Losing the plot with my ex racer!

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YoungNag22

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Hi All,

I am new to this site so thanks in advance for taking the time to read my post, all suggestions welcomed!

I have owned my 5 year old ex racer for 1 1/2 years now and absolutely adore him. I bought him from a dealer time yard for pittance and he was an absolute hat rack, but such a sweet nature boy.

I have spent all this time feeding him up and he was looking fab up until about 3 weeks ago where he contracted a virus, an infection from a cut leg and ended up with a grade 3 heart murmur :(. He now seems to be recovering well, has put weight back on and the heart murmur has dropped a grade already so am trying to stay REALLY positive for a full recovery.

The problem i am having is CONSTANT field injuries. He is turned out with 7-8 other large geldings in around a 3 acre field (i know its WAY to small) but a least once a week i see an injury of some sort. We have very little grass plus the fields turn into mud pits during any raining. The cut leg which got and infection above was from a field injury despite wearing boots and in moderate work so it just shows how fragile he is. He is a serial 'shoe loser' so wears over reach boots to prevent this, plus sports boots/XC boots on all fours for turnout. I rug all year round (fly rug in summer) to prevent bite/kick injuries from horses but i am losing the plot now!

I have no access anywhere nearby for my own field to turnout in so am really stuck in terms of where he could be turned out. I have my name on a waiting list for another yard nearby which has everything i could possibly need for him (individual/small group turnout) but until anything becomes available does ANYONE have ANY tips for me to try? I would never part with him but im doing all i can but frustration is getting the better of me, i havent been able to ride much at all because of these injuries and it is costing me a fortune!

Any advice for tips, products, wound care etc would be greatly appreciated! Thanks everyone in advance x
 
Yes, keep him in. The field is to small for that number of horses, you can't make your own horse be a herd leader and TBs are thin skinned so will carry all marks like a badge of honour. Seriously, 7-8 horses on 3 acres? Why would you even consider that as turnout? It's more like a bearpit.
 
I know it is way too small, but i have always head VERY good doers so hasnt been a massive issue in the past. He is receiving adequate food as he is on ad-lib hay & dried grass plus i only turn out morning - midday as it is all i have at the moment and i hate the idea of no turnout at all.
 
Look elsewhere, don't set your heart on the nearby yard as you may be waiting too long and not have a horse to take there.
 
You could have been writing about my current TB!

Things improved when I took him barefoot (trust me he had awful, "typical" TB feet); no more self inflicted cuts, lost shoes or need for boots.

He's the bottom of the ladder too. When he arrived 5years ago he had no "horse" skills, didn't/couldn't read situations so just stood there taking a beating...

He got on better at my previous yard as they were out in fields that were >10 acres so lots of space. Plus he was 3/4trs wiser with the horse language thing! When there was plenty of grass all was good but in winter boredom/frustration/hunger had tempers flaring but his winter rugs offered protection.

However if there was ANYTHING at all he'd be the one to get hurt by it. I swear he's part metal detector! I moved to my current yard as its all new fencing and my three are in a field together.

I've been in your situation when you're desperate to move but nowhere to move to. I echo the advice to get looking and ask around. Usually the wee gems don't advertise and it's all word of mouth.

If barefoot isn't an option what about taking off the back shoes? Cuts lost shoes by 50%!

Do any of the horses come in at night? Could yours be in during the day and out at night when there are less horses in the field. I wouldn't be happy with stabling 24/7 either and current YO bound to wonder why do that might make things awkward if they don't share your views re the overgrazing.

Best of luck
 
Hi TPO - thanks for the reply!

Definitely some food for though with the barefoot/half barefoot comment. I will discuss with my farrier as the future plans are to event (if it ever happens) so not sure how TB's cope but definitely worth the discussion!

I have been inclined to stay put as all the places i have asked around are more expensive than what i am paying out now so feel very in the middle about what to do. Have asked for fields nearby but we have a very precious racing yard nearby who doesnt seem to want to rent anywhere out :(.

All horses are in at night and out during the day, at the moment mine are the first out and first in. Not sure if the YO will go for overnight turnout in winter as the fields get in such a state but is again worth a conversation.

Thank you so much for your thoughts and experience i really appreciate it!
 
Yes definitely try and move!!

I sold a lovely exracer earlier this year. His new owner worships him. She had only ridden him 3 times when he came in with a kick to his hock. X ray showed bone fragments. Long story short he is well on his way to recovery thank goodness. She moved him to a more expensive yard on individual turnout for now.

Even if you find a yard that is slightly more expensive it may well work out cheaper in the long run!! You may not have so many vets bills!! And actually fulfill your dream of eventing!! Good luck ��
 
Move, mine was always getting in scuffles to the tune of being kicked twice and fracturing his leg. It saved me a fortune in vets bills by moving and he is much happier where he is now. Also considering either speaking to your farrier about the losing shoes or switch again did this mwith mine and shoes that might have stayed on for 4 weeks if I was lucky (or a week) now will stay on a good 6-8 weeks.

If he is on poor grazing that will also affect his feet and shoes as he is probably lacking vits/mins to promote good hoof growth so I would check your feed regime too :)
 
I am so sorry to read of your problems OP, but these are the exact reasons I promote individual turnout.

Mine is the low man on the totem pole, a fence walker and a poor doer. He is easily intimidated by other horses and stresses the condition off himself.

Thankfully his injuries were minor - bites, scratches, raised welts etc. But I think I replaced his turnout wardrobe about 4 times over. Cost me a LOT of money. The other horse had a kick to the knee and the head as well as various scrapes.

They can all see each other and all enjoy a mutual groom on the yard but it is so much less stressful having them separated.

It's not just about not being able to ride them or go to a competition, sometimes it's a perfectly avoidable injury that ends in tragedy.

Good luck in finding a new yard :)
 
The other yards might be more expensive because they don't have 8 horses on 3 acres!? and ditto could well save you money in the long run!
 
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