Switched off?

[bramblesmum]

My TB mare has been with me now since september and has come on leaps and bounds, she has started putting weight on, is not windsucking half as much and seems a happier pony. She is out with one other as herd turnout seemed to stress her, she also shares the stable with this mare (dont worry is a large barn) as she stressed when stabled alone.

However she seems somewhat switched off at times, I often get her neigh a greeting to me when I come past her field and she loves a cuddle but she seems switched off the rest of the time just plods around with her head down.

She also walks through you if you're in her way almost as if she doesnt register you're there, there is no malice she just doesn't seem inside her head if that makes sense, she walks into things a lot too because she doesn't seem there, just wondered if anyone had an idea why?

[mandal]

It's probably worth getting her eyes tested examined and a full physical including bloods by a decent equine vet. Liver enzymes is one test I think is a must.

Good diet, handling and time, which I'm sure she will get.

[natty]

I agree with getting eyes tested my dartmoor started walking into things and wouldn't no where to put her head when I was getting a head collar on and turned out she was blind in 1 eye

[Deleted]

Eyes was my first thought too, or something else physical. Just what you need at Christmas - a vet bill!

[bramblesmum]

Always the way with my blighters at the moment, is there anyway to test eye reaction yourself to get a rough idea? I will get the vet just know they are stupidly busy atm will get him out after xmas just curious if theres any way to tell. Shes not spooky at all is as solid as you could hope for and so very laid back for an ex racer, would be sad if her eyes were going as was hoping to take her on fun rides next year as shes still only a baby and is really enjoying a working life.

[Deleted]

A good basic eye test is to flick your finger nearish to the eye and see if you get a reaction. A normal reaction should be to start at the sudden close movement. Do both eyes and see if there is a difference. If there's a difference or if you don't get much of a reaction, then it could (stress could) indicate an eye problem. However, either way, I'd still get it checked out after Christmas.

[laurac]

hope you get to the bottom of it
my boy switches off / doesnt register when you are there sometimes and walks through you in his own little world, he has tummy problems we are trying to get to the bottom of at the moment , i think a liver test is next on my list, vet out tonight to check him again

[outoftheblue]

Get her hormones tested. This was exactly how Lily was when she had hormonal problems. Good luck.

[bramblesmum]

thanks guys will get an MOT for her after xmas she has managed to injure herself today god knows how but has an egg on her head and a little graze, she has been out today with one other happy and her eyes seemed to register the same she has however had belly problems, so perhaps she has more underlying problems there than we first thought, will just hold out till after xmas and get the vet to investigate, love this girl to bits which is really strange as not normally a tb lover.

[calekio]

Definatly i think get a vet to look over her and run some tests.

May was like this, right from when we first got her she will dull... she then went down with laminitis and has spent the last 6 months in a stable... feeling very sorry for herself. About 2 weeks ago she was diagnosed with cushings and started on pergolide and i have a completely different pony in a very short space of time.. 2 weeks ago we started hand walking her again and restricted turnout (as she got a mild lammi attack just before she was diagnosed with cushings, already diagnosed with insulin resistance) and she was very dull still... about 5 days ago though i noticed a change in her... with a quicken step and a pony now bunny hopping, rearing, bucking and broncoing on the end of the rope when we go for a walk and she picks the pace up and wants to have a bit of fun! (she is very good as its all very contain and nothing that i can't hang onto her with her doing, we even have a little trot and she'll do it then) Its such a lovely sight to see as she certainly has some spark back to her and look forward to getting out again.. instead of just standing hanging her head looking totally miserable. I'm pretty sure its the pergolide working to sort her out medically and now she is feeling better.

[poppyandbea]

if her eyes seem fine i would also agree with mandal and get a liver test done as that was one of the things bea did or some times she would be the other way and on high alery for no reason it was all down to her liver