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

[texasgal]

Quote:
O .... M .... G ......

....... i think i'm married to your twin .....

 

[Cara]

Strategy is a good feed. They'll all act like they're starving and need more grain (other than my one weirdo), it's just because it's a lot tastier than hay. It's important to put the weight on steadily and not overdo the grain, as he could founder. The one thing our ranch horses love more than grain is freshly sprouted grass. They won't come in at feeding time for the first few days of spring, we have to go and get them which gets interesting.

 

[duckluck]

Quote:
O .... M .... G ......

....... i think i'm married to your twin .....

Hey! I go to bed, wake up and come on here, and everybody is talking about me?!

 

[angie j]

Quote:
hay
water
shelter
ferrier
patience
firm boundries
saddle that fits
bit that isn't too harsh
John Lyons

enjoy

Angie J

 

[angie j]

~*Sweet Cheeks*~ :

You can spend big $$$ on all kinds of horse gear for your horse and yourself. Craigslist and EBay is good for some stuff. Others you will want to make sure you get the proper fit like bits and saddles.

Do you have a tack store that sells used items? Not everything has to be brand new.

I don't even know if I've EVER bought anything new for my horse..lol.

One thing to consider is that since your horse will be gaining weight and muscle he will be changing body shape and that means measurements around the shoulder/wither area. If it was me I'd go second hand for sure, then resell as your horses shape changes and don't buy new until you have its weight/muscle mass fairly stablized. Unless you go with a treeless, in which case you have a lot of flexability in the shape of horse it will fit.

I've been seeing you're gettn a lot of different 'feed' advice.... lol... didn't see 'that' comming

My advice is keep it as simple as possible. Hay and water .. oh, salt block too. If He's going from a dry lot to grass that alone is a big dietary change. One change at a time.

You can ALWAYS add beet pulp without any ill effects, so, if you want to add calories it's a sure fire way to go without upsetting digestion.

Don't even bother with grains. Grains arent a natural part of the horses diet and especially since He's just 'hangin out' at present, he just doesn't need the extra 'suger'. When you start riding for an hour a day you can reconsider, if you want to.

Black oil Sunflower Seeds (Boss) can be fed at a MAX. of 2 lbs a day, and YES, work your way up 1/2C at a time. They are great for the hoof and produce a nice shiny coat. They also are a source of protien that He will need to build some nice muscle.

Flax is a good source of natural oil and will add weight and improve the coat condition. You can buy it cheeply at the feed store by the pound, and grind it in a coffee mill before feeding or buy pre made 'stablized' flax feeds.... they are more expencive but are convenient.

Someone mentioned watching the grass intake... apparently, where you are there IS grass, which makes me jealous to no end (Canada)... and it's good advice. Increase the amount of turnout each day. Grass is especially high in sugers (BAD) when it's newly growing. You don't want to worry about a 'founder/laminitus' problem with those poor feet.

Your doing a good job! And horse people are so very FULL of advice

Aren't you glad you asked!! lol.

Angie J​

 

[equine chick]

I just saw this post and ya know I really needed a good laugh...

Did you really let the horse drink out of the above swimming pool? I'm a nut for my five horses and a bit of a control freak as well but there is so much you need to know. Listen to the above post and just wanted to know how is everything working out.

 

[angie j]

Quote:
Since Cody is allowing you to mess with his head you might try a desencitizing game. With my horses I have the halter and lead on them and practice 'tossing' the lead rope over their neck... again, and again and again... well, you get the picture... Then when it's time to go catch them I can just toss a lead rope over the neck and hold them while I put on the halter.

Angie J

 

[angie j]

Quote:
I thought that was so CUTE

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Great article on beet pulp: http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=14812&src=VW

Great one on vitamins and minerals: http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=15270

Great day - Nancy from sunny Olympia, WA

 

[angie j]

~*Sweet Cheeks*~ :

I went through a couple bits before I discovered the Imus Comfort bit. My trainer LOVED it as well when she worked with Kitty for over a year.

Both my Walker and my Paint 'hate' this bit. I still use it but they are far from 'happy' about it. They aren't as responcive and do a lot of ear pinning.. too bad; I had high hopes

ANgie J​