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Are my horses going to be okay?

2K views 11 replies 8 participants last post by  Textan49 
#1 ·
Okay, I'm in a situation where I absolutely cannot get to work even though I really want to. If it helps at all, the horses are Standardbred colts and fillies who harness race. The horses got fed grain at 6:45 am, I am supposed to clean stalls and feed hay at around 9:00 am, and give lunch grain with fresh water at 12 pm. I am unable to contact my boss, and he won't be back until 6:30 pm. I'm reading online that the horses can get colic and stomach ulcers and possibly die. Also that a horses stomach will start digesting itself after 8 hours. Is this true? I really need answers because I am worried sick for these horses. I appreciate anyone whos willing to offer answers or advice.
 
#2 ·
If we are getting the whole story, and while it should like there could be better practices, the horses are not going to die from that. You didn't say how much hay they get or what kind of grain they get.

The stomach doesn't digest itself, but there is a constant production of stomach acid and only the bottom half of the stomach has a mucosal lining. The erosion of that unlined portion is what can cause ulcers, but the mortality on those is quite low. The colic causes by them isn't going to kill them either, it'll just be painful.
 
#3 ·
It probably won't kill them but it won't be good for them either, especially going all day without water in this heat.

If it was my job to care for these horses and my car broke down or ride didn't show up, I would do whatever it took to either get there including calling a cab if necessary.
 
#7 ·
I'm trying everything I can. I can't get in contact with anyone who works there, and I can't ask any of the kids from school, because I've known them for one week and they don't have permission from my boss to be in there. I'm just hoping someone who knows my boss stops by and takes care of them, because they have no hay. Thanks for letting me know that they're okay without grain for a little bit. That's one less concern.
 
#9 ·
If other people work there then surely someone will notice that you haven't turned up and attend to the horses for you
You seem keen to do the job but clearly aren't in a position to be reliable and that's no good for a job with horses so you need to apologise to the person you work for and quit the position immediately so he can find a replacement.
 
#10 ·
Did you manage to get through to them? Why have you been forbidden from going to the barn?

I feel for you here and I can tell that you're trying to be responsible which is great. Can you explain why you need to go? I know that non horsey parents struggle to understand why things need to be punctual.

It's actually really scary that the owners can't be contacted, especially when their horses are being looked after by a minor who can't get take a horse to the vet if there's an injury. That's horrible!
 
#12 ·
Horse care is different than other types of jobs as it is important for someone to be there at least for the basics of hay and water. If a minor is allowed to take on this type of job, every effort should be made to see that they fulfill their responsibility. On the other hand, there should always be a backup plan. My employer can always be reached by phone and if I was not able to make it (was run over by a truck or something) there are several people that she or I could call to check on the horses.
 
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