I hate these threads, but I'm about to start one. My 28 yr old mare is on 24/7 turn out, blanketed, with access to shelter. She is alone. I'm feeding coastal hay + senior pellets, alfalfa pellets, and beet pulp. She is currently a good weight (in the past she has had issues holding weight in the winter). Normally she is standing at the gate waiting for breakfast, this morning (10 degrees, brrr) she was out in the pasture standing in the sun. She came up for breakfast, seemed to be a little stiff (not unusual), ate a few bites & then went back outside and picked at her hay before walking down to visit with the horse that lives behind us. She is bright and alert, no outward signs of distress at all....just not her usual behavior. I made sure she had water that wasn't frozen & am keeping an eye on her. Any suggestions?
Does she usually eat all her food before leaving? Is she drinking a lot of water? How major are the temperature differences at your place? Does she seem cold?
Being so cold out and her rather advanced in years, the first thing I'd do is offer her as much tepid water as she will drink. Assuming you soak all her pelleted feed already, I'd use warm water for soaking also. Anything warm can only help.
I second the temperature differences. That was my biggest concern last night (50 to 6) them getting sick, more than it was them getting cold.
I would double check she is warm enough, maybe throw another blanket on. You could try making a tasty mash. Take her favourite stuff from breakfast and maybe throw in a little molasses or something she likes, HOT water in this weather half the point is to warm her up (obviously don't give it to her until it cools some). See if she shows any interest.
I would bring her food, and water, and put it in her favourite spot in the sun. I'm sure you agree a horse that age deserves a little pampering.
I'm getting a "cold" vibe, hopefully that is all it is! You may want to call a vet just to mention what's going on, you don't want to play around with an older horse.
She ate breakfast finally (I gave her less than usual). Soaked her beet pulp in hot water & fed it warm and really wet, she finished that. Drank about half a bucket of warm water; she has access to a stock tank, I put a bucket in her shelter for ease of monitoring water intake. I think I'm just being a worrywart.....
You wanna be with the old lady. My oldie colicked from not enough water, he thought it was too cold to drink. Since then tepid water for everybody at least twice a day once it's below freezing.
I'd say see what she does tomorrow. If she exhibits the same odd behavior, it'd be worth having her checked.
But you know your horse best. If you think something is wrong, you probably are right. At least that's been my experience! I've learned to trust my gut because it is usually right.
I might be inclined to throw another blanket on even if she's not shivering. Just make sure she's not overheated of course.
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