Q:I have a 28-year-old Welsh Mountain Pony cross. He has recently developed an almost senile characteristic. He stands and loses his whereabouts, looks dazed, and doesn’t seem as sharp as he normally is. He is a rescue pony and used to be very spooky, but this seems to have stopped. He seems worse in the dark but he snaps in and out of it much like a human with dementia does.

Is dementia, or something along those lines, something that develops in horses? Can it be treated or helped to improve? I’d appreciate any advice.

Nicole Lee, Kent, England

A:I referred your question to Amy Johnson, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, who is our equine neurologist here at New Bolton Center