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Post-Auction Adventure "Magic Man"

4K views 42 replies 15 participants last post by  carshon 
#1 · (Edited)
I wasn't quite sure where to put this since it isn't a written story, but I wanted to keep those posted that may have been interested after my initial thread about "Magic." (http://www.horseforum.com/horse-health/aging-estimate-via-teeth-pics-726162/_

Hubby initially decided upon "Black Magic" and decided he liked "Magic Man" better. So without further ado this thread will include updates, pictures, and his general adventures :)

Auction Day:
When we first approached the pen I was elated to see Mini's. I have to say I have been bitten after working/driving my Mom's other three. So I was looking for a larger (Class B) mini to possibly pair with my Mom's gelding who was just shy of 40" tall. Looking over the group of Mini's I saw a larger, but slightly rough around the edges black with white rear stockings. Couldn't see much other than his number. Needed groceries and clearly got the wrong end of some clippers at some point. Poor guy.

He was rough housed by a couple potential buyers who decided to "sit" on him who were darn near 200lbs. I cringed and yet he simply looked around like he wasn't so sure about what they were doing to him. The woman who promptly sat on him proclaimed she was bidding on him and a larger mini bay mare. Someone standing alongside us warned us that there was a coughing one in the group and the two bay mares had snotty noses. Slightly discouraged I went and checked him out anyway. #240 was on his rump and he had his head buried in they hay pit. Not too worried about the other mini's nearly bowling him over as I made my way to him.

I knew he was older, but he seemed to have a great temperament. So a budget was set.

I ended up in a bidding "war" with the woman who sat on him and she folded $50 before the end of our budget and reluctantly got second pick. Suddenly I realized I'd set something in motion. No trailer to take him home (we lived over an hour away) A very long story short a lady who lived close by offered to trailer him. They'd purchased a larger paint mare and they loaded them together. The mare was set on kicking the crap out of him and it required a trailer stop and a spot swap. I had to go back to nearby the auction the next day to go back and get him, which was fine. There was no way he would've made it 1hr45 minutes home without her kicking his head in.

We have had him in QT for almost two weeks now and appears incredibly healthy. Meanwhile I received a message from the paint owner who had spend over $450 in vet bills... Her horse came down with a nasty cough and snotty nose. I believe we have dodged a bullet, but please keep your fingers crossed for the 'lil man!

I've kept his story brief to keep from boring you, however, pictures are below and I'll continue to post his tale as we move forward :)

When I first got to see him:



#240 back in the pen after I "won" him


Out of the pen and officially ours


The following day, letting the "detox" begin :)



Day 5:
(Bath day!)



Day 6:
He was settling in so well and appeared to remain "clear" in ailments. So I had an extra small pony harness upstairs. Retrieved it and "hooked" him up to the harness first. Very underwhelming. I had hubby lead him behind me as I totted the cart around, beside me, and the in front. Completely unphased by the cart. I asked as much as he was willing to give me and we ended up being able to hook the cart up and walk him around the backyard with it hooked up. He's quite a trooper.



He developed a cough when weight was applied to the cart and he had to "pull" so he gets to relax and continue his detox until the 17th of October where the vet had to reschedule for his first visit and vaccine update. We were given a worming recommendation, which we have started today and he's well on his way. We were not able to duplicate the cough when asked to lunge at a trot for several minutes at a time. Hoping he was just coughing out the "dust."

His amazing though. So "talkative" when going out to see him and just generally a happy guy. He isn't a fan of our dogs, at all, but he's polite enough to let them know before he starts "acting" out his dislike.

Who could say "No" to this face? Heh...



Stay Tuned!!
 
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#6 ·
#9 ·
He's adorable! Poor guy looks like he had some rough days with a too small halter on him too.

But before you turn him out with the others, read my story on strangles. It's kind of a long story, but worth it if you don't have to relive it.

http://www.horseforum.com/horse-health/strangles-just-how-bad-long-post-704889/
I know, I feel so bad that something so simple was overlooked when it came to a halter being too small. Fortunately it doesn't appear to have impeded the bone growth, just left white hairs :(

Thank you for the post, I will be sure to read it. We had a boarder in Maryland who brought a PMU with Strangles in, fortunately he was in QT, but what a miserable experience for everyone.

I'm in no hurry to turn him out with anyone until I know he's clear and healthy. We have separate clothes and shoes when handling Magic and they go into a plastic bag when not in use. He is currently soaking it up in our backyard away from any and all horses, just to be certain. I'm concerned that with the trailer mate being sick (they didn't tell me a diagnosis on her even though I asked... twice) that he may be asymptomatic.

Vet comes on the 17th and I have to find a creative way to get him to her... Without having to interact with my own horses who are also being seen. Guess I'll have to borrow hubby that day! Again, thank you for the post, I'll go read it!

Oh my goodness, SUCH a sweet face! Which auction did you go to? I'm going to be trying to head to New Holland for a driving horse sometime in December.

Make sure that the breast collar is sitting low enough on his chest when you fit him, that may be causing the cough when he pulls forward.
I pulled him out of the Orange County Livestock Auction in Orange, Virginia. I believe the mini's that didn't sell at this particular Auction went to New Holland the very next day. I did hear mumblings about a pretty large group of mini's coming in next week for New Holland. Hubby forbid me from that auction lol. My luck I'd come home with at least two ;)!

I didn't look too closely to where the breast collar sat as I "thought" it looked alright, but given where his neck ties into his chest... He may just need it a smidge lower than my other guys. I'll give that a go next time, thank you! :)
 
#10 ·
What a little Sweetie-Boy! :)

The last two pics, he seems to be saying " You DO love me don't you?"

There's a lot of intelligence in those eyes. He's got more of a Shetland head and appears bigger than a mini in your pictures:)

I really like him!
 
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#12 ·
He's just barely over 38" so he's at the very tip-top of a Class B "Mini" or probably more suitable as a VSE (Very Small Equine!)

He has the sweetest eyes of what I believe was already mentioned an "old soul." He's still trying to figure us out. We try and go out for scratches/treats, but have to limit contact for the reasons below. So the last couple of visits have consisted of a wormer tube or a thermometer up his bum... So he's not so sure he wants any of what we're offering at the moment. Although, he is lavished in carrots for approaching us!

~~

He has quite a smoochable nose!! ;)

Tomorrow will mark two weeks since he came home. I've done my fill of reading up on Strangles and while he poses no outward signs (normal temp. of 99.7*) of it. I've been reading it can take up to three weeks for them to show symptoms. He has an old scab under his jaw and seems to have a little bit of a uniform soft "pouch" that would be in the region of the Mandibular node and downward. Nothing sensitive to the touch. Which makes it suspect to have had it... Or is developing it. Appetite is great and he is far from depressed. He's quite a cheeky/happy guy, so we'll continue to monitor his temperature and symptoms and have his own set of clothes for handling. Already sterilized the harness and pads I used on him (Thank Goodness for biothane!)

The weather has flat out sucked this week, but here's a scruffy picture for you all from today. I'd already changed clothes when I realized a picture would be nice... So I had to suffice for a distance shot and red eyes xD
 
#13 ·
A great update! I hope that scab/soft spot is a "was" and not an "is":(

He's so precious. My grandad raised Welsh/Shetlands. Pepper, his stallion, was a solid black Shetland, the mares being Welsh.

Your handsome guy brings back memories of Pepper -- distant memories since I am now older than granddad was, when he was raising the ponies, lol

I was 12 when I used to ride Pepper a few miles to the corner store every Sunday morning because my grandmother said she ran out of milk or bread for breakfast, lollol. He had to have been at least 48".

Your guy has the appearance and headset of someone bigger than 38" :) yes, he does look like an old soul - he will probably "talk" once he is comfortable enough:)
 
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#16 ·
Magic Man from today checking up on us while we're on the desk. He was quite "chatty" to us when we called him over.



Still remaining fever free! I will say. I've never met a horse so happy to take a wormer lmbo.
 
#17 ·
I'll betcha he would make an excellent nursing home or rehab center horse. Except with that winsome face of his, you would play heck getting people to let go of him when his visiting time was up, lollol
 
#19 ·
I think he'd do great on that too!
His face would make anyone fall in love with him!
If he comes up missing it's NOT me!!!!
 
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#26 ·
He has been eyeballing the deck stairs lately to come on up! ;)

I have a small update, but don't come bearing pictures unfortunately. I'll try and get some tomorrow :)

He's eating, drinking, and generally a very happy guy. I set up a small fence (12" tops) to see if he'd like to jump in hand the other day. He was more than happy to oblige and did quite well! He's quite a cutie and putting the weight on nicely!

Had a minor panic this morning when he cleared his nostrils and shot a wad of yellow snot from his left nostril, about a tablespoon worth. The other dry as a bone. Called the vet looking for advice on if we should have her come out earlier. She said it was very unlikely to be strangles since it was one nostril and more likely to be allergy related. She didn't feel the need to come earlier than her scheduled date since he had no fever and was "normal" otherwise. Told me to monitor (well continue at this point) his temperature and just keep an eye on him. Just when I start to feel "comfortable" that he doesn't have anything he throws me a curve ball :P.
 
#27 ·
He could have even picked Shipping Fever at the auction, so by all means take hi temp once a day and watch him for coughing, more snot, and runny eyes.

I have a horse with environmental allergies - one of which is ragweed this time of year.

His snot is either clear or white and he will occasionally get a hacking cough. I wet his hay down.

Damp hay may not be a bad idea for Magic Man, even if he doesn't have allergies. Just a mist over the hay so it isn't so dry, if that is possible:)
 
#29 ·
I heard mumblings that they had this from a couple of the other guys hanging around the miniature pen. I will definitely approach the damp hay for him and hope it helps :)

Good news from the vet yesterday. Took his vaccines like a champ and the vet did an eval. She pegged him (visually) as younger based on those cute little ears and his high pitch neigh. Checking out his teeth she suggested he was 12-15 years old, so not nearly as aged as I thought. Will need his teeth done, which she didn't have time for (and it wasn't scheduled).

I explained his cough and offered to hook him up to the harness to show her. She explained that a horse with a heavy parasite infestation it wasn't uncommon to make its way to the lungs (round worms per her remark). I have a horrible habit of not asking for more information so I just said "Ok" and she said it would eventually dissipate. I explained he'd already been on the Powerpac and she was pleased with that. She felt comfortable in saying he could go out with the other guys and just monitor them. Trailering seemed to flare up his cough, but it's a very dry cough, almost sounds like a human cough. She instructed a 250# Strongid dose and another in 10 days and go from there. She did a chiro/adjustment on my mare and returns in two weeks and she wants to see him again to check on him.



I turned him out in the rear pasture after she gave him the thumbs up. I turned him out in the rear pasture of my folks place. I wonder how long it has been since he's been able to explore an area so vast. He literally took off running... Just to run. No destination, just run. He got into a little bit of a coughing fit over it, but it didn't stop him. Whenever I go over to feed he comes running. It's satisfying to see him so visibly happy.



Here's a picture from the other day where he was helping me "test fit" my costume for Coal this weekend.

 
#31 ·
What a great update!

Regarding the lingering dry cough:

Does your vet/chiro happen to know any Chinese medicine?

My chiro is a DVM who took the Hollistic route. She is studying for her Masters in some type of Chinese medicine that involves manipulation of the body beyond chiropractics and acupuncture.

Her bottom line with my allergy horse and his periodic dry coughing, was that "his lungs were full of crap", even though he had been examined by the traditional vet on several occasions.

She did some sort of manipulation on Rusty's chest cavity (which that cranky horse actually enjoyed), and she put him on a prescription herbal product by Dr. Xie, called "phlegm Fat". It has worked miracles.

Magic Man is as cute and intelligent looking as ever ---- which room in the house have you finished for him for the winter:mylittlepony::loveshower:
 
#32 ·
He has the cutest face ever ;)

I'll ask about the Chinese Medicine. She felt that he had a potential parasite manifestation that moved to his lungs that caused the cough. It has sense dissipated with more activity, less dry lot and more pasture. We did worm with Strongid as requested. He's not packing on the pounds like I would like and will likely will have his teeth floated in the next week when the vet comes out again. She said he would have been fine until the Spring, but I really don't want him getting sucker punched in the cold weather.

We've started wetting hay which seems to have helped with the coughs. I'll look into the "phlegm fat" and see what I can find and share it with my vet. I appreciate the incite!

Just got back from a vacation planned/booked almost a year ago and of course had to go give all the little guys scratches... So an updated picture of the little guy.

Coat is starting to get some luster to it and his mane/tail is growing out
 
#33 ·
Some pictures from today as he came in with the group for breakfast. Drabby coat is finally getting luster and his mane/tail is growing out. Still not an "accepted" member of the herd, but he's fine with that as long as he gets his own scratches.





 
#34 ·
You will get wore out listening to me repeat "how cute he is". But he is such a huggie looking fella:)

He has "Duke eyes".

My Duke (my avatar) had those very expressive eyes. He was an extremely intuitive horse. I think in pictures and he had an uncanny ability to understand a lot. We communicated on another level more than I ever have with another horse.

I'll bet Magic is like that:).
 
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