard to give her tonight, is there any kind of supplement we should give her? She isn't losing weight. We're also going to get alfalfa hay for them. The colt is eating fine.

The feed is fresh (all the mares are eating the same stuff and they snarf it right up) so it isn't that. We haven't changed it from what she was eating.

We played with her yesterday and did her feet- she was great! When we were done we just scratched her and let her relax. She is exceedingly high strung.... plus, when she's upset she seems to come up on her hind toes, like she has contracted tendons. But only on the back legs. Once she relaxes the heels drop back down. I have never seem anything like it.... any clue to what is causing THAT?

Lucy

 

[Miniv]

Gastroguard is good. Probiotics may not be bad either...... If she's stressed or high-strung, her little gut may need some settling. (She sounds like a candidate for ulcers.)

It sounds like you're doing everything you can to settle in and learn to relax at her new home.

Keep us posted.

MA

 

[Buckskin gal]

You say she is "exceedingly high strung. " If it isn't something in her environment that is causing this then maybe you should check out her breeding to see if that is just natural for her. Sounds like she may take a lot of handling to calm her down and I too would use the Gastro Guard and maybe ask the vet for advice and some calming agent. Mary

We have a new-to-us AMHR/ASPC 5MO filly who is not eating right. She eats her hay well but just picks at her grain. She had been eating quite well, but while we were at Nationals, she tried to hang herself in the hose! Our pony-sitters found her, quite literally, hanging, tangled in the hose. They got her out, and she seems unharmed. This was Friday a week ago. We did move her from that barn (it's our isolation barn and all our showhorses from Nationals are in it right now) to the mare barn. Her buddy is right next to her and she can see him, so she isn't alone. We haven't been able to turn them out as often as they were since their field is next to the isolation barn- we tried turning them out in a different field and they went through the fence. And once in the big field, you can't catch them. (They went THROUGH the water trough to get out) We ended up running them into the barn to catch them.

I have GastroGuard to give her tonight, is there any kind of supplement we should give her? She isn't losing weight. We're also going to get alfalfa hay for them. The colt is eating fine.

The feed is fresh (all the mares are eating the same stuff and they snarf it right up) so it isn't that. We haven't changed it from what she was eating.

We played with her yesterday and did her feet- she was great! When we were done we just scratched her and let her relax. She is exceedingly high strung.... plus, when she's upset she seems to come up on her hind toes, like she has contracted tendons. But only on the back legs. Once she relaxes the heels drop back down. I have never seem anything like it.... any clue to what is causing THAT?

Lucy

 

[bfogg]

AH this is my kind of horse! I just love these high strung horses! I know weird but they are my favorite kind to work with.

The crazier the better, I love em

:

Now please don't say she is black or I will have to come and steal her......

It takes awhile to get these kind to trust you and also if they have any kind of stressor (running around outside on the loose) it will set them back all over again.

What I have found that works is to set up a set schedule kind of, such as walk them to a tree and say whoa and really make a big deal of when they do it. Reward and then take them back and do the same thing over and over so they know that oh when she comes we do this. And nothing can ever be a big deal! A friend of mine once said For heavens sakes Bonnie you got a horse out there rearing and jumping around and you stand there like nothings happening. Well would it help for me to get all haired up to? No big deal they will come down again

:

The eating grain part I wonder if she is used to eating grain?? How old is she?

If you think about it she has had quite a change in her world.

I am glad she got an owner like you who really cares about her.

Bonnie

 

[HGFarm]

If she is not out where she can run and play, does she need grain? It sounds to me too like either she just doesnt care for that kind or 'flavor' of grain? Too much grain can cause epithisitis- contracted tendons.

 

[Miniv]

I can see that your filly is AMHR/ASPC

: , I can just imagine what bloodlines she probably has.

We are dealing with the same here........ Yes, they can be "high strung", but once you have their trust and loyalty, you'll have it for life. Our two girls here will always have attitude, but along with lots of love and grooming, what has also helped them is a consistant schedule and work. They get walked and trained almost daily for manners and setting up. They are also round penned 5 days a week.....We've now added jumps and they LOVE jumping! (They are both 3 years old.)

MA

 

[albahurst]

One technique I use for injured or just 'stressed out' horses is called Myofascial Release. I can give you a website address to read all about it and to find a 'therapist' in your area (or to learn how to do it yourself), just email me. Myofascial Release is a type of body work that relieves connective tissue restrictions that can be caused by any 'mishap' or just plain being alive. It is absolutely the most effective method I have ever been exposed to in helping animals (people, too) to reduce stress, alleviate pain, increase mobility. And, given that your horse had an accident would lead me to believe there could very well be some issues that could easily be addressed using Myofascial Release. And, for me, not just any Myofascial Release technique is effective, I feel--I use a certain method- just give me a hollar if you are interested in knowing more.

All the best-

Peggy

Alba Hurst Miniature Horse Ranch

www.albahurst.com

 

[lotsofspots]

The first thing I do when one of mine does not want their grain is take their temperature (ruling out colic, etc., first). If they have a fever, some just don't care to eat. It doesn't sound like this is your problem, but it never hurts to check. Possibly she picked up some virus while at the show? I have found that even if one has a fever, it will still eat hay. Just a thought . . .

 

[Little Wee Horse Farm]

Hi Lucy! It's been a while!

My solution is a simple one I've used & also suggested to many others who found it works too. Firstly, let me ask you the filly's eating situation? Does she eat alone? If so, it might help to put her with another young one (ideally, another weanling) at least temporarily. And I mean sharing the same feed container - usually a rubbber-type floor feeder.

Dunno if it's "monkey see, monkey do," or if it's curiousity or jealousness, but the off-eating one usually (I'm tempted to say always) joins in & starts eating with gusto. Maybe not immediately, but within a few days. Eventually, the two can be separated, of course. I only left two together for a short time, so the newbie would get the picture.

And, of course, I ruled out possible medical problems first. I'd suggest you try it -- hey, it's worked many times. Simple, but, we didn't always have medicines! Um, should we call it a "natural" solution? Hope all turns out well with her. -- Karen

:

 

[Field-of-Dreams]

We did take her to the Vet yesterday. He could find nothing wrong. So, we put her and her friend back where they were, and turned them out for the day. She came right in last night and ATE!! Not all of it (they do get a rather large amount) and was quite content. The Vet said her heels were probably coming up since she was cooped up. She looked fine last night.

Thanks for all your ideas!

No, Bonnie, she isn't black, she's silver dapple:

Not the best pic.... :bgrin

Lucy

 

[albahurst]

Glad she is doing better now!!! She is a beauty!!! :bgrin

Peggy