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Cheekycob2

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Hey guys just after a little advice really. I’ve recently purchased a new cob, he hasnt arrived yet but ive tried him a couple of times and am getting him this week. He seems a lovely sweet boy, the type that has kind eyes and you can see a lot of love to give however hes not currently in the best condition. Current owner has left him out all winter and not really tended to him and he looks as though he needs some tlc. (Hes 14 years old) from what ive noticed hes a very good weight, feet seem strong, however he has signs of mud fever, his mane is matted like dreadlocks and falling out all over the place, coat is quite dull etc. i would really love to get him back on track. Is there anything that Anyone can recommend that i should do / buy for him. I can go out these next couple of days and purchase things for him if needed so its ready for his arrival. Also would he potentially benefit from a balancer? I dont want anything that could make him fizzy but i would like to get him as healthy as i possibly can. Thankyou 🙃🙂
 
Ask current owner what he s been eating..don’t do any drastic changes to this. I’d suggest hay and grass only until you get to know him. Brush brush and brush him regularly to stimulate and distribute oils in coat…ask when last wormed and have a worm count done then worm according to vets advice. Give a month to get to know him and maybe introduce hard feed after that…again ask a vet if unsure.
 
is mane is matted like dreadlocks and falling out all over the place
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Consider hogging or at least cutting it short and starting again. It'll honestly look better in the long run (and be more comfortable for him than trying to detangle/de-matt what's there) than trying to grow in new, healthy hair to match the length of the old, damaged mane.

Also, I'd be inclined to get some de-lousing medication, be it powder or deosect, there's a very good chance he'll have lice lurking around in that coat.
 
Cobs are generally good doers, so if yours is a good weight where you can easily feel, but not see ribs and has no fat pads or apple bottom I would not give a hard feed yet. Plenty of good quality forage and go from there. He may need additional feed if he drops weight or he may need his forage restricting if he gains it. So see how he goes as you start to work him

As for the dreadlocks and dull coat, that just sounds like a good groom would fix that. The coat will be changing so will look a little dull. A good daily groom will pull out the old coat and he’ll look great
 
I bought a 14 yr old coblet last June in what sounds like a very similar condition, not neglected just a little poor and unkempt. Not a lot more to add really in addition to the advice you've already had, I'd provide plenty of adlib hay, the grass is growing now so i'd hold off any hard feed until you know him and his temperament a little better or until he's in regular work. Plenty of brushing, groundwork and leading and we wormed, had the farrier, dentist and saddler out within the first few weeks to do feet, teeth and make sure his tack fitted well. Oh and also the physio to give him a once over. Hope you enjoy your new pony.
 
Cheekycob2 said:
Hey guys just after a little advice really. I’ve recently purchased a new cob, he hasnt arrived yet but ive tried him a couple of times and am getting him this week. He seems a lovely sweet boy, the type that has kind eyes and you can see a lot of love to give however hes not currently in the best condition. Current owner has left him out all winter and not really tended to him and he looks as though he needs some tlc. (Hes 14 years old) from what ive noticed hes a very good weight, feet seem strong, however he has signs of mud fever, his mane is matted like dreadlocks and falling out all over the place, coat is quite dull etc. i would really love to get him back on track. Is there anything that Anyone can recommend that i should do / buy for him. I can go out these next couple of days and purchase things for him if needed so its ready for his arrival. Also would he potentially benefit from a balancer? I dont want anything that could make him fizzy but i would like to get him as healthy as i possibly can. Thankyou 🙃🙂
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I would want to give him some tlc. Book in for a feet trim, teeth, worm count and some physio. Plenty of grooming to help him shed his coat and check on any issues.


I would be careful about hard feed as we come in to spring, plenty of forage should pick him up. Just a little low sugar chaff and a something like protextin to protect his gut from stress of moving.

Share some pictures when he arrives!
 
I would say in my experience a vitamin sup would do him the world of good, and groom and worm count+tapeworm and bath in medicated shampoo and teeth and feet too
 
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