Update - very thin old pony with no rug - pic - what do you think?

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DuckToller

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Posted on here yesterday early evening after finding pony in a sorry state. Went up with a friend this morning, gave him another small feed, walked round field, found evidence of hay where someone (perhaps other than owner?) has thrown hay over fence. But he is painfully thin, the photo doesn't really show it as he has thick matted hair. Still wet, although drier if I poke my fingers under the hair.

He is now wearing my NF's very warm rug with an absorbent lining which I hope will start to dry him off. He is a 5'9 though and this rug is 5'6 so his bum is a little exposed! Am on the hunt for a bigger rug - friend has offered though so please don't panic and rush out and buy him any just yet - I know how kind some of you are
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This is a wonderful thing you have done! He does look very skinny - fluffy winter coats can often be deceptive- as in his case. It is so kind you have put a nice warm rug on and given him some feed.
Keep us updated!
 
He's not mine so nothing I can do for him other than feed and try to persuade owner to hand him over to a charity. I have a friend who runs one in Essex - she has kindly offered to take him on but not even begun to get old boy to agree to that. Softly softly so far.
 
Yes, he is much poorer than the photo shows. All his hip bones stick out, his quarters are non existent and his neck is hollow, giving him that lollipop head look. But he is very alert and happily munches on carrots etc so teeth just about doing their job.
 
Jackdaws he does not belong to OP, whom is trying to do the best for the pony in the situation (which is far more than others have done may it be said!)
Llewelyn, well done for not turning a blind eye.
His rump and neck show he needs to put a fair bit of weight on.
I have an old 5'6 fleece that could be put under a rug to perhaps wick the moisture in his coat away if you cant get hold of one.
 
He looks thin, but the eating and life spark leads me to think he's not ready to go anywhere permanent if you get my drift. Just the rugs and additional feed are as good a boost to his comfort and welfare as anything, and softly, softly, catchee monkey with his owners. I think they'll be relieved - especially if you stress it's a temporary thing. How temporary will come out eventually
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That's a good idea joeanne, if I put a bigger 5'9 and a 5'6 fleece underneath that should absorb the damp. No heat whatsoever coming off him yet when I put my hand under the rug he had on overnight, but hoping the latest rug will trap some.

He is a perky chap, thanks for your thoughts brighteyes - normally I would think pts at his age but I think the poor lad deserves some happy days first! Apparently he has been on his own in the field for years. Fencing is not good enough for any of mine so my idea to share the grazing and look after the pony alongside mine is a non-starter.
 
My seriously elderly oap pony needs two decent layers to stay warm.
Once you have managed to dry him off maybe sticking an old stable rug under the turnout will do the job.
Hot water in feeds might help a little too (mine loves fast fibre made with hot water).
 
He does look quite thin. Hope you can convince the owner to do more or sign him over, but I think you are right to take this slowly.

I have a spare 5.9" Weatherbeeta with integrated hood (clean), PM me if you could use it.
 
He is very poor and probably cushingoid with compromised dentition and sounds clearly like he is not getting enough food so is effectively starving to death. Will discuss him off line with you
 
i think you've got to get him bone dry under the rug, can you stick a FAL or similar on him (even if it's just for a few days) that will wick the moisture out of his coat etc, not hold the damp against him?
thanks for letting us see how he looks and know how it's going...
 
Re-getting him dry,
could you resort to the old-fashioned method of 'thatching' with hay/straw under the rug, it's usually very effective.
Re long-term welfare
I am not a fan of RSPCA but their inspectors are often very experienced at persuading struggling owners to relinquish poor animals, often with no threat of prosecution. You will know how the inspectors in your area are likely to react if you approach them to discuss this case. Of course you could be opening a can of worms.
Good luck!
 
I'm happy to offer you a WB MW combo rug in either a 5'6 or 5'9 if it would help at all.

Likewise I would suggest wormer and teeth, but I realise you are helping out, not taking over responsibility for the pony. Well done you for making the decision to "do" something and talking to the owners husband who is no doubt a proud old man trying to do his best.

One last thought, what about lice? They can bring them down very fast.
 
Hi - just got back from putting different rugs on and feeding him.

He is not touching the meagre haynet on offer, and after finding signs of quidding (several little balls of chewed and spat out hay) I suspect Remus Sanctuary is spot on - he is unable to eat hay due to poor teeth and is starving slowly but surely. I have fed him a bucket of spillers healthy hooves (on advice from Sue from above sanctuary) and a small amount of pasture mix and carrots.

As for rug situation - in my pile I have found an old Ostler rug which is designed to wick away moisture but trap heat, so have put that under a full neck weatherbeater. His bum is still sticking out though so he must be a generous 5.9, although the rug sags in the middle due to his shape.

To get his circulation going, I massaged him from behind (I sure know how to party on NYE
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) while he was eating and I can curl all my fingers round his hip bones. I can barely find my own horses' hip bones in comparison.
 
Both the rugs I mentioned in the pm are 5'9. Not sure either are generous.

let me know if you need them. easy for me to meet you at Baldock services (A1).
 
That's a kind offer PennyJ - I have had a few offers so as you would have to post it I will see if any of the local people come up trumps first.

My friend is a vet and lives next door (poor her!) and I will ask her advice re worming. Don't want to kill him off with worm induced colic.

I will ask if any of the local yards are having a good dentist soon - if not will book my one as he will do emergencies (Richard Hall from Beds), or anyone want to recommend me someone?

Again, just to say thanks to everyone who has commented above, as I sat in my car tonight in a strange lane in the pitch dark, speaking to Sue for more advice, I felt very sad and yet very touched by how many people have made genuine offers of rugs etc. (I could be a troll with a rug fetish for all you know - but I'm not, honest.)

Will post in the morning - off to have a bath before OH has me certified - strange chap thinks we should be off to a party on NYE
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Baldock services are good for me - will post in the morning. I think a 6' might be too big actually so a 5'9 will be great - someone once suggested a pillow to raise the rug up when the withers are so prominent - that might help a 5'9 fit his bum. Thanks niceweatheronly.
 
Thank you for the update hun.

I'm not up on feeding oldies, but how about Calm and Condition - soft and can be made with warm water, which might help the lad.

I know you're up to your armpits in cold and damp and dark(!), but have you had chance to see his feet?

Have a hot choccy and warm up lass
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Hey. I know your currently being inundated with excellent advice and I don't want to add more except to suggest the soft and soak range if he is struggling to eat.

My friend had fantastic results on this with a horse who'd had pretty major dental work done and couldn't chew properly. They used the cereal free version so as not to upset its digestive system.

I'd also jsut like to add my heartfelt congratulations for taking such a caring and keen interest in this wee lad.

I hope there is a positive outcome
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Feet not as bad as you might think - long but not horrendous. Have got friendly farrier coming Tuesday but need to sort dentist more urgently.

He is munching on happy hooves quite happily atm but will seek out other options - why do these things always happen over holiday-bankholiday periods, when you can't get hold of anyone???
 
We successfully put weight on our oldie who had dropped weight in the wet weather (and hates rugs) by feeding her alfa-a oil and well soaked grass nuts. Mind you her teeth are ok. She had previously been eating Calm & Condition mixed with grass nuts.
 
you are doing a good job for this needy chap!
However surely the pony should be reported to some sort of welfare officer?
Where are the owners and why arent they doing all this?
If the pony is not dumped and it does have owners then interfering now, will mean that if the owner is found and prosicuted for neglect then , you could hamper this happening.

i dont think i woudl be feeding anything other than hay and water intill the pony has been seen by a vet and had bloods taken to find out what is going on. there coudl be a medical reason why this pony is unwell and feeding it hard feed ect coudl over load them and make them poorely. the same goes for worming them.

I think it would be wise to get some legal advice and try and get the pony removed from the situation and then take things form there.

just reread the origional first post. So the owner is on the scenem but has an apparent reason for letting the pony get in that state?

I wouldl push to get the owner to sign the pony over if they can not afford its welfare. There is no way you can tell if the owner is telling you the truth. If they are prepared to contribute towards the care then thats at least something. However this chap does need to be seen by a vet. This will have to end somewhere.

Whilst i understand that everyoen has situations that crop up and unforseen circumstances, this is still neglect, and had you not interveined this pony would probably have eventually died.

 
Only have huge rugs so can't help there, but just wanted to say good on you for not turning a blind eye and taking a not unconsiderable amount of time to help this little chap.

Genuinely if you'd like some help towards denist/farrier/wormer etc. please let me know - I meant to take something to a local sanctuary for Christmas but just didn't find the time, this can be my little gift for a needy soul.

JDx
 
Llewelyn, fast fibre is great as a replacement haynet, mixed with equal amounts of a chaff and you are cooking with gas.
Calm and Condition was not reccomended by my vet for my oap, but he did say veteran mix is far far better for digestability.
Gut needs to be working well, so pre/pro biotic, pink powder or the like was advised to us.
Gentle wormer now, and again in two weeks should see him through.
King Charles, things are rarely clear cut, and whilst I agree the pony needs help its already been established the owner is ill and her husband is finding it hard to cope (particularly if it was his wife that always did the pony).
As I mentioned before Llewelyn, I have pink powder, some linseed oil, wormer, and other bits and pieces lying around that you are more than welcome to.
More than happy to chip in with some money to help towards getting him the once over by a vet too.
 
How nice to read of someone not only acting in a situation like this, but more importantly, in a compassionate and non-judgemental way. If more people were prepared to help without condemnation like this, the world would be a better place. Go you!
 
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