I got a horse, now what? update 1-22-11

[duckluck]

Quote:
One more word for the day and then that's it...I feel like I am hijacking the thread here...

Leaving his halter off is good practice when you are not using/grooming/leading him. Halters can get caught on the most ungodly things, and they rub off hair on the face, creating bare spots at best and maggotty nasty wounds at worst. Horses have been known to break their leg or their neck by getting them caught in their halters while scratching behind their ear with a hind leg. He looks like an easy-catching sort, so I'd take it off and keep it nice and clean. I personally yanked one of my horses one afternoon from a lessee because she left the halter on the mare causing a wound with pus under her chin.

 

[twentynine]

Quote:
Yes! Allot of improvement to fencing, pasture grass will be attended to. This guy has not even approached the fence, since I put the flags on it. I'm guessing that he was previously contained with an electric fence, flagging is a common way to mark an electric fence in this area. I did discover that while he will not "try" the fence, he does know what a gate is for. Yesterday I used the tractor to remove some tools from his enclosure, opened the gate, turned around to reboard the tractor, he followed me out. I was between him and freedom, I clapped my hands, he turned and went back in. Stuck in a rut right now, working 12 hour shifts, due to the very cold weather we had last weekend and the beginning of this week. I work in a Utilities water plant, trouble starts at 32* F.

The crack in his front right, it does not seem to be through the whole thickness of his hoof. And it stops just millimeters before it enters what you call the coronet band. Sorry about not knowing all the proper terms, but I am taking a crash course here.

When you made your first reply, my first reaction was "here we go again!!!!!" Then evidently you went back and read over the entire thread, of which many responses have been deleted by the moderators. I think you understand now that I (quoting a previous reply) am not trying to be "cavalier". Each and every one of you guys at one time in your life, got your first horse. Barring the fact that some of you guys were born into families that have always owned horses, you have gained whatever experience and knowledge you have by living it. Well this is my ( wife's) first horse. As stated earlier, I am not without the common sense, nor the resourses to make sure that this guy gets proper care.

 

[seminolewind]

Twentynine, you seem to be a person that has common sense, and asks for advice as well. Those are the two most important things in horse ownership. I think you're doing fine so far, and if anyone feels the need to criticize you, their post does NOT belong on this thread. You are certainly getting alot of good advice here!!!

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Quote:
Well said. I'd give you a thumbs up, but haven't used any of those thingies.

I have to admit that when I read his first post, my first thought WAS 'you've got to be kidding me'. But he was kidding - a little.

I now feel that he IS doing his best to do the BEST for this horse.

 

[duckluck]

Quote:
Yes! Allot of improvement to fencing, pasture grass will be attended to. This guy has not even approached the fence, since I put the flags on it. I'm guessing that he was previously contained with an electric fence, flagging is a common way to mark an electric fence in this area. I did discover that while he will not "try" the fence, he does know what a gate is for. Yesterday I used the tractor to remove some tools from his enclosure, opened the gate, turned around to reboard the tractor, he followed me out. I was between him and freedom, I clapped my hands, he turned and went back in. Stuck in a rut right now, working 12 hour shifts, due to the very cold weather we had last weekend and the beginning of this week. I work in a Utilities water plant, trouble starts at 32* F.

The crack in his front right, it does not seem to be through the whole thickness of his hoof. And it stops just millimeters before it enters what you call the coronet band. Sorry about not knowing all the proper terms, but I am taking a crash course here.

When you made your first reply, my first reaction was "here we go again!!!!!" Then evidently you went back and read over the entire thread, of which many responses have been deleted by the moderators. I think you understand now that I (quoting a previous reply) am not trying to be "cavalier". Each and every one of you guys at one time in your life, got your first horse. Barring the fact that some of you guys were born into families that have always owned horses, you have gained whatever experience and knowledge you have by living it. Well this is my ( wife's) first horse. As stated earlier, I am not without the common sense, nor the resourses to make sure that this guy gets proper care.

I hear ya. I too was a greenie like we all have been, being the only person in my family who wanted horses and got my first at 20. I have been soaking my head quite thoroughly in this sport since then, learning everything I can shy of going to actual vet school, so that first post kind of slammed me in the chest because I actually do know people who really are that "cavalier" in their approach to this. They really are out there, and there are a lot of them! So went "eep!" at that first post. I've seen some hellish accidents with horses and some terrible injuries on both horses and people. I've also been graced with the good fortune to have owned the horse of a lifetime as my first show and riding horse, who had to be put down at 27 but was something of a local legend during his own lifetime. I hope this one proves to be that kind for you. PM me if you have any questions, I have already sent you a PM...some of my knowledge has come by pretty expensively, but I have had some good folk share it with me and so I will share it too. My first trainer/mentor was in his eighties and still riding and driving, and his condition of schooling me was for me to share what I learned with at least 10 people to help keep our sport going.

Flagging the fence is definitely a good idea in any event...many injuries happen to horses because they simply can't see what they are running into or because they don't perceive it as posing a problem to being run into.

 

[twentynine]

Quote:
Yes! Allot of improvement to fencing, pasture grass will be attended to. This guy has not even approached the fence, since I put the flags on it. I'm guessing that he was previously contained with an electric fence, flagging is a common way to mark an electric fence in this area. I did discover that while he will not "try" the fence, he does know what a gate is for. Yesterday I used the tractor to remove some tools from his enclosure, opened the gate, turned around to reboard the tractor, he followed me out. I was between him and freedom, I clapped my hands, he turned and went back in. Stuck in a rut right now, working 12 hour shifts, due to the very cold weather we had last weekend and the beginning of this week. I work in a Utilities water plant, trouble starts at 32* F.

The crack in his front right, it does not seem to be through the whole thickness of his hoof. And it stops just millimeters before it enters what you call the coronet band. Sorry about not knowing all the proper terms, but I am taking a crash course here.

When you made your first reply, my first reaction was "here we go again!!!!!" Then evidently you went back and read over the entire thread, of which many responses have been deleted by the moderators. I think you understand now that I (quoting a previous reply) am not trying to be "cavalier". Each and every one of you guys at one time in your life, got your first horse. Barring the fact that some of you guys were born into families that have always owned horses, you have gained whatever experience and knowledge you have by living it. Well this is my ( wife's) first horse. As stated earlier, I am not without the common sense, nor the resourses to make sure that this guy gets proper care.

I hear ya. I too was a greenie like we all have been, being the only person in my family who wanted horses and got my first at 20. I have been soaking my head quite thoroughly in this sport since then, learning everything I can shy of going to actual vet school, so that first post kind of slammed me in the chest because I actually do know people who really are that "cavalier" in their approach to this. They really are out there, and there are a lot of them! So went "eep!" at that first post. I've seen some hellish accidents with horses and some terrible injuries on both horses and people. I've also been graced with the good fortune to have owned the horse of a lifetime as my first show and riding horse, who had to be put down at 27 but was something of a local legend during his own lifetime. I hope this one proves to be that kind for you. PM me if you have any questions, I have already sent you a PM...some of my knowledge has come by pretty expensively, but I have had some good folk share it with me and so I will share it too. My first trainer/mentor was in his eighties and still riding and driving, and his condition of schooling me was for me to share what I learned with at least 10 people to help keep our sport going.

Flagging the fence is definitely a good idea in any event...many injuries happen to horses because they simply can't see what they are running into or because they don't perceive it as posing a problem to being run into.

DL

I have responded to your PM, and have read your further responces since then. Both my wife and I had horses when we were children. My wife actually having more experience with "real" horses. As you know when you are a child, even being charged with taking care of your horse. It's really Mom and Pop that spend the dime and make the decissions.

What I have discovered so far is their are people like you who will freely discuss and share their experience. Then their is the group of people who look down their noses because some one doesn't have the experience they have. I have been told on this very thread, to bring the horse back to where he came from. Yes! I can see, upon self examination that my original post on this thread was not worded very well, and could be considered "stupid", but not more so than some of the responces I have recieved. I think at this point in this thread most every one understands that I am genuine. Maybe a genuine tenderfoot, but genuine never the less.

 

[horsejody]

Don't worry about spending much on a saddle until he is at full weight because he will probably need a different size then.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

It sounds like he's following you just fine. Different people will tell you different things, but I am usually of the belief that a horse should follow behind you. If they try to walk ahead of you, even if it is just their head, I think it is disrespectful. However, show people (and many others too) like the horse's shoulder to be lined up with their shoulder. I tend to find that when my horses get in the habit of doing that, they get a little pushy and pull me around. When they are behind me, I can easily get in front of them to back them up, and the horse is able to keep all of its attention on me. I can also keep an eye on them at all times from the corner of my eye. This is getting a little more into the training than you might want to know, but in the type of training I do, a respectful horse should always try and keep its head facing you. This means if you walk towards their hind end, they should pivot their front end to face you. My girl always wants to be facing me, so I had to teach her "stay" so that I could walk around her to check tack and hooves!

Sounds like your guy has been taught like this and IMO I would keep him exactly as he is. From what you describes, he seems to have very nice ground manners!

Sounds like you have a lot under control already though. Once spring and summer roll around, you should have some more time to work with him. Hopefully the farrier you found works out for you! Here in NJ farriers cost a heck of a lot of money, and specialized farriers can cost between $200-$500 a visit! I think we pay about $130 for a regular hot shoe visit and its close to $60 or $70 for a regular trim. (That's not even with a barefoot specialist!)

Anyways, he looks like a real sweetie and I hope you have fun with him! Horses can be lots of fun, just as long as you remember they can very easily kill you. It's difficult to avoid all of the dangers, but if you are aware of the danger present even when working with a well trained or docile horse then you can be so much more prepared when something unexpected does happen.

 

[NonnasBabies]

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I have come to the conclusion that some people just LOVE to be holier than thou on the forums!! It's all because they can hide behind a computer!! But there are some fantastic people out there that takes the time to really help you out and share their wonderful advise!! I only hope one day that I will have the experience to help someone out and give something back!!

When we got our first horse (which was given to us by a friend that could no longer afford to keep him!) I will be honest and tell you I didn't know anything. I have 2 friends with horses and listened to everything they had to say, asked them a million and one questions talked to my vet and farrier and started reading everything that I could. I took everything everyone told me and just figured my own way through it cause it seems like everyone has their own opinion on how things should be done!! You kinda take a little from this one and a little from that one and combine it into what works for you!!

Sounds like your got it going on!! He sure is a nice looking fella!!

Missi

 

[NonnasBabies]

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Where abouts are you located at if your talking about SE Louisiana??? I might be able to help you find someone!!

Missi