Old Horse

[Jerseylady*Heather*]

So this spring my husband got a call and was asked to get rid of some horses for a guy that were really old and couldnt keep weight. Well he picked them up and they were RAIL thin I mean no meat on their bones at all. Well it was just in time for spring grass so he thought we could just turn them out and see what happens (he has a big heart for horses). It wouldnt cost us anything to just let them graze for the year. Well three months after we turned them out the had both gained probably 500lbs no kidding. We found a good home for the younger one he was broke to the gills sound and just needed a little feed. He was only about 20 and man was he pretty after being on that grass. Well we still have the one that was a bit older he is an arabian, and naturally a leaner breed then the other (QH) was. Any ways I have a point... the one we decided to keep is a fantastic kids horse, and he has a home until the day he dies now. But all though he has gained 500lbs. It all seems to be in his belly his butt and neck are thicker now but I would like to see this horse carry his weight better. We did just worm him and plan to do it again in about 2 weeks. We have an appointment to get his teeth floated but they really dont seem bad as he has been gaining like crazy. His tail head is still boney, and his neck is still a little thinner then I would like to see it. This Guy has beautiful movement and you can tell in his hay day he was a beautiful horse. We gave him to my son and he is sooo gentle and sweet with him he has to crawl all over him to get on his back and this guy is just so sweet with him. He totally deserves a good home. Oh and the other thing is he has what looks like fungus right above his hoof and goes behind his foot above his hoof. We sprayed some scarlett oil on it. But he itches it alot so wondering if we should be doing something different there. All though we have always had lots of horses this guy is our first OLD horse.

[Jerseylady*Heather*]

Here is my son on his first ride with him I wil get another pic here in a minute.

[Deleted]

We have two horses in their 30's (yes really). They are fatter than pigs, but gravity has taken it's toll, and they kinda look like holstein cows on the top, with fat bellies. There isn't much help for it, though getting them muscled up (gently) helps some.
As for the fungis, mix iodine (tincture if you can get it) with sugar (brown or white either way works fine) to make a paste. Put it in a container that you will never reuse again, lol make sure it seals good. Using a gloved hand (unless your favorite color is oarnge) put a gob on a peice of cotton bandaging, plastic wrap it onto the affcted area, and wrap with vetwrap. Leave this on for 24 hours or longer. Take it off and be amazed!! If the area is still affected, put the paste on the site for the next few days, no wrapper, the if needed, wrap again. If you have rain rot in a place that can't be wraped, just put the paste on. Flies won't mess with it because of the iodine, but if you ride, make surre you use a washable blanket.
It depends how bad the area is, but usualy a week worth will get rid of even the worst case of scratches
in a week. Also works on proud flesh.

[Jerseylady*Heather*]

Here is another picture of "Twinkle"

I think if we condition him gently while he is gaining, he might put weight back on his back. He is a little sway back but not too bad. I will tell my husband about the iodine mix that sounds like a great idea. This guy is supposed to be close to 30 which is amazing to me that he is still alive and sound after everything. But the day my husband brought home that bag of bones we could see the twinkle in his eye. We never even tried to ride him till a couple weeks ago, he was so thin we didnt want to hurt him. We are just thrilled that he is such a level headed horse. Makes it a little more worthwhile.

[wren]

Beautiful old fellow. I'm so glad such a good horse found a great home like yours and that your son has such a patient 'teacher'.

[Joes Wife]

Great looking pair they make! Your son looks so happy on his new horse and your "old" horse looks great!

We "saved" a horse years ago and he was the perfect horse for my then 4 year old daughter to learn on and love on. We just put him down last Saturday. He was 37 years old. He lived a good life here and these past 2 years he hasn't been ridden but lived like a king. He had earned it!

Enjoy your old horse! They can be one of a kind!!

Teresa

[AnnB (NE)]

You can do extention exercises with him, and he may put some more on his back. A small handful of feed or a horse treat works wonders to get them to really stretch out, flex, and bend.

Or he could just be like C-2, she puts weight down her back last. Right behind her withers is the last place to fill in and the first to fall away (and she's only 7).

Ann B

[seymore0626]

He could have some corn oil on his feed. Maybe some euine seior soaked in warm water. Corn oil is great for weight gain, and the soaked food is helpful if there are teeth issues, as well as helping digestion.

I love win-win situations, and it sounds like the two leggeds and the four leggeds are all winners!!!

Jayne

[Jerseylady*Heather*]

Thanks for all the suggestions, this winter will be the real test. I really hope he can keep weight. We get pretty cold up here. He is my little boys horse so I guess that can be his new job to grain his horse every day. Right now we have him on some pretty lush pasture it is irrigated and growing well, I think he will do better on the pasture then hay so he is there for now. Hopefully he will get pretty fat before winter hits. I think we will just take him for a light trail ride every week just to stretch him out and get things moving. He is is really easy to catch so even on the 40 acre pasture my son walks right up to him and puts his halter on and brings him back. It really is a great confidence boost for a little boy that LOVES horses.

[marseydoats]

That is a REALLY nice horse! thanks for giving him a home! I have a soft spot for Arabs, as I had one for years.
My vet thinks all older horses, and any horse that needs to gain weight, should be tube wormed. He has this wierd concoction of different wormers that he mixes together, and it really does work. You might ask your vet when he comes to float teeth.

[cattlepie]

It is so cool that these 2 have each other.Try some beet pulp and bean meal.It will help tons.

[Leimana]

for being close to 30 this horse looks fabulous! making him too fat will come with its own set of problems, so aim for muscle and flexibility. The last being most important. as anything gets older it gets stiffer, so by learning exercises that promote flexibility he will stay in better shape longer and be less prone to injury. Age brings along with it digestive issues, so a good probiotic in his food will keep his gut in top notch condition as well as some high quality oil, wheat germ oil is my favorite. A bit of kelp also in his feed. Add immune boosting herbs in his food works amazing for keeping an older horse healthy! I use rosemary, thyme, oregano, garlic, and for all good things rasberry leaf. Just mix a gallon bag of these bulk herbs and grab a palmful for each feeding. Or pick fresh herbs from the garden and give to him. This will help him through the winter better also. Apple cider vinager is a winner always with any age horse. For the fungus, neem oil is great stuff. No wrapping or anything. Just rub in a couple times a day. If he is really itchy with it, rub a bit of cayenne into it with the neem oil. I have seen neem get rid of stubborn fungal problems in a short time with little fuss.
Congratulations on this beautiful guy!!!!!

[Becky]

You might try and put the old fellow on "Empower". It is a high fat feed that is EXPENSIVE, about 30 bucks for a 50 pound bag, *but* you only have to feed 1 lb a day maximum. I have used it a lot over the years on older ones, my broodmares, and the ones that were "working" for a living. One of the up sides of Empower is that they will not get "hot" like they can from grain. I love the corn oil for putting on weight and shine, but it *can* make them hotter than a 2 dollar pistol. Just a little more food for thought....


Becky

[anon]

Senior Chow for old horses works well.
Don't forget to blanket him all winter. This allows his body to use the nutrition for weight gain, not maintenance through the cold.

[Jerseylady*Heather*]

This horse looks great now. I need to get a new picture of him. He is spunky and feeling good. My son rode him during the deer hunt and he put on a little muscle. He still looks like an old horse though. My husband rode past some people and my little boy was on him. Everyone else was on fox trotters. And they couldnt believe what a pretty horse that white one was. They about died laughing when my husband told them he was a thirty year old horse. He runs laps around our 40 acre pasture. I dare say I think we have a few years left with him. My son is obsessed asks to go for a horse ride every day. He has been great for his confidence with horses.
Thanks for the pointers, we will keep an eye on him this winter.

[Deleted]

Oh, I am so happy for you boy(s)!