Could really use some advice. Twenty six year old mare did not completely shed out her winter coat. She is normally a very sleek gal. Her coat is rough, long and simply will not shed even with baths and brushings. (She has been getting flax seed for months which usually makes horses shed out quickly.) She has always been what is termed an "easy keeper", meaning she tended to obesity. She never was used under saddle but showed for years in conformation classes. She is the third generation mare raised here. Her mother and grandmother both had similar tendency to become easily overweight. She tends to develop a "crest" on her neck (which is a sign of pending founder from too much spring grass) and was foundered many years ago. (Founder is heat in feet causing bone inside hoof to rotate, creating great pain, lameness and can leave them with deformed feet. Also called laminitis.)

She sweat easily and was averse to work. (Lucky for her she never was asked to.) Sweet and easy going otherwise. Her life long companion died last fall and her grief was obvious. She is now the last horse on the farm. She developed a friendship with the goat and seems OK as long as the goat is near. She has always had a mineral/salt block in her feeder but I have recently put it in a separate feeder where she still has free access because with the recent humidity, it was crumbling and I was concerned that she was getting too much. She has always actively sought it.

Feeling she might be hypothyroid, started her on Calc LM1, daily dose last eight days with no changes other than the clear watery eye discharge, that dripped down her face, stopped and the day after the first dose she had a thin, whitish nasal discharge from one nostril which did not return. No improvement in coat, nor any other changes noted.

Tonight, after being in the barn for about 2 hours, she began to whinney repeatedly (unusual). She was agitated/nervous, pacing in the stall. (Very unusual.) Had passed normal stool and urine. Had hay but wasn't interested. Somewhat wide eyed. Hot to touch (it is 70 degrees and a nice breeze, definitely not hot enough for her to sweat), was wet over entire body but not the neck or chest. Horses usually sweat first on chest/neck. Was going to give her Bell but she settled, relaxed and began to eat her hay after spending some time petting/talking to her. Did not give Bell. Two hours later she remains normal in all respects other than still damp over body (cold sweat). Not hot to touch any longer.

I don't know if this is an aggravation or a proving. The only time she may ever have sweat like that was when she foundered years ago but I really can't remember if she did. (It could be unrelated to Calc altogether and something else was bothering her.) Colic will produce similar symptoms but she lacked the full range of symptoms that usually accompany colic. Lacramation ceasing was an improvement. I have no recall of any nasal discharge over the years. Her coat has not improved as yet after 8 daily doses of Calc.

She had thyroid tests as part of a complete physical about 5 years ago and it was negative. Is it advisable to try to treat this without further complete tests...and is there success in treating hypothyroidism with homeopathy?

Edit: Hypothyroid in horses has cresty neck, overweight and rough coat (difficulty shedding in spring) as some of the signs.
Second Edit: After about 6 hours since showing heat/sweat symptoms the mare is calm in the stall. Warmth is now concentrated over the kidney area which is still damp. Area not tender. No anxiety or stress at all.

[ 17 May 2002, 08:11: Message edited by: gpm ]

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