Q1 - Why is it that you can't ride Rusty?
A - The vet didn't want him burning any extra calories until his weight started to turn around. When he was sick, food was going in and right back out, so he wasn't absorbing any calories (in a nutshell). Now that I think his weight has started to increase again, I think I'll be able to start easy work again soon.
Q2 - When can I ride Rusty again?
A - Officially, I'm not sure. The vet hasn't come back out to check him yet. I've been trying to contact her since yesterday... Unofficially, I'm thinking of taking him out this weekend for a light hack around the fields. I'm sure we'll just walk because he is out of shape.
Q3 - How long did the rain fall that filled the arena? (in the pictures from my last post)
A - Not very long. We have had a ton of rain this year, so the ground is pretty saturated. The pictures were taken Saturday morning and I believe it rained for an hour or two Friday night. The arena drains fairly well, I think the puddles were gone by Sunday.
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Ok - now I have a question for all of my very knowledgeable readers out there...The vet and the nutritionist have both told me that Rusty's barn situation isn't the greatest.
- He needs to be in a smaller herd where he isn't bullied so much. The herd situation has improved, but it is still not good. Every 2 or 3 days when I go out, he has new kicks and bites. They aren't as bad as when I first put him there, but still more than average.
- He needs more forage - grass or hay - to help the ulcers stay away long term. The barn I'm at doesn't have alot of grass - it gets eaten down fast b/c there are too many horses (IMHO). He also doesn't get alot of hay because the other horses are too fat/too pushy, etc.
- He doesn't get alot of shelter because there are too many horses and too small of a shelter
- I can't guarantee that he is getting enough water, because it is under the shelter and the other horses hog it.
- The barn owner didn't have enough room/paddocks to switch Rusty last time I asked her; things may have changed since then.
I have a bit bigger budget now that I did earlier, so that helps.
It is tough to find a place that covers all of my needs and Rusty's needs...
Ideas? Suggestions? Words of wisdom?
11 comments:
My advice to you would be to start actively looking around for a new barn. It's not fair that your horse is being put in a herd type situation and being bullied and may be going without the essentials such as plenty of hay and water.
My Possum is the low man on the totem pole. He'll just stand there while the other horses chew his ass and he'll barely get out of the way from a bitvh mares kick. He lives in a paddock now with horses who have similiar personalities as him. Their all easy going, there are 5 in total, 3 mares and 2 geldings. He is happy, they groom each other and share hay piles. Not to say that sometimes they don't have their scuffles, but for the most part everyone knows their status.
Your horse also has a special need, his ulcers. Nervousness and anxiety are not going to help ulcers and they can make them worse. If your barn owner or trainer or whoever you work with is not understanding to this then it may be time to move on.
I know its hard when you like the barn that you're at to leave and go find another - but in this case I think it would be the best for Rusty - just explain that it nothing personal, that Rusty needs some special conditions that you can't realistically expect them to provide for one horse (even though maybe you could - that's besides the point, you could say that to leave without burning bridges).
Find a different barn with better herd conditions - visit it a couple of times, chat with people there, see if they are nice. If Rusty is happier you will happier - I personally wouldn't wait for conditions to improve. You can check with local vets for different boarding options, and you check with local animal control or the sheriffs office to make sure they haven't been turned in for anything. Is there a BBB in your area? You can check with them to see if there has been any business disputes lately.
Thanks for the quick repsonses guys - I really appreciate it...
I've been feeling the same thing, but wasn't sure what to do. After hearing it from 5 different people, I guess it is time to look around.
There are 2 good local classified web sites for horses here, so I'll start there and then ask around personally to see what I can find... I may have to pay more, but it will be worth it, I think...
I just found your blog and i love the photos of your horse. He looks like a special guy. We bred, raised, and used Appys when i was a kid and i found that when you got a good one - it was really good. And i love their personalities.
I say move!! It is best for you and your horse!
I actually had a horse that was like your Rusty, he was at the bottom of the totem pole and had a hard time keeping weight on at the best of times. I found that bigger boarding facilities never worked for me. I put up posters and knocked on doors where I saw people had horses or a horse set up in their backyard. I had my gelding, Rocky with sheep for years. He was happiest to not have other horses or one or two gentle ones. I also found it best to have hay in front of him at all times. I buy a nice clean but fairly course low/medium protein second (very clean but not fine) and free feed. It was the only way I could keep weight on him. I start out by adding a half a flake to their meal every day until they no longer finish it. It takes a while for them to get use to but in the end, most horses do really well with free fed (other than the piggys). I also blanketed year round (except the hot days of the summer).
I actually found the best deals by driving around and knocking on doors or leaving notes in mail boxes! Boarding facilities tend to have a high traffic (more stress and different horses coming in and out upseting the balance) and less personal attention. The smaller, the better.
Good luck. I would move him ASAP.
I'm in agreement with everyone else. The few times I have had to board horses, I never put them in a herd situation. More for the safety of everyone else's horses-mine are ranch raised and even the most docile one of mine will defend his feed pile.
Even in our own herds, we have some that will hog the water and on hot days, mom goes down and chases them away so everyone can get a drink.
Horses really are a pain in the butt-LOL.
Good luck in your search for a place that better suits Rusty. By the way, I think Horse Crazed has some great ideas.
I think you should look around and see what else is out there for boarding.
Maybe you'll be able to find a small scale barn with a knowledgable person (kinda like 'backyard boarding').
Just leave on a good note (don't burn any bridges!) and explain that you just have to do what will be best for your horse.
Good luck! :)
I agree with what others have said.....as well as what you know in your own heart.
Rusty is not a human child, but he is your responsibility. He's been having a rough time and it is not improving.
If my horse (or one of my children) were going through the same thing, and I'd tried my best to make things better, then it would be time to take a new direction.
(I actually did end up doing that with my kids whn I pulled them out of public school in 2nd grade, to be homeschooled).
Ultimately, if Rusty is happy and healthy, you will feel better and that will take away your anxiety and worries, as well as Rusty's.
Good luck and let us know how it goes :)
I'm in agreement with everyone else....have Rusty start to pack his saddlebags and move on to greener pastures. :) Sounds like it would be best all around!
Yep, I agree with everyong else, I think a move is going to be in both your best interests. Not knowing if he's getting enough water is scary and it shouldn't be in an area where horses get territorial...
Good luck and get looking!
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