BigYellowHorse
Well-Known Member
Hey guys! Just looking to see if anyone can offer some advice, will try not to ramble but undoubtedly will!!
My lovely boy recently went on loan, its been over a month since he left and has been through a few changes of routine since arriving. Firstly he had to go into isolation, then came in with a abscess. On the day he was brought in and put on box rest he was apparently super stressed and was left with the stable door open and stall guard up which he unsuprisingly burst through and took himself down a hardcore track in full gallop.
The new lady (who is absolutely lovely) had the farrier out to the abscess and he told her my guy would need 6 weeks box rest and tons of work to get shoes on. I've had my boy 4 years and never had issues getting shoes on him! She also had the vet out just to get acquainted with and vet agreed to 2 weeks box rest as the hooves were a bit soft and bruised (I probably over fed him on the sugars over winter but living out not in work I was concentrating on keeping weight on - hence the soft feet plus he's a TB and rather lives up to the name feet wise!)
He's now being turned out every day however isn't settling in the paddock and pacing even when horses aren't being brought in.
With me he has been in a couple of yards, different fields on my dad's farm, out alone and in company and I have never had a single issue. Just always been an easy going lovely lad. He's been on a couple of loans in the past both which he settled into very well, one lasted a month the other lasted about 8 months however ended badly as he wasn't being looked after.
Problem is how or when do you know when to say, it doesn't look like he's going to settle its probably best I bring him home? I know it's still very early days and I've suggested trying him in a different field and I would like to give him another couple of months at the most to find his feet properly. But at the end of the day after the experience he had out on loan and his past history, without sounding like my place is a palace (it isnt!!) and a touch soft, maybe he just wants to be home where he knows food is plentiful, he will be ridden with empathy (im not a fab rider, but I know about riding with respect for the horse) and everything is just pretty relaxed!!
Also she's spent a fair bit on this farrier and the vet have made her get this special paint to harden his feet up so she's obviously keen, I guess Im just thinking from the horse's perspective.
Also any tips on getting a horse to settle in a field?? He's on ok grazing, nice sandy soil so not too muddy, a huge horizon to look out across, shelter and bushes to investigate and nibble, believe hay is being put out for him, he has company in the next door fields, other than trying him in another field, not quite sure what else.. That's why when looking at the fields to choose from I thought that would be the best being away from all the traffic of the arena and natural surroundings.. on paper its a darn good field! lol
Sorry I did end up rambling!!
My lovely boy recently went on loan, its been over a month since he left and has been through a few changes of routine since arriving. Firstly he had to go into isolation, then came in with a abscess. On the day he was brought in and put on box rest he was apparently super stressed and was left with the stable door open and stall guard up which he unsuprisingly burst through and took himself down a hardcore track in full gallop.
The new lady (who is absolutely lovely) had the farrier out to the abscess and he told her my guy would need 6 weeks box rest and tons of work to get shoes on. I've had my boy 4 years and never had issues getting shoes on him! She also had the vet out just to get acquainted with and vet agreed to 2 weeks box rest as the hooves were a bit soft and bruised (I probably over fed him on the sugars over winter but living out not in work I was concentrating on keeping weight on - hence the soft feet plus he's a TB and rather lives up to the name feet wise!)
He's now being turned out every day however isn't settling in the paddock and pacing even when horses aren't being brought in.
With me he has been in a couple of yards, different fields on my dad's farm, out alone and in company and I have never had a single issue. Just always been an easy going lovely lad. He's been on a couple of loans in the past both which he settled into very well, one lasted a month the other lasted about 8 months however ended badly as he wasn't being looked after.
Problem is how or when do you know when to say, it doesn't look like he's going to settle its probably best I bring him home? I know it's still very early days and I've suggested trying him in a different field and I would like to give him another couple of months at the most to find his feet properly. But at the end of the day after the experience he had out on loan and his past history, without sounding like my place is a palace (it isnt!!) and a touch soft, maybe he just wants to be home where he knows food is plentiful, he will be ridden with empathy (im not a fab rider, but I know about riding with respect for the horse) and everything is just pretty relaxed!!
Also she's spent a fair bit on this farrier and the vet have made her get this special paint to harden his feet up so she's obviously keen, I guess Im just thinking from the horse's perspective.
Also any tips on getting a horse to settle in a field?? He's on ok grazing, nice sandy soil so not too muddy, a huge horizon to look out across, shelter and bushes to investigate and nibble, believe hay is being put out for him, he has company in the next door fields, other than trying him in another field, not quite sure what else.. That's why when looking at the fields to choose from I thought that would be the best being away from all the traffic of the arena and natural surroundings.. on paper its a darn good field! lol
Sorry I did end up rambling!!
