We have a 26 yr. old horse - skinny, bad teeth, etc. Help!!!!?

Question

My family has a 26 yr. old horse (we think a quarterhorse), and he was rescued. He has terrible teeth, is not very exited about anything, and is super skinny. He won't eat hay because it hurts too much, so we feed him softened grain. He has an eye infection too, that we're trying to treat. The vet says he's in too poor health to have his teeth done right now. He will soon be with four other horses, but 3 will pick on him at first. Any ideas??? Thanks!!!!!!

Answer 1

Poor old guy.
I'm no horse expert, but I wouldnt put him in with the other horses until he is healthy enough (IF he gets healthy enough)
More than likely the teeth are the big problem. I had a real old pony whose teeth just go so bad that nothing was helping anymore. He couldnt eat anything, it all fell out of his mouth. We had them worked on and floated, fed him mashed up grain, but he just got to the point where he was so skinny and basically starving to death, so we put him down.

Good luck.

Answer 2

You have been given a lot of good advice. I currently own 2 26 year old horses, one with no teeth. What I do is twice a day soak Timothy/alfalfa cubes in water to make "pony soup" We also feed him Senior Glo and give him Legacy joint pellets. He has his own stall with access to a decent size yard. He can come and go as he pleases. I would recommend if possible to not let him in with the other horses. He could be seriously injured and then you would have no choice but to have him put down. Give him some time to gain weight and adjust to his new home. When the time comes to introduce him only do it one horse at a time. Very slowly. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Answer 3

sounds bad and no you should not put them together warm salt water for the eyes try to see if animal will drink milk.

Answer 4

i am sorry to say this but i think he should be put down he is suffering