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

[SoCalChick]

If you cant afford a trainer - start reading HORSE MANAGEMENT BOOKS. No grain - just hay! ( til u learn more...). All the best to you and your new adventure. Give horse lots of love - you'll get it!

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

Oh my goodness people. I understand that its hard to see bad situations made worse by ignorance. However the OP did say he is not a complete novice and I think his post was more tongue-in-cheek. He's looking for tips, not to get beat up.

 

[twentynine]

Hey or Hay!

I'm a big boy, no crying here. Yes, my OP was meant to be tongue in cheek.

As far as the horse goes, let me tell exactly how the sun shines.

He was in a bare ground muddy field (guess you horsey guys call it a paddock) of about 3 acres in size with about 30 other horses. These other horses ranged from a mini mare in fold, to very large aggressive stalions. As safety goes, he would have been safer in the middle of I-10. The only salvation was the owners spent a considerable amount of money keeping them some what well fed. Hay in front of them all the time, bran and feed twice dailey, dolled out into 4 very long feed troughs. This horse is about shoulder high to me and I am 5'7". I am prepared to keep him well fed, warm, dry and in the spring he will have 14 acres of grass. As always happens, plans were made, preparations were started, but his purchase was a now or never. Backyard-- well it's a very large backyard, no planting that could possibly be toxic. Yes, I do have an ABOVE ground swimming pool, the side are 4'6" high, so he is not likely to fall in. He does have a water trough, but he would rather the pool water. No kid toys to fall into or over. Nice strong chain link fence to keep him secure and safe while he becomes accustomed to his new surroundings.
Pool water? Water trough? Still about 9000% cleaner than what he had been drinking.
Farrier? Yes, already in the works.
Worming? Been done.
Teeth floating? Guess I had forgot about that, but that's what I came for, you guys know, memory jog.
Feed? Pretty sure the 12% horse and mule is atleast equal to what he was getting, once again I needed a memory reset.
Paddock? I call it a pasture, cleaned and under construction.
Warm, dry, stall? Under construction.

He is gentle, quiet and calm. So far nothing has excited him one bit, not his strange surroundings, the trailer ride, barking dog, slamming door, or an excited child (carefully supervised and held back). I do not believe him to be a "highly bred" horse. As of this point, the only demand I have made on him is to put a rope halter and lead rope on him. My intension is to not make any demands of him until I am sure he "feels" at home.

Experience--- as I said I have no recent experience, my wife actually has more experience than me. I do have the ability to listen and learn, and while my wife may question it sometimes, I do have a few brain cells, that work most of the time.

And as far as my new buddy Kanchii, well I know all about pet peeves. But I'll make this promise to you, this animal will never have to endure any "wrong" or "cruel" treatment from Mr and Ms 29. I am not without the resources to make sure he gets what he needs. If plans work out, and I have no reason to think they wouldn't, he'll be in green grass for a long time.

 

[chickerdoodle]

Hay and water only until you can call vet. Pray. ( 10!)

I loved my horses

but they took a TON of care and money.

 

[aussieheelr]

This is a place for advise and I'm sorry that some people have forgotten that.

that being said, floating teeth is a very good idea that being that you haven't had horses in a while I wouldn't be supprised that you didn't think of it. It is a fairly recient, I belive in the last 10 years, that it has been deturmined to be one of the most important things.

As far as trimmings/shoes... we keep most our horses barefoot and being that we have fairly rocky ground out here we rarely need to trim. HOWEVER as far as training we do pick up feet regularly and rub a file to keep them aware. It would be a horrible event if they ever left our care to a place where they would need shoes or trims more frequently and no know what is going on. Not being comfortable with trims/shoes could cause them un-needed stress.

I'd get in touch with a vet too. There are a lot of vaccs out there that may or may NOT be nessary. Depending on where your horse may go... you may not need several vaccs that might otherwise be given to the horse. We only give our bred mares vaccs, for the foals sake. We don't do shows or boarding, they're only in contact with our herd and our cows. I'm sure others would claim that as neglect, but that's their choice. Our horses have never been sick... and one of them has been with my husband since it was born... 24 years ago with no problems aside from a swelling once from a spider bite... vet was called then and he advised us to watch it with no meds. The swelling went down with out problems.

I'm excited for you! Having a horse is a wonderful thing.
Best advise is read a lot from several people... and make your own conclusions.
There's also some great training videos on youtube

 

[Kelly G]

Quote:
This all sounds like you are in the right track, and off to a good start upgrading the living conditions of this horse. I don't assume you're an idiot - I assume you wanted to know what you needed to know...I posted the basics (as I see them) and it's not only for you, but for anyone who may come along and need/read this information, too.

The grain/pellet thing...for now - less is more...up it little by little. Putting more weight on with hay will be safer, but sometimes it's really necessary to feed grain/pellets.

I also use dried beet pulp (soaked in molasses) to put weight on (or keep it on my elderly mare). Most feed stores carry this & it comes in 40 lb bags. Dried beet pulp has lots of good calories accompanied by lots of fiber that the horse needs to keep things moving. But - and this is HUGELY important: YOU MUST SOAK THE BEET PULP IN WATER FOR 30 MINUTES prior to feeding it to the horse. You want to put in so much water that it as loose as soup broth and stirl it well several times. If you don't have time to soak it, don't feed it. If you do not soak it, and the horse eats it - it will swell up in the stomach and cause blockage, and this will be a life threatening emergency. I feed this to one of my horses daily to help keep his weight up - it's important that he gets it...but it is soaked first. As with all feeds, start with small quantities...one quart in the am and one in the pm. But check with your vet first on your horses specific nutritional needs...each one is different.

Good luck and feel free to pm me if you have any other questions I can help with. It seems that there are a few knowledgeable people here who are willing to help you any time!

 

[Rusty Hills Farm]

Yes, I do have an ABOVE ground swimming pool, the side are 4'6" high, so he is not likely to fall in. He does have a water trough, but he would rather the pool water.

Drain the pool. I've spent 40+ years caring for horses. If there is a way to kill themselves they WILL find it. Drain the pool and refill it AFTER you have moved the horse.

"Better safe than sorry" is always the cheapest insurance.


Rusty​

 

[texasgal]

1. If
2. they
3. can
4. kill
5. themselves,
6. they
7. will.
8. Get
9. some
10. help!

Good luck ... read read read .. ask questions. Better safe than sorry. Basic rule when dealing with horses: If you're not sure ... DON'T.... (whatever it is you're thinking about at the time)

 

[lockedhearts]

Look, I am sorry people have gotten a little on their soap boxes. I have owned horses for 40 years and I started off a complete and total novice and almost lost my first horse to colic, I was 14 and learned some hard fast lessons. I now am confident enough to handle most situations without or with just a call to a vet, I can do just about anything from palpation on a pregnant mare to stitches.
Buy a standard feed scoop, sounds like you are feeding a pelleted type feed, more pellet than grain and probably can see some corn in it. Hay make sure it is not too fine, a fescue mix or timothy mix is better on digestion especially in colder weather. Watch to make sure he is drinking as this can be an issue in cold weather and cause colic.
I would start with a standard feed scoop of grain, sounds like he is used to getting some, twice a day and if you can do free choice hay or he has some grass that is good. You will be able to tell shortly if he is gaining or needs more, most of my horses get 1 1/2 scoops twice a day. My Big Halter Gelding gets 2 scoops and my older mare gets 1 1/2 of grain plus beet pulp.
Sounds like you have a good start, if he is thin a second worming in a couple of weeks is a good idea, but it is best to get a vet to check him over first, not just to make sure he has vaccines needed but for a general wellness exam.
Good Luck, sounds like he is in a better place.


And no I did not use 10 words or less.......

 

[chickenzoo]

Welcome !

let me think here....... Ok:

With Horses:
Too much, too fast = dead horse....
Less is more. Change any feed or grain slowly as it can cause the horse to colic. Up feed or different hay type slowly as it can cause them to colic. Best to have more good Hay, less grain.
Mold will kill a horse - always check feed and hay.
Treat them as a child when "horse proofing your yard" If a child will get in trouble in/on/with something, you bet a horse will 10 times over. And always on a holiday or late night/weekend.
Get in touch with a good vet, ask some people at your local feed store who they'd recommend and who they wouldn't. I am luckly to have one that is not only the best vet ever but also very affordable and caring. Same thing with farrier, local people will tell you who to use and who to stay away from.
If you have RFDTV watch the horse training shows on there, I like Downunder Horsemanship, but to each their own. It will give you a basic understanding of horse training.
Do not let a horse walk all over you or push on you, rub etc. These are bad habits best nipped early.
Safest place to stand is at a 45 degree angle to their shoulder.
Ivomectrian Gold treats tape worms then worm again with a typical wormer every few months depending where you live.
I give my own shots - vet talked me into it since I have so many, but I still have him come out every year.
Sandclear to remove sand build up in their stomachs, especially in sandy soil.
I don't find horses to be expensive unless something goes wrong. Key is prevention. Good hay & feed, hay available at all times makes a happy, healthy horse. Standard shots and vet care and farrier.
My farrier $25 per horse. Vet $30 trip then whatever shots etc. cost. Hay, right now a roll here is $$$$$ $40 -$68.
Also get use to giving shots, you'll need to know at one time as a horse owner. Ask the vet for Banamin(sp) shots to keep on hand for colic. Best to have them and not need them then to need them and not. Also sutures and a needle, to keep on hand.
Jeffers equine.com as good stuff.

Enjoy them........ the more time you spend = better horse.