Horse shivering but toasty warm under blanket, really?

[S1969]

@Guilherme

IIRC shivering is something we do to generate heat. So maybe the shivering is not a sign of a problem but a sign of normality?

To KNOW you’d have to do some more investigation but it’s a fair question.

G.

Well, sure shivering might keep an animal from dying of hypothermia. Not sure I’d consider it a long-term solution for a domesticated animal.

[Scribbler]

Can you get him moving at all? Trot him up and down the driveway in hand a few times if you don’t have a cleared arena? Just enough to get the heart rate up a little, not sweat? If I get chilled movement is the only thing that will warm me up short of a hot bath and a hot water bottle in bed! I think that’s why horses want to run around on chilly days.

[sdlbredfan]

@TWH Girl

Does he have Cushings or IR? Metabolic issues can make it harder for them to regulate body temperature. Also if he’s quite old his body’s ability to stay warm just doesn’t work as good. I think of elderly people in nursing homes…you know, how they are still chilled even when it’s July and 80 degrees out?

Maybe take his temp too, just to confirm there is no fever or anything odd.

Sounds like the extra 100gm liner should help. Times like this I wish we could set up spaceheaters for the older ones!

Putting leg wraps on might help too.

[Guilherme]

@S1969

Well, sure shivering might keep an animal from dying of hypothermia. Not sure I’d consider it a long-term solution for a domesticated animal.

That’s why I said there needs to be more investigation!

If animal is warm under the blanket (and the OP said it was) then there is something more going on. Just what I don’t know as I’m not able to stand in front of the animal and put my hands on it. Still, my original question is worth answering and the proceed on the basis of that answer.

G.

[SuzieQNutter]

To know if he is cold: Feel his ears. If they are cold he is cold. If he they are warm, he is warm.

In the morning when you take the rugs off. Look at his coat. If he is cold, he will have ‘cold hairs’. These are hairs radomly over his coat that stick out 90 degrees and straight.

Horses are horses. Yes they are individuals and unique but a healthy horse eats. There is a probably a reason why not. His jaw could be out an it hurts to chew. He could have ulcers. He could be allergic to what he is eatimg. We could come up with reasons all day.

[merrygoround]

@S1969

Maybe throw some extra hay as well. I’ve never had a horse shiver, so if mine did I would know they must be really cold. It’s a bitter one out there tonight!

Metabolizing hay is what generates heat for the horse. Our barn feeds hay to the point where there are scraps left over. Not many but some.

[bt1]

Yep try and get him moving even if just walking up n down the aisle

[SuzieQNutter]

I worry about getting him moving with lots of rugs on. I did that to myself in winter once. I had on heaps of layers and went and did something. This caused me to sweat. Maybe just a little but when I stopped that froze on me.