Need your thoughts on something please

madhector

madhector

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www.darlingdressage.co.uk
OK, some of you may know that I bought two very poor yearling colts last winter, they were thin, full of worms and very withdrawn. They are both now very well and happy 2 yr olds, Both have been gelded. Last winter they started of living out, but the chestnut got really bad mudfever and I ended up having to stable them both as didn't want one out on his own. Now looking ahead to this winter I want to avoid the same situation happening again. I think Welly (the chestnut) will be ok if he is in at night to let his legs dry off, but I don't have the room to stable Teal as well, and I would rather he was out 24/7 being a youngster.

I really cant decide what to do, wanted to keep them both till they were 4 and back them and school them on, but think it may be kinder to sell Teal now so he can go somewhere he can be turned out with other horses all winter. Meaning I can stable Welly at night with my others. I tried advertising him to see what sort of interest there was, and had a few idiots call, but now wonder if I should loan him out? Would someone maybe take him on as a companion till he was ready to break in? Or longer term? Or is it better to try and sell him now and find him a permanent home?

Would appreciate your opinions

Thanks
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The problem with him now is that there is nothing in the deal for the person loaning him, except as a companion - and they are 10 a penny - they will do all the bringing on and then hand him back just when he gets interesting - I know I wouldn't be very tempted by that arrangement unless there was a cut in the sale price for me.
 
Sorry I don't know how big they are, but we quite frequently used to put 2 youngsters in one stable, they feel much more secure and on a deep litter bed it isn't too horrific to muck out. If thats an option then you could try it and see. I don't much like the idea of them going off to be companions as youngsters, they are too prone to mischief.
 
mmmm...that was what I thought. Really want to place him in a long term home, and I know that would be more likely if I kept him till he was 4, but dont think it is fair on him, unless I get something else to turn away with him, but that would be very naughty
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They are only little, but Welly's stable is the old field shelter and is too small for 2 unfortuently.

They shared a stable last winter when I had to bring them both in due to Welly's mudfever, but now the new mare has that stable and Welly moved into the refubished field shelter
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What about getting a cheap/free/loaned companion to turn out with Teal?

PS - my horse usually gets terrible (really terrible) mud fever. I used the Keratex powder for the last two winters and he hasn't had it since i started using it. Hope that helps.
 
Not really answering your question but have you tried Robinsons own product think it is called Leg/Mud guard or something used to be called 'prevent it'. I swear by it, it's an oil you dress their legs with it every few days and it keeps all our mud fever at bay even on very pink skinned sensitive soul out in horrid clay. Might not be appropriate for you if your winter turn out is of the 'side of a mountain' variety but if you are able to get hold of them I'd recommend giving it a go.
Alternatively do you know anyone you could do a swap with, ie any eventers to winter out, trade a few at grass livery for livery for your youngster?
 
I have worked out where I could put two more stables, but have to wait till I have paid off the lorry and bought J a dressage saddle before I can think about it seriously.

I know, I have far too many, hopefully have sold one though, so that will help
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You could try projecthorses.co.uk for a permanent home, I rehomed my 2 year old through there,got the best perm home for him and I was really worried no genuine person would take on a daft 2 year old, but they are out there.It was a loan wvtb within 3 months so the person knew I wouldn't want to whisk him away again when the hard work was done.And I could see the home was perfect for my youngster.
 
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We tried everything last winter, he got it really bad, right up his legs and really think the best bet is to stable him at night and let his legs dry off. Grazing is quite wet, sodidnt help matters

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tis the only way,unless you can change fields????you may think i am mad but experience has told me they get it off certain fields and not others
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have moved my boy off 1 too another and it has cleared,they also get it midst of summer through long grass cutting the skin and dew getting in(i know that as my horse had it for the 1st time from this and i was gobsmacked,it cippled him and he needed antibiotics etc)!!!
People swear against,but in winter i washed off with cold water,he was left in all night and turned out with dry legs and never had problem since,trial and error this 1 am afraid
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evil thing!!
 
Sell Welly, I love Teal
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In all seriousness could your mare not live out at night with Teal and come in during the day? (Mine stay out at night through the winter to keep the horse that lives out company and both managed fine).
I think loaning him out as a companion would be unlikely and you are right that you would be able to find him a better home if you kept him and brought him on in the same way you've have Spooks.
I don't know what else to suggest other than a pen you could put them both in overnight so that Welly's legs dry out.
 
I couldnt sell Welly, dont think I will be able to even when he is 4
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I could try and construct a pen outside the field shelter maybe, then they could share that, Welly would probably be happier with company anyway, would have to put some thing down to stop the mud though
 
The pen idea is a good one - then they can stay together!

As an aside, hadfos is right - the mud fever bacteria is in the ground not in the horse - so if your horses got it in one field last winter, the bacteria will still be festering in the ground this year ready to strike again... It's a pain!
 
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