Boggle- USA bound!

[ycbm]

Nope it’s Timothy. There is an alfalfa option if I want it.

OK tell me to butt out of this isn't helpful but Timothy can be low in protein and what he needs right now is more muscle. (He looks terrific for a horse who's just done that journey though! ). If yours is low and he can tolerate alfalfa you could think about going half and half, or adding a protein source to his hard feed.
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[Cortez]

OK tell me to butt out of this isn't helpful but Timothy can be low in protein and what he needs right now is more muscle. (He looks terrific for a horse who's just done that journey though! ). If yours is low and he can tolerate alfalfa you could think about going half and half, or adding a protein source to his hard feed.
.

IME most horses in the US are fed waaay too much protein, and the hay available there is of infinitely better quality than anything we can get here.

 

[ycbm]

IME most horses in the US are fed waaay too much protein, and the hay available there is of infinitely better quality than anything we can get here.

I get what you're saying but with Timothy it's the grass species, not the quality.

ETA I also wouldn't feed only one species if i could avoid it.
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[Cortez]

I get what you're saying but with Timothy it's the grass species, not the quality.

ETA I also wouldn't feed only one species if i could avoid it.
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Not looking for an argument in any way, but I fed Timothy hay (in Colorado) for 13 years to 50+ mares, stallions, competing horses and youngstock with excellent results. Michen really doesn't need to worry on that account.

 

[Caol Ila]

I never had any problems with keeping weight on Gypsum through the winter when we lived in CO and MA. She was on Timothy hay 100% of the time.

Those problems started here.

 

[nagblagger]

Please don't divert this thread by discussing hay, maybe set up another one. This is my 'must read first' thread for updates on both Bog and Ronaldo and sharing their journey.

 

[tda]

Here he is plotting his next move, obvs.

View attachment 101204

How do they keep youngstock in the USA, is he going into a herd or staying in the dry lot with neighbours

 

[Caol Ila]

Hope young Ronaldo is more settled today.

 

[DizzyDoughnut]

I hope Ronaldo is starting to settle in! I wouldn't worry to much about his behavior so far, he's only young and is probably a bit shocked and confused by his big move. When I first got my now old pony as a yearling he went through my fence on the first day because I took his new friend out of the field and was stood about 2 foot away on the other side in full view and he just had a total breakdown about it. And you my youngster now who generally is totally laid back and well behaved but as soon as I so much as think please don't show me up now! You can almost guarantee he will do something that makes me look like a completely incompetent muppet that should never have been left in control of a horse!

Really looking forward to seeing more of both of them in their new homes, this thread is the first thing I check now when I get up.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Thanks all. Your words truly help.

Try not to panic, Poor little lad, he’s probably terrified, he doesn’t have the life experience that Bog has to cope with these things. My little yearling jumped a 1m20 fence when he arrived. And then a gate. I’m lucky that rightly or wrongly I could choose to bin off a proper quarantine and put my other horse right next to him. Buying a new youngster can make anyone think WTF have I done, let alone when you add the stress and expense of shipping them across the world, so I think what you are feeling is totally normal.

Good to know ? and yes he has no real life experience aside from living in a field with his brothers. He went to a clinic to be gelded and that was sort of a rehearsal for life outside of the field, and he did very well with that. His breeder was impressed to. So he's got brains somewhere in there and isn't totally panicky.

This!! I think it bodes well actually that young Ronaldo sounds more furious than panicky tbh and I am glad that he hasn't obviously hurt himself. Poor wee man, he will learn how he needs to behave. He is smart looking so I hope things settle a bit for you now.

Well, he didn't hurt himself so he was obviously strategic about it ? then was total chill afterward. FWIW he has a half brother who is an expert escape artist with gates and rugs so maybe something runs in the family, idk.

Where are you in Missouri CC? Weirdly, as well as having a stud in Colorado, I then moved it lock stock and barrel to Missouri so am familiar with both new environments - this is strange.

MO is (or was when I was there) not as easy to navigate horse-wise as Colorado, as it seems you are finding.

That is strange! I'm inbetween Kansas City and Columbia. There appear to be more promising stables and possibly some sort of dressage closer to KC, but the commute is just too long for me (over an hour) and there aren't enough hours in the day to make that work. So I'm in a dead zone of sorts.

I wouldn't worry about any of this, tbh. The striking is only an issue if it carries on once he's had a chance to settle down, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's just a reaction to the whole experience as he'll be quite overwhelmed. It may well be that it never happens again. And the going through the fence panel, again, is not hugely surprising given that he's left his herd, been on an aeroplane, been in quarantine, done a long journey by truck, and has now rocked up in a new place where he can (presumably) hear/ smell other horses, but can't see them. Just try to remind yourself that he's really young and has had zero life experience until now. I'd be surprised if he handled everything perfectly!

Yeah, this is all true. As he settles we can do some short groundwork sessions too.

How do they keep youngstock in the USA, is he going into a herd or staying in the dry lot with neighbours

Depends where you are in the USA. It's a huge place ? Generally in herds though, even with the expensive TB's. Ronaldo will be in a herd. Hard to find a dedicated youngstock herd in this area, or one that's open to outside boarders. His herd has one other young horse and otherwise a mix of ages. They have about 30 acres or so, and there's maybe 10 horses on it. A few Cobs, a Haflinger, a QH or two, and it's a relaxed group. Huge space, 2 roundbales out there, some good tree shelter, and grass (some brome too).

The barn has 5 or so large fields, with 4 herds. The other fields have 3 to 4 horses and all herds have been quiet the 3 times I've been there. All seem well acclimated and to want for nothing (more than adequate space, hay, water, shelter, some form of grass). Everyone including the oldies (upper 20's) are in good weight with very little or no feed. The grass and hay is tested so the barn owner knows what's in it. It's generally high protein, surprisingly, and that'll be good for a growing horse. No good riding facilities though and hard pressed to find a barn here without barbed wire. Some of the fields at this barn have it...but I can't think of a single place I've seen or viewed without it, unless it's someone's smaller private set up...even then, most have at least one fenceline of the stuff.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Barn owner will contact me this morning, wish me luck! ?Hopefully he didn't party like it's 1999 last night.

 

[Cortez]

CC, I had a stud farm in Sturgeon, not far from Columbia. There used to be another Trakehner stud (I bred Trakehners) called Barrtrak Farm near Centralia, MO. KS or St. Louis would be your best bet for civilisation (and by this I mean not TWH/Saddlebred/Western - nowt wrong with these (done well), but probably not what you're looking for?).

My previous farm was in Larkspur, CO. Small world, eh?

P.S. There's always barbed wire. And look out for snapping turtles!

 

[Tarragon]

That barn looks amazing! And the countryside. Reminds me of the Barbie Horse Adventure video game my daughters used to play
So glad that Boggle has arrived safely and looks so well. I am not sure you are going to be able to find time in to fit in any work though, around all that riding

 

[CanteringCarrot]

CC, I had a stud farm in Sturgeon, not far from Columbia. There used to be another Trakehner stud (I bred Trakehners) called Barrtrak Farm near Centralia, MO. KS or St. Louis would be your best bet for civilisation (and by this I mean not TWH/Saddlebred/Western - nowt wrong with these (done well), but probably not what you're looking for?).

My previous farm was in Larkspur, CO. Small world, eh?

P.S. There's always barbed wire. And look out for snapping turtles!

Yeah, if I drive 1hr 30min or so there is civilization. I just don't have the time (between work and whatnot). Maybe on a weekend. Kansas City has a small dressage society and occasional clinics. I have an acquaintance who keeps a horse out that way since she keeps the horse in training and only rides on one weekend day, which isn't my style, and she said there's better stabling and ok instruction out that way.

The one place here that has a decent indoor and outdoor is really lacking in other areas. I'd maybe be open to it if a pasture board spot became available but their stall board is...frightening for a variety of reasons and the new manager is also...frightening and not knowledgeable at all. So you can have the facilities, but terrible care and management. Or have decent management and care but no facilities. The latter is fine for a 1.5 year old. A round pen and a very small unlevel hard and dusty indoor (when ridden in) will do.

Haven't found a single place that has footing in their outdoor. It's always just...dirt or grass or dirt that was grass.

In 1.5 years when I'm looking to back him, I may have to reassess. I'm also really hoping that we can be out of here in 2 years. As in... Bye Missouri! 3 years at the latest. This is not a long term place for us for sure!

There are 2 decent looking horse properties nearby but they don't take in boarders and one quite frankly said she'd never let a member of the surrounding population into her barn, even if they offered her thousands.

One thing that people will spend money on around here is huge trailers with living quarters. Mega bucks. The horses, their care, and decent training, not so much. I mean, horses are just livestock for many. Not pets.

I've heard about the turtles. Haven't seen one yet. The amount of roadkill around here is unreal, btw. Never seen anything like it!

 

[BBP]

CC, I had a stud farm in Sturgeon, not far from Columbia. There used to be another Trakehner stud (I bred Trakehners) called Barrtrak Farm near Centralia, MO. KS or St. Louis would be your best bet for civilisation (and by this I mean not TWH/Saddlebred/Western - nowt wrong with these (done well), but probably not what you're looking for?).

My previous farm was in Larkspur, CO. Small world, eh?

P.S. There's always barbed wire. And look out for snapping turtles!

You weren’t too far from my ‘home’ show ground of Bridlespur!

Snapping turtles and water moccasins!

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Water moccasins :shiver: Nope! Big ol' nope ropes!

 

[Cortez]

Water moccasins :shiver: Nope! Big ol' nope ropes!

Bull snakes were my favourite - HUGE, but not venomous , and they eat rodents. And fluorescent spiders with bodies the size of a 50p coin. Ah Missouri; don't miss it AT ALL.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Bull snakes were my favourite - HUGE, but not venomous , and they eat rodents. And fluorescent spiders with bodies the size of a 50p coin. Ah Missouri; don't miss it AT ALL.

I'm fine with some snakes...but NOT fine with others. Have seen many spiders, but nothing too crazy yet. Lots of coyotes around the house too. Possums are around as well.








Will be back later with a Ronaldo Report and hopefully we'll see a Boggle Bulletin later too

 

[BBP]

Water moccasins :shiver: Nope! Big ol' nope ropes!

My sister and I were fishing for minnows in the lake with little fishing nets when we were kids, and she pulled out a small water moccasin. Triggered a lifelong fear of snakes in her. That and finding a rattler under a jump pole in New Mexico!

I think this is why I like the UK and NZ so much ?

 

[Caol Ila]

My mother’s family is from St. Louis. Calling it civilisation is a stretch, lol

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I've only ever lived in Europe and New England in the states, and this is... different.

 

[Michen]

OK tell me to butt out of this isn't helpful but Timothy can be low in protein and what he needs right now is more muscle. (He looks terrific for a horse who's just done that journey though! ). If yours is low and he can tolerate alfalfa you could think about going half and half, or adding a protein source to his hard feed.
.

IME most horses in the US are fed waaay too much protein, and the hay available there is of infinitely better quality than anything we can get here.

Thanks both, appreciate all advice. Just going to see how he goes over the next week. I'm definitely needing to rug him even in the heated barn (which didn't drop below 10 this am when it was -3 outside). All the horses were naked even with a trace clip but I'd shoved a 100g on him last minute and actually in the morning he could have been warmer. So a bit to play around with. He is usually a "cold" horse.

I'm gonna be the crazy english girl that looks like she's over rugging her horse!

 

[teapot]

Ah embrace it. If it was me I’d be trying all sorts of things to extend the stereotype.

It’s how my mother survived three years in the early 80s on a US naval base in the middle of nowhere. After being asked repeatedly if the UK had inside the house flushing loos, and electricity (genuinely true story), she started saying how it was so nice not have to leave the house nor light a candle to go for a wee etc ?

 

[nagblagger]

Err sorry Michen - you went and saw Bog this am and did not supply us with our daily dose of photos....we are not happy with you!
CC - learn from Michen's mistake.

 

[rara007]

Yes where’s the photo….!

 

[ycbm]

What's the bucket food like M & CC? We need every detail you know ?
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[QuantockHills]

Bog says thank you everyone He had a welcome party of my housemates and barn staff!

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View attachment 101124

wow - he looks fab and so chilled out!! I've loved following his journey! keep the posts coming please!! and good like CC.... looking forward to your updates as well!

added.... are we going to have the same sort of journey to follow when your dog comes over??

 

[Michen]

What's the bucket food like M & CC? We need every detail you know ?
.

He is on hygain showtorque. Has plenty in it that I wouldn’t usually go for but he’s tucking into it so I’m just going to see how he goes. Doesn’t seem to have the same straight options here ie I’d like to add linseed but can’t find it.

 

[Michen]

wow - he looks fab and so chilled out!! I've loved following his journey! keep the posts coming please!! and good like CC.... looking forward to your updates as well!

added.... are we going to have the same sort of journey to follow when your dog comes over??

Sure though she’s probably less exciting ? I’ll hopefully get her over after new year. Annoyingly they won’t let her fly when I need to fly back after Xmas as it’s a busy period so they don’t fly pets as they often get offloaded due to full hold.

 

[nagblagger]

Is all ok ...no recent pictures from either of you ?