Hi all, just wanted to see what you guys think about this. My 16 yo gelding always seeks out shade, even on the cooler days (40’s). He has a super thick winter coat, so when the temps get into the 60’s, I can see that. But even on the coldest, windiest days he seeks out shade. He’s on Prascend 1 mg/day for Cushings. Could this be the start of issues with regulating his body temperature, or possibly anhidrosis? How can I tell if he’s sweating enough when he’s not really working right now? Am I just overreacting?
If he’s just standing around in 40 degree weather, there’s no reason he should be sweating at all, so I wouldn’t worry on that score.
But standing in shade might not be temperature related at all. It could be sensitivity to light, or some other vision issue. If this is really very consistent rather than just coincidental, I think that would be my first guess.
Have you noticed any odd behavior or spookiness when he’s ridden from shade into sun, or vice versa? How about differences in behavior with and without a fly mask?
This just started this winter. He is a bit spookier than usual, but just put that down to not having been worked consistently over the last few months. With his heavy coat, I wouldn’t expect sweating at 40 degrees, but would expect to possibly see some sweating at close to 70, which is where we’ve been the last week. This is a horse that loves his naps in the sunshine, and he now will only lie down in the shade. Is either under his shelter in the mornings, or in the shade in turnout. Just not normal for him.
Didn’t notice any differences with his fly mask this past fall. Didn’t even consider vision issues.
You might try walking him around your property from sun to shade and back to sun and see what happens.
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Vision is a possibility.
What color is he? My black mare might lie in the sun on 40 degree days, but it wouldn’t be odd to see her then seek out the shade. She also tends to just run “warmer” than my other horses, regardless of the sun. My bay mare tends to be cool to the touch and rarely works up a sweat.
So there can definitely be differences that have nothing to do with the Cushings. The spookiness makes me think vision could be part of it.
He is a bay. What would I look for when moving him from light to dark? Is there a possibility of him being sensitive to the bright sun? Any way to tell? If that was the case, I’d assume his fly mask could help?
Well, if he’s suddently more sensitive to light, it might be some form of uveitis (there are multiple causes and symptoms, including everything from infection to trauma). When leading him around, you might notice signs of discomfort like squinting and tearing in bright light only, or difficulty adjusting to new light conditions.
If his vision is generally impaired or failing (how old is this guy?) you might notice him spooking at familiar things with changing light conditions, or maybe just having a hard time getting things into focus as he moves around.
I don’t get the impression that the study of equine vision is an exact science, but this might help.
https://www.horsejournals.com/understanding-equine-vision-and-eye-disease
Well, I got Jack out today to do some groundwork. He’s very spooky with movement around his head, and things moving around outside the arena. Doesn’t seem to be bothered with light to dark, and vice versa. Typically not headshy, so that’s new. No tearing with his eyes, He had always had a bluish/gray ‘ring’ sound his iris, possibly more noticeable now? Jack is 16 or 17 at best guess. Was diagnosed with Cushings about a year ago, has been on prascend since July last year. Do horses get cataracts?
Yes, they do. I think the article I posted includes a description.
The new head shyness is definitely interesting… . . maybe research that next? (I’d guess peripheral vision, but who knows?)
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I have a horse who sunburns, no not on his pink nose but on his neck and rump, and I wish he’d stand in the shade. He has to stay inside in the summer during the day because while all the non-sunburning horses go under the trees, he stays on in the sun on grass.
You should have your horse’s vision checked by a qualified vet.
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Good advice.
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Yes, I’d suspect some newly developing vision issues. I’ve have the vet out sooner rather than later.
Call going in to the vet tomorrow morning. Thanks guys. Never suspected vision. Rode today, he did sweat a little, so that’s working.
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