Advice on emaciated TB needed from those with experience with them.
This is a discussion on Advice on emaciated TB needed from those with experience with them. within the Horse Health forums, part of the Keeping and Caring for Horses category
Well he is very cute. Free choice hay will go a long way toward fattening him up. It sounds like he's a good boy, although you never know with sellers these days in terms of drugging and stuff. Hell, for $500 and a rescue standing by as a backup, I'd try it.
Not even 500.. today he told me he wants 250 but for the right home he may be willing to just let him go. It depend on the vet bills he racks up as he is having him vetted on Tuesday. He would just like to see some of his $$ back if he can.
When I was there Dice kept putting his head under my arm as if he was begging me to put my arms around him and hug him. Other than that he seemed a bit too sprite to be drugged. He moved well with his ears forward with a look on his face that most hunters get as they approach a jump... like oh boy, look at me go!. His tail wasn't floppy or droopy. Because he looked week in the pictures and possibly foundered or something else I gave him a few really good pushes on the hips to push him over...no sway or loss of balance, he just looked at me like "what are you doing THAT for" and then finally moved his haunches over.
He is much DARKER in person than he was in the pictures but knowing that he's a gray, I know he will most likely get lighter over the years...Did I mention that I just ADORE dapple grays?
That's how Sky was when I got him. But even so he was a hot head regardless of weight (mainly cause he was scared of everything) and yes it was expensive but now he's beautiful and healthy all except his feet.
It's possible, and if you have the money to do it.. go for it!
Just you need a trainer, but I'm sure you'll get that taken care of.
With all the info you gave after meeting him I say if you can afford it comfortably then absolutely go for it you either give a horse a wonderful home until he is trained enough to resale (but not your dressage horse you want) OR have your perfect dressage mount
You know I won't be any help talking you out of buying a TB! They have so much heart and try in them it's incredible. Throw in a sweet one, and that's just icing on the cake!
You know I won't be any help talking you out of buying a TB! They have so much heart and try in them it's incredible. Throw in a sweet one, and that's just icing on the cake!
This guy is so sweet, I'm going to rack up the dental bills and need to keep advil on hand for all the toothaches!!!!
Honestly?
Most horses are THAT thin for a reason and the reason is not that nobody fed them. The thinner a horse gets, the less and less and less energy it has.
Pack on a couple hundred pounds and you stand to get a free trip to the moon.
I disagree. Yes, Cinny, by all means be ready for him to be a real project under saddle but by no means do all (or even most) horses become thin because THEY were the problem.
I like the looks of him. Its good that your looking into a vet check, he does appear to stand funny in the pictures but my gut says that's poor pictures taken of a horse who's walking around... not standing. That and thin horses always look goofy.
Also, I do not see why it would take six months to be able to ride him again and certainly not $5,000-$10,000 to get him there (if we're only talking a foot trim, de-worming, a quick float and then the feed of course)
This Thoroughbred gelding was being neglected by a boarding stable simply because he required more feed than the owners Arabs and the rest of the boarders horses who were Quarter Horses.
A few extra cups of beet pulp doesn't do a whole lot in the Thoroughbred world The barn owner swore up and down the horse had a problem so the owner gave me her lovely gelding and eight weeks later I had him looking like this, at which time he was re-started under saddle. Similar story for the many horses I've taken after him.
I would say a good weight gaining diet for a OTTB costs $150 a month for me. (Pasture, free choice second cut Timothy/Alfalfa hay, grain, beet pulp, corn oil, flax) Now, with you boarding I have no idea what that will run you.
I think he is lovely and would go for him, personally. BTW nice of you to consider him either way and good luck! Only you know if you are up to a project under saddle and the finances of a second mouth.
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you either give a horse a wonderful home until he is trained enough to resale (but not your dressage horse you want) OR have your perfect dressage mount 
The barn owner swore up and down the horse had a problem so the owner gave me her lovely gelding and eight weeks later I had him looking like this, at which time he was re-started under saddle. Similar story for the many horses I've taken after him. 
