Horse Depression

[Pennylane]

How do you tell if a horse is depressed? One of the horses at our barn has been lame for the passed few weeks and the owner a young girl hasn't been paying a lot of attention to her. I think the horse maybe depressed. Has any one ever been around or had a depressed horses?
Pennylane
http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/2.gif

[heland]

There are 8 horses at our yard and I would definately know just by walking in the yard on a morning if one of them was a bit off colour. You just get to know their personalities, even if they aren't yours.

If this horse isn't doing its normal things when you see it then it could be little depressed, especially if it is lame.

Do you know how it got to be lame? Maybe this girl needs to call out a vet or at least ask his advice:)

[Maci]

I posted a similar thread a while ago, when I suspected something was up with my horse. It might be of some help.

This Thread (http://www.newrider.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=4548)

If something's up, you can tell by the way they act- always droopy, ears back, etc. She might miss being out and about. Whenever you go to the stables, visit, pet and talk with her- give her some kind of interaction and communication, and that might help. Is she eating? Drinking? Things to consider.

Good Luck! It's A Sad Thing! :(
Maci :)

[ros]

I always look at the eyes - they're a dead giveaway!

[Pennylane]

The young girl purchased this horse last summer and was told to use her for flate work only because of hock problems. The old owner roder her daliy and the horse was in great shape. This family and us moved our horses to another barn in Sept. The horses started losing weight and the girl was riding her hard. The horse has lost muscle tone over the last few months and her eyes are always red. The horse came up lame about a month ago and the girl started riding other horses. She really doesn't want to mess with her because she can't ride her. They have a vet coming out this weekend. I noticed the last few times I went out to the barn she was laying down. I have never seen her lay down before. She is right next door from my hore. I just get the feeling she is depressed because she sees her person riding other horses.


I don't understand because when our pony founder my daughter would spend time grooming and walking the pony until she could ride her again. The girls are the same age and I see no consern from this girl about her horse she just seems upset that she can't ride. My daughter always puts the horse first. Goes into the horses room and hangs on her. My husband was inpressed that we can groom her when she is eatting even pick her feet with out having to put a halter on her. We spend alot of time around her even when we are not riding her.
Pennylane

[heland]

I feel so sad for this horse:(

The horse does sound unhappy the way you descibed her in your last thread. I am so pleased that the vert is coming to see her.

[Pennylane]

My daughter just told me last night the girl told her that she was going to sell the horse and take a break. If I was her parent she wouldn't get another horse. When owning a horse there are times when the animal maybe lame or sick. You have to be comitted to the animal during the bad times as well as the good. Like I said it took us 6 months to get our pony health. my daughter would spend time with her before and after riding other horses. We only sold her after my kids out grew her to a good home. She was health at the time and I told the new owners how to take care of her correctly so she wouldn't founder again. I also gave them 15 day trial period to have there vet check her out. If we couldn't fine her a good home we would have kept her.

How can you fine this lame horse a good home. She can't be ridden. Who would want her the kills are about it.
Pennylane

[heland]

You did say that the old owner of this horse rode her well, and this horse was fit and healthy last year.

You mentioned she has a problem with her hocks. Maybe the old owner knew how to excersice the horse properly without causing any discomfort.

I don't know what her problem is with her hocks and I don't know why she is lame. I do know that if this girl took advice from a vet then she would be able to ride the horse correctly without causing any discomfort (as you say this horse was in great shape last year).

Maybe it's best for the horse if this girl sells her. You never know, there is probably loads of people out there wanting a quiet horse to love and to hack out a couple of times a week.

I do hope this horse goes to a caring home:)

[ros]

From your last post it sounds more likely that the horse is suffering from physical problems than depresson - if I were her I'd be quite pleased my new owner WASN'T around if she were treating me like that!

[Maci]

Poor horse! :( She's probably depressed that she's lame, and she sees her owner (the owner who is suppose to take care of her, be with her, and love her) go off and ride other horses. Poor thing! :( Let us know what the vet says! Hopefully she'll be alright, but on the other hand, hopefully the vet will say something to her owner to take it easy on her, and not ride her hard. Maybe you should suggest that to the owner of the barn, so she can tell the girl if that she wants a sound horse, she'll need to pay more attention to not over-working it.

Hopefully, if she sells, the horse will find a good owner, who loves and respects her! Update us!! You got me all curious!!

Maci :)

[ilovebacara]

I find that it helps if a horse is depressed to massage their ears. Apparently it is calming and soothing for them. If the horse is depressed then it ma be from pain or as has been said may be just a form of jealousy that her owner seems like she doesnt want her anymore. The best thing for a depressed horse is just one to one love care and attention :)