Depression

Izzy · 01-05-08, 01:57 PM

Does depression occur in horses? I know that many animals can suffer forms of depression but I haven't personally experienced it in horses.

hossingaround · 01-15-08, 08:26 AM

My friends boarded horses and they got a mare once that was what I call depressed. The poor thing had been raised by a girl and had always been with her. The family had to board her due to unfortunate circumstances. The poor horse wouldn't eat and was very listless. The family actually had to put her down in the end because she would not respond to anyone else. It was heartbreaking.

Izzy · 01-18-08, 09:01 PM

Right-that is the kind of thing that I was referring to as depression! I had a cat who used to bite himself, and that was just because he wasn't allowed to sleep in bed with us. Of course he earned himself a spot in bed with that silliness

But I wasn't sure whether it could affect horses too.

Sugar89 · 01-19-08, 07:12 PM

You see horses that are known as 'windsuckers' too, which is a similar thing. They kind of bite onto a hard object and arch their neck while breathing, making an odd sound. It wares down their teeth badly and it's an addictive behaviour, like chewing your fingernails when you're bored.

sallyanna · 01-20-08, 08:36 AM

I think horses can have hormone imbalances just like humans. Some imbalances can cause depression. I also think horses can feel sad or lonely or bored just like us too. That's why we need to make sure they get lots of attention, from us or other animals. Even a llama or other non equine can be beneficial.

beauty · 01-22-08, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckskin

I'm not sure about depression personally, but horses can develop steryotipic behaviour. Stallions sometimes self-mutilate by biting and kicking themselves until they bleed, usually if they are frustrated by seeing mares without being able to acess them.

Has this improved in some stallions if they have a companion? I know we've used goats or sheep before; but if they are causing mutilation to themselves, does that mean that they will get mean and violent towards the other animals too?

Izzy · 01-25-08, 01:10 AM

So given that this kind of thing does occasionally happen, how is it treated? Is it just by trying to identify and fix the cause of the depression, and what if they can't identify the reason?

sallyanna · 01-25-08, 08:44 AM

If it's psycological, to fix it, one could try adding a companion or just spend more time with the horse. If it's physical the vet may need to perscribe an antidepressant, if one exists for horses. I wonder if horses can suffer baby blues like humans do.

beauty · 01-28-08, 02:25 PM

I had not heard that. They give methadone to horses? What is the point in that and how is that to help with behavior difficulties?

Izzy · 01-29-08, 01:48 PM

So do they treat it in the same way as a heroine addiction, with a gradually reducing dose of the drug to wean them off it? Or are they on it for life?

And boy that must be a BIG dose of methadone!

flatback_frannie · 01-30-08, 10:05 AM

Interesting about the windsucking and the methadone. I've heard it being a problem for the teeth, but I didn't know it was chemically addictive.

I have also heard of mares suffering baby blues or depression when parted with the foals. Makes me so sad!

rdez · 01-30-08, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckskin

I'm not sure about depression personally, but horses can develop steryotipic behaviour. Stallions sometimes self-mutilate by biting and kicking themselves until they bleed, usually if they are frustrated by seeing mares without being able to acess them.

Is this something only prone to this type or are all horses? Thats really sad to think about, esp. if it affects all. I have never heard of any animal doing this before.

01-05-08, 01:57 PM	Depression Post #1 (permalink)
Izzy Member Join Date: 12-29-07 Posts: 37	Depression Does depression occur in horses? I know that many animals can suffer forms of depression but I haven't personally experienced it in horses.

01-15-08, 08:26 AM	Depression Post #2 (permalink)
hossingaround Member Join Date: 01-03-08 Posts: 50	Yes they can...at least sort of My friends boarded horses and they got a mare once that was what I call depressed. The poor thing had been raised by a girl and had always been with her. The family had to board her due to unfortunate circumstances. The poor horse wouldn't eat and was very listless. The family actually had to put her down in the end because she would not respond to anyone else. It was heartbreaking.

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01-18-08, 09:01 PM	Depression Post #3 (permalink)
Izzy Member Join Date: 12-29-07 Posts: 37	Right-that is the kind of thing that I was referring to as depression! I had a cat who used to bite himself, and that was just because he wasn't allowed to sleep in bed with us. Of course he earned himself a spot in bed with that silliness But I wasn't sure whether it could affect horses too.

01-19-08, 07:12 PM	Depression Post #4 (permalink)
Sugar89 Member Join Date: 01-02-08 Posts: 25	You see horses that are known as 'windsuckers' too, which is a similar thing. They kind of bite onto a hard object and arch their neck while breathing, making an odd sound. It wares down their teeth badly and it's an addictive behaviour, like chewing your fingernails when you're bored.

01-20-08, 08:36 AM	Depression Post #5 (permalink)
sallyanna Member Join Date: 12-01-07 Posts: 100	I think horses can have hormone imbalances just like humans. Some imbalances can cause depression. I also think horses can feel sad or lonely or bored just like us too. That's why we need to make sure they get lots of attention, from us or other animals. Even a llama or other non equine can be beneficial.

01-25-08, 01:10 AM	Depression Post #7 (permalink)
Izzy Member Join Date: 12-29-07 Posts: 37	So given that this kind of thing does occasionally happen, how is it treated? Is it just by trying to identify and fix the cause of the depression, and what if they can't identify the reason?

01-25-08, 08:44 AM	Depression Post #8 (permalink)
sallyanna Member Join Date: 12-01-07 Posts: 100	If it's psycological, to fix it, one could try adding a companion or just spend more time with the horse. If it's physical the vet may need to perscribe an antidepressant, if one exists for horses. I wonder if horses can suffer baby blues like humans do.

01-28-08, 02:25 PM	Depression Post #9 (permalink)
beauty Member Join Date: 01-04-08 Posts: 18	I had not heard that. They give methadone to horses? What is the point in that and how is that to help with behavior difficulties?

01-29-08, 01:48 PM	Depression Post #10 (permalink)
Izzy Member Join Date: 12-29-07 Posts: 37	So do they treat it in the same way as a heroine addiction, with a gradually reducing dose of the drug to wean them off it? Or are they on it for life? And boy that must be a BIG dose of methadone!

01-30-08, 10:05 AM	Depression Post #11 (permalink)
flatback_frannie Member Join Date: 01-06-08 Posts: 129	Interesting about the windsucking and the methadone. I've heard it being a problem for the teeth, but I didn't know it was chemically addictive. I have also heard of mares suffering baby blues or depression when parted with the foals. Makes me so sad!