19 month colt. m wastage,stunted growth, hairy what could be the prob.

[Renior]

I have a very healthy, energic 2 and half yr colt that i will have for life. Happy in a 3 acre field with stable left open as a shelter he does not use. Turned out till i back in summer, i thought i would like a companion for him, i have the option to borrow a shetland. But i like the idea of a project i can sell on.
Yesterday i looked at a 19 month tb colt. When brought in from the field and the necked rug came off. He had severe muscle wastage on neck and hind. Which made head and ribbed belly massive. This was even obvious with a very long gressy coat. Ravaged a little hay on the floor. Docile and had a brightish eyes. Stunted size looks about 9 months. but has long tail and a passport.
It looks more than staved, like cushing's d but too young, maybe has worms. Hasn't had flu vaccine.
I like it but i don't want to put mine and risk. I can segment of the field stable him feed him up but i can't afford to have loads of vets bills. I may have been silly in looking and colt but i think mine is still mentally young and i would get the new one gelded when needed.
I dont want to get a stage 2 check as that will be half of its value i would rather spend that money on getting the vet to do tests and advice once i have it. I will call my vet tomoz.
Now i've seen it i want to help and i like it and it might not be as bad as i think. Please can i have your advice.
<font color="red"> </font> If i'm being silly even wanting a colt for my colt (i know there is other options) please be kind i would value all advice about the 2 queries.

 

[Maesfen]

If there's nothing basically wrong conformation wise, he's as cheap as chips then do him a favour and have him; you will be surprised what regular feeding and company will do for a yearling; this is, after all, their worst growing age - and the best age to buy them IMO because you only (should have anyway!) have improvement ahead. If he's that poor, I'd hold off castration too as it'll only knock him back further, at least until the spring as long as his temperament is up to scratch and he's easily managed. I wouldn't worry too much about playing, they'd play rough even if they were both gelded (Freddy and Harry still go around with a mouthful of each other most of the time and they're the same age!) It should do your boy the world of good to have a proper playmate and learn to interact with other horses, there's no other substitution half as good IMV.
So, get him home, worm him gently at once, then again in a couple of weeks, be careful how and what food you introduce if he's not used to much (D &amp; H Suregrow might be a good base as you don't feed a lot but it gives youngsters all the vits and minerals they need at that stage. If you ring their helpline, they're very helpful) but he will need ad lib good forage of some sort and plenty of playtime with your other boy; if they can be out 24/7 together so much the better.
Hope we get pictures!

 

[Renior]

Thank you Pat for your response its nice to get a bit of support and reassurance. I,m pretty sure i will get him and am mentally working out how i will work it for the first week and introducing and things.
I thought apart from malnutrition it might be typical of some decease or parasite or something more serious, that i'm not aware of. And i'm pleased you think there is a chance they will get on well. I would love to see them get on well, my one is playful and tears about. When this little one is a bit stronger and has a little more fuel. The natural exercise will help. I will put some photos on, if all thing go well and i buy him.

 

[V1NN]

Awww bless him i hope you get the poor soul sounds like he will have landed on his hooves if you do get him, maybe nothing a bit of food and tlc and wormer wont sort, i bought my foal last yr as fairly wormy underweight, covered in rain scald and he was very small i thought oh dear but now you wouldnt believe its same horse he is huuuge now and very full of himself. bless you for taking him on i wish you lots of luck x

 

[Maesfen]

To give you some incentive!
This is Spring, a yearling TB filly a couple of years ago. She had been turned into a field of old brood mares and not allowed anywhere near their feed or haylage and had gone to skin and bone; although it doesn't look too bad there, you could play a tune on her spine and ribs. She was just over 14 hands then, when I sold her a year later, she was over 16 hands, still growing and gaining condition so be prepared for a long haul, there are no quick fixes. She has now gone for an eventing career.

a few months later with some regular feeding and being turned out with other youngsters so not being bullied

at the beginning of the autumn

 

[xena_wales]

Probably heaving with lice too - the one I had that sounded a bit similar condition-wise was!

 

[hudsonw]

Nice warm rugs, high fiber food, adlib hay and a wormer will sort the cheeky chap out.
My bedragled youngster was groomed twice a day...i know it sounds simple but the grooming stimulates hair growth and skin condition and will give you a chance to bond with the little fella.
Sounds like he's going to have a better time of it now you've got him.
I know you said you don't want to do a 2 stage vetting just yet but i would get the vet just to check him out...my vet just looked over my baby when he was 8 months and then I had a stage 2 when he was 13 months including teeth. He also advised a worming program as youngsters need worming more.
Good Luck.