The Horse Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

Best Advice for a New Clueless Horseowner

4K views 33 replies 12 participants last post by  mysticalhorse 
#1 ·
First off I inherited the horse, so go easy on me for having a horse and no clue ....:lol:

I have inherited a 15 yo gelding halflinger mix... his hooves look like dinner plates (farrier coming on Friday).... he seems overweight but he is part halflinger....

He is sharing a pasture with a mini donkey stallion and they seem to have been long lost friends... they go everywhere together...

I have had him two days in my pasture after being allowed to roam in a cow pasture with no riding, no grooming (occasional mane and tail trim when full of burrs).

I really want to do well by him and his seems very well mannered (had to walk him two miles from a family members farm to my own.

I just retired out of the military and haven't been able to do any horse care training, nothing in 25 years.....

Please be gentle and help not hinder me.... I really am going to try and do well by my boys (horse and mini donkey)

Would you put goats in with the horse and donkey??

Thank you for any help and advice you may give.:-p
 
See less See more
#2 ·
Why not? Just be careful of the initial encounter. Try and see if you can get some weight off the halfie. Do you have any pictures of the halfie?

Do a lot of research on the computer on horse care. The more you know the better off you will be.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#4 · (Edited)
Aww, he's a cutie. He almost looks like a Belgian cross.
Like Mbender said research. In addition to that, I would add
find a good vet
find experienced horse people & ask questions
get involved with your local horse community
put together a horsey 1st aid kit (there are a couple threads on here that talk about that)
 
#6 ·
Thanks

I think he is beautiful.... I plan on riding him... not hooking him up to wagons or such... I hope that is what you were asking.... Other than riding and feeding him a good "Senior" diet... I hope I can get him to loose some weight... :D
 
#7 ·
How big is your turn out? You might not need to feed him any grain.

I totally agree on finding a vet. I would have the vet out for a initial physical, etc just so you have a vet if an emergency comes up.
It will be worth the price of the exam if you are dealing with an issue in the middle of the night.

You could have your mini-donk gelded at the same time.
 
#8 ·
Ask your feed store who they recommend for a farrier and vet. They usually hear all the "gossip" about who is good and who isn't.

Also, talk with your vet about what to feed him. He is a little over, and as mentioned, may not need grain, just good hay and pasture. Also, have you had experience caring for horses before? When I first started, things like protien, fiber and fat content went right over my head. You should learn about that.

Other than that, I would bond with him by feeding him and grooming him, and even taking him for walks outside of his paddock, before you start to think about riding him.
 
#10 ·
I have a 2 acre pasture with a corral in the middle I will take a pic. I have found a farrier that has been recommended by 3 different people, so we will see how that goes the guy will have his hands full that's for sure since the hooves haven't been trimmed in years.... I haven't tried riding Flash yet, I have just spent time talking and grooming so far.... the only problem I have had was when I went out this morning to "gab" with the boys, the mini donkey bit the crap out of me.. this is unusual and I am hoping that it is a one time thing... I leaned over and bit his ear since that is what I was told to do when an equine bites (not sure if it was right or wrong) any advice..... dang that hurt..... I really do appreciate people answering my post good info...
 
#14 ·
Excited.... got the vet that the horse people around my town were recommending.... he is coming out tomorrow to do a physical and immunize the horse and donkey... and the best part he is going to teach me how to worm on my own so that I don't have to "waste" money (his words) on having him do something that I am capable of.... good day other than the bite.....
 
#20 ·
It sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders, willing to ask for help and listen to advice. In your original Post you asked about getting goats. I have no experience with this other than seeing a horse at auction whose tail had been chewed off by goats!

I'm also glad you found a good vet and farrier. It sounds like you are going to have some fun.
 
#24 ·
I agree! I am not sure about the goat.. My riding instructor has 2 at her barn and they ate the mane and tail of the pony that was with them. (They were all kept in one stall since they were all small) But other than that they are good companions.

You might also want to consider gelding the donkey, as stated before, the biting could be from playing to agressiveness. Don't be scared to give them a slap or kick just like another horse or donkey would.

Do you have any information on the cutie pie? Like how old he is etc.
And I think we need more pictures!
 
#25 ·
Sounds like you have a good start. You've looked into vets and farriers, which will help you develop professional relationships with them, so you will have one in an emergency.
I would consider gelding your donkey. I have heard that gelding a donkey is riskier than gelding a horse due to negative reactions to anesthetic. A gelded animal does not have hormones to deal with and is not only a happier animal if they aren't being used regularly for breeding, they are also less prone to dominance issues.
While it sounds like you have a handle on possible reasons for the biting and immediately reprimanded him, I would be concerned that he'll try it again.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#27 ·
My neighbor has a donkey in with her herd. People put them in with their livestock out here because they chase off the coyotes.
We had goats in with our ponies as a kid without problems. As long as there is plenty of food (and its spread out) and plenty of room to get away from each other, they should be fine.
 
#30 · (Edited)
Good advice so far! Sounds like you are doing well with them.

We don't have any now, but my grandpa did keep goats with the horses when I was a kid. They kept the fence rows clean & ate whatever weeds that came up in the pasture that the horses wouldn't touch. He never had to spray fence rows or mow the pasture. He even loaned out one of the nanny goats to a friend with an orphan foal for a replacement mommy. I will have to dig up those pictures, pretty darn cute watching a foal on it's knees nursing a goat :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top