Conference noted::equitation

1517.0. "Lonely horse = bony horse??" by SUVAI1::GRAUCOB (Adriana Graucob @SUV) Mon Sep 02 1991 03:51

      
      
      
      Is it possible for a horse to get thin within a short time 
      because of lack of company?
        I've had my horse on pasture with another horse-companion 
      during the summer. The last 1 1/2 month he also received 
      concentrated feed since the grass tends to get less 
      nutricious in the end of the summer.
        Well, his buddy got lame and had to stay in most of the 
      day, so the last three weeks my horse has been alone except 
      for a few hours a day when his buddy is allowed to be out.
        Now my horse has become quite thin - I'm sure I've given 
      him enough food, that can't be the reason. But yet, the other 
      horse has not reacted the same way, he's still fat...
      
      Yesterday we returned to our regular boarding, and one of the 
      stable-besserwissers just couldn't resist to comment my 
      horse: "-Surely they haven't fed him well...Did you give his 
      any water at all..?"
      Most of all I wanted to stick a carrot down her throat, but I 
      managed to control myself...
      
      I guess that if loneliness was the reason, he will fatten up 
      soon now that he got 20 other horses to associate with.
      Anyway I would like to hear if someone else has experienced 
      this, or if you have any other suggestions of why he went 
      thin so fast. (He's been regularely wormed).

    If he doesn't start to pick up within a reasonable time, I would have
    his blood checked for blood worms...not all wormers get these little
    "guys" and they can do a number on your horse.
    In addition, were the two boys fed together...possibly yours was eating
    two rations instead of one.
    
    Good luck and keep us posted.
    

    RE.0
    
    OR.. just he could be lonley and they can lose weight by worring...
    
    horses can also get depressed..
    
    		wendy o'