Horse lying down - flat out - any ideas what might be wrong ?

[OnEdge]

My friend has an old gelding who has suddenley started to lie out flat in the field. (since Monday) He is prone to colic, but has none of his usual symptoms. He is grazing OK. Friend said that she doesn't think he is resting his old legs because of the sudden onset, plus the vet said that he wouldn't necessarily lie flat out if he was resting his legs. freind said that she rode him out last Sunday and he was fine, but the next morning he wasn't right, just not his usual self, and it has been since then. Not lame. Vet did internal and said slightly constipated and so now he is on warmed bran with oil. She said he never lies down usually.

Wondered if anyone had any ideas. My poor friend is worried sick, she has had George for years and years, they have a close relationship ( I know that sounds daft but they do) and I said I would put it to the wise MN ers for her.

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I think she can only be guided by the vet - when did he start the warmed bran, has he pooed since then....what is the consistency, quantity?

Get her to check with the vet as to how quickly George should improve, and if there is no change call him again. Old horses can go downhill so quickly. Make sure he is warm as well!

thanks. i think she is very fussy about him keeping warm. she spoils him usually so that shouldnt be a problem.

My friend had an an isn't gelding who used to do this. Usually in winter! As far as we can work out, he was just napping. It was rather disconserting though, he would either, lie totally still and make you think he was dead, or act like a dog chasing rabbits in it's sleep twitching and jerking his legs, making you think he was having a fit! He was the epitome of a hypochondriac with a death wish, ( give him a choice between arsenic or hay, he'd pick the poison every time!) we think that maybe from his point of view, laying out flat was warmer and gave him more surface area to soak up the sun.
If he is really old and has no other symptoms, there really isn't much to do but sit back and watch. If he's eating and the like, he may just be tired.

I agree, the fact he is grazing is a good sign, if kids and animals are eating, its a sign they aren't feeling too bad. She said that it is the sudden onset of this that worries her and she just "knows" that something is up. She thinks that if he was just old and tired, he would have gradually begun to rest like this, not suddenly start overnight.

Has your friend changed her routine and is there with him at different times so sees him sleeping when she didn't used to? Or has something in his stable changed ie bedding which might make him less inclined to sleep at night so he has to sleep on the day instead?