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Discussion on Laying down for long periods of time

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Patricia Bell
Member
Username: boomer

Post Number: 301
Registered: 1-2006
Posted on Thursday, Nov 1, 2007 - 12:30 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post
I've got a 30 year old QH mare with of course age related arthritis. She is in a pasture with 3 pasture mates. She is good weight and everything so that's not a worry. Yesterday my plumber said that she was laying down for over two hours. Is that because she's old and needs more rest? She was up and eating when I got home and remained up until around 9:30. They were all laying down at that time. Should I worry about the length of time she's down?
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Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro

Post Number: 19466
Registered: 1-1997
Posted on Friday, Nov 2, 2007 - 6:32 am:   Edit PostPrint Post
Hello Patricia,
Without examining the horse we do not know if there are any important health issues going on with your horse. A 2 hour nap in a 30 year old horse with arthritis issues that is acting and looking healthy otherwise would not worry me. One concern might be is she having transient bouts of colic so if you see one of these long naps try offering a little concentrate and see if she is interested, it will effectively rule out colic.
DrO
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Elizabeth Kaufman
Member
Username: ekaufman

Post Number: 146
Registered: 3-2007
Posted on Friday, Nov 2, 2007 - 4:20 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post
Hi Patricia,

The other thing I would rule out is whether she is having trouble getting up. I have seen a couple of older horses with hind-end problems that will lay down and stay down because they have real trouble rising.

I hope she's just having a nice nap. I plan to do a lot of that when I'm old and creaky!
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Diane Baker-Hallowell
Member
Username: majoda92

Post Number: 16
Registered: 3-2007
Posted on Saturday, Nov 3, 2007 - 8:38 am:   Edit PostPrint Post
I had an old mare that used to lay down for long periods of time, and people driving by would stop in to tell me there was a dead horse in the field! It did get to the point where we felt it in her best interest to let her go to that big horse pasture in the sky, may she rest now in peace! Best of luck with your old girl!
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