There's something wrong with Andy!?!

[Damnation]

Who really gives a hoot about a crap clip? FFS if you are going to be critical at least keep it to things that matter! So long as the clip does what its meant to - which isn't to look pretty guys!!! and it hasn't harmed the horse - who cares??

*from another useless clipper!*

I couldn't agree more! I did a blanket clip earlier this year and I can't say it was perfect
As long as the clip keeps the horse comfortable during work then who gives a flying fart? The horse certainly doesn't and it grows back!!

 

[Leg_end]

Back onto the subject .....

Personally it would seem like there is either something in there - if it was 2 weeks ago that you noticed the initial swelling and now there is pain and clear discomfort (with the headshaking) then the infection may have set in. Has he got a tempreture or breathing more rapidly than normal? Whats his recovery like after exercise?

If he was mine I would be getting the vet out as he seems to be going downhill rather than improving...

 

[Black_Horse_White]

Laymans term for a sweeney. Trauma to the shoulder, usually a knock. Common in polo ponies.

Didn't the OP take Andy to Polo a few weeks ago?? If not ignore me I'm thinking of someone else

 

[BonneMaman]

Two weeks and you are still riding it and asking questions on here?! Please get a vet out to take a proper look.

I too think he looks rather poor by the way - I have no idea whether that has anything to do with the issue but it does need tackling. Perhaps when you call the vet out you can ask them about that too.

 

[3Beasties]

I too think he looks rather poor by the way - I have no idea whether that has anything to do with the issue but it does need tackling. Perhaps when you call the vet out you can ask them about that too.

The issues over his weight have already been addressed on here and don't need bringing up again, he is looking much better then he did.

Hope he's OK Koko, let us know what the vet says

 

[Holz]

Hi is he microchipped? i have read somewhere before that they can become dislodged and travel around the neck area! the horse i read about was head shaking etc he ended up having a large abcess drained which was undectale from the outside!
Hope you get to the root of it soon! now off to look for some cctv on ebay for my stable!! LOL

 

[AmyMay]

is he microchipped? i have read somewhere before that they can become dislodged and travel around the neck area!

That's a really good point. It's certainly happened with one of my cats.

 

[riding_high]

there was an article in a horse magazine (the vets section) a while ago about a microchip becoming loose and it built up a puss pocket. they had to remove the micro chip and drain the abcess that was caused from the dislodged microchip.

as for the clip.....you should see mine, there's a reason why i only do full clips! lol

 

[Kokopelli]

Tbh I don't no why I keep posting on here!
Why bother commenting on his weight?!? Should I put a disclaimer in my signature explaining our situation as I'm getting fed up with every thread I post to end up talking about his weight!

As for clipping, that was totally uncalled for! This is my second year clipping I'm not perfect and he isn't going to drop dead because of a crap clip is he.

I didn't call the vet staright away after seeing the initial sweat patch as it went later that day and was causing him no dis-comfort and didn't come back until the other day!

Anyway back on topic-

Had the vet out and sods law he was absolutly fine today. The vet gave me some streching exercises to do he said it is likely it will flare up again and unless it is bad give him a ring. He also said its fine to ride as long as he's sound and if he does go lame give him a ring. He thinks its the stiching from the rug we use so I'm going to put a bib on him and see how we go from there. He isn't microchipped so can't be that.

And for all those having a go at me about weight vet said he is an okay weight just needs more msucle which he said has also improved since he last saw him. So from now on just quit it with the weight comments as I'm totally fed up with them.

 

[Pebbles]

Good new Koko and well said - you have a lovely boy - enjoy x

 

[Pedantic]

Glad you got the vet out and things seem ok.

As far as clipping goes, I find using a broom handle rubbed with chalk really handy to mark out with, also held vertically at each leg and a chalk mark to get a level line all the way round the horse.

 

[Spring Feather]

And for all those having a go at me about weight vet said he is an okay weight just needs more msucle which he said has also improved since he last saw him. So from now on just quit it with the weight comments as I'm totally fed up with them.

I actually think that might be a good idea because every time you post photos of Andy, people who don't know that he's a poor doer are commenting. He does look awfully skinny so that isn't surprising but yes I can imagine how fed up you are with these types of comments. I'm surprised that he is taking so long to pick up. He looked so much better when you first got him but the grass was out then and maybe he will build up his weight again once back on good grass.

Glad you got to the bottom of the odd lump He seems such a dear horse and I have no doubt you are having a ball with him.

 

[Kokopelli]

Thanks for the advice with clipping Pedantic! Tbh with all the stick I'm getting I'll proably just let my RI do it next year.
I am certainly having a ball with him Spring Feather! He's a fantastic little guy

 

[tallyho!]

Thanks for the advice with clipping Pedantic! Tbh with all the stick I'm getting I'll proably just let my RI do it next year.
I am certainly having a ball with him Spring Feather! He's a fantastic little guy

That was quite a good tip from pedantic! might try that next year - but honestly... we clip to save horse dying in its own sweat so I think you've achieved utopia with the amount of work you do on him and he's still alive ....

Do hope all turns out well and it's nothing too sinister. Keep us posted

 

[SophieLouBee]

Glad Andy has been seen and it's nothing serious

He's so goddamn cute I could munch him I love his little face.

I bet you can't wait for the warmer weather, so he can have some sun. Bet he'll look fab when we eventually get some grass!

P.S. You tell them. Why comment on something totally irrelevant to the thread, do they think we'd all be merrily ignoring the fact that Andy is a bit on the lean side, if we didn't already know about it. Not on HHO dears.

 

[Holly Hocks]

Glad to hear it's nothing serious Koko. Keep up the good work. Nice to see that someone takes such good care of their pony and is so concerned for his welfare. Ignore those who keep going on about his weight. They've probably got some overweight lazy fattie tucked up somewhere which isn't even aware it's got a ribcage! One day I'll be brave enough to post some photos of my mare when she came to me and then again when she came out of hospital. She looked like a neglect case. She's also a poor doer TB.....that really will give the porker lovers something to have a go at! Maybe I should post them now, just to take the heat off you for a while! x

 

[dafthoss]

glad andy has been given the ok ignore the nasty comments most people aready know how hard you are working with andy and he is improving so keep it up

 

[immoralorchid]

And for all those having a go at me about weight vet said he is an okay weight just needs more msucle which he said has also improved since he last saw him. So from now on just quit it with the weight comments as I'm totally fed up with them.

you go girl im more of a lurker than a poster but i have been following your posts with interest and think you are doing a fantastic job much love comming your way
xxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[Slightlyconfused]

Glad to hear it's nothing serious Koko. Keep up the good work. Nice to see that someone takes such good care of their pony and is so concerned for his welfare. Ignore those who keep going on about his weight. They've probably got some overweight lazy fattie tucked up somewhere which isn't even aware it's got a ribcage!

Agree with this

I think he looks lovely, very happy chappy. If you and your vet are please then stuff the others they don't know you or Andy so they have no right to go on at you.
This is why I haven't been brave enough to put pictures of mine up here, one of my girls looks obese even when the vet is happy with her weight and can feel ribs nicely.......other nosiey *word of your choice here* on my yard didn't agree however and told me repeatedly that she was fat and I was over feeding her on the 8pounds of soaked hay she got a night and worked six days aweek. One lady went so far as to ask her vet to look at her while I wasn't there.....she had a nice talking to about that one.

Anyway back to my point, my mare sometime gets sweaty patches when she has eaten something different in the feild.
Glad he is doing better.

xxx

 

[AmyMay]

Really glad to hear that there doesn't seem to be much wrong with Andy, that a good old Bossy Bib won't sort out.

 

[picolenicole]

you go girl im more of a lurker than a poster but i have been following your posts with interest and think you are doing a fantastic job much love comming your way
xxxxxxxxxxxx

^^^^^ This, I don't post much, but from seeing Andy when you got him to now...... WOW it taks time to put weight on (unlike myself ) and every lb/kg is a step in the right direction. If I was you I would be very happy with myself and my pony. I have a fattie, but I have also had TB's and Arabs so I know the hard work that goes in to a poor doer as well, some times wish I had a poor doer instead

 

[Booboos]

So glad it's nothing serious!

Don't worry about the clip, I am the world's worst clipper and I couldn't care less. The point of the clip is to get some hair off so the horse doesn't sweat, anything else is a waste of time for me so I do it as quickly as possible!

 

[TGM]

Glad to hear it is nothing serious!

As for the comments about his condition, not everyone reads all the posts on here so there are always going to be someone who is not up to speed on his story, so you will get people saying things. Personally, if I was in your situation I probably wouldn't post any more photos until his ribs are totally covered, or if I did I would always accompany the pics with a brief explanation.

 

[dibbin]

Glad it's nothing to worry about they certainly do their best to make us worry, don't they?

I'm another who thinks Andy looks much better than he did when you got him, I love a nice TB. Keep up the good work, Koko, and ignore the nutters

 

[el_Snowflakes]

Glad to hear it is nothing serious!

As for the comments about his condition, not everyone reads all the posts on here so there are always going to be someone who is not up to speed on his story, so you will get people saying things. Personally, if I was in your situation I probably wouldn't post any more photos until his ribs are totally covered, or if I did I would always accompany the pics with a brief explanation.

ditto,

you cant expect people not to comment on a forum when you post pics of a horse that is super skinny. Would be more sensible to say that you are aware that hes underweight and its being dealt with

 

[muddy_grey]

Glad he is ok, though I was really hoping to find out what it was!

When I got my last horse he was really skinny, probably worse than Andy. I went to a show just to let him take in the atmosphere not compete and I overheard someone in the lorry nextdoor comenting. I then refused to take his rug off and led him round so people wouldn't comment. My friends eventually convinced me to rise above it!

I think a wee note when you post pics would be good for those who haven't followed your posts. Well done he is looking much better and you obviously love him to bits. I am so glad it was nothing as my heart sank when I saw this post yesterday!

 

[BonneMaman]

Very pleased to hear that Andy's shoulder is getting better.

I have to add though that yes he does look very poor and I don't believe he looks a lot better than when you got him. I know you said the vet wasn't worried but I would be and I would be thinking about calling a feed company for some advice. Sorry - but if you post a picture of your horse on here looking the way he does you have to expect comments.

Good luck,

 

[AmyMay]

Very pleased to hear that Andy's shoulder is getting better.

I have to add though that yes he does look very poor and I don't believe he looks a lot better than when you got him. I know you said the vet wasn't worried but I would be and I would be thinking about calling a feed company for some advice. Sorry - but if you post a picture of your horse on here looking the way he does you have to expect comments.

Good luck,

BM - the OP has received some excellent advice regarding the feeding of her horse - if you look at her previous posts you will read all about it.

The photo posted here was from some (actually many) weeks ago - and the horse is showing improvement again since that.

Please double check the history.

 

[Flicker]

Glad there's nothing serious wrong with Andy.

I've been through the process of trying to get weight on a horse (in my case a laminitic!) and it is very difficult and you have to be so careful and not do anything too quickly. You strike me as a very sensible and caring person who clearly adores their horses (past and present) so please do not be disheartened by what some people are saying in this post. You just crack on - I'm sure you are doing a super job.

Do keep us posted on how he gets on. I'm sure that come summer we'll have lots of pictures of Andy with a lovely round bum and silky coat!!

 

[mcnaughty]

BM - the OP has received some excellent advice regarding the feeding of her horse - if you look at her previous posts you will read all about it.

The photo posted here was from some (actually many) weeks ago - and the horse is showing improvement again since that.

Please double check the history.

Um - post Number 27 I assume you are referring to - picture was taken two weeks ago - not several weeks ago.

Commenting on this horse's weight is NOT a criticism but a constructive point. Andy is still looking poor. I believe his owner takes him to several events per month and rides very regularly which in itself is fantastic but Andy is very obviously NOT getting enough fuel to keep up this workload AND put on the much needed condition. Yes, I expect that when the spring grass comes through he may look a bit better but as I expect he will be exercised even more with the light evenings lets wait and see. He is very obviously a bit of a fizzy boy so works off condition in a blink of an eye - I had one like that and was always fighting to keep condition on but it can be done.

OP - I am NOT criticising you - please take this as CONSTRUCTIVE help. Andy will look a lot better if you take some serious time to reassess his fuel intake and this will take months to achieve.