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

[geebs]

If you want to see him go to the bathroom... just add fresh straw.... (true but funny) A clean stall is all it takes to bring up the "urge" I wouldn't be too concerned with it. It is very cold after all... They don't like to get it out unless it is an emergency... I will caution you to warm up the water some... Very cold water is less desirable than warmer water... With the cold temps you are talking about dehydration can factor into the equation. Make sure he is drinking.. you do this by offering buckets not troughs and monitoring how much they drink.

 

[katrinag]

I forgot to add that you can flavor his water too. Apple Juice works well.
Not sure if you have ever worked on a horses hoof or not but if you have, you can lightly rasp the crack or chip a bit until you can get a farrier out. I have done this MANY times.
I know you are ashamed of the looks and condation he is but maybe you can post a face pic.

 

[Bantamlover23]

Quote:
That is so true. Everytime I add a bag of shavings my horse is practically forcing me out of the stall to pee.

 

[ducks4you]

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That is so true. Everytime I add a bag of shavings my horse is practically forcing me out of the stall to pee.

THAT's because horses Do NOT like their pee to splash on their legs, and the shavings soak it up so it won't. (So does grass. So does extra hay that horse doesn't believe you want him to eat 'cause you gave him too many flakes this time. Isn't that thoughtful? Horses are SO considerate...maybe we'll include them in United Nations negotiations in the future? mmmm...) My horses also like to kid me when I put shavings in the trailer by IMMEDIATELY peeing/pooing, so I'll have cleaning to do...which they think is my favorite pastime.

 

[twentynine]

The horse now known as "Cody" did very well over the duration of extremely cold temps. Better than me. Per advice I opened the stall allowing him to come and go as he wanted. 5 gallons of warm water every morning, flake of fresh hay twice a day and 3 pounds of sweetfeed 3 times a day.

I have a few pictures but I am responding via blackberry and I have no idea how to post pics from it.

Farrier has been scheduled for tomorrow. I hope to get before and after pictures.

Currently I am feeding 10 percent sweet feed hay and whatever grass he can get. I have been warned by you guys to be conservative with his diet. But I am finding that every one has advice about feeding a horse. Everything from adding gello to his feed for hoof heath to adding crimped oats for additional protien.

Question is-- do I need to consider any increase in feed-- amount? Protien? Bran? GELLO?

Frankly the gello sounds like one of them black magic mumbo jumbo hookus pookus things!

 

[Wynette]

Sounds like Cody's settling in...so...when do we get to see pics? Come on now, we need pics!

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

I want to see some pics as well. Thank you for keeping us up dated.

I gave the BOSS (black oiled sunflower seeds) 1 cup twice a day that was for strong hoof, shiny coat, and reduced chance of sand or dirt colic. They are high in Omega 3's. My girls coats did shine up and I kept them barefoot. My trimmer commented on how tough their hooves were on trim days.

Just make sure your farrier does a mustang or pasture roll on the hoof - rounds the hoof that mimicks wild horses hooves that prevents them from cracking. Not all farriers do it if you don't ask them to. Some will quickly trim and file flat and call it good.

Here's a video that explains the benefits of going barefoot for the overall health of your horse. YES - I am a big fan of going barefoot which is not so popular in certain places of the country. It's not all that popular in Washington State and I was the only one at my co-op barn to have a barefoot horse. Most feel that they NEED them. Being a beginner when I first got my first horse at age 45, I thought is was cruel to put a piece of steel and hammer nails into their hooves and still feel that way.

 

[verthandi]

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Horse owners!...you will get a hundred different answers to every question and we are all right.

If he is gaining weight the way you are feeding...don't mess with it. Good hay, pasture, clean water and a small amount of grain usually does the trick. If he is cleaning up his hay, I would just up that for now and see how he does.

 

[ducks4you]

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Take ALL nutrition questions to your VET. 'Cause you're right--all us horse people are super experts...on EVERYTHING!! Someday a horseman will invent time travel!!

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

http://www.thehorse.com/enews/topic/nutrition/01112010.html

Getting horse nutrition information can be just as varied from vet to vet depending on the vets age, sex, education, horse ownership, etc.