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

[FlashPointFarm]

You and your wife are doing a great thing taking this guy in! I wish you the best of luck.

One thing I had to find out the hard way was what to keep on hand for emergency veterinary care.

Bute- you can get a tube from your vet. Just follow the directions. Don't overuse it, hard on tummy and kidneys.
Vet wrap, 4 rolls.
Cotton roll, at least one.
Betadine
Large syringes
duct tape

Have fun learning with him!

 

[duckluck]

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This is very true. Saddle fitting is a can of worms and an art all by itself!

 

[ducks4you]

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Sounds great!! I don't know HOW many places I've seen with dangerous equipment out for horses to get hurt on. Every once in awhile, the quietest horse will hurt himself on "who KNOWS what"--can't do anything about those things.

Farrier?
Maybe out west you guys don't have this problem, but here, it seems to be something of a problem.

I have been through 5 farriers in the last 25 years. The last one wouldn't return my phone calls. My horses had good manners, and I know that the checks didn't bounce. Finally, I got a business card from an Amish farrier who lives about an hour's drive from my house/barn. He'll probably die before he retires from trimming/shoeing/horse training.

I know that a great many farriers develop bad backs from horses leaning their weight while being trimmed/shod, so they quit. This is just a head's up, so you know it isn't YOU!! Also, my current farrier is pretty low on the cost scale--but before him, it usually cost me about $65/trimming, and over $100/shoeing. (Prices may be different in "your neck of the woods.")​

 

[duckluck]

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Don't forget to add Banamine to that list, along with accompanying syringes...have the vet provide that and show you how to use that...it never seems like you will need all that when you buy it, but the minute you do, it can turn a life-threatening situation into a managable one. If you make even one friend with a horse, you might be able to come to their rescue...I sure have many times for people. It can also help if you have to transport a violently ill horse to the hospital.

 

[greathorse]

Twenty nine I am not sure how one person purchasing a horse wound up with so much attention, but you seem to be way long on the common sense scale and will get along just fine. Feed is so much just common sense and watching the horse. Feet are the bugger as you are discovering. Wild horses travel so many miles per day that they "in large part" trim themselves and domesticated horses stand around on soft ground hence the overgrowth.

 

[seminolewind]

Hi, I always tell people the same thing-for 25 years. It's best to keep the horse at a barn with other horse people the first few months. It's well worth the money and the learning and the advice.

Do not give your horse alot of grain. Offer free choice hay (not alfalfa) to start, and just maybe a quart of grain twice a day. You do not want founder-painful and expensive, and some damage may be permanent.

When you get his feet done, ask for a pasture/mustang roll to take the pressure off the outer layer of hoof. This prevents chips and cracks. You will do fine.

 

[twentynine]

Okay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Farrier has come and gone. Now if I could just get the smell out of my nose. Don't know what is worse the hoof trimmings or the pine tar based dressing she used. The smell of the pine tar brought me back to childhood, smells just like the stuff Aunt Pearl used on chicks to keep them from pecking each other. That's 45+ years ago.

The farrier-- Business name: Medicine Wheel, the lady's name was Napi or Na-api. Don't know about the American indian spelling. A Lakota Sioux indian, originnaly from SD, then Montanna, then Europe. Returned to the USA in the 90s, came to La. working to rescue horses from the aftermaths of hurricanes katrina and rita. What I can say is she was/is a very unique individual. She was described to me as a "trick". A tough woman that could whup any body. Well I ain't ready to admit she could a whupped me, but I know it would have took all day to whup her. I ain't kiddin. Walked right up to Cody, spoke some sort of incantation, blew in his nose, and he stood mesmerized. She was a gifted gentle person with Cody.

She agreed with youse guy's diagnoses, Cody may have been uncomfortable, and in some pain, but the hoofs were basicly sound. Overgrown but sound. She trimmed a good bit off, but said she was not taking it as far down as normal until Cody's tendons could relax. She advised that it would take a year or more for the crackes to grow out and that it may be a couple visits before she gets his hoofs where they should be. Once again she repeated the instructions recieved here, go slow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She watched him walk before and after, took allot of time with me, explained the parts of the hoof and their functions. Pastern, coronet, frog, explained about posture. How the horse was suppose to support himself. She also said that Cody resting that right rear was probably just Cody. Second visit is scheduled for Feb.17th.

She has already called to make sure Cody was walking better. Questioned me about worming, his vacs and Coggins. Also told me to call her if any question came up, whether it was hoof related or not. She also agreed that Cody was about 4 years old, but like me said he might be an OLD 4 year old. She also walked him around, showed me how I was to make him back up, which he readily did for her. Said that some one had spent sometime training him.

Any how I feel that it was a positive experience, I learned some, and Cody is much more comfortable. Cost was $40.

 

[ducks4you]

Sounds like you now have another expert to go to with questions!

 

[twentynine]

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Shucks I ain't never had a thread I started go more than ten replies, on any forum I have ever been on.

I am beginning to CRAVE the attention.

I know this thread got off to a rocky start, I'll accept my responsibility for that, but do you guys really understand the wealth of information I have reaped here. When I started this thread I was basicly scared sh--less ugh never mind. Well I was very intimidated regarding the care of an animal nearly ten times bigger than me. Thrown into the deep end of the pool, and over my head. I had to run for help somewhere. I knew that you guys might not want to help a smart ellect like me, but ya'll wouldn't want to see any animal neglected. And I promise it will not go to my head, and I will share what I have and will learn.

Thanks all of you, as my MawMaw would have said: "You guys are the pip". Never understood what she meant, but I know it was real good.

By the way, my intention was to post an after hoof trimming picture, but as fate would have it, the farrier backed out the driveway and the heavens opened up with a deluge. Maybe tomorrow.

 

[duckluck]

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Well, how cool is that? Sounds like you would have had a bargain at twice the price! Not too many will call again so soon, if ever!

That smell is tough to get out. I have used Listerine on hands, or Noxema. If you ever are unfortunate enough to have him get thrush and have to pare anything out, you will smell it for *days*. Only thing that I can think of that comes to immediate mind and compares is billy goat!

Around here pips are something really great to have, so I will take it as a compliment!