Lots of good suggestions here. Allergies, undiagnosed physical issues are definitely things to explore. I’ll offer one other. Perhaps the heavy work is just more than he can take. There are many horses who just can’t live that kind of busy, high pressure life.
So I have some devastating news I am posting here on the off chance I will help another horse. This horse coliced again yesterday so we took him to state to get an ultrasound. They stated there was some abnormalities in the abdomen but couldn’t tell us what it was until they opened him up. They opened him up and found a 6 pound basketball sized tumor attached to multiple parts of the duodenum and small intestine. It was inoperable abd he was euthanized. The vets Said itge tumor was probably there for years, they said you would of never found it without opening him up-it was too deep to feel on any palpations and there is nothing you can do about it-it’s a death sentence. I think decreasing his food just allowed it to seep through the tiny opening he has left if the small intestine so that why I saw a little improvement over the past couple months.
So-my take away-1. Horses are amazing-this horse PROVED the stoic nature of equines and what they will do for us. This horse just won his open training division 2 weeks ago!
2. Don’t stress and kill your self, trust your instincts, do the best you can, sometimes things are out of your control
I am hoping the vets at state were able to learn a lot from this case and hopefully another horse can be saved.
this horse was young (7) otherwise healthy happy and loved life! What amazing creatures we are blessed to have in our lives!
Oh my gosh, sooo sorry to read this.
So sorry for your loss!
That poor boy. What a trooper. I am so sorry for your loss.
Truly one for the books.
So sorry for your loss. I lost a very very special mare last year to a strangulating lipoma. No clue it was there - likely had it for years. Went through a few months of odd issues similar to yours and only found the tumour upon necropsy.
I was glad to have answers, I hope the closure is helpful to you as well.
So sorry for your loss. I lost my first thoroughbred when he was 7. He had strange recurring Colic symptoms and panting. Took him to clinic and they treated for colic. Before he went home he coliced again and upon prepping for surgery they saw fluid in his lungs after seeing Ventral swelling. Long story short, I put him down a week after entering clinic and upon necropsy they found a cantaloupe sized tumor between his lungs. The vets were surprised that he was alive and rideable until a week before. They are amazing animals. Big hugs to you.
