Taking on a rescue

BlackWillowFarm · #1 02/13/13, 06:46 AM

My sister called me at work yesterday because someone asked her if she knew anyone who might want a free horse. They told us it was a 9 month old Quarter horse colt, not gelded yet. Hmmmm, I said no thanks. I'm not as young and springy as I used to be and haven't really done anything with horses for four or five years. My mind went through all the risks of trying to start a half grown colt. "Better not" was the answer I came up with.

An hour later the guy shows up at my work with his son and two granddaughters to see if they could talk me into the colt. They took it on as a get one free deal but since it's not gelded he doesn't want to keep it. I guess he had a really bad experience with a colt that turned on him after being gelded. They've had it for two months.

I asked for pictures of the horse and this is what they sent me. It's not a horse, it's a pony. And he's so cute I can hardly resist plus I feel so bad seeing him in that condition. I'm going to look at him today. He needs me!

Besides needing groceries and worming, is there anything else I should know about dealing with a young horse who's been neglected like this, diet wise, I mean. I have grass hay to start and alfalfa when he's filled out more. Do you think this is a horse in a ponies body because he's been starved all his life?

Barn Yarns · #2 02/13/13, 08:56 AM

if you bring him home, swing by your vet with him so they can give him a once over. gelding is going to be the best thing for him, but your vet will be able to tell you at what point that can happen. not having him cut will prolong him getting back into shape.

myself.... i would lay off the alfalfa. horses really dont 'need' that rich, yummy, stuff. grass hay is good. I feed all my horses SR feed (little and big... young and old) Ruralheritage.com has some good info on it. I have also mixed in beetpulp and soy oil (no corn oil) the idea is that you are feeding him fat... but its not a sugar fat. My horses have done well on this.

He is cute. he might be a pony now, but with the right grocerys he might turn into a small horse. he looks like he is put together pretty good. so thats a plus too =)

Annsni · #3 02/13/13, 09:17 AM

Actually, the alfalfa might be the better choice with a horse that thin.

http://www.starvinghorses.com/Refeedingsyndrome.html

I definitely second going straight to the vet to have him evaluated. I'd also get a full workup with blood and fecals on him. Good luck if you take him!

BlackWillowFarm · #4 02/13/13, 09:48 AM

We're leaving to see him in a few minutes. I put a call into my vet.

I agree about the blood work and fecals. I have a nice warm 12 x 12 stall waiting for him. Poor baby. I hope he's as sweet as he looks.

I'll see if I can get more pictures while we're there.

SFM in KY · #5 02/13/13, 09:52 AM

If he's been starved most of his life, he will certainly grow a lot more once he's on full feed, but many Quarter Horses are not huge ... I've had a number that would qualify as 'ponies' at 14.2 or under.

You're pretty much right with the feed program, I think ... start out with grass hay, working up to free choice (not at first, you can sure risk colic/impaction with lots of hay and in cold weather they may not drink enough) and I'd add alfalfa to the grass hay once he's been on full feed with the grass hay awhile and then a handful or two of grain a couple of times a day but otherwise I'd add fat rather than protein.

Vet check is a good idea ... he'll need worming and probably vaccinations ... I suspect both of those things have been neglected.

Also be aware what you see now in his temperament and attitude may be a result of very low energy and he can change a great deal once he's gaining weight.

Barn Yarns · #6 02/13/13, 09:53 AM

while its a good article with good points, im confused by the 'feeding high fat, low carb' (what i said above) but lower in the article is says do not feed grain and suppliments.

the statements contradict each other..... =(

Annsni · #7 02/13/13, 10:14 AM

Here is more info:

http://www.ker.com/library/EquineRev...rition/N30.pdf

http://www.kentuckyhorse.org/en/art/75/

Annsni · #8 02/13/13, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barn Yarns

while its a good article with good points, im confused by the 'feeding high fat, low carb' (what i said above) but lower in the article is says do not feed grain and suppliments.

the statements contradict each other..... =(

The goal to begin with is to get the digestive system functioning again and so the alfalfa helps to meet that goal. Then careful reintroduction of a high fat, low carb grain will then begin to give the nutrition that they need - now introduced to a functioning digestive system. Ideally, in the end, they will be on a high fat, low carb diet.

zwarte · #9 02/13/13, 11:36 AM

Once you get him sorted out, he might be a great size to be a driving pony. This is a great sport for those of us who are "less springy"

lathermaker · #10 02/13/13, 12:50 PM

Are they sure he's a Quarter horse? His head looks pretty refined, more like an Arab. I'd love to see what he looks like with about 6 months of TLC.

Tracy2manyhorse · #11 02/13/13, 01:01 PM

I run a horse rescue. First is vet check! Get fecals if you can, if not get advise from vet on proceeding with deworming. Go SLOW with feeding him - grass hay to start for about 10 days - frequent small meals. Then you can start adding on some foal grow/mare foal ration. When he is in condition get him gelded & his shots.

BlackWillowFarm · #12 02/13/13, 01:07 PM

Just got home from looking at him. We're hooking the trailer and going back to pick him up. He's very thin. Spine is sticking up, no fat on his neck or shoulders, his hips stick out and he's all ribs under his winter coat. The guy has had him for two months and wormed him three weeks ago. He's feeding poor quality hay in piles to his horses. He has three others there and they are all sleek and healthy. He told me the horse was in worse shape when he took him in. Hard to imagine that.

I think he's part Arab too after seeing him in person. He's really cute and I can't wait to see him in 6 months either. I was thinking he would make a good driving pony too. That might be his future here.

Pretty excited to go get him.

haypoint · #13 02/13/13, 01:42 PM

If there are other horses there in that condition, call your local Animal Control Officer and report this abuse.
Once you get your pony home, call your local Animal Control Officer and let them know you just picked up a starved pony. If anyone sees that pony at your place, they might report you. Best to clear the air ahead of time.

1sttimemom · #14 02/13/13, 01:44 PM

Wow, that's bad shape for a young colt! I'm sure he will come around with your good care. I personally would hold off on gelding until he is in better shape. I think in this condition it would stress his body too much. He would be higher risk for infection, etc. In a couple months he will prob be able to handle it fine. Plus he is still young enough that a couple months prob won't make a diff in his mindset.

BlackWillowFarm · #15 02/13/13, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haypoint

If there are other horses there in that condition, call your local Animal Control Officer and report this abuse.
Once you get your pony home, call your local Animal Control Officer and let them know you just picked up a starved pony. If anyone sees that pony at your place, they might report you. Best to clear the air ahead of time.

His other horses were in really good shape and big enough to push this little guy off the feed. I can see he's had his feet trimmed recently and I don't believe this man is the source of the problem, but I don't think the little horse got enough to eat while he was there either.

Not sure about getting the officials involved. Anyone with eyes can see how our livestock are cared for. This little colt is the anomaly here.

BlackWillowFarm · #16 02/13/13, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1sttimemom

Wow, that's bad shape for a young colt! I'm sure he will come around with your good care. I personally would hold off on gelding until he is in better shape. I think in this condition it would stress his body too much. He would be higher risk for infection, etc. In a couple months he will prob be able to handle it fine. Plus he is still young enough that a couple months prob won't make a diff in his mindset.

My immediate goal is to get some weight on him, get him vaccinated and then gelded. I'll time it so it's done before fly season in a couple months. He seems good natured and stepped onto the trailer with almost no hesitation. We pulled in, the guy got him out of the paddock, I loaded him and we were off. Took us all of ten minutes. So far so good!

levi1739 · #17 02/13/13, 05:42 PM

A few years ago I bought a weanling colt in that type of condition. Very similar situation with him being put out with mares after he was weaned and the other horses wouldn't let him get much hay. I worried that he would never make 14 hands and the vet postponed gelding until we had put 100 lbs. on him. Today that miserable looking colt has become a 15-2 hand 1200 lb horse that is ridden by my large son. Feed your colt up and give him a good home and I suspect he will grow beyond expectations.

Have fun, be safe

Jack

BlackWillowFarm · #18 02/14/13, 11:28 AM

The little guy did well overnight in his stall. He was alert and whinnying at us this morning. After I got done milking I gave him a few minutes outside to watch how he moves and let him get some sunshine. He's got good manners, he's friendly, knows how to lead, back up and tie. Before I brought him out of the stall I had him stop and back up. He backed up slowly, but he knew how to do it. After seeing him move around outside I'm thinking he's more Arab than anything else. I took a couple videos and will post them when I have a chance.

Here he is meeting the cows yesterday right after he came home.

TroutRiver · #19 02/14/13, 02:09 PM

His growth may be stunted from poor nutrition/starvation. Only time will tell how big he will get, but probably won't mature to be more than 14-something hands. Breed will be easier to guess when he sheds out his winter coat and puts on a few pounds, I have seen plenty of small quarter horses with refined faces.

Looking forward to hearing updates!

lathermaker · #20 02/15/13, 03:52 PM

After looking at those pics for a while, I think he has a whole lotta Arab in him! With that big expressive eye, foxy ears and refined head, I'll bet you he's going to turn into a beauty. I'm a little biased though, we bred and trained Arabs for years

Can't wait to see the video. Bless you for taking care of this little guy!