Neglected Horse...

[Lottiesluck]

Got a phone call lastnight from a friend who knows this guy with a horse he brought over the weekend, basically its in a real bad state, even so that the guy doesnt want to turn it out on his own private land cause he's worried passers by will see it an report him to RSPCA, he doesnt actually want it an just brought it cause of the condition he's in, but just needs tlc feeding and time to see the right side of life.

Here comes the part my friend thinks ill really like him, hes a 15.2hh maybe a bit more 10yr old gelding whos of a roan colour, light/middle weight, hes apparently been a ride and drive but to know what he's capable of, know one really knows... given the state he's in you cant ask anything of him atm. Im going to go see him at the weekend and see what i think of him.
My OH thinks im mad an knows ill prob just have him for feeling sorry but i dont know if ill be stupid to get him given know one knows what this horse can do ... and tbh, i dont want something thats been a driving horse most of his life then convert him to being a riding horse if he'll even have a rider on his back, but obviously this is all forward thinking cause he's going to take a lot of time just to get him looking well.
I just dont want to put a lot of money into horse im not sure will even suit me!

help! what would u do !!

 

[louise4208]

What a dilema! Poor horse, If it were my friend, my OH would be worried too. I don't know what advice to give, as being horse lovers, I would imagine it will be very hard to turn once you see a horse who's been neglected.
If you want a 'project' for the next while, and have the time (and money) to spend with him, it might be worth a punt. I'm sure whatever you decide will be for the best!

 

[Maesfen]

Do it!
Buy it as long as it's not silly money providing you have somewhere of your own to keep him (so you don't have a livery bill on top).
There is nothing more satisfying or rewarding than to turn around a very poor horse, I promise you.

If it is very poor, then it will feel the wet and cold easily so a lightweight rug will help both it and you from 'helpful' neighbours solving your friend's fears!

 

[CracklinRosie]

If you do get him I would consider contacting your local RSPCA and liasing with them about the horses condition, then hopefully you don't end up in court!!!!

 

[Lottiesluck]

I was wondering if i should contact the RSPCA an just mentioning him cause id hate to get in trouble for a horse in the long run im helping...

Im actually at a livery yard with my youngster but my friend has said i can keep him at hers so he can stay at grass with access to a field shelter an he wouldnt cost me a penny bar all the feed he'd be getting, or really be at an eye sight..

Ive been told he really looks like an RSPCA case, all his bones are sticking out an his head is just low. My only thing is when i got my boy i have now, he was in a bad condition but not neglected and when the vet checked him out as he was underweight etc, i was told ive had to slowly introduce food to rebuild the lining of the gut, 5months on an hes out showing an doing really well but my concern is, if this horse is in such a bad condition am i just going to get out of my debt, iv never took on a neglected horse, my two year old was the worst ive ever took on an he was just unconditioned an underweight.. not the half of what this boy looks like

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

MBB - I'd echo what MFH09 says - there's nothing as satisfying as turning round a wrecked horse and seeing them flourish and enjoy life again. I adopted a rescue mare who was 24hrs away from being pts from severe ragwort poisoning. Liver shot, just skin and bones, severe photosensitivity, mastitis, no hope, no interest in life. Skip forward 1 year. She's fat, happy, healthy (just enough working liver remaining), loving and full of attitude. She's just being backed and you should see her forward, flowing paces and the soft outline she's already going in! And this is "just" a 14.2 gipsy cob! I'd say rescue the horse and enjoy showing him how decent human beings treat horse xxx

 

[ladyt25]

Why did the guy get it from and what else do you know about it's history. I would want to find out. Could it have amedical or psychological problem hence the poor condition?

Peronally I would be wary unless you're prepared to take on a horse that actually may not be able to do anything.

If though you know more about it and how it's got into this state in the first place that might be more useful.

 

[Lottiesluck]

I dont know anything about it, as i say ive only heard a brief description of it lastnight..
I think i might just see how i feel on saturday when i see him.. for as much as id like to help the poor chap out i dont really want to possibly waste my money into something that could turn out to be nothing but a companion an a expensive one at that!

 

[Cuffey]

Basically get vet involved--blood test, heart etc worm gently, teeth, then decide
Get your friend maybe to turn out overnight rugged if necessary--Dr Green is amazing
If vet involved RSPCA etc will not be concerned
Take extra feed very slowly--as much hay/haylage as it will eat

 

[nuffield]

Definately get the vet involved and please contct the RSPCA and let them know . They will be able to offer correct feeding advice. It is dangerous to the horse to bring him up too quickly. I'VE WORKED WITH RESCUE CASES AND SOME HAVE TO BE STARTED ON NOTHING MORE THAN A SMALL AMOUNT OF SOAKED HAY,GIVEN FREQUENTLY, otherwise fatal liver and kidney damage occurs. So, for the sake of the horse, please leaize [sp?] with the RSPCA and vet.

 

[YorksG]

If you do get him, please be very careful about giving him any hard feed for a while, and then only in small amounts. We had a beautful SectionDxTB, who was rescued as a two year old, we bought her as a three year old/ rising 4. She was fine until she was about 10 when she 'lost her marbles'. She turned out to have a load of food intolerances, which we believe were caused by her being fed too much too soon, in all good faith by her rescuer. This was over 20 years ago and we kept her until 3 years ago, she was a lovely animal but was a field ornament for many years as we could never guarantee that some passing well wisher had not fed her sugar or bread.

 

[Lottiesluck]

Aw thanku for all your replys its really given me a wider eyesight, well im not going to see him til saturday, an apparently he's been turned out on the marsh full of grass today bless him so im guessin hell just be staying there for now, so ill let saturday come and see where it gets me, although i dont think ill call a vet out on a saturday, maybe wait for the week for that one

An of course, ill do a update on saturday to tell you all!

 

[Keltic]

I took on a rescue case and I registered him with the local RSPCA as i knew they would get loads of call etc when i bought him home (they did!) I was working for a vet at the time so had lots of imput from them too. Ive gor a couple os pics of him ill pop on to show you not vry good quality im afraid

 

[Keltic]

Here are the pics think his head looks as wide as his body!!

6 months later