Really vague is right. I agree it sounds as if something is off. This is a complete guess - but it does sound as if there is something in the leg / hoof area that is bothering her.
I don't know how much you want to spend on vet bills, as she is a pasture potato, and it seems to be getting better. One possibility *might* be DSLD/ESPA. I haven't been able to find a lot online, but what I have found does describe some pretty general symptoms, some of which are in your email. One site to look at would be: www.angelfire.com/bc/curlygait/diagnose.html. They say right on the site, however, that they are not vets, and the site is for info only.
On Jun 4, 2009, at 2:33 PM, Laurie Hilyard wrote:
About six days ago, I saw my 8 year old Morab mare lying down. No big deal, but then later in the day I saw her down again. Up on her chest, ears up, looking around. Occasionally laid flat out, but she was not trying to roll or biting her flank. Concerned, I went out, and she stood up, stretched a little, and walked off slowly, eating as she went. Altogether that day, she was down about 5 hours of the 12 I was observing her. Since then, she has been down less each day, but is still not quite right. It's almost like someone added 15 years to her age overnight.
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The other mare galloped off, the Morab went at a trot, head and ears up, tail flagging, but not her normal "I'm feeling good" run. I yelled at her to run, and she cantered for about 200 yards, then pulled up and walked/jogged to the barn while the other mare galloped all the way. <snip>
I lunged her at a trot in some 10 meter circles both ways - no obvious lameness.
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Laminitis - no lameness, just a little reluctance to step out like normal. Alternatively rests both hind legs, not rocking back to take weight off front feet.
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Anyone have any opinions? Anything like this ever happen to you? Since her symptoms are so vague - really more of a change in personality than anything I can point to as a true symptom, I have been reluctant to call the vet. Plus the fact it seems to be slowly improving. I would appreciate anything anyone could tell me. Thanks
