meet our new rescue horse, "Big Daddy" (update post 22)

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I agree with this.....it is true not only for draft horses but pretty much in ALL equine species. Had a Paso Fino gelding whose body was a 1 and he was a honeybun, such sweet personality...once he filled out, he was goreous but studly in his behavior (he was gelded late because they did not like the way his offsprings looked) and got a mind of his own LOL and a great horse to ride. He got the nerves of steel when we took hiim to an reeanctment with all the cannons and guns going off, he was not fazed by it all. A few years later, I sold him.

A firm hand, kind attitude and again, read that Kelly's advice over and over...it would be better for you and beautiful Big Daddy! Do get her phone number in case you have any questions about draft horses. Personally I love the Shires and Clydesdales.

Thanks so much for the assist! I will no doubt ask some questions from time to time...

I wouldn't have done this without the cooperation of my friend whose horse is boarded here, she's super knowledgeable in everything equine and is my rock. She is also a registered naturopath, homeopath and massage therapist and applies this knowledge to horses as well as to humans. We are rehabilitating Big Daddy together - he lucked out and he doesn't know it yet
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He's not allowed more than 1 or 2 hours of grass grazing per day for the first week or so, until his system adjusts - he's been eating mostly chopped hay, moistened beet pulp and molasses grain feed the past 4 months since he's been pulled by the SPCA. Not the greatest diet. We will very slowly introduce cooked grains into his daily feed (barley and oats), some fruits and veggies as treat, chopped hay for now and then as time progresses all the green grazing he wants.

He will be given homeopathic treatments to boost his digestion and immune system and he has many sores and body issues that need to be addressed as well, we'll start with clay treatments and move from there. We're trying to stay away from chemicals and meds, if possible. He will need shoes in the next week or so, even if his stall has rubber mats and the fields are nice and soft (no rocks). He was dewormed twice early May, treated for mites and had his hooves trimmed, and he passed the Coggins test. He's very sound with straight legs but his joints do snap when he turns around and stuff.

One day at a time... :-)
 
Find some horse related forums and read LOTS for any/all information. Since you are a newbie horse owner I am sure you will have lots of questions. I am a member of www.tennesseetrailriders.com and there is lots of info and people to talk to that are knowledgable about horses. We have members (it is free, just sign up) all over the world. Of course a vet that specializes in horses is a must, he could recommend a good farrier, too. Good luck with your new horse, your life will never be the same again! You might as well get some lawn chairs to put out in the barn and pasture...you are going to be spending lots of quality time out there! LOVE your story, it made me cry. Wish I had more land, my husband loves the big horses!
 
I just want to say darn you for making me
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at work , and I know that he will have an amazing life with you.. Belgians are truly the gentle giant of the equine world
 
I don't think I have ever teared up so fast reading a post on this forum. It takes a lot to make me cry. What a beautiful story and a beautiful horse. Bless you. I have always wanted a draft horse, but on my suburban 1/3 of an acre that will never happen. Maybe someday I can have my Percheron.
 
just talking about his joints, talk to the vet/your experienced friend and perhaps get him on some joint supplements now before he starts gaining a lot of weight. years of malnutrition are bad on any animals joints and Id love for you to prevent issues before they get here ya know?

also I fully agree with the discipline thing. you may love the horse and he may like you, but put a few hundred pounds on this guy and he is going to be one massive powerhouse. quite honestly all the handling and ground training you have time for would be great for him. getting him use to saddles, harness and bridles and just being worked and messed with long before you even try and seriously train him will do him a world of good and greatly build his trust and the working relationship between you both.
 
Quote:
I agree with this.....it is true not only for draft horses but pretty much in ALL equine species. Had a Paso Fino gelding whose body was a 1 and he was a honeybun, such sweet personality...once he filled out, he was goreous but studly in his behavior (he was gelded late because they did not like the way his offsprings looked) and got a mind of his own LOL and a great horse to ride. He got the nerves of steel when we took hiim to an reeanctment with all the cannons and guns going off, he was not fazed by it all. A few years later, I sold him.

A firm hand, kind attitude and again, read that Kelly's advice over and over...it would be better for you and beautiful Big Daddy! Do get her phone number in case you have any questions about draft horses. Personally I love the Shires and Clydesdales.

Thanks so much for the assist! I will no doubt ask some questions from time to time...

I wouldn't have done this without the cooperation of my friend whose horse is boarded here, she's super knowledgeable in everything equine and is my rock. She is also a registered naturopath, homeopath and massage therapist and applies this knowledge to horses as well as to humans. We are rehabilitating Big Daddy together - he lucked out and he doesn't know it yet
smile.png


He's not allowed more than 1 or 2 hours of grass grazing per day for the first week or so, until his system adjusts - he's been eating mostly chopped hay, moistened beet pulp and molasses grain feed the past 4 months since he's been pulled by the SPCA. Not the greatest diet. We will very slowly introduce cooked grains into his daily feed (barley and oats), some fruits and veggies as treat, chopped hay for now and then as time progresses all the green grazing he wants.

He will be given homeopathic treatments to boost his digestion and immune system and he has many sores and body issues that need to be addressed as well, we'll start with clay treatments and move from there. We're trying to stay away from chemicals and meds, if possible. He will need shoes in the next week or so, even if his stall has rubber mats and the fields are nice and soft (no rocks). He was dewormed twice early May, treated for mites and had his hooves trimmed, and he passed the Coggins test. He's very sound with straight legs but his joints do snap when he turns around and stuff.

One day at a time... :-)

UGH!!!! I just lost my entire post! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!! Let me try, again! *sigh*


Good. Good. GOOD! Limiting his grazing is critically important. Phew!!! I was afraid to ask/say too much - I didn't want to put you off or seem as I was coming out with guns blazing as can happen here! And I like the plan of easing up the amount of grazing he gets each day. It is the best basic ingredient of a diet for most horses.

Regarding the beet pulp - keep it up. It's an excellent source of fiber (and calories).

You might talk to a VET about switching (either now, or later) to the non-molassas soaked beet pulp. Drafties have a slow metabolism...and sugars can be more problematic for them than non-draft horses...especially as grazing (lots of sugars in many types of grasses) is added to his diet - which is (of course) a normal source of nutrition for horses. It's tempting to add molasses, sweet feeds, and molasses soaked grains as it really lays on the calories, but too much sugar for drafts can be a problem. I guess, my point is, be careful about sugar intake with drafts - especially what's provided outside of grazing.

I also feed B.O.S.S. (Black Oil Sunflower Seed) to those horses that need help with weight....it has next to 0 sugar, but lots of oils that add calories - and it will help put a nice, shiny coat on them! Many people prefer flaxseed over B.O.S.S., but I do not have any experience with that. I add one cup in the am, and one in the pm.

Farnam has an EXCELLENT supplement called "Weight Builder." It is an excellent way to safely deliver more calories.

One final safe way to deliver calories is with Corn Oil. Right from the grocery store. One cup morning and evening mixed in with the feed (beet pulp soaks it up nicely - but still add water).

The above "protocol" took this horse:
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...and turned her back into this:
DaisyMae-1.jpg


We lost her this last April...she was 32 year old - but these last years were among her happiest...filled with everything her kind heart desired.

Anyway, congratulations on your handsome man. He will thrive under your care. I'm thrilled to hear you have a knowledgeable mentor. Don't forget to make good friends with your vet and the black smith!!!! They are tremendous resources.

ETA It took about 15months to get Daisy from the her poor, miserable condition back into her beautiful self. The transformation was unbelievable! I owned her from when she was 7 until she was about 20....then we bought her back. Her condition was like your boy...we were disgusted with her condition
 
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This is VERY good information! Often one of the first things to bring down these wonderful giants are leg/hoof problems.

This also reminds me:

You may also want to administer a supplement for stomach ulcers....lots of malnourished horses have ulcers and they often don't show outwards signs for you to be able to see. I think I used GastroGaurd
 
Thanks so much for the good info, Kelly G!!

The blacksmith will be visiting soon to fix Big Daddy's feet and the vet who takes care of my friend's horse the past decade is apparently very, very good - their numbers are in big red letters within easy reach
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BOSS, I didn't know horses could eat those too - the flock will have to share their stash
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I wasn't planning on adding any sugars to Big Daddy's diet (no molasses feet or sugar beets) as we prefer he bulk up on green grazing and simple grains (cooked, plain and easy to digest whole oats and barley, mixed with shredded carrot and herbs). I cook those for the chickens anyways, what's a pot more every two days? LOL

He's had 3 sessions of grass eating today, about 10 minutes each time (one at 6am, one at 11am and one at 4pm). He goes straight for the clover which I know can cause colic in large quantities, so we'll have to monitor that. So far he's had about 3 carrots and an apple as treats, also spaced out. Digestion seems fine... oh my god does he ever poop - I just about killed myself mucking out his box twice today, the ammonia stench of urine is still making me dizzy one hour later! All he does is eat and eat and eat and well, lots of poop eh?
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It will be a big relief for everyone once he's out in the paddocks for most of the day and night, but that will take a few weeks - have to be careful w/feeding.

If he hasn't put any visible weight on after a month of free-ranging (ah-hem), we'll look into adding some superfood to his diet.

Thanks so much for the tips and advice, everyone!

Yey!
 
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OMG your killing me Im going to follow this thread everyday for updates-Now Im in love ~

Yup, me too. I have no room for horses, so I'll have to live vicariously through this thread - what a wonderful story!
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Both you and he are really lucky!!! He is just gorgeous...and you are being a great mom!


ETA: We are all students of our passion....a long life of learning
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