Advice with feed please.
By Vickie7978
@Vickie7978 (164)
United States
October 2, 2008 2:47pm CST
We are now at day 13 taking in a stray horse. After 30 days we can claim him, but I don't want to risk putting to much money into him as long as the owner can still get him back. He just popped up in our backyard,very hungry with ribs showing. The sherriff's dept. came out and took pics, but so far no one has reported him even missing.
We have the availible land and resources. I grew up around them some, but I was never responsible for the care. As soon as our 30 days hit I'm calling in a vet to look him over and worm him, we have a ferrier lined up thanks to a neighbor who has two horses himself, and are in the process of fencing in our field.
The night he showed up my neighbor gave me enough feed to last him a few days. When I went to buy him feed I was literally clueless. None of it looked the same so I ended up with rolled oats since I knew it was in the other feed. I didn't want to change his diet too much because of his recent starvation. I found out later he mixes his oats with 10% sweet feed.
Last Sunday we had a slight colic scare which he seemed to recover from within a couple of hours. Since then I've noticed that instead of licking up every tiny oat he leaves some behind. He's still eager to get the feed, but doesn't focus completely on it like he first did. He raises his head to chew instead of just gobbling.
I figure maybe he's feeling better and realizes that we will feed him again and the field of grass isn't going anywhere or I'm not feeding him right. We only feed a little in the morning and evening as my neighbor suggested and he has access to all the grazing he wants.
Any suggestions on his feed? Or maybe I'm doing something wrong?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
2 Oct 08
I think your friend is giving you good advice. Too much grain can give him colic, the grass is good for him to help feed him up. Stick to what you are doing, it will take quite a bit of time to get him looking good if he's really bad. But slow is the way too go. He probably didn't lose that weight overnight and he's not going to gain it back that way either.
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
4 Oct 08
I think you have a great resource with your friend/neighbor. Look to him for that advice. Also, even as run down as the horse is, handling and working (walking him around on lead) with him will make him feel more comfortable with you and help in the end.
@Vickie7978 (164)
• United States
2 Oct 08
I wondered about the oats Sunday when he had a spell of colic. Thank You. Yes, I know it's going to be a long road before he becomes what he should. I can give him all the time and love he needs, but it's the science of everything I lack.
1 person likes this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
2 Oct 08
How much feed are you giving him each feeding? And I'm not sure how much it costs in your area, but you might get a bale of hay, just to give him some extra roughage even though he has grass to eat. We usually fed ours twice a day, about 1/2 5lb coffee can of oats mixed with same amount of sweet feed, and gave her a pad (about 3 inch wide block of hay) of hay, and she had grass to graze on also. They normally didn't clean their feed trough, so leaving a little bit behind is no big deal. Sounds like he is doing fine, and you have it all planned out for when he is your's. I do agree with you on that I wouldn't put too much into him until he is your's.
@Vickie7978 (164)
• United States
2 Oct 08
Thank You. That makes me feel much better. I was scared he may be sick. We feed him about a half full gallon ice cream bucket twice a day. Sounds like it may be about the same you feed your's. I priced hay yesterday and will probably being going to pick some up in about a week. I'm going out in the morning to get more feed and will be mixing it from now on.
The money thing has been an issue and so far I've only got about 70 bucks into him. Feed, halter, brush, and fly spray. The fenceing is going to bite, but after this experience, if we lose him, I'm sure we will get another one.
1 person likes this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
3 Oct 08
Since you did report it, if someone does come forward, I would give them a bill for everything you have bought, since it was for this horse. It's not like you already had horses and therefore already had feed, halters, etc. on hand. And since the sheriff's dept already saw the horse and saw how it was being treated, odds are the owner won't come forward, but you never know, if they hear that the horse has been taken care of and is in better shape.
@lou1982 (122)
•
2 Oct 08
i wouldnt really suggest oats they dont really provide any goodness just energy i`ve owned 2 horses and worked on several horse yards for the last 18 years and all the horses i`ve worked with have had a basic diet (except those who need other wise by a vet telling you) about 2 scoops of molly chop, a scoop of bran, and either pony nuts if there not in work or some mix(about a scoop) mix it up with a bit of water so its not dry i`d only do this once a day or do 2 smaller feeds if he`s out and theirs enough grass i wouldnt give him hay either you`ll end up with laminitus (im not sure how to spell it i think that's rite lol) which will mean extra vet bills this happens when they are subjected to to much grass hay and feed the trick is getting the balance rite. when you get the vet out ask them what they suggest you feed him they can do blood tests and a full check each horse is very different in what they need on our yard we have ones that need injecting every day and cant go out cos shes allergic to just about every thing and looks like shes got chicken pox to those who can live out and you can just feed once a day they are complicated pets but worth it. good look with it all.
@Vickie7978 (164)
• United States
2 Oct 08
Thanks for the advice. From just asking around I've learned that each horse is different. I'm sure it will take a little time to figure out his combination. Also, his digestion may change a little since he was in such bad shape. The hay will not be used unless it's needed this winter. We have plenty of grass for the time being, but I'd rather go ahead and buy some in case of a bad winter. Unfortunately, I have no clue what molly chop, or pony nuts are. I'm just hoping for some intelligent help at the supply store. I hope he's never as bad off as your's with the chicken pox look. Thanks for the luck...we need it.
•
13 Oct 08
Sounds like you're takin really good care of this poor guy. I hate to see horses that havent been taken care of. But you may need to have his teeth floated if you get him after thirty days, that may be why he is holding his head up when he eats. That can also be a factor with why he is so skinny. If a horse's teeth needs to be floated it can cause them to lose weight. But worming him and gettin him on a good feed, and givin him hay should help with his weight. Your vet should be able to tell you whether his teeth need to be floated or not, and may be able to float them for you. But I hope this is some help to you. Good luck.
@mlchesser (14)
• United States
14 Oct 08
I completely agree with barrelracinchick92! Another thing that you may want to check into is making sure that the feed is the correct type and amount. Like other people have stated, you are doing a wonderful thing by taking this stray in. But once you have secured ownership, then you may want to call a purina dealer and they have nutrionist that will come out to check out the horse and the diet and advise you as to waht to feed. Yes, they will try to sell you the purina brand but you do not have to buy that. Just go to your local feed store and find something comparable. Also, sometimes your vet will be knowledgable in that field as well and be better able to instruct you as to what you new horse needs to help him pur on weight and thrive.Also, do you know what type of horse he is? Some horses are harder to keep weight on such as TBs!! While other horses merely only need a handful of feed once they get to their ideal weight. Putting weight on a horse can take a LONG time and you do not want to feed too much in the begining or he can come down with colic. Just remember that slow and steady will be more beneficial and to always make sure there is lots of fresh water available.
