Thanks so much for your wonderful advice Dr.Getty,
I was thinking the same thing, they definatly need more calories.

The gelding my daughter rides, I think the problem was that he just didn't have the energy to keep up to the work load. He is doing wonderful now.

I will let my sister in-law know about boredome and ulcers.

He hasn't been officialy diagnosed with a thyroid problem, she just noticed he has moveable lump under his throat latch area and her coach said if it was moveable then it was a goiter, so she looked on the internet and it said to feed iodized salt to get rid of it.
Does she need to get the vet to do tests on it or will it go away on it's own?
I know nothing about goiters except that my husband had one on his wrist and he had to get it removed, is it the same for horses?


Thanks again.
Jenni

Where are you from? canada

How did you locate this forum? internet

Hi Jenni,

A lump that moves is generally a lipoma -- a fatty cyst that is generally not harmful. And, this may be what your husband has. But, to diagnose goiter in a horse requires blood work. Horses do need iodine and depending on what is being fed, he may already be getting enough. And goiter that is due to an iodine deficiency is really quite rare. Instead, it is often due to a hormonal imbalance (in particular, thyroid stimulating hormone). Or it can be an indication of a more serious problem.

So, I would not ignore this lump -- have it analyzed by your vet. His apparent "laziness" may be biomedical due to possible hypothyroidism. Don't second guess.

All the best,

Dr. Getty

Where are you from? Bayfield, Colorado