Need HORSE HELP- <<UPDATED - PICS pg 3>>

[DuckyBoys]

Hmm...I don't knwo where you people live but where I live horses stand outside in a pasture 365 days a year.

What's a stall?

My donkeys don't go in our barn even if it's below zero.

And in Colorado you need a Brand Inspection to buy a horse legally...better check your state Ag laws.

 

[patandchickens]

There is absolutely nothing whatsoever wrong with a horse living outside 24/7. Mine do (and note that I ain't exactly in Hawaii <g>). They are generally healthier that way.

However that's with TURNOUT and SHELTER. The original poster's proposition involved neither.

It is bad enough to keep a horse stalled all-day-all-night-all-the-time in a proper indoors stall where they have dry clean footing, a roof to keep the rain off and walls to keep the windchill away. You absolutely cannot do that outdoors, without the walls and roof.

So, important difference

Pat

 

[DuckyBoys]

Everyone has their own opinions - if it were me I wouldn't worry about a horse without perfect accomodations for a few weeks. That's just life.

I don't understand why some animal lovers believe there is only one way to do things. There isn't.

My donkeys stand outside in the weather day and night with no shelter. Guess what - they've been doing that since the day they were born. They were out in a wild herd on 250 acres for over a year. And this is Colorado - winter on the plaines isn't pretty.

My adivce to the OP - if you think you can have it sorted out to YOUR satisfaction in a few weeks and will provide a good home after that - then go ahead. That horse will survive, and then thrive, and then be fine.

If you don't think you can do it up to YOUR standards, then maybe someone else should take the horse.

I would NOT board a horse for that reason and over that period of time. Waste of money.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Akane]

Alot of horses are stalled 24/7 (especially at boarding barns) and only worked a few hours a day. I think that's entirely reasonable for a few weeks. I would never do it long term. I completely disagree with such places and don't think it's good for the horses health but it is done all the time all over this country. You do need to make sure there is shelter though. A tarp may not be enough and yes a flapping tarp will scare a horse. If the horses have been turned out without shelter though it won't be any worse off than it is now. You should not need a blanket if the horse has not had one.

Feed unlimited hay, a mineral block, and only supplement other feed if the horse looks like it needs it. Such as losing weight or a dull coat. A cup of black oil sunflower seeds makes a better supplement than grain. If you add any feed do it slowly. You can't go from no grain to a full scoop without risking the horse's health or even causing death for sensitive animals. It would be best to have a fecal done to determine how infested the horse is. Otherwise there is a risk the horse could have a large parasite load which can cause problems if you kill them all off at once and you don't know exactly which parasites you need to treat for the most. A vet does not have to come out for a fecal. You just take some fresh manure in and they do a pretty cheap test for parasite eggs. Without a fecal I would probably use a basic fenbendazole based dewormer now and then an ivermectin based in 6weeks. Then go to a standard deworming schedule. Your deworming schedule will depend on your setup and area. That's where a fecal is important. I have little issue with parasites in my pasture so I only need to deworm a few times a year. Some places deworm every 6-8weeks.


Your stalls need to stay dry. If the water runs into that area you need to dig some drainage ditches and run the water elsewhere. Another way to drain stalls well is to slope the sides in and front to back then dig a ditch in the middle and fill with gravel. Cover with sand to even it out and cushion from the gravel. A really good idea to put over that is a stall skin. It's a semipermeable layer (meaning it lets some moisture through but does not have holes that let through bedding or anything) that will seperate your horse from the sand. Avoiding sand colic and keeping the stall drier with less bedding used. Check it out http://www.stallskins.com/stallskins.html There are also instructions there for the gravel pit to drain the middle. I love my stallskins. I did my foaling stall with one and it stays so much drier with good cushion. The stall skin has also survived 5years of wear and tear with one of my pawers tearing at it and looks practically brand new. it's only required a few repairs along the edges to fasten it back down where it came loose.

 

[michellebracy]

wow that is kinda not the kind of thing you typically do this time of year i agree with a complete pellet feed and good quality hay - insisit that it has never been wet also you may not want to give the horse 2nd cutting - it is not necc. how old is the horse ? you should have the vet do a thorough exam and have his teeth checked ( floated if necc) and board the horse until you can safely bring him home also you may want to invest in a few basic riding lessons then you can learn in a proper and safe environment also gives you some help in the begining and you also do not know what if any behaviour problems this horse may have any quirks that need extra help and if you are wet around the ears it would be good to ahve someone who has been there and done that for a while - also check into the breeding and google it sometimes that can give you some info on personality traits also most horses should not be blanketed they grow an excellent winter coat and have survived thousands of years if you do not know what you are doing with it you can make a horse very sick and quick with them temps going up and down at this timeof year - i have had horse for thirty years and have taught since i was in my late teens and have trained several babies up through adult hood and competivly shown dressge jumping western pleasure reining and driving - and love my horses very very much - get some knowledge and ask for help - hope this helps ! good luck

michelle cny
10 hens 5 australorps 5 silver laced wyandottes 3 kitties 2 aussies 3 morgans 1 halfinger ( i know regular barnyard

)

 

[patandchickens]

guys, there is an ENORMOUS difference between horses outside with little or no shelter but room to move around at will, versus a horse STANDING outside in a 12' pen with no shelter. (Just the 12' pen, no paddock). He can't get out of the wind and rain like a horse could in a pasture; he won't be able to generate extra body heat by moving around like loose horses normally do when they are cold; and the ground he is standing on will turn into a deep mudpit almost immediately.

There are definitely lots of different ways to keep horses. This ain't one of them.

Pat

 

[Foxhound lady]

board him while you get is pasture and turn out shed fixed up. Also remember there is no such things as a free horse they are money pits (I had one for 15 yrs).
Red clay when wet is very slippy and can cause damage to legs/joints if the critter is spocked and has no where to go. You will need to blanket with a waterproof turnout rug if it is wet and cold.

Have the vet come out asap to vaccinate and worm and borrow any horse book you can get your hands on from your local libary. Also the farrier needs to come and get his feet done.

As for saddle fitting get someone to come out and fit the saddle the more expericane the better as each horse is different and it you get the wrong type of tree then you will have back problems.

Horses are made for all day foraging and they do best on that but a few weeks of being confided isnt going to kill him.

 

[Akane]

It gets to -20 here and I only blanket older or sick horses in the dead of winter and I rarely give any feed. We've had maybe 2 out of 50 that ever needed blankets. If they are acclimated to the climate and they have shelter from the wind and snow it really is unnecessary and can cause more harm than good. Watch the horse to see if he's shivering or seems really miserable but you don't need to get a blanket for him otherwise. Horses also do better without grains and concentrated feeds if possible. Their digestive systems are made for forage like grass and hay not concentrates. Again don't give it unless he needs it. Horse people are some of the worst for doing things just because they've always been done instead of because they are actually necessary or good for the animal.

The only thing I'm concerned about from your post is that he does need some type of good shelter and dry ground. It depends on what the weather does though. A temporary tarp and gate pen is often used in warmer climates or during the late spring to early fall here. Go out on some several day to week long trail rides and you'll see them all over the place. But if the weather takes a turn towards freezing and you get rain it will not be enough.

You might want to try http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com/horse-forums/ . It's one of the best horse forums I've found.

 

[needmorechickens!]

This is all great advice!
I intend to give this horse the best of care. Normally I wouldn't think of getting one when I am not fully prepared, but its a last resort for my friend. They are having to leave their home and the horse has nowhere else to go. It has always had meager accomodations and probably not enough health care, so it will be better off here soon.

I think I can take care of it here for a few weeks, but if it turns out that it gets too cold, wet, or muddy, I did already find an affordable boarding stable for a backup.

I have already called the vet and scheduled tests and vaccinations.

My DH is putting a five foot wall (like a privacy fence, but made of 2x6's) on the stall so that will reduce the wind and serve as a kickboard later. We are considering only doing the tarp on the north and east sides of the barn to help stop any more wind. We are not sure we can prevent water pooling on the tarp fi we put the tarp on the roof.

I am still pondering the footing...

I have
-watering trough
-lead rope
-hoof pick
Tomorrow I am getting:
-halter
-hay feeder
-pellets
-brush
-hay
-saddle pad
That's all I can think of for now...

The temps in the daytime are still getting up to 70 degrees and lows of 40 at night.

Oh and they are going to be able to wait until Sunday afternoon to deliver it so that gives me a little more time to prepare.

Don't worry...I am a very responsible pet owner and will take good care of this horse, but I do let animals be animals. I just need helpful tips on how to best make it through these few weeks.

I am getting a horse in two days!!!

~Rebecca

 

[Momo]

Hi, Rebecca. It's great that you are a responsible animal owner and want to do things right. I wish all new horse owners were so conscientious! Getting your first horse is a very exciting time. Be advised, though, that you are at the bottom of a learning curve that's higher and steeper than you can imagine.

I feel like I'm trying to stop a train wreck with a few meagre words, but here goes... Hopefully this is a nice, quiet, experienced horse; if so, there's less chance of you (and the horse) getting hurt or scared. Please listen to those who suggest you should board the horse for the first while. We can see pitfalls that you're unaware of.

A horse needs some sort of shelter, plenty of room to move around (a wild horse will do 25 miles in a day), companions (preferably other horses), as much good quality grass hay as he'll eat (I feed mine 4 times a day), free choice fresh clean water, and a salt block (not a blue one, though; those are for cattle), as well as regular hoof trims every 4-6 weeks. Grain or pellets is not necessary and I would actually advise against any concentrates if you are really going to keep the horse cooped up in such a small space. If your horse doesn't have adequate shelter or room to move, especially if exposed to driving rain, then a turnout blanket would be good. Never leave a horse unattended with the halter on.

I have to say that I would never, ever, consider keeping a horse in such a tiny area. Patandchickens has explained this very clearly, as she always does. If you insist on doing it, you can expect him to get bored, cramped, stiff joints, irritable, miserable, depressed, anxious, muscle sore etc. He will get opportunistic infections in his hooves (thrush, yeast etc). He may develop difficult habits like windsucking or weaving. He will also likely be higher than a kite when you do try to take him out, increasing the chance of accidents and injuries. It really is not fair to the horse and it's a risk you yourself can't afford at this early stage in your horse journey.

I know you mean well, but listen to the voices of experience. The boarding stable should be your first option and bringing him home at this time should be your last resort, not the other way around. And please, please, get regular lessons with a qualified instructor; after the care and comfort of the horse, that is the most important thing you can do, for both your sakes.

I wish I could make you understand what I and others here already know. We want the best for you and the horse. We'd like to support you in becoming a great horse owner as you embark into the incredibly wonderful and rewarding world of horsemanship. We know that horses are very complex and potentially dangerous animals, easily mistreated through wellmeaning ignorance, and a high level of competence is required. You will want to move up that learning curve as quickly as possible. Please take our advice. You'll thank us for it later.