Andy Update: join-up and advice needed RE moving yards

Kokopelli

Kokopelli

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 July 2010
Messages
7,170
Location
Gloucester
Visit site
Been a bit scared to post anything tbh, so please if you have nothing nice to say please don't say anything.

Andy is now at 373kgs he's put on 20 in 2 and a half weeks! No more ribs when relaxed but you can still see a few when he is moving or streched out and he's getting a bit of muscle on his bum which is helping with the overall picture.

I've put him on bluechip and wow what a difference, he is so chilled now I hack him out on a loose rein and don't feel like he's going to take off with me. I also sorted out his clip so he does look slightly better but its still a bit dodgy :p

I played join-up with him yesterday after having a very tough day I needed some time to chill with Andy.
I sent him away and teh little show off started doing a nice extended trot down the long side! But he was paying no attention to me so spent the first 5 mins with his head looking the oppposite way.

After about 10 mins he started doing circles closer to me and stayed as close to me as possible then he dropped his head and started licking his lips so I stopped, he walked up to me then followed me around the school like a puppy!

I then sat crying into his neck for about 10 mins due to family problems I swear he is the best therapist in the world.

I have some piccies but photobucket is being a bit rubbish and can't upload, sorry! They were bad quality anyway as I took them on my phone.

As some of you may know I'm desperate to move yards won't go into full details but were moving ASAP. I'm worried that if he stresses when he moves that all the weight he's put on will be stressed off? Is it better to wait until spring so there is grass? Any suggestions much appreciated :)
 
Hun. If you are desperate to move and the right place comes up then you will kick yourself if you lose out on a place that would be good for you and him.

If you are also unhappy where you are then that will also have an affect on Andi.

I would move and manage the change as much as you can. He MAY lose a little but you have found something that works for him so he should put it back on fairly quickly.

Hugs for you both.
 
First of all hun, dont worry about posting on here. We're meant to be here to ofer help and advice :) I seen the pictures of Andy and from your posts can see your trying your best to put the weight on him so dont worry :)
Personally if you are really unhappy on your yard then I would move asap. Andy make pick up on you being unhappy etc and that could cause him to stress. He may lose a little weight but better to move him now if your unhappy then he can have time to settle into the new yard before all your summer riding and comps etc :)
Hope this helps xx
 
Sounds like he is doing really well!

I don't know much about join up, but I think it's a bit tougher to do in a larger area. Ideally you need a 20m to 12m pen for it, but it sounds like it worked out in the end for you.

I wouldn't worry too much about the move. He is used to moving, going to competitions, etc. I am sure he will be fine.
 
Sounds like the blue chip is fab stuff! Fab that he is slowly putting the weight on, blue chip, then some dencent grass I'm sure will do him the power of good!

Glad you had a good time with him. I swear horses must save people a fortune in therapists fees!! It really makes you melt to have such a powerful animal choose to follow you doesn't it! After loose schooling mine we sometimes do a little join up and I love it! It has been very helpful to have her respect my space a little more too - no more walking through me!

I personally wouldn't worry a whole lot about moving yards. I think having a settled owner is so beneficial to a horse, so if you are unhappy and stressed he will pick up on it. Did he stress alot when you moved him to your yard when you bought him? If he dealt with that ok, then I'm sure he will again, esp since his routine and owner will be staying constant. Also if he is putting on weight already then with every day that passes he has a bit more on him incase he has a little worry over the move.

Horses are a super expensive hobby, if an aspect of that is causing you to be unhappy then I really think it is important to change that if you can. Happy chilled owner = happy chilled horse!
 
Hello :)

They are definitely the best therapy aren't they? :o

I would move him as soon as, if you find somewhere you are happy and relaxed then that should transfer to him so he will be happy and relaxed aswell :) x
 
He doesn't get stressy at comps but quite excited and when we took him home it took him a good week to settle down and I still think he isn't fullly settled.

I will try and get pictures on the decent camera tonight so there better quality :)

Booboos- another positive about the yard we want to moce to is it has a little round pen for lunging and to play join-up
 
sounds like you are making good progress with him. as for the moving, i wouldn't worry about it too much, if you are happy and relaxed then he will be too, he's got to know you better now especially doing the join up so he should stay chilled and hopefully keep the weight on.

if you need to move then just move, IF the worst happens and he does drop weight then at least you know he can gain the weight and you will have a reason as to why he dropped it this time! good luck
 
If you are worried about the stress for a genuine, 'medical' or health reason then why not ask your vet? When I moved Snip we were battling ulcers and stress was the last thing he needed, so I worked with the vet and we mildly sedated him for a couple of days - nothing major, just some ACP to take the edge off. We also made sure he was on Gastrogard, and I now give him GG for any kind of stressful situation.

I would definitely not let it stop you miving him if you would be happer elsewhere because he will be happier whereever you are happier.
 
Hi Kokopelli

I havent really posted much on your threads but I do follow them. I just wanted to say good luck with Andy, its obvious you love him alot and want the best for him :)

With regards to moving I would do it sooner rather than later. It sounds like your very unhappy. Horses are very perceptive and he will pick up on it if your not feeling good.

Anyway good luck, I am rooting for you :) And I am looking forward to seeing new pics of Andy :D

Sadiemay
 
Sorry I must have missed your post on Andy, how come he came to you in such poor condition?

If he were mine, I would move him as soon as the yard you want comes up, he may lose a little weight, but obviously whilst you are both unhappy at the yard you are at, plus the fact you lost your previous pony there, I would take the risk.
 
Thanks everyone, we are on the waiting list for my perfect yard so just waiting for places.

lochpearl- He isn't in that bad a condition he really looks worse then what he is because of how he is naturally (swayed back and angular) but its mainly because he was turned away for a few months before he came to us so he had no muscle and always had a rug on so his condition wasn't monitered very well.
 
I know there is a calmer type thing than you can feed for about a week coming up to a stressful event, like moving yards that is meant to take the edge off, was he stressy when he came to you?? glad his weight is improving :D
 
stroppy said:
I know there is a calmer type thing than you can feed for about a week coming up to a stressful event, like moving yards that is meant to take the edge off, was he stressy when he came to you?? glad his weight is improving :D
Click to expand...

Ohh may have to look into that, once we know we have a place I'll probably give the vet a ring and find out whats best for him.
He wasn't hugely stressy but the first couple of nights he dug his bed up and got upset if his neighbour wasn't in.
Now he will only get upset if he's the only one in the barn but this rarely happens
 
Koko, stop worrying about people being negative to your posts love! You are doing a fantastic job, under vet's guidance, so nobody on here is in a position to judge you in any way shape or form! You have so many supporters on here and we all love to hear how you are getting on with him. It sounds like he is making good steady progress weight wise which isn't easy given the time of year and the lack of Dr Green so well done for that. They really are such healers aren't they, our original ponies brought me out of a deep depression where at some points I had been seriously suicidal, I suddenly had to keep going for these poor little mites and despite being wild when they came they were so affectionate at just the right times. It is almost as if they know what you need and when!

With regard to your move, chances are that if you are happy then he will be happy, there is no reason to worry about him dropping weight but even if he did it would only be a tiny bit and would soon come back on. Make the move as soon as you get the opportunity, if you are worried about him stressing have a look at using Gastroguard or the much cheaper Coligone and use for a few days before and after the move just to settle him down a little. You will both be absolutely fine, you are coming out the right side of all this now and will have a fantastic bond when you are both back to rights! xx
 
Kokopelli, firstly please have a little more faith in your own judgment and ability. No one can take away your self-esteem without your permission you know.
Secondly, I move horses around a bit and as long as you're about and their routine is the same they cope admirably.
Thirdly, I'm sure your lad looks beautiful but it might be helpful if you could upload a picture of a steeplechaser next to a Suffolk Punch just so the ill-informed can see the difference;)
 
hch4971 said:
Koko, stop worrying about people being negative to your posts love! You are doing a fantastic job, under vet's guidance, so nobody on here is in a position to judge you in any way shape or form! You have so many supporters on here and we all love to hear how you are getting on with him. It sounds like he is making good steady progress weight wise which isn't easy given the time of year and the lack of Dr Green so well done for that. They really are such healers aren't they, our original ponies brought me out of a deep depression where at some points I had been seriously suicidal, I suddenly had to keep going for these poor little mites and despite being wild when they came they were so affectionate at just the right times. It is almost as if they know what you need and when!

With regard to your move, chances are that if you are happy then he will be happy, there is no reason to worry about him dropping weight but even if he did it would only be a tiny bit and would soon come back on. Make the move as soon as you get the opportunity, if you are worried about him stressing have a look at using Gastroguard or the much cheaper Coligone and use for a few days before and after the move just to settle him down a little. You will both be absolutely fine, you are coming out the right side of all this now and will have a fantastic bond when you are both back to rights! xx
Click to expand...

Thank you :) Will definatly move once we have a space somewhere as totally fed up where we are. Can you ride them whilst on gastroguard?

Fellewell said:
Kokopelli, firstly please have a little more faith in your own judgment and ability. No one can take away your self-esteem without your permission you know.
Secondly, I move horses around a bit and as long as you're about and their routine is the same they cope admirably.
Thirdly, I'm sure your lad looks beautiful but it might be helpful if you could upload a picture of a steeplechaser next to a Suffolk Punch just so the ill-informed can see the difference;)
Click to expand...

That made me chuckle! :p Will definatly keep him on same routine though, thank you.
 
Thats great he is doing well on the Blue chip. My lad started on that in his new yard and it has filled him out a lot. He actually has a belly now and has enough condition that i can start riding and working him properly, and get muscle on him. here's a pic of how he was in september last year, and how much the blue chip has filled him out

also like you, i had to move yards to, and was really worried about it at the time. i hated moving him again, but it was the best choice i made and even tho the old yard was lovely, he has come on leaps and bounds in the new yard, it just suits him better. i think you know in your gut when you end up in the right place.

ra.jpg
 
Last edited:
paddi22 said:
Thats great he is doing well on the Blue chip. My lad started on that in his new yard and it has filled him out a lot. He actually has a belly now and has enough condition that i can start riding and working him properly, and get muscle on him. here's a pic of how he was in september last year, and how much the blue chip has filled him out

also like you, i had to move yards to, and was really worried about it at the time. i hated moving him again, but it was the best choice i made and even tho the old yard was lovely, he has come on leaps and bounds in the new yard, it just suits him better. i think you know in your gut when you end up in the right place.

ra.jpg
Click to expand...

Wow!! what a difference!! What a lovely boy!
 
I agree that you need to start having mre faith in yourself.
There is a big improvement in Andy from the last set of pics. :)
With regards to moving, I was advised with my little mare that she would probably drop a lot of weight as she gets stressy. She was coming to a new home and owner and it is the first move since she was 6 months.
She actually coped admirably and dropped no weight and came bouncing fit. By the time 4 hours had passed you wouldn't know she hadn't been there for weeks.

You'll be fine and as you say, you can chat to vet and give calmers etc but as long as Andy keeps to his current routine and your there, I'm sure he'll be a little excited but will soon settle.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top