[Cara]

So this morning was the 4th time in the past 4 months (2nd time in the past month or three weeks or so) that I've recieved this same call from the owner of the barn where my guy is. She feeds them every morning and evening, and checks on everyone durring the day, so she knows their norm very well.

Anyways, so what keeps happening is it is only in the morning (like i said, it's only happened 4 times... but still, it keeps happening...) and usually she finds my guy laying down (these are the only times she's ever seen him lay down, and I've only ever seen him lay down once in the past 2 years, i've owned him for 1 or those years).

Ok, so sorry, I'm trying to be descriptive, lol... so it's always the same, she goes out to feed in the morning, he's laying down, she goes into the stall and asks him (clicking type of thing, not too much effort) to get up, and he stands. Then he usually goes into the corner, not excited about getting breakfast (believe me, he's usually extremely food motivated), and then he'll stetch out like he has to pee... but not pee. And he'll do the pee stance a couple of times at least, but does not let his penis down (or at least not much). Usually then what she does is walk him a little bit (she's a saint) and then put him in his turnout and keep a super close eye on him until I get there (she calls me right away every time, and I go out as soon as possible). She doesn't feed him until I get there, just in case, and every time by the time I get there, he's perfectly fine, and asking (no, demanding) to be fed.

So this happened again today, she tried feeding him, but he would have nothing to do with it, but was fine by the time I got out there, and so I fed him...

Ok, so what's going on? We keep thinking it's a pre-colic type of thing, maybe gas or something? But how do I prevent it from happening? What happens if nobody catches it, ya know? So... I'm at a loss as to what it is, I asked my vet about it, but he wasn't very helpful (I'm in the process of finding a new vet, btw). Throughout this entire time, he's been getting the exact same feed. The weather has been consistent throughout all these times, except today it is a bit colder than it has been... so I was thinking maybe he wasn't drinking enough... but this is the first time weather has been different when this has happened...

So any ideas? I will be talking to a friends vet tomorrow about it... but it doesn't hurt to get ideas on my own.

Anything would be great. Thanks!

[Temposmom]

Numerous vets have told me that type of action is very often associated with stomach pain. Stalling may not be a good thing for your guy, or he may need more grass hay, less hard feed, more sloppy beetpulp, just some thoughts. Yes, I would definitely be concerned.

[ryu2832]

The only other horse I've seen do that was sleep deprived. He actually fell down when the rider was on him. Went from a trot to dead asleep in one stride. Freaked everyone out.

But he would stretch like he had to pee and his head would start to go down and then he would jerk it up.

Maybe your guy is just catching up on some Zzzzzs.

ETA: The horse was diagnosed with ulcers, that and the stress of competition did him in--between the two he wasn't able to rest.

[sorrell]

You think it might be kidney stones?
Also, any kind of blockage could be made worse with sleeping - cutting off circulation to intestines.
It could also be arthritis or some such.
I know a lot of horses will sleep until fed and will stretch too, and that's fairly normal, but the not eating part isn't.
I'd want the vet to check things out as well.

[cminor]

What he is doing sounds just like this horse that was at one of the barns I managed. He had ulcers, he normally got ulcer guard everyday and would be fine. However on the weekends, when I was not around, sometimes he would not get it and he would do just like your horse. I would definatly check with the vet, it could be ulcers or something else and you don't want it to lead to other problems.

[pantha11]

A horse not interested in his/her feed is a huge warning sign that something is wrong.
A vet check would be a really good idea...he may need antibiotics if he has a kidney infection.
I would also suggest you take your horses vitals.........temperature, capillary count, and pulse, I would also be checking for dehydration....do the pinch test.

You could also mark his water container, to see how much he is drinking each night/day.

Would also suggest you put your horses on banana's skin and all.....the riper the better...5 to 6 a day, this will put a lining on the stomack, and help with digestive issues....some horses don't like banana's, so you may have to introduce it cut up in his feed gradually.

Would also put him on tea-leaves...any brand, equivalent to 6 tea-bags a day...but remove string and bags, or it will cause bowel problems, this will put a lining on the kidneys.
These can also be used with antibiotics and other medication.

I am sure you already do this but please remember to wet feed down.

Hope this helps.

[ItchingPostFarm]

Kidney stones and/or ulcers are both something to rule out. Keeping track of the vitals is a good idea, too, and I'd definitely have the vet give him a once over to start getting an idea of what's going on.

Good luck!