We seem to be having a few problems with the place that we board my horse. New pastures have just been built, and he was not moved over onto a 24/7 pasture grass diet properly. He was cut from 2 pounds of food 2x a day to 1 pound of food 1x a day, and sometimes when I come to see him, he is completely bloated. There are no shelters in the new pasture, so he stands in the rain and weater. Any advice?
2006-07-07 02:57:57 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Just to let all of you know, he doesn't have colic because I check his stomach every day, and physically he's as "healthy as a horse". LOL. He is excercised every day for at least 20 minutes, I'm just worried about his lack of shelter and sudden change in diet.
2006-07-07 10:54:45 · update #1
The shelters are not so big an issue. If your horse actually gets cold, or there is wind, you could blanket him, but that's likely not needed if you live in the northern hemisphere right now.
To me the big issue is the lack of proper transition to a grass pasture diet. A bloated horse is experiencing an inability to properly digest the pasture grasses and its producing an excess of gas. He could also have problems digesting the sugars in the grass, and ultimately lead also to laminitis or even founder.
I would demand that your horse be moved onto a non-grass pasture or paddock and only put on the grass a few hours a day. Some pastures are so rich that even if your horse is used to them, during extreme growth periods, like late spring and summer, you might have to take your horse off of it for all but an hour or so a day in order for him not to become sick.
If the management at this place is unwilling or unable to do this for you, then you need to move your horse.
2006-07-07 04:31:41 · answer #1 · answered by Juju_Bee 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My hirses have shelter but choose to stand out in the rain most of the time. They will also stand out in the snow.
The feeding is a little disturbing. He is on a grass pasture all day every day? If so he is getting most of his needs from the grass pasture how ever you may need to suppliment him with some vitamins.
If he is getting a pelleted feed at least one pound per day he will be getting some vitamins. But I would look at a suppliment.
Are you riding or working this horse? If you are not he may just be developinga "hay belly" from eating and not working.
If this was colic you would know by now.
Express your concerns to the owner of the stable and see what thay say. If they can not provide you with the right answers you may wnat to start looking for another place to board.
Good luck.
2006-07-07 04:15:55 · answer #2 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your horse is completely bloated, he's probably suffering from colic, which is the result of a change in diet. As for standing in the rain and weather, this only becomes an issue if the ground is holding water all the time. However, the bigger issue is that your horse's diet is not proper if he is suffering from colic, and that is a very serious problem. It can lead to death, and is extremely painful for your horse. I would consider moving to a different boarding facility for the sake of the horse's health.
2006-07-07 03:09:24 · answer #3 · answered by Elizabeth H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Move your horse and file a complaint. This should not be happening.
Do you have a contract specifying the type care your horse was to receive- if so then you may need to talk to a lawyer. You shoudl be reimbursed for some of the cost of boarding your horse if the facility did ot live up to theie side of the agreement.
Move your horse before it colics and dies.
2006-07-07 03:02:41 · answer #4 · answered by bootsjeansnpearls 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Find a new place it isn't fair to your horse and also no shelter is not right also there are poisonous plants that can grow in a pasture that can go undetected I hope all works out for you also tell them that you are no happy with the conditions.
2006-07-07 06:40:08 · answer #5 · answered by kibbi21 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think the major problem is the lack of shelter. if they are leaving your horse outside constantly, there should be some sort of shelter for him. does the barn have stalls? did the owners ask you first if it was alright to turn the horse out permantly, if they didn't and you didn't want your horse outside i would just explain to them that you would prefer it if you horse was kept inside and if they won't comply with you wishes then i would consider moving your horse to a different stable
2006-07-07 11:21:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
to check for colic, put your ear to his belly (either side, behind rib cage). There should ALWAYS be noise, no noise of guts moving food (gurgles etc.) is an indicator of colic. Sometimes an enema will help start the gut moving again. Very serious stuff, colic.
Good luck!
2006-07-07 04:24:11 · answer #7 · answered by reynwater 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would promptly discuss the care being given to your horse, as you are paying to have him CARED for. If the boarder gets smart about it, move the horse somewhere else. Yes you are boarding the horse but it is your decision as what can and cannot be changed especially concerning diet etc.
2006-07-07 03:02:37 · answer #8 · answered by soul_scorpio7 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
explain your problems to the owner and move your horse because if they dont know that there is no telling what kind of other mistakes might be coming and they might not know to call the vet something happens or something like that
2006-07-07 06:48:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where do you live you could board your horse at our horse rescue. Patch of Heaven Horse Rescue. Google us.
2006-07-07 03:02:26 · answer #10 · answered by Katie Bug 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋