Hutch the Halfie **The Last Chapter on Pg. 18**

[welsummerchicks]

I've seen that happen often. Older horses often get tumors which can obstruct or even wrap around the gut, or have damage to part of the gut from heavy worm infestations past, or have enteroliths that form around a swallowed nail or other object.

 

[Msbear]

WC, avoid what point.. you mean the ..Im not worthy of getting this horse in this condition because Im not knowledgable enough about basic horsemanship and horse health to successfully bring this poor animal back to health... you mean that point... I got it.

Should I have said No, I don't want the horse.... let him keep losing weight in a mud pit, um, I mean field full of horses fighting over his grain with other giant, healthy animals that kick him and bite him when he gets near food... all because, I should read a book first. NO!! I jumped in and took it on and I think it was a great decision. I know the personality of a halflinger and hoped he would be as gentle and sweet as described. If he did his part, I would make sure to do mine. I am getting a vet out here asap. He is safe and is being well looked after. Im doing research, talking with everyone and doing everything in my power to care for a horse no one else wanted or cared about. And, Relics is right, I may not have know the exact symptoms of colic right off hand but, I surely would've noticed something was terribly wrong and would've been on it. I do know what to look for now and how to help prevent colic. If you look back, that was my first concern. I may not have had the years of experience you all have but, you didn't get them from birth... you gained them from EXPERIENCE. I think negative posts are not only uneffective but unfair and ill received. There is a much nicer way to say all the things you are trying to say and I think many other posters showed that. I GOT IT!!!

It can be difficult for people to honestly open up in a public forum. The anonymity is wonderful until you develop friends on here that you hold dear and develop a reputation in which you appreciate. Now, it is much harder to confide in this not so anonymous place.... a place where I have helped generously so many people on here and always consciously try to be respectful of their situation and understand their methods may not be the same as mine. I understand that I did not know enough to do this on my own. But, I am confident in myself as a smart, resourceful gal to gather the info and supplies I needed to get this job done. And, I reached out to you all as apart of that effort. I, honestly, was not expecting such backlash... Im a bit in shock and irritated but will get this job done.

UPDATE: He is happy, on his way to being healthy.. just got his first bath in eons and actually took off into a little into a trot as he headed in the corall afterwards.. first time I've seen a little gleam in his eye since he got here. He was so happy just to be clean. My husband came over and leaned on the fence and said, "ya know, he's a pretty good looking horse." It's like he developed a bit of pride by just getting a bath.

HFN, I have read about the beet pulp. I did pick up an Omega.. something ...Grow-N-Win.. I think... a supplement in a big bucket that I add to the feed (which will be a very small portion) and "opti-zyme" a microbial supplement to enhance digestion. The omega I plan to offer a small dose of to allow the weight gain to be gradual and healthy. The opti-zyme won't be any problem to his system. I will have the vet do a fecal on him when he does his overall and see what Im battling there. The lady has given him a 5-way vaccine in the past month and said she wormed him.

I wish I could upload the pics but, my cord to my camera has been lost during our marathon move that has taken me two weeks just to get back to somewhat normalcy. I did order another cord and Im hoping it will come on Monday. Please, everyone, try to be supportive of my already made decision. I really do appreciate all the helpful posts and that is why I knew this would be a great place to turn to.

 

[hippichick]

Hey Erin. I think it's a wonderful thing you've done adopting this horse. Knowing you as I do, he's a lucky boy you found him. He'll do nothing but thrive under your care. Good for you for doing this!

We recently bought a mare for my Zoe, my 8-year old. She came with a colt-who is now 3 months old. She was kept in a pasture with the baby and the also the stud that the baby belongs to. The owner didn't bother separating her when she went back into her cycle, so she was pregnant again. When we got her, she was pregnant, with a colt at her side, back all scratched up from being mounted by the stud. But the worse part was that she wasn't being fed at all-only grass she could find out in the pasture. Our vet is a personal friend, and she was really poor, so he decided it would be best to terminate the pregnancy-she was only about 3-4 weeks along. We did, and she is really coming along in just the 2 months we've had her. Just takes a little time, and a little feed-especially when they aren't getting fed at all. Just take it slow. We've owned horses for about 20 years, and are certainly not experts, but our horses are all healthy and very well-cared for. There are a couple of things we've learned since getting this most recent one-as to feed and additives. PM me if interested.

And, again, congrats! I know your boys must be so thrilled.

 

[hippichick]

Erin, check out TheManeStreet.com. It's a very informative forum, and have found VERY useful info on it.

 

[chickenzoo]

Glad he's doing good. My first horse was an aged palomino mare that had been starved, and beaten about the face. Her lip hung and her ears sagged and she had a bad rope bun and abscess scare on her left hind leg.. As soon as she got off the trailer she laid down. I had worked around horses, but she was MY first horse, talk about a crash course. She taught me many things, and she became a beautiful horse that you could trust to do ANYTHING with. I could ride her down the middle of a 4 lane highway with tractor trailers blowing horns and she'd barely twitch an ear. We barrel raced, jumped, rode english and western, trail rode for most of the day, I lived on that horse. She was the best horse ever and gave me many happy years. I think rescued animals somehow are more appreciative, like they just know. Thank you for getting him out of that situation and I hope he brings you all the joy that my first horse brought me.

 

[Msbear]

Chickenzoo, what a heartwarming story.... I cannot believe she just got off the trailer and laid down.. like she had totally given up. I do agree about the rescued animals and that they have a certain understanding about hardship and show more love and appreciation than an animal who doesn't understand that. All of my dogs have been rescues and the loyalty and close bonding is unmatchable, I believe.

Paula, thanks so much for the link to Manestreet. I will check that out. You are one of those "dear friends" I spoke about earlier and I always appreciate seeing you pop up... really want to do that visit next time I make it to my sister's house in Loosiana

 

[serendipityfarm]

MSBear, I think it's great that you have given this little guy a chance. It sounds like he would not have had one if you didn't intervene.

My only additional thought, and coming from my own horse owning experience as well as my many years working for an equine vet, is that Hafflingers are generally, when healthy, EASY KEEPERS. Granted that is a generalization, but for example, I horse-sit for a friend who had one and he got a handful of grain, a 1/2 flake of hay once a day, and grass for ~12 hours a day. He was in great condition. My point is that you probably won't need a lot of fancy feed or supplements, especially if your hay is a good timothy/alfalfa mix. Talk to a vet before you feed him much else.

And as for not knowing the basics, most of it is common sense. A happy healthy horse looks that way. If he looks miserable, or like he's in pain, call a vet. Mopey, not eating, not passing manure, limping or not wanting to move, lying down is OK but not if the horse gets up and down repeatedly.
You'll be fine, and I'm sure that horse thanks you.

PS- keep us updated about the hernia! I personally have a horse that had colic surgery to remove an enterolith 10 years ago. She as not had a single problem since! (Knocking on wood) So, until you are presented with another scenario, I will hope for te best for you and yours.

~Terry

 

[hippichick]

Aww, thanks Erin. And yes, we definitely need to get together next time you make it down here-even if I have to drive to NOLA to have lunch with you there-darn wouldn't that be the worst. Ah, the sacrifice...

But really, I'd love to have you over-we could talk chicken And horse.

So, how's Hutch settling in this morning? Bet the boys were up at the crack of dawn to run out to the barn, huh? Hope all is well.

 

[Msbear]

Paula, I wanted to tell you that you are not the first person to recommend the nutrena feeds. I've seen many testimonials online about it as well... before and after shots and such. I will definitely keep that in mind.

SF, I have heard wonderful things about halfies and their laid back attitudes and low maintenance. Im betting once he's back in shape, he'll be an easy stay. I've heard conflicting things about the high quality hay vs. the orchard grass. A few horsey people at TSC said the "hot hay" could do more damage than help. I have some orchard grass coming and was going to let him eat his weight in that and just a couple flakes of the timothy/alfalfa.

Well, I went outside to feed and it's like being bombarded by the nazis. The chickens are yelling for me to let them out of the coops, the guineas are making this crazy loud sound from inside the barn and all the peeps in there are going nuts (were out of feed), the pigeons are staring at me from on top of the barn (dad's white homers) and now, Hutch is nickering out the stall window

I make my way letting everyone out and am filling up waterers and I walk over to let him out for his morning 15 min. graze and Wyatt's coming up from behind in his PJ's. He runs in and opens the door and Hutch comes out so gently and makes his way toward the grass. I let Wyatt hang with him while I did the rest of the chores. It was such an adorable sight. He would lift his head and nudge Wyatt and go to town again.

 

[hippichick]

Farm life--ain't it the best!!?? So happy for y'all...