Catherine Said:

Depression in horses?

We Answered:

Judging for your horse knowledge, I'm sure that you have already thought of this, but have you given her pain meds, like Bute (that when there is a lack of pain, you can tell a difference in her demeanor?) or felt any heat anywhere that might suggest inflammation or pain? Has she been shown a lot? Has the farrier tested her with hoof testers for navicular or other problems...or hot nail or something that hasn't even been considered. I value my farrier's opinion completely...I don't know how long this has been going on, but a hoof tester would find an abscess that could have been caused by nothing but stepping on a stone wrong. How old is she? Sometimes nothing but a steady regime of Glucosamine and Chondroitin and Hyaluronic Acid can make a different horse out of her...does she lie down a lot? does she seem to have difficulty getting up after lying down? If so, this will help. This regime is easily tolerated, unlike Bute and/or Banamine over a long time.