Horse acting sluggish for about 2 weeks now?

Question

I have an 18 year old Mustang gelding who is normally energetic and excited to be ridden. I am on a drill team and he has been doing that for about 10 years. It is what he lives for. Recently I have noticed that I have been kicking him up a lot more than usual (usually it only takes a click or a kiss to get him up). It has been hot here, (Denver, CO) but the heat has never really had an effect on him. The other day I noticed that he was sweating in his stall when I went to pick him up, which is very unusual for him. We cut back his grain for the summer but that shouldn't effect him, considering his last owners didn't give him any. Do you have any suggestions for what we can do before we take him to the vet? Any help is appreciated.

Answer 1

ehhh, i would call the vet. they always know wat to do.

Answer 2

Could just be his age. Getting older, he might find the summer heat more stressful than he used to.

The amount of grain isn't going to affect whether he is warm or not, but maybe you shouldn't cut back considering his age. He might need some extra grain to get his energy levels back. You might even consider senior feed instead of grain at that age.

David

http://gentlenaturalhorseman.blogspot.co...

Answer 3

like every Question i have answerd is about Mustangs call te vet is it maybe that he is getting older

Answer 4

Definately check his temperature.

He is also getting older, and the heat might start to be affecting him.

Or- is there anything new outside the stall that could be stressing him out?

You could also try varying the routine- after 10 years, he may be sick of always doing drill team. I ride dressage, but also do barrel races and poles for fun (we suck and are slow, but my horses love the change of pace).

  Cutting down his grain should not make him warmer or affect his attitude that much.

Answer 5

I agree with checking his temp. It could be anything from heat stroke to Potomac Horse Fever. Has he been drinking enough water? You may want to try electrolytes and see if it helps.

Answer 6

If he is sweating like that, I would take his temp, just to see if it is elevated, and take his pulse and respiration rates too.  That'll help the vet out, if/when you call them.  If all those seem normal, I wouldn't worry much.

He is probably just slowing down with age.  Maybe he has a little arthritis that is starting to bother him or something like that.  I doubt it's much to worry about...or that there is much you can do about it.

Are you in the Westernairres?  I see there are a few mustangs in that...very cool.  I have a 6 year old mustang that needs a job...want him?  Haha!

Although I'm only half kidding about that last part...