Senior horse suddenly acting "up" every morning in stall/being turned out -- colder weather? Other ideas?

[DA2_1990]

I should have a better idea when I’m out tomorrow AM, but wanted to get some other thoughts ahead of time. One of my family’s horses (28 yr old gelding) has, for the last week and a half, been rarin to go in the mornings. I’ll preface this to say that my dad has been the primary caretaker for them after my mother passed away a few months ago. He is not very horse-savvy, so I’m getting my information from him, but he is painting a fairly familiar picture of the horse. This horse has been in our family for 20 years, and in his younger days (I can recall even in his early/mid 20s_, he could definitely be this way in the mornings and at times, pretty wild. Nothing dangerous, but just ready to go. He’s also been one that could pace at times in his stall, and tends to be more anxious. My mom and I would joke that he’s finally settled down in his older years, lol.

The horse in question and his pasture mate are out during the day and in the stall overnight. He’s normal in the field but seems to be circling throughout the night based on his shavings. He eats all his dinner and food from the evening. Other things to note: he’s on all wet pelleted food because of his lack of teeth–no changes to any of this in recent months. Only new thing he has been getting is GutX, which has been incorporated for both horses starting at the beginning of the month.

In the AM, though, he doesn’t care about his food and is clearly ready to go out. I will say, I was out last weekend and brought them both in to groom them, etc. I rode the other horse, which historically, always makes the horse in question anxious when they are separated. But when I let them back out, he was definitely more “up” than he has been. He listened and settled when I stopped him and had a brief conversation. He then trotted out.

We’re in Virginia, so my hunch is that with the temps having dropped and are overnight into the 30s, he’s just feeling the change of weather. I did read this thread, which sounded sort of similar. I guess the only thing I go back to is behavior is pretty on brand for the horse over the years. But I don’t know… Any additional thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

[Simkie]

Why is he on GutX? Is there a concern he’s got ulcers? It could be worth treating them to see if it changes this behavior.

But my horses have also been up with the cold weather. They just feel good. Especially if this guy just has a history of being ready to go in the morning, it might just be him, and the season? The worry in the stall overnight may be more concerning.

[OzarksRider]

If he’s otherwise ok I would mark it up to the weather. Like your horses, mine are stalled at night and out during the day. Our weather turned much colder the past couple of days, and I’ve noticed that one of my geldings is really raring to go when I go out in the morning, just like you describe your horse.

[DA2_1990]

Our other horse has always had a sensitive stomach and he colicked about 2 months ago. Our vet suggested GutX because other clients with horses like him have done well on it. I just gave it to the other older guy thinking it couldn’t hurt.

I think it’s just the weather, too. I don’t believe he’s doing anything potentially harmful to himself in the stall, just a bit restless in the morning. My dad is the one relaying this to me, and he hasn’t had much experience handling horses in chilly, windy conditions, so it’s a new experience for him. I’m getting the impression it’s making him nervous. Understandably so.

[DA2_1990]

Thanks! That’s what I’m thinking too.

[Simkie]

Would it be possible and helpful to you to install some cameras in the barn, so you can see what’s up even if you’re not there?

If you’ve got wifi coverage (or can get wifi) in the barn, it’s easy to set up a couple Arlo or Eufy or whatever. I know it’s hard to really know what’s up when it’s relayed by someone who’s not really speaking fluent “horse.”

[DA2_1990]

That’s an awesome idea. I’ve wanted to do that anyway just for safety purposes with my dad but haven’t known how I could do that without him getting PO’ed, lol. This might be the perfect reasoning. Thank you!

[GraceLikeRain]

How much hay is he getting overnight and is it in a bag? I wonder if he could be vacuuming the hay and then is a little chilly and bored so he’s wound up by morning. If he isn’t blanketed a light sheet may be worth considering too if he’s moving to warm up. If he’s constantly pacing he could end up sweaty but it’s a pretty easy thing to trial for 1-2 nights. Our seniors definitely would be cranky unblanketed below 45

[DA2_1990]

He isn’t able to eat hay (he quids) so has a lot of wet pelleted food to hold him over. The other horse colicked recently so when I slept in the barn, I did notice it lasted him through the night. He’s also being blanketed at 45* and under.

[2DogsFarm]

Can you be there with your Dad when horse behaves this way a couple times?
Maybe the holiday could be a reason for a sleepover/holiday breakfast together…
Then you can see for yourself & maybe show Dad how to safely handle the new exuberance.

FWIW:
We had our first snow yesterday afternoon.
It hadn’t started when I fed at 6A, horses were no different. They’re out 24/7 w/access to stalls & pastures.
I was gone all day, getting home just after noon to 2" of snow.
My Seniors - 24yo Hackney Pony & 21yo TWH - were cavorting around like a pair of colts.
Bouncing, rearing…
While the 10yo mini ignored their antics in favor of trying to get grass through his muzzle

[DA2_1990]

Definitely. I’ll be there tomorrow AM.

I’ve talked about this in other threads but unfortunately, the situation with my dad being the caretaker has been a bit of a stressor for me. Despite never having handled horses until earlier this year when my mom got sick (by handle, I mean learning how to put a halter on and walk them to the field) he doesn’t think he has anything to learn, doesn’t really listen lol, and definitely doesn’t want to accept help from neighbors, so I’ve kind of expected things like this to happen especially going into winter. But I’m going to still try to see if I can give him some pointers!

I will say, I am happy to hear at 28 that he is feeling so frisky! Sounds like yours are feeling good, too!

[Christa_P]

In case it comes to it, are your facilities ready if you need to move them?

[DA2_1990]

We’re working on it, there’s a lot that needs to be done.