Warning worried new Mum post

[golddustsara]

So we are on day 3 with my gorgeous 4yo dream connie. Despite owning horses before I've turned into a ''worried new mum'' wondering if he is warm enough/lonely/happy/sad!

I am a little worried as he isn't eating the hay I put out for him in the field although he tucks into his small token feed of chaff and nuts. He also is very loose so I'm a bit worried about his tum and have bought pink powder to help his digestion.

I'm sure he is just feeling overwhelmed so has a funny tummy, but now worried mum syndrome has kicked in and I'm about to rock back and forth on my chair!

I brought him in for a nosh today and he did munch his feed down and have a good stab at his hay so perhaps he is just more into his grass and then that is causing the belly.

Now tell me off for being a worry guts!!!!

On a side note, the buggar won't fit properly into any rugs with his broad chest - what rugs are best for the little hairy chunkster natives?

 

[fidleyspromise]

My highland isn't a huge one for eating hay (except for this year, for some reason). I worried about her last year as all the food she had was one standard hay net a day and even giving her more, she wouldn't touch it. It was some of the best quality stuff we have around here.
This year's quality isn't as good and yet she's stuffing it into herself so I don't think you need to worry just yet. Keep an eye on his weight and see how he goes He's eating his hard feed so not gone off food which is good news.

Pink powder is fantastic for them and we used to have oldies on this with excellent results. Has he been wormed/worm counted?

PS. She kept putting weight on in winter last year instead of it coming off.

Rugs - My short backed, broad chested highland is in Amigos with superb fits. I found mastas didn't fit right and haven't tried any others.

 

[Twinkle Twinkle]

Second Amigo Rugs they fit my cob mare a treat would"nt buy anything else now.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Amigo, Rambo & Weatherbeeta all do well on my broad chested neddies.

Don't panic (am sure you are not). None of mine are eating hay put on out the fields unless we are late in getting them in at dusk, then they are picking. There is stil pickings of grass out there in the old rested paddock that they have been in for the past month. As long as he is eating buckets & picking at some hay indoors, then I'd not worry for another week or so - he needs to find his feet & settle in properly still. The 2 girls ate their feeds tonight & stood looking bloated & didn't touch their hay while I was finishing up (unusual as both have been scoffing when in), but its been warmer today & they've had much more defrosted pickings to find

Hope its just 'I'm new nerves' - let us know how his is in a few days

 

[golddustsara]

Thanks guys! I'm sure its just new home nerves as he came over from Ireland last month so has had two homes in a short time. Will keep an eye on him but am pleased he is still eating hard feed like there is no tomorrow. Hope the pink powder helps his tum.

Going to take him out for a little walk in hand down the lane tomorrow behind our yard schoolmaster to get him used to his surroundings and give him a bit of interest.

We have individual t/o at my yard so he could also be feeling a little out of sorts not having a field pal (although there are horses all around him).

White hot choc with marshmallows in for everyone that humoured my new mum worries!

 

[golddustsara]

Pink powder is fantastic for them and we used to have oldies on this with excellent results. Has he been wormed/worm counted?
QUOTE]

He was wormed when he came into the country in Nov, but I will get a worm count done as although I trust his importer, you never know how much of a worm burden he had.

 

[Jane_Lou]

If he was wormed in November with one of the long lasting wormers you won't get a decent result until 13 weeks afterwards. I would be inclined to worm for Encysted redworm late December and then worm count in the spring before you worm for tapeworm. All of mine have come from Ireland and I have done this regardless of what I was told and they have low counts.
Both of my connies are out on longish grass at the moment, they come in and are desperate for their dinner but then tend to have a nap before they tackle their hay - they are just not that hungry. Both of mine have mainly Weatherbeeta Freestyle rungs, they fit their chests really well.

 

[Shilasdair]

Pink powder is fantastic for them and we used to have oldies on this with excellent results. Has he been wormed/worm counted?
QUOTE]

He was wormed when he came into the country in Nov, but I will get a worm count done as although I trust his importer, you never know how much of a worm burden he had.

Sounds as though he just needs time to settle, although it would be good if he had friends in with him.
If you don't know his worming history, the safest bet would be to worm him against tapeworm (possibly using double Strongid P or Pyratape P) and encysted small redworm etc (Equest is the best allrounder). Neither of these show on worm egg counts. This worming ought to be done before Christmas, but not together, and not until his gut is a bit more settled ideally.
S