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

[abooth]

A horses feed requirement is 1-3% of its body weight with not more than half of the weight of the diet coming from concentrates ( that would be your horse and mule feed ). For a pasture ornament you should not be feeding him anywhere near 1/2 of his feed in concentrates. Horse feed technically should be calculated by weight though very few actually do it this way. Good luck.

 

[Kelly G]

Here is a good, quick article to read about colic prevention. It's pretty simple, but very important - and preventing colic can prevent complications from colic - like laminitis (founder). It's a good read -

http://www.fuglyblog.com/2009/set-it-to-music/

 

[buck-wild-chick]

Quote:
Eh. I'm on that board to and If I was him I defiantly wouldn't make a post over there like this one... You know how they are

 

[geebs]

I love your phrase....

Ride em like you stole it... I need to go over to that thread...I didn't realize it existed.. Wow... can't wait.. horsey ppl.

 

[twentynine]

Quick reply---
You guys forgot to mention exhaustion! Mine! Not the horse!

Worked off at 0500 yesterday took a one hour nap and started on fence. Had him closed in by 1800. Supper sleep and back at it this AM. Stall in barn done. Not perfect but clean, safe, warm and dry.

Stopped by the feed store. A young lady (Courtney) I have depended on for advice works there. Got a refferal for vet and farrier. A weight tape so I can figure how much he weighs. A few other horsey items, got clear for 100 plus bucks.

For all you guys who have responded both positively and negative--- thanks. One side was big help, the other was a wake the heck up.

I do have a question well maybe a couple. No emergency stuff so I'll save my free PMs and phone numbers.

Manure-- last days or so I have noticed the smell has changed. Before it smelled well like horse crap. Now it seems to be smelling more how do I say this without being made fun. It smells human. Is this because his diet has changed-- green grass added? Courtney said let him have the grass if he wanted? Now he is still crappin like a monster, big piles, often, still hard horse apples. No feed, grass or hay in the stuff.

Urine-- how often? Hadn't seen him water anything yet! He is drinking.

Teeth floating--- as on a previous reply Courtney said if he is passing no feed then he is still good, yeah? Or Nay?

Do they really use a recip saw to float teeth?

I notice today on the equine isle at the feed store dozens of dietary supplements. Hoofs to hair it was all covered. Any use? Any reccommended?

Forcast for tonight is 23 -- 25 degrees some rain. I shut him up in his stall. He has water, hay and light. Anything else? I have been to horse barns where they kept a radio playing, why? Should I?


That's about it.

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Quote:
Eh. I'm on that board to and If I was him I defiantly wouldn't make a post over there like this one... You know how they are

That is SO TRUE. I was a member there as well, prior to and during my horse ownership.

When I first joined BYC's prior to getting my first chickens back in Feb 09, I thought people sure are nice on this site. After a while, I learned that folks here too can and do express their opinions over and over and over.

I've always just expressed my opinion and leave it at that with no need to convince others that I'm right and they're wrong.

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Manure-- last days or so I have noticed the smell has changed. Before it smelled well like horse crap. Now it seems to be smelling more how do I say this without being made fun. It smells human. Is this because his diet has changed-- green grass added? Courtney said let him have the grass if he wanted? Now he is still crappin like a monster, big piles, often, still hard horse apples. No feed, grass or hay in the stuff.

The smell will change a little with diet change. I would say it's from all that grain. When I had my girls, I only gave them 1 cup twice a day with 1 cup of BOSS (black oiled sunflower seeds) to add their little scoup of vit/mineral supplement to.

Urine-- how often? Hadn't seen him water anything yet! He is drinking. I had mares, so they would pee more often if in heat and the boys were close by. I would say every 3 hrs or so. Your guys not going to lift his leg on anything

. Maybe he's doing it when your not looking.

Teeth floating--- as on a previous reply Courtney said if he is passing no feed then he is still good, yeah? Or Nay?
My older girl started dropping clumps of hay out of her mouth when I brought her home to get the vet check. It takes time for the teeth to get the points on them. Seems that wolf teeth were an issue with the boys as well. When you have the vet out, ask how much teeth experience he/she has.

Do they really use a recip saw to float teeth? NO - they don't use a recip saw. It's a big file - manual or elec - that files down the points.

I notice today on the equine isle at the feed store dozens of dietary supplements. Hoofs to hair it was all covered. Any use? Any reccommended?

One can spend big bucks on all kinds of horse stuff. I think if a horse is on pasture and good hay for their body condition (local grass hay for easy keepers, orchard/alfalfa for those that need higher protein, etc) you don't need all the other supplements.

Forcast for tonight is 23 -- 25 degrees some rain. I shut him up in his stall. He has water, hay and light. Anything else? I have been to horse barns where they kept a radio playing, why? Should I?

In my opinion, it's healthier for the horse NOT to be stalled but rather, leave the stall door open and let him be the judge if he wants to go in and stand in one place be it 10' x 10' or 12'x 12'. I left mine open, and they would go in to get out of the rain, hot sun, or to lay down to sleep but then go back out and graze. Stalled horses tend to eat all their provided hay and go hungry till morning. Their stomach's do best having smaller amounts of pasture, grass, hay at all times.

They see very well in the dark. Better than us. Maybe a night light till he is used to the place.

When I boarded at the Co-op, we played a radio. I didn't when I brought them home to my property. I don't think it makes a difference to the horses. I know I liked listening to music while spending hours grooming my girls to keep their pinto coats white where it should be only to see them go out and roll to get themselves all dirty again. Dirt helps repel flies.

I sure miss my girls.

 

[suburbanminifarm]

Quote:
LOL yes you are gonna get HUGE arm muscles brushing on him all winter till his coat shines! It's really great for his skin and coat to stimulate his circulation with a nice firm currying every day. Have fun getting mud out of his winter coat! LOL!

 

[katrinag]

^^^ I agree with the above.

I will say this, I have a gelded pony and I hardly every see him pee. Were I see my mare pee many times a day. Boys can pee right in front of you had you will hardy notice till you here the sound.

Just keep an eye on the poo. It could also be form the fact that you de-wormed him too.

I have learned that the best supplemts are good hay/pasture and a bit of grain.

You can also mix your own grain. I buy a bag of sweet feed, oats, black oil sun flower seeds, and beet pulp. Mix them all together and call it good.

Make sure to get a good salt block, I like the ones that can hang on a wall or something, cause my horses like to mess on them when they are on the floor.

Oh by the way none of my horses are locked up, they can come and go as they please.

If you need anything PM me.

 

[SilkieTime]

I think sweet cheecks reply covered the most. A salt block would be good the white one not the brown one.
Try to keep this out of the rain and where he can get to it. You don't have to have it right now. Something to keep the horses feet from cracking, (Like rain somthing maker) has tar in it.
I take is that because you're on this site you are into chickens. If you can learn about chickens you sure can take care of a horse with a little help. One thing I'm glad you got a gelding there the best. For now on your life will never be borning for sure. If only people that knew about horses have them then who be able to get a horse? Same with chickens.

If you like I can send you some horse magazines. Just e-mail me with your address. People are going to tell you you can't. Yes you can. What is his name? Didn't see that? Give him a big old kiss from me and my Sully.