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Great advice from above. When I first got Miss Kitty (gaited saddle horse), I boarded her at a Co-op barn for one year before buying an experienced 15 yr old Tennessee walker as a pasture mate for her and then moving them to my 4 acres. That was the best thing I ever did having her there. Being a Co-op that required hands-on horse care and chores, I was able to learn everything I needed to safely care for my girls at my place.
It's a gaited horse forum but GREAT place to learn with plenty of folks with non-gaited horses as well.
Good luck and don't forget the pics - We'd all love to see what your new fella looks like.
Below is a pic of my girls the day I brought Dixie, the older Tennessee walker (on the left) to the co-op barn to see how bossy Kitty would react to her. I took this picture because I was amazed at how alike they looked.
I thought Dixie looked underweight as well when I got her because she didn't have as much flesh on her hips and ribs. During the vet check I was told she was fine. On my 4 crossed fenced acres, she did fill out.
Clinton Anderson has some good videos to watch and..... a super read... By mary Twelve ponies is .. There are no problem horses only problem riders... That should set you back about 5 bucks... and it is worth more than the advice on this forum (no offense guys) it is a sensible read for a novice... And we all (even us experienced old goats) can go back to the basics.. .. Invest your $$ in knowledge not gimmicks or bad advice. You sound like a very intellegent person so you can probably wrap you brain around this horseman's concepts. Good luck with the new family member ... It sound like you have a kind heart... I worked with horse rescues for a long time and there is nothing like the satifaction you get from a horse that appreciates good care. Tooth float may not be necessary yet.. Usually emaciated horses need it (if he is quidding.. aka dropping feed) and older horses. Also if he has retained caps.. He is still losing his baby teeth so just watch for it... No sense in spending large dollars on something that he may not need and missing something else... Good luck
I get Horse Newsletters that come to my inbox even though I no longer have horses. Some of it's great info some not useful but Hey - they come to me for FREE.
Below are the links to the last 3 in the past week.
About two years ago, my husband and I purchased 2.5acres so we could keep our horses on our own property, and I could run my riding academy from there. It's been everything I hoped it would be - and more...I LOVE it!
One of the BEST books I read (and I've spent my life around horses - mostly Saddlebreds & Morgan show horses) was "Horsekeeping on Small Acreage"
I laughed at the original posting because horses are a little more complicated than a 10-word answer. (I STILL think it's funny!!
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Anybody who is reading this thread and chuckling with me is probably a little dissappointed in some of the TOTALLY UNNECESSARY snarky comments. Really--a horse is a common domestic animal, like a dog or cat is a common domestic animal. LOTS of kids have grown up with a backyard horse, and played with it, rode it and enjoyed it without any real mishap. My DD's and friends are among them. Your dog can bite you if you don't train it right, and you cat can rip your arm up if it isn't gentled (and, sometimes, if it IS gentled.) AND, Let's be honest: Horsemanship is as addictive as this forum. EVERY occupation or hobby is multifaceted. (Hope that you enjoy "MoonEyes'" joke MORE now: "You can tell a horse person, but you can't tell 'em much!"
My point?
Horseman today are very concerned about:
1) the rise in unbroken/unmanagable horses dumped on the sales market
2) no "meat market" for them
Does that sound cruel? In Illinois we KNEW that unwanted horses were sold at auctions and travelled to be slaughtered upstate in an afternoon. NOW, because of bleeding-hearts who thought that was cruel, they travel for 3-5 days to Mexico to be...I'm sorry, what was that?...SLAUGHTERED.
There are too many horses and too few owners. There are going to be unwanted horses. I, myself, keep my horses into their old age--just lost 3 equine-friends, who were in their 20's, to old age--most people do not. I APPLAUD someone who takes one and tries to make a go of it. We do NOT need a license to own a horse (yet.) By now, I'm sure that twentynine has made contact with a few horseman on the forum who have offered non-judgemental help. twentynine can enjoy this horse ANY WAY HE WANTS!! They're very much like children, so if you spend time with your horse, he'll enjoy himself, too.
And to the OP Congadulations on your new horses. Horses are fantastic creatures, but my motto "horses are like potato chips, you always gotta have just one more" LOL
Lots of good advice on here and good links so I think that pretty much covers any advise I would give you. HAve fun with him!
one thing that i neglected to see that anyone mentioned is, foundering--- something every horse owner needs to be aware of b.c. the effect is rarely curable...spring grasses/pasture coming soon... be aware.
clean fresh, unfrozen water and bountiful hay available at all times.
easy on the grain ( esp since he is thin--do not over do it- colic is prob #1 killer of horses) go little by little, he will shape up to be a lovely horse given time, daily care, and attention.
I applaude you for giving him daily attention and care.
ya mentioned he was muddy, a good ole curry comb brushing will prob get all the muck off easily... ck your co-op, they are only a few bucks.