This has gone on too long.

Ditto what BF said about milk thistle for liver damage. My 23 year old had signs of liver damage last year and we put her on a pill called heptasyll (sp?) and milk thistle. She was awful about taking the pill and it was also really expensive and never really lowered the enzymes so she came off that and it was the milk thistle and a careful diet that did the trick (low fat and low protein) in the end.
Good luck - another that thinks you have done a brilliant job :)
 
If it's any consolation, I've seen worse and seen them recover with the right care and tlc, hopefully if the BHS can help get him out of his current situation he'll be looking and feeling much better soon x
 
Hopefully your lovely boy is now on the road to recovery. If he has liver damage stick to low protein food, so unfortunately that means low oil. Sugar beet is great stuff, and as you are already aware, feed little and often. I took over the care of a 39 year old pony who was like a hat rack. Owner told me she always lost weight in the winter (so would they if they weren't given anything to eat!), didn't like sugar beet, couldn't be stabled because she didn't like it blah blah. When I took her on she weighed 550lbs. The following winter she came out of it weighing over 700lbs. I soaked everything for her as she had no functioning grinding teeth, and yes, she had and enjoyed, lots of sugar beet. I made her hay ration in grass nuts and chop. Her owner agreed to buy her a quality new rug. She went from being a loner (because she knew she was vulnerable being so thin) to a bossy, sassy little old lady who lasted to her mid-40s. At last she knew she was loved and had status, a proper routine and had horsey friends. She even grew back her tail which was lost to untreated chronic but low level sweetitch. Some homemade fly spray and black wound powder was all it took. Your boy will appreciate everything you do for him. Even 5 minutes of love and attention after years of neglect means everything to an animal. There is a sad but lovely video on youtube about a very elderly dog that was found dying in the street by a couple who took him home and gently cared for him, showed him kindness and sat through the night with him until he died. But that dog would have known that someone cared about him, possibly for the first time in his life. Animals ask for so little.
 
Well done to you! I'm pretty sure I have a tub of milk thistle at the yard, my pony refused to eat it after the first tub. I'll double check it's still there later and if it is, you and Prince are very welcome to it :)
 
threeponies said:
Well done to you! I'm pretty sure I have a tub of milk thistle at the yard, my pony refused to eat it after the first tub. I'll double check it's still there later and if it is, you and Prince are very welcome to it :)
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That's exceptionally kind! Thank you very much!


Also that you for all the kind comments! i'm so so grateful for the support!
 
What a wonderful thing you have done for this horse, well done.

I hope you both have many happy years together :)
 
fatpiggy said:
Hopefully your lovely boy is now on the road to recovery. If he has liver damage stick to low protein food, so unfortunately that means low oil. Sugar beet is great stuff, and as you are already aware, feed little and often. I took over the care of a 39 year old pony who was like a hat rack. Owner told me she always lost weight in the winter (so would they if they weren't given anything to eat!), didn't like sugar beet, couldn't be stabled because she didn't like it blah blah. When I took her on she weighed 550lbs. The following winter she came out of it weighing over 700lbs. I soaked everything for her as she had no functioning grinding teeth, and yes, she had and enjoyed, lots of sugar beet. I made her hay ration in grass nuts and chop. Her owner agreed to buy her a quality new rug. She went from being a loner (because she knew she was vulnerable being so thin) to a bossy, sassy little old lady who lasted to her mid-40s. At last she knew she was loved and had status, a proper routine and had horsey friends. She even grew back her tail which was lost to untreated chronic but low level sweetitch. Some homemade fly spray and black wound powder was all it took. Your boy will appreciate everything you do for him. Even 5 minutes of love and attention after years of neglect means everything to an animal. There is a sad but lovely video on youtube about a very elderly dog that was found dying in the street by a couple who took him home and gently cared for him, showed him kindness and sat through the night with him until he died. But that dog would have known that someone cared about him, possibly for the first time in his life. Animals ask for so little.
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Thanks Fatpiggy.. thats got the tears flowing again.x

Jessi, it sounds like the BHS have been amazing. The ony thing I would question is the Greengold, great stuff but very coarse if his teeth aren't perfect. Also, unless you have a supplier nearby the cost of getting a relatively small amount might prove prohibitive. We switched to Top Chop Lite for these reasons and have found it excellent.
 
If he does turn out to be related to Tamarillo, it may be worth letting William Fox Pitt know his story? With everything he gets from sponsors he may be able to give you some feed/equipment? It would be a great PR opportunity for them and I'm sure he'd want to help the half-brother of one of his best ever horses (if not the best - I'm sure I read an interview where he said Tamarillo was his horse of a lifetime).
 
Epic thread! Jessi, I missed this in May and have just read it from start to finish. I am so impressed by you and the fact that you never gave up on this horse, very well done. I have lots of rugs, boots and tack in various sizes, send me a message of anything you need.
 
Really well done - so happy with the result and reading all the kind offers of help is completely heartwarming. I hope you both bring each other much joy in the future.x
 
ester said:
I'd stick with the speedibeet over fast fibre as it has a higher DE :).
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I would steer clear if fast fibre, it did my boy no good at all :(

I ended up feeding speedi beet, barley rings, alfalfa, and build up, with added pink powder, if he gets choke I would probably leave out the alfalfa.

Ps I have had a look and my oR boots have had it, but I have a couple of 6'3 rugs, one is still in good condition ( a LW) and the other is a medium weight and has a few rips, but you are welcome to them if they are of any good to you x
 
I have come to this thread late, but just wanted to say what a gorgeous boy he was, and under your care hopefully will be again. Well done for your perseverance - I take my hat off to you! :)
 
Hello everyone! First off. Wow, just wow! Such lovely responces! I've just got back from meeting Holding at her tack shop Greenstead Green Animal Feeds because she has very kindly donate many many things to prince! I was awestruck that she cared so so much and was willing to pay out of her own pocket! Im at the yard currently doting to the man himself hand and foot. Pics tonight but heres one of the wonderful things Holly gave prince!
282ktab.jpg
 
Oh, that's a lovely picture! He's going to love getting rid of all that! He looks desperately poor, but not starving/endangered, so you have a really good chance of bringing him back to full health and condition. I was involved in a rescue several years back in which many of the horses were given a 50/50 chance of survival (all did!), but it took nearly 3 years to get them looking "normal", and a further 2 to build the large muscles back up. Best wishes; he's a lucky boy.
 
You've done a good thing, I wish there was an award we could give you. All the people who've offered kind help as well, restores my faith in human kind. He may not have the weight and condition yet but you've given him hope. Well done.
 
And more tears because of the kindness of Holding.

This has got to stop before there is a major tissue shortage..

That picture shows how poor he is but I think you will get him to a reasonable weight for winter.
 
Oh wow! There are some wonderful people in the world.

Holly/Holdings you are wonderful! :)

J&M - you have saved this horse, he now has a bright future. :D
 
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