The Horse Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

Education based on experience

2K views 9 replies 7 participants last post by  my2geldings 
#1 ·
Hi - I am new to this site & based on what I have read it is the perfect place for me. Please understand that what I know about horses I have learned over the last 3 months & 90% from reading Horses for Dummies & Horse Health & Nutrition for Dummies & they basically say to call the vet for everything.
In Jan 08 I "inherited" 2 geldings - a 26 yr Arabian & a 25 yr TB from a friend who was moving out west. She had owned them 8 years. They were vet check (not just for cognins spl?) the week before they got here & were given a clean bill of health.They came from about 150 miles north of here & my friend & the experinced horsewoman who brought them said they would adapt easily because my pasture was the same as what the horses had been on 24/7 other than being alittle greener due to climate differences. I have kept the same schedule of pellet feed & hay (which came with them) they have been on for the last 3-4 years. The Arabian has adjusted with no issues. The TB - Henry - however seems like my problem child. Since day 1 his droppings seem to be a cow patty consistancy. I noticed within about a week he would have an all liquid movement maybe once a day. (It may have been happening before that & I just didn't notice.) He is eating & drinking & not loosing weight. I also have a salt/mineral block which he likes. He is playful in the pasture & enjoys his weekly lunge session. That's the only work he is getting right now. I even had the ag guy inspect my pasture to make sure there was nothing harmful growing. I called my friend & she said he always had a sensitive stomach - not to worry about it. I have talked with other local horse owners at the feed store, local shows etc,& they say he just needs more time to adjust to the spring grasses, etc. However the books say diarriha will kill him.
Another issue that has developed in the last 2 weeks is cracks & splits in 3 hooves. Nothing serious compared to the pics on horseshoe.com but again the books say any cracks or splits is very bad & signs of neglect. I had him trimmed about 9 weeks ago & the farrier is coming out again today. I am guessing he should be able to tell me if it has just been too long between trims or if I have a nutrition issue going on.
Anyway my hubby grew up on a farm. He says I need to explain that I freaked out about a small cut on the Arabian's flank from a rose bush. [The rose bush is dead & gone!] He feels Henry just needs more time to adjust to his new home. I grew up in the city & I am panicing. In the past 3 months these big lovable animals [especially Henry] have stolen my heart. I don't want to do anything that is harmful but I don't want over react either.
Basically I am soliciting for any & all common sence advice about taking care of horses. I think knowledge based on experience with theses amazing creatures is better than any written in another book from Amazon.com!
Thanks in advance.
Micki
 
See less See more
#2 ·
on the one hand he's only have one loose/liquid stool per day, so there isn't much to worry about now, but I agree w/ you that it is cause for concern. I would have the vet come out and check him over. do a fecal exam on him to see if he needs deworming, etc. You can also try putting him on a probiotic like Probios (link below). a lot of times when they have problematic bowel movements it's because the friendly digestive bacteria they carry in their gut has been disrupted (which can be stress induced).

as for his hoofs, I would ask your farriers opinion, but you might want to look into a hoof supplement, although it will take 6-9 months to see a real difference from those (they affect growing hoof, not hoof that has already grown). look for one w/ at least 15mg of biotin and ideally zinc & methionine which also aid in hoof growth.

probios: http://www.smartpakequine.com/produ...cmPreserveSource=true&cmPreserveCategory=true
 
#3 ·
Micki...Breathe.... :wink:

Ya'all are gonna do just fine. There are some wonderful people here with tons of advice... :lol:

Chances are that if they wormed the horses one last time and sent them to "greener" pastures all at once the dropings will be loose. That happened to us this spring. I decided to worm and then in like a day and a half all this grass came up from nowhere...the horses were in heaven but my boots...oh my golly...they took a beating.

as long as the horse is drinking plenty and still eating...hold out for a bit.
If it doesn't clear up in a couple days ... call the vet.

as for the feet.. talk it over with the farrier...he'll have hands on advise and know exactly what he's looking at.

Your concern relaxes me...You CARE! It'll be ok.
 
#4 ·
More then likily he is just a little loose from the new spring grass, as was already said!

About the cracked feet. Make sure that you horses always have minerals, they are very important when it comes to healthy hoofs. Maybe they need to be moisturized? None of my horses can go 9 weeks between trimming, they all have to be done about every 6 in order to keep there feet in tip-top shape :D

Let us know what the farrier says!
 
#5 ·
i like to use a little hoof conditioner..in the summer our pasture gets really dry and their hooves tend to crack some even if they arent long....that may help some..i trim my horses feet myself now (thanks to a very nice farrier teachin me!!)
that is really fun if you dont mind the hard work...and my horses stand for me better than anyone
 
#6 ·
Thanks to all for your responses.

The farrier was here. He said I was overly worried & the hooves weren't bad at all. And I don't have a nutrition problem. Its actually the opposite. Both horses had a lot of growth & since Henry is so big [16.5] he started to crack. The farrier had to trim almost an inch off Henry & 3/4 off DB [the Arabian]. It got rid of most of the cracks and has them both looking & appearently feeling great. They've been playing most of the afternoon since the farrier left! We made an appointment to trim again in 5 weeks to see how much growth we have. The farrier said it will take 1 or 2 more visits for him to get a good feel for how often he needs to come out..
The comment about the guys being wormed right before greener pastures was right. They were wormed the first week I had them & then again 2 weeks ago. My friend told me every 8 weeks rotating between 2 or 3 different wormers.
The farrier recommended a mobile equine vet so I figure I'll call them tomorrow & ask advice. Worse comes to worse I pay a vet bill! I will talk to them about the Probios Powder also.

I have a feeling I will be a regular on this site. You all are great. Thanks again & I'll keep you posted.
 
#7 ·
Micki O said:
Hi - I am new to this site & based on what I have read it is the perfect place for me. Please understand that what I know about horses I have learned over the last 3 months & 90% from reading Horses for Dummies & Horse Health & Nutrition for Dummies & they basically say to call the vet for everything.
In Jan 08 I "inherited" 2 geldings - a 26 yr Arabian & a 25 yr tb from a friend who was moving out west. She had owned them 8 years. They were vet check (not just for cognins spl?) the week before they got here & were given a clean bill of health.They came from about 150 miles north of here & my friend & the experinced horsewoman who brought them said they would adapt easily because my pasture was the same as what the horses had been on 24/7 other than being alittle greener due to climate differences. I have kept the same schedule of pellet feed & hay (which came with them) they have been on for the last 3-4 years. The Arabian has adjusted with no issues. The tb - Henry - however seems like my problem child. Since day 1 his droppings seem to be a cow patty consistancy. I noticed within about a week he would have an all liquid movement maybe once a day. (It may have been happening before that & I just didn't notice.) He is eating & drinking & not loosing weight. I also have a salt/mineral block which he likes. He is playful in the pasture & enjoys his weekly lunge session. That's the only work he is getting right now. I even had the ag guy inspect my pasture to make sure there was nothing harmful growing. I called my friend & she said he always had a sensitive stomach - not to worry about it. I have talked with other local horse owners at the feed store, local shows etc,& they say he just needs more time to adjust to the spring grasses, etc. However the books say diarriha will kill him.
Another issue that has developed in the last 2 weeks is cracks & splits in 3 hooves. Nothing serious compared to the pics on horseshoe.com but again the books say any cracks or splits is very bad & signs of neglect. I had him trimmed about 9 weeks ago & the farrier is coming out again today. I am guessing he should be able to tell me if it has just been too long between trims or if I have a nutrition issue going on.
Anyway my hubby grew up on a farm. He says I need to explain that I freaked out about a small cut on the Arabian's flank from a rose bush. [The rose bush is dead & gone!] He feels Henry just needs more time to adjust to his new home. I grew up in the city & I am panicing. In the past 3 months these big lovable animals [especially Henry] have stolen my heart. I don't want to do anything that is harmful but I don't want over react either.
Basically I am soliciting for any & all common sence advice about taking care of horses. I think knowledge based on experience with theses amazing creatures is better than any written in another book from Amazon.com!
Thanks in advance.
Micki
I am so impressed with your honesty and your research and work you have done to learn as much as you can to care for those 2 beautiful animals. If only this world was full of horse owners like yourself :D

It sounds like you are doing just fine. Keep on the reading and don't hesitate to ask for help on here. Posting photos if you are able to will help us help you.

Just follow your gut feeling, if are ever really worrying about something always cautions on the side of calling for assistance from a local vet clinic. There will always be someone to assist you in an emergency.

It sounds like you are doing just fine. Those 2 boys are seasoned and will be doing most of the teaching :D
 
#8 ·
Thank you for your support :)

The farrier recommended a mobile equine vet & she is coming out next Thursday. From what I described to her, she doesn't feel I have any emergency problems but the "boys" could use the once over. I'll let everyone know what her results are.

Different subject but just wondering why people get rid of horses just because they're old even if they are healthy. Some around here are telling me I don't have enough experience to deal with old animals & their problems & since they are "useless" we might want to think about getting rid of them. {They don't say how but I can imagine} Personally I'm finding these boys as previously said are teaching me alot. They are easy to handle & deal with & extremely loving! :D [/img]
 
#9 ·
Say poo poo to those who think those horses are useless. They are the perfect age for someone just starting out with a horse. Granted they will have their special needs as far a care and feeding but what you will learn from them is worth more than gold.
Enjoy them :D
 
#10 ·
Vidaloco said:
Say poo poo to those who think those horses are useless. They are the perfect age for someone just starting out with a horse. Granted they will have their special needs as far a care and feeding but what you will learn from them is worth more than gold.
Enjoy them :D
Exactly and honestly a lot of the best horses are the more seasoned ones. They know the drill and they don't fuss or cause you grief (for the most part :lol: ).

As I said earlier in a post, one of the best horses I ever owned was my old mare. She had taught me so much. She knew so much and was just a pleasure to own. I've really missed her.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top