I just bought my first cob! Introduction + feed advice + photos!

[Red-1]

Do we reckon there's anything that we can do to help prevent colic?

Make sure we rug accordingly for the weather swings and make sure feeds are damp/ sloppy to try and get more water in to their systems?

The only thing that was different for Rigs was that he had kicked some bedding into his overnight water. I wasn't too worried, as he had more outside, but it had frozen. I have just been to the saddler and bought two hang on the wall buckets, and put then in different areas, so less likely that both will fill with bedding.

The frozen water, I did break it, but it was only thin ice so I hadn't used hot water.

He hadn't been on grass since the 1st frost which was about 6 weeks ago.

 

[Red-1]

Nearly caved and called the vet back

. After the firm poo 11.45 to 12.45, there was no more poo until 3.15. Happily, just before I made the call, one appeared. I think a splodge of Epsom Salts in the mash helped.

He has done 2 normal wees this aft, so not dehydrated.

New buckets... Good Mr Red! I put them apart, so even less likely to both be contaminated at the same time.

 

[Red-1]

I am laughing at myself here...

5.30, handful of soaked hay goes in. No poos. Cold hand of worry round my heart.

But... he looks fine and alert.

Of course there are not as many poos., poor horse has hardly eaten anything since Monday!!!!

Please, someone help me get a sense of perspective. It is emotionally exhausting!

 

[HanniRT]

I am laughing at myself here...

5.30, handful of soaked hay goes in. No poos. Cold hand of worry round my heart.

But... he looks fine and alert.

Of course there are not as many poos., poor horse has hardly eaten anything since Monday!!!!

Please, someone help me get a sense of perspective. It is emotionally exhausting!

You have nursed Rigsby through this and he's coming out the other side, literally. You and Mr Red have been nothing short of miraculous. As you say, he's hardly eaten anything and he sounds happier. Breathe, give yourself a pat on the back.

 

[Red-1]

You have nursed Rigsby through this and he's coming out the other side, literally. You and Mr Red have been nothing short of miraculous. As you say, he's hardly eaten anything and he sounds happier. Breathe, give yourself a pat on the back.

Thank you. I would feel worse losing him now than if we had just made the decision on Tuesday morning.

 

[Red-1]

Did I say already? Spent a bit of time grooming. Took the plaits out. His bottom isn't as explosive, so the tail plait is out. His forelock plait was in so the tube could be taped to the headcollar, and that is now out. The mane was plaited so the vets could see his vein, as that was difficult to find. I am touching wood that he won't need another IV injection, so took them out too.

 

[DizzyDoughnut]

Rigsby is a very lucky horse having you and Mr Red. I'm no help with the sense of perspective, I'd be a nervous wreck by now!
His buckets look good, I was thinking of getting one for my one of mine that likes to sometimes play with his water bucket and knock it over, but I was worried about him getting a foot caught in the handle, stupidly it never occurred to me to lift them off the ground out of stamping foot height.

 

[Red-1]

Rigsby is a very lucky horse having you and Mr Red. I'm no help with the sense of perspective, I'd be a nervous wreck by now!
His buckets look good, I was thinking of getting one for my one of mine that likes to sometimes play with his water bucket and knock it over, but I was worried about him getting a foot caught in the handle, stupidly it never occurred to me to lift them off the ground out of stamping foot height.

I made sure it wasn't the type of snap hook clip they would get caught up in. I got trigger clips, facing downwards.

 

[SEL]

I am laughing at myself here...

5.30, handful of soaked hay goes in. No poos. Cold hand of worry round my heart.

But... he looks fine and alert.

Of course there are not as many poos., poor horse has hardly eaten anything since Monday!!!!

Please, someone help me get a sense of perspective. It is emotionally exhausting!

I think when you're tired and worried your sense of perspective goes out the window!

 

[Red-1]

Heck, poo arrived 19.04. Vet call time was going to be 19.15. He cut it fine, that time! Extra handful of hay. Will be grazing at 8.30.

I really need to keep perspective!!!

 

[stangs]

Not mad, just very much in need of a good night’s rest.

 

[Red-1]

Not mad, just very much in need of a good night’s rest.

Need a week of sleep., I think!

It is just that I know we aren't out of the woods yet. Scary!

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

Everything crossed for an eventful night xx

 

[Red-1]

Everything crossed for an eventful night xx

Personally, I would settle for an uneventful one (except for in the poo department).

Still have a short turn-out at 8,30 then a small net at 9.45 to go.

Then I will have to muzzle him again overnight, as he is still too hungry to be trusted for that length of time, even with his shavings bed.

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

Personally, I would settle for an uneventful one (except for in the poo department).

Still have a short turn-out at 8,30 then a small net at 9.45 to go.

Then I will have to muzzle him again overnight, as he is still too hungry to be trusted for that length of time, even with his shavings bed.

I actually wrote UNEVENTFUL but stupid phone autocorrected it ?

 

[Red-1]

I actually wrote UNEVENTFUL but stupid phone autocorrected it ?

I do hope that poo production IS eventful, so you weren't wrong either way!

 

[Red-1]

Just in from last trip to the field. A rest for his tummy before 3rd and last small net of the day. He will only have had about 2/3 of a single slice of hay all day. Because of that, I will wait for him to finish the last, small net and muzzle him

as I think he is still hungry enough to go for the shavings.

Not much hay, but some. Daren't do it any quicker.

 

[Bradsmum]

Oh Red I really feel for you. Rigsby is so very lucky to have such a dedicated and knowledgeable home. Here's to a comfortable night all round.

 

[Red-1]

Not so happy this morning, this is the sum total of poos from 10pm to 6am, and they are a bit dry.

Rigs, however, is in fine form and very cross at the withheld food.

I have messaged the vet, as he won't be pooing much yet, to make sure she is happy to continue to up the amount. If she wants to visit to check with an internal then that is fine too.

Have mixed his hay into the recovery mash, as he has been refusing that, with added Epsom Salts to soften the poo. Will turn out in 15 minutes.
Back on the merry go round!

 

[ycbm]

If that's one of the huge muck collectors, that looks about OK for less than a slice of hay and a few mouthfuls of mash and grasss Red. I hope the vet visit gives him the all clear for more food today.

Your dedication is remarkable, I don't know how you are keeping going. He's a lucky fellow.
..

 

[J&S]

There may not be much poo but there has been very little food going into him, I am sure, with your careful attention and slow build up, things will progress. Best wishes for today!

 

[Red-1]

Thank you both. He has just come in from grass, I am amazed he lets me catch him. I know I wouldn't, I would be like, "Hey get lost, I'm eating!"

Yes, it is one of the huge muck collectors. He did a poo before 3am (I didn't get an alarm last night and this is the first time I woke up), another at 4am and another just before 6. They are tiny.

I know that re-starting is as tricky as any of the other parts of a colic. It is always a bit of a rollercoaster. I have dealt with colic many times, in horses not belonging to me, but haven't had one of my own with colic since I was 18 years old though, so it is worrisome!

Not that it would get less worrisome if it was regular. It is plain stressful! And tiring. And expensive!

When it was other people's horses, there was also a team of us on a larger yard. This is 1-1, with Mr Red cheering us on, and doing some practical things. I can only hope it doesn't snow today, or I get Covid. I am normally very positive, but heck, this is tiring.

 

[ElleSkywalker]

Everything crossed that this is the same strait now Red and he continues to tolerate more food and produce more poo xx ???

 

[Roxylola]

Still willing you guys on. Its so hard at this point when all you can do is wait and hope. It would be nice to see more but while he's on limited hay and having to be muzzled that's not bad output really and little and often is good

 

[Surbie]

Cheering you and Riggers on from the southerly sidelines.

He's still nearly empty so surely that is an appropriate amount? Are they drier than they normally would be?

Mixing the hay in the recovery mash sounds a really good idea. Hope you can have some rest and the vet gives the ok for a bit more food.

 

[Red-1]

2 more rabbit poos, the vet is holding off, Rigs is in top form energetically. Furious in fact.

The mash and hay combo went down a treat.

Been for a walk to shake some more loose, he photobombed LOL.



Only another 20 minutes to another mash/hay combo.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Poor Rigsby and poor you!

I wouldn't be too worried about that amount of poo considering how little intake there has been but as you say, you need to be cautious after a bad bout of colic with no obvious cause, even though it has been put down to the weather.

 

[Tarragon]

It all sounds so exhausting! I think you are doing an incredible job and that Rigsby is one lucky horse. He must be starving! As an owner of native ponies who think they will die if they cannot eat anything for 5 minutes, let alone 5 days, the strength of will you have to do the correct thing, and the faith Rigsby has in you is admirable.

 

[NightStock]

Only just seen this, what an awful week you have had, but I don't think he could have had better treatment if he had been in a hospital, you and your husband have done a remarkable job! I'll be sending positive thoughts to Rigsby for a full recovery and some well deserved rest for you!

 

[chaps89]

I can only echo the others and say for the amount of food he’s getting, I wouldn’t be worried especially as he seems to be pooping frequently, shows everything is still moving. Also the fact he’s hungry is a good sign given as the initial concern was him not eating.
You’re doing a great job, you must be exhausted by now, really hoping for you that it eases up now