This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Training, Behavior, & Conditioning Horses » Behavioral Problems » Behavioral Problems topics not covered by the above »
  Discussion on Can older horses become senile?
Author Message
Member:
Belhaven

Posted on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 4:24 pm:

Yes this is a serious question. My 20 something yo horse seems literally like he is losing his mind.

He retired from work about a year ago due to a combination of mild health issues (heat intolerance in the summer, fall allergies and arthritis) and was able to live the good life outside about 20 hours a day.

He was still handled daily and brought inside to eat.

This spring he appeared to have a mild founder episode and I reduced his grass to what is currently 5 hours daily. He is dry lotted the remainder of the day. He is still led in and out and fed daily.

Now here is the odd part: He appears at times to either be losing his sight or hearing or mind. He will at times appear absolutely terrified when I come in his stall-to the point of spinning and panicking to get away. He snorts and "foghorns" and his breathing becomes rapid. If I approach him he will quiver.

Outside he is impossible to catch. The same thing happens---he seems terrified of me or any one else.

I have had him for years and he has always been a very quiet predictable horse that could be handled by a child. Now he is approaching dangerous when approached in his stall (not aggressive just unpredictable).

His odd behavior was at first only occasional but now is this way every time I get near him.

Ideas?
Member:
Diana

Posted on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 10:42 pm:

This is a serious issue... ironically, the 24 year old thoroughbred who boards with us has also recently begun developing very erratic behavior that borders on dangerous. I believe he has trouble with his eyesight, which causes him to be very skittish when approached with a halter, food, fly spray, etc. and I have to move very slowly and carefully.

Tonight it took me a very long time to catch him in order to bring him in for dinner (unusual, since he's usually first in line). He went galloping around the turnout area whinnying and squealing. Finally he got tired (I guess) and allowed me to put a lead around his neck. Forget about a halter. He ate fine.

Boy, I hope some of you out there have some insight into this. My "solution" to the hard to catch behavior is to turn him out (alone) in the round pen.

Thanks in advance for any ideas or thoughts.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, May 30, 2003 - 5:09 am:

Hello Leah and Diana,
Begin with a good thorough physical exam which emphasizes the nervous system. I would be sure a complete blood work up is included. Let's see what falls out of that.
DrO
Member:
Diana

Posted on Friday, May 30, 2003 - 9:52 am:

Thank you, Dr. O, that's a good place to start, and I will suggest it to the horse's owner. Unfortunately, he is likely to not want to spend the money to take care of his horse. FYI, he didn't want to pay for floating the teeth, but I told him that Bandit wasn't eating and that the vet was very concerned about his teeth, which he examined when he did fall shots -- and the previous owners had no idea when he'd had them done last) and he finally agreed.

Since Bandit is just beginning this behavior, one of my biggest concerns is that his owner does not see it happening. I plan on writing him a letter informing him of my concerns for his horse, and wonder if you could give me some suggestions of what might be going on so that I can help justify to Bandit's owner why it is so important to spend the money on a thorough vet exam.

This man rarely comes to the barn (maybe once every month) and when he does, he brings his two young daughters with him to ride the horse. That's a whole different story, because neither the owner or his kids know how to ride very well.... it's an accident waiting to happen but we'll save that for another day....
He got the horse for free, I think to entertain his kids when they come to visit, and is clearly not very committed to being a horse owner.

I, however, am committed to doing what I can for Bandit, but can't afford to (nor whould I have to) pay his vet bills.

Thank you for your help.
Member:
Erika

Posted on Friday, May 30, 2003 - 11:21 am:

Leah, I too, have an old gelding (31 nd going strong). I suspect my guy has recent hearing and sight decline. He usually comes when called for dinner. But sometimes seems oblivious until I call really loud or close. Then he looks surprised! Also, going in and out of his stall(free choice) I notice that he DrOps his head to get a good look at the threshhold. Sometimes he seems startled to see me in the barn when I have been there for quite awhile.
I figured its just normal old man behavior.
I do have a thought about your gelding being difficult to catch. If he is used to being turned out all the time , and now only gets a few hours a day, is it possible that he has figured out that catching means solitary confinement? My horses hate being closed in their stalls and figure that out quick whenever there is a situation where it becomes necessary.
So the combo of poor sight/hearing could be making him jumpy, but he might still be sharp enough mentally to evade prison!
Good luck!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, May 31, 2003 - 10:04 am:

Its a shame to hear of this horse's position. Do send the letter, emphasize the danger, make the recommendation for a exam, and keep a copy for your records.

Concerning the behavior, horses like this quit thinking of their own and your safety when they "loose it", be careful. A veterinarian might precribe, fewer carbohydrates, more time out, and a long term tranquilizer like prolixin or reserpine. None are likely to be effective in the long run. Most important is to develop a management scheme that minimizes handling.
DrO
Member:
Belhaven

Posted on Monday, Jun 2, 2003 - 2:07 pm:

Wow---looks like a lot of crazy old geldings are out there!

He had blood pulled within the last 30 days-normal.

About 2 years ago this horse tested "weak positive" for EPM...could that cause this behavior?

My vet had me hand walk him through an unfamiliar "obstacle course"-in and around jumps and poles in my ring. He managed it without any problem. I guess I can conclude his eyes aren't terrible....then today he spooks when I try to halter him in his stall.

Martha-I too wondered about hard to catch being a result of his recent confinement-but that wouldn't explain hard to catch in his stall.

I thought of feeding him AFTER he comes in rather than before he goes out-perhaps the lure of feed will encourage him to be caught.

His diet is already virtually nothing but hay and the grass he does get...

I guess I am just rambling ideas and information here.

Member:
Belhaven

Posted on Sunday, Jun 15, 2003 - 11:56 am:

Bringing this back to discussion....

Blood work normal, field tests for EPM normal.

How accurate are eye exams in horses? I was under the impression from my vet that they are not always conclusive.

Poor guy is acting like a silly fool one day and normal the next.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jun 16, 2003 - 5:53 am:

How accurate they are depends on the questions you are trying to answer and what is found on the exam. But in your case it is impossible to know what a horse is percieving if there are no visible lesions in the eye. The brain enteres the equation also.
DrO
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC