Hello all! I'm pretty much categorized as a lurker on the forum, though I've posted a few times. I currently have two horses, but I just got two more as a sort of impulse decision.
Meet Ellie and Basil!
Ellie - 7 year old QH/Standardbred mare, probably around 15 hands. She was used as a pack and saddle horse for a trail outfitter in Kentucky from 3-5 years, then was sent to auction here in Colorado at 5 years old once her previous owner found out she was bred.
Basil - 9 month old Friesian/QH/Standie cross filly, should mature to 16 hands. She was born in July of last year.
Ellie was bought pregnant from auction by a family who didn't know much about horses, if anything. They intended for her to be a riding horse for their kids, but after finding out she was bred, they never rode and barely handled her. Once she foaled, they put a foal sized halter on baby Basil and it hasn't come off since then. Ellie hasn't had her nylon halter (that she came with from the auction) taken off in two years. Both have been dewormed on a regular schedule, but neither have been vaccinated since Ellie went to auction. Neither have seen the farrier, though Ellie is very good with her hooves being handled.
Ellie is only a 2.5 on the body scale, and Basil's hooves are badly outgrown. They only had a 20 by 30 foot pen plus an 8 by 8 stall as their entire living space, plus "occasional walks around the block". It's so hard to be civil with their previous owners for allowing them to get in such a state, but I understand that they never had bad intentions. They just didn't take the time to learn about horse care before buying, which unfortunately many people do.
Now I have a few questions. First off, what is the best way to get some weight on Ellie? She'll have access to good quality hay (grass/alfalfa mix) 24/7 and will be getting a weight building supplement, but I was wondering if there is more I should do. It's difficult to see her spine, ribs, and sunken in hips, so I would like to get weight on her quickly.
Second, Ellie and Basil have never been separated, and Basil is still not weaned. What is the best way to go about the weaning and separation process without causing extreme stress for the two of them? Basil has never even seen another horse that isn't her mom and never been out of eyesight.
Third, I've never had a horse this young before. I currently have a 2yo that I got when he was a yearling, but he could already halter, lead tie, pick up his hooves, and load in a trailer with no issues when I bought him. What is the best way to go about training a weanling, especially for getting a trim which she desperately needs?
Thank you so much for any/all advice! (sorry for the bad pics, that's all I have of them at the moment)
Meet Ellie and Basil!
Ellie - 7 year old QH/Standardbred mare, probably around 15 hands. She was used as a pack and saddle horse for a trail outfitter in Kentucky from 3-5 years, then was sent to auction here in Colorado at 5 years old once her previous owner found out she was bred.
Basil - 9 month old Friesian/QH/Standie cross filly, should mature to 16 hands. She was born in July of last year.
Ellie was bought pregnant from auction by a family who didn't know much about horses, if anything. They intended for her to be a riding horse for their kids, but after finding out she was bred, they never rode and barely handled her. Once she foaled, they put a foal sized halter on baby Basil and it hasn't come off since then. Ellie hasn't had her nylon halter (that she came with from the auction) taken off in two years. Both have been dewormed on a regular schedule, but neither have been vaccinated since Ellie went to auction. Neither have seen the farrier, though Ellie is very good with her hooves being handled.
Ellie is only a 2.5 on the body scale, and Basil's hooves are badly outgrown. They only had a 20 by 30 foot pen plus an 8 by 8 stall as their entire living space, plus "occasional walks around the block". It's so hard to be civil with their previous owners for allowing them to get in such a state, but I understand that they never had bad intentions. They just didn't take the time to learn about horse care before buying, which unfortunately many people do.
Now I have a few questions. First off, what is the best way to get some weight on Ellie? She'll have access to good quality hay (grass/alfalfa mix) 24/7 and will be getting a weight building supplement, but I was wondering if there is more I should do. It's difficult to see her spine, ribs, and sunken in hips, so I would like to get weight on her quickly.
Second, Ellie and Basil have never been separated, and Basil is still not weaned. What is the best way to go about the weaning and separation process without causing extreme stress for the two of them? Basil has never even seen another horse that isn't her mom and never been out of eyesight.
Third, I've never had a horse this young before. I currently have a 2yo that I got when he was a yearling, but he could already halter, lead tie, pick up his hooves, and load in a trailer with no issues when I bought him. What is the best way to go about training a weanling, especially for getting a trim which she desperately needs?
Thank you so much for any/all advice! (sorry for the bad pics, that's all I have of them at the moment)