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

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

It's so good to get an update on Cody and his new pasture mate. I'm so glad you did get him a buddy.

I'm curious to know why you're stalling at night though. It's my belief horses are so much healthier in the long run if they are allowed to move 24/7.

Keep the updates coming.

 

[twentynine]

~*Sweet Cheeks*~ :

It's so good to get an update on Cody and his new pasture mate. I'm so glad you did get him a buddy.

I'm curious to know why you're stalling at night though. It's my belief horses are so much healthier in the long run if they are allowed to move 24/7.

Keep the updates coming.

Currently --- why are we stalling at night?

Not sure I can explain my reasoning. Long and short of it--- to make sure those two horses understand who is in control. Prior to sending Cody off to college, he had gotten to the point where he was very hard to catch. He would not run from me, but merely stay just barely out of my reach. If i turned my back on him he would follow me, but not allow me to touch him if I wanted. I guess my objective with stalling is to enforce the training he has recieved.

Currently when I want to work the horses, I can whistle them up to the barn, put each into his proper stall, then perform the task I desire. Worming, hoof trimming, lunging. Understand that I don't do any "work" in their stalls, to do work they are haltered brought out of the stall on a lead either to lunge/wash/spray or worming or into cross ties for farrier. (the new farrier prefers to do them in the field, rain or shine-- go figure) The stalls are reserved for good things-- brushing, food, treats, dry refuge.

Added note, Cody doesn't care if the wind is blowing 50 miles an hour with a torrential rain, it doesn't bother him. Now Ranger, he follows the belief that the first drop of rain that hits him is God's fault, and he ain't going to be hit by the second, if so much as the sun goes behind a cloud he heads for refuge of the dry stall.

So the plan is to continue to stall them at night until spring, I believe by that time coming up to the barn when called will be imprinted on them very well. Come spring I will still give them some feed in their stalls, everyday, the difference is I will not close the stall gates. They will be allowed to go back out. I will close them into the inner pasture (1 1/2 acres) for night.

I do have a question regarding both horses. Cody is a grey, Ranger is a paint, both having very light pigment in the nose/face area. Last year Cody when on full turn out sunburned real bad. His nose was constantly peeling. I applied sunscreen every morning with no difference. we have plenty of shade on our place, pecan trees, mature oaks, sweet gums and pines, but that horse would lay out in the direct blistering sun at high noon. My thoughts on this currently are, if Cody and Ranger experience severe sunburn like last year I may stall them durring the day and turn out at night. I truly hope to not have to do that, cause I do want to 24 hour turn out.

What are you guys thoughts?​

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

I have the same issue with Max. I don't now if you've tried it, but sunburn needs to be treated also, otherwise it's just gonna be a mess.

Here's what I did. After feeding, I applied Aloe Vera with lidocaine. Funny faces when this happens. Gave a treat. Did the rest of the junk I needed to do such as brushing, hoof-picking, etc.

Once that dried, I put on some TOUGH sunscreen, sport type for athletes once a day. After a week there was a HUGE difference in his nose.

 

[hollyclyff]

I have a bald face paint mare. I use a long fly mask that covers the nose on her in the summer or if it's just too hot for a fly mask, I confine her to a small shaded paddock. If she gets really hot and sweaty under the mask, she'll just rub it off.

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Hi there - I thought I would post a piece from a blog I follow. I was searching for an old post regarding food and/or supplements and came across this one that included reasons not to stall a horse.

http://thesoulofahorse.com/blog/theres-no-such-thing-as-domestic-horses/#more-23

 

[Appytaz]

I have found the sunscreen for babies works great for my boy's white nose - it is waterproof and have a very high spf!

 

[reliant601]

Quote:
OMG never seen that one before! But I believe it!

 

[knjinnm]

Quote:

 

[twentynine]

Update

Just to let some of my horse buddies know:

Cody is doing very well, obedient, and easy going.
Ranger is a little more headstrong, but will submit to any handling required.

Both are doing well health wise with no issues what so ever. They have yearly Coggins test and all the vaccines the vet reccommends for our area.

One interesting note, Ranger developed a "bean", and I had the wonderfull experience of sheath cleaning. I tried the warm water trick to get him to let down, no luck, rubbed his belly, no luck. After consulting with the vet, who offered to come out and fix him up, the vet provided me with a fast acting short duration sedative. I adminstered the injection as instructed, Ranger relaxed right away, dropped the hammer down. I was ready with the warm water and mild soap. next time I will remember the rubber gloves LOTS OF RUBBER GLOVES!!!!!! but anyway I removed a pretty good sized bean. Ranger quickly recovered from the tranquillizer in his stall and in less than an hour he was back in the field. Other than not using bare hands, can anyone tell me how to get the smell off your hands?

Both horses are now being rode regularly by the grandchild or my nephew, only on my property though.

 

[Eggsoteric]

Ah, the cleaning of the sheath. One of the perks of horse ownership.

You do know the words to the sheath cleaning songs don't you? If not, you should google them - can make you giggle thru an otherwise unpleasant job.