Laying down lately

rusty123rus · 06-28-2007, 06:54 PM

My friend who lives in Florida volunteers at a barn. And one of the horses (Lucky) has been laying down... alot! They ride him in the pony ring. Which is only walking and he goes right in the stall and lays down after he has gotten rinsed off. The vet said it wasn't colic but he's pretty old. (could age have something to do with it?) I don't know exactly how old though.

Maybe you guyz and gals could have some suggestions.

Smoke N Lace · 06-29-2007, 04:00 AM

It has been my experience that an adult horse that lays down a lot has a problem. Maybe they can have the vet check him out. If he is really aged, maybe the ringwork is just a little too much for him.

rusty123rus · 06-29-2007, 04:04 AM

Well, actually I just asked someone how old he is. H eis only about 10 or 11 (myy bad on the old part

) But they did get blood samples to check for laminitis and cushings. Do you think he could have something else. Maybe the heat is really getting to him.

Chester · 06-29-2007, 04:05 AM

Quote:

The vet said it wasn't colic but he's pretty old. (could age have something to do with it?)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smoke N Lace

It has been my experience that an adult horse that lays down a lot has a problem. Maybe they can have the vet check him out. If he is really aged, maybe the ringwork is just a little too much for him.

I have an old horse that lays down frequently, and sometimes stays there for a few hours.

There is nothing wrong with him apart from he is old. Just like you and I, as we age we tire. We leave him be, he has earnt it.

If the vet has checked him and found nothing, it could very well be old age and if he is still being ridden, then there is a bigger chance he is just tired.

Smoke N Lace · 06-29-2007, 04:06 AM

If he is lying down as much as you are saying, it sounds like he really need to be checked by a vet just to be on the safe side. Do you see any other symptoms?

They will be able to tell a lot from the bloodwork. When are they supposed to hear back?

Smoke N Lace · 06-29-2007, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chester

I have an old horse that lays down frequently, and sometimes stays there for a few hours.

There is nothing wrong with him apart from he is old. Just like you and I, as we age we tire. We leave him be, he has earnt it.

If the vet has checked him and found nothing, it could very well be old age and if he is still being ridden, then there is a bigger chance he is just tired.

Even my horses in their 20s haven't spent that much more time lying down than the others. Maybe they were just extremely healthy. LOL. If I find one spending a lot of time on the ground, I get worried. This guy she's referring to is only about 10. The age and light work shouldn't be having that tiring an effect on him. Sounds like something going on with him IMO.

Chester · 06-29-2007, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smoke N Lace

Even my horses in their 20s haven't spent that much more time lying down than the others. Maybe they were just extremely healthy. LOL. If I find one spending a lot of time on the ground, I get worried. This guy she's referring to is only about 10. The age and light work shouldn't be having that tiring an effect on him. Sounds like something going on with him IMO.

The post I replied to said the horse was OLD. The subsequent age was put in another post as I was replying.

As to horses that lay down, if my 6yo spent a bit of time on the ground, I would check him. The pony pictured is guestimated to be 35 or so years old. He deserves everybit of laying down time he wishes as I know it won't be too many more years at best till he lays down and doesn't get up. And when he decides to lay down and not get back up, we won't be forcing him to get up.

My 24 yo horse rarely lays down, and then not for long so if he was down I would be checking him too.

Smoke N Lace · 06-29-2007, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chester

The post I replied to said the horse was OLD. The subsequent age was put in another post as I was replying.

As to horses that lay down, if my 6yo spent a bit of time on the ground, I would check him. The pony pictured is guestimated to be 35 or so years old. He deserves everybit of laying down time he wishes as I know it won't be too many more years at best till he lays down and doesn't get up. And when he decides to lay down and not get back up, we won't be forcing him to get up.

My 24 yo horse rarely lays down, and then not for long so if he was down I would be checking him too.

Yes, LOL, he has reached an age where he should do whatever he wants to. Have you had him all that time?

Zypheir's Ring · 06-29-2007, 04:29 AM

Does his stall let in light or is it heavily bedded? I've found horses lay down when it is cold/warm/or very comfy :P

jgrinols · 06-29-2007, 05:46 AM

Does he roll, or just lay down? After my horses get a bath they ALWAYS lay down or roll.

What's his personality like? We have a horse at our barn that is always laying down but it's completely a part of her personality so it's not unusual behavior. She is very lazy and tired, and loves to snore loud enough that the neighbors can hear her. Is this laying down unusual for him?

06-29-2007, 04:00 AM	#2
Smoke N Lace Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,760 Images: 20	It has been my experience that an adult horse that lays down a lot has a problem. Maybe they can have the vet check him out. If he is really aged, maybe the ringwork is just a little too much for him. __________________ "Experienced riders are not prone to brag. And usually newcomers, if they start out being boastful, end up modest." C.J.J. Mullen

06-29-2007, 04:06 AM	#5
Smoke N Lace Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,760 Images: 20	If he is lying down as much as you are saying, it sounds like he really need to be checked by a vet just to be on the safe side. Do you see any other symptoms? They will be able to tell a lot from the bloodwork. When are they supposed to hear back? __________________ "Experienced riders are not prone to brag. And usually newcomers, if they start out being boastful, end up modest." C.J.J. Mullen

06-29-2007, 04:29 AM	#9
Zypheir's Ring Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,305 Images: 440	Does his stall let in light or is it heavily bedded? I've found horses lay down when it is cold/warm/or very comfy :P __________________ I've got nothing to prove...I'm me, I don't care whether you like me or not. If you don't like me I won't hate you or blame you. I'm me.....just me.

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06-29-2007, 05:46 AM	#10
jgrinols Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 339 Images: 32	Does he roll, or just lay down? After my horses get a bath they ALWAYS lay down or roll. What's his personality like? We have a horse at our barn that is always laying down but it's completely a part of her personality so it's not unusual behavior. She is very lazy and tired, and loves to snore loud enough that the neighbors can hear her. Is this laying down unusual for him?