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Thread Four: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1332664/posts |
Posted on 12/30/2004 7:01:16 PM PST by HairOfTheDog
Free Republic has a lot of horse people that have found each other on other threads…. And since we all like to talk horses, how about a thread where it is not off-topic, but is THE topic?
This is a horse chat thread where we share ideas, ask for input from other horsemen, and talk about our riding and horse-keeping. We have a lot of different kinds of riders and horses, and a lot to share. In the previous threads we have had a great time talking through lessons, training, horse lamenesses, illnesses and pregnancies... and always sharing pictures and stories.
I always have a link to this thread on my profile page, so if you have something to say and can't find the thread in latest posts… look for it there and wake the thread up!
I also have a ping list for horse threads that are of interest, and Becky pings everyone most mornings. Let Becky (Paynoattentionmanbehindthecurtain) and/or me know if you would like to be on the ping list. As FreeRepublic is a political site, our politics and other issues will probably blend in…. There are many issues for horsemen that touch politics… land use, animal rights/abuse cases that make the news…. Legislation that might affect horse owners.
So... like the previous threads, this is intended as fun place to come and share stories, pictures, questions and chit-chat, unguided and unmoderated and that we come together here as friends. There are lots of ways of doing things and we all have our quirks, tricks and specialties that are neat to learn about.
Ah HA! THAT'S where I remember that from. I LOVED those books. I've got all of 'em. They don't make vets like that anymore.
Anyway, I always thought if I had one founder I would do that:) I have a creek nearby. LUckily, that is one problem I've never had, ~knock on wood~:)
Becky
I did too, love them.
Becky
Yes all those stories are true. I've loved all his books. And hey, it would never hurt to try. :-)
I finally got my mare to stand with her front foot in the bucket by holding the other one up. Having all 4 feet in buckets is a pretty cool trick. They might even stand better that way coz they wouldn't know which one to try and get out first.
Alot of those old ways of treating work.
Becky
Good point:)
Alot of the things some of those competitive trail riders horses did surprised me. One girl had hers trained to lay down and roll on command. She said that loosened the horse up to get ready for the ride.
Who knows.
Becky
Followup...
Well, my book is saying it's an excess of carbs, not protein that does it... Regardless, is a sudden exposure to too rich a diet.
The damage can be done in hours on rich grass. or a single exposure to an overdose of grain. They may not colic, and the visible sign of laminitis may not appear for 12-18 hours. If you know about it before they show signs, early treatment is getting the vet out to evaluate, removing them from food, oiling the heck out of them with a stomach tube, ice packs on feet and Bute. I'd be scared to death at that point. You can't stop founder from happening, only try to mitigate damage.
I always worry when the grass is lush to the point where they can stand and eat mouthfulls without moving much. If there is more grass than they can eat without hunting for the good bites, I'd be concerned and limit their exposure.
I've never heard of a horse around here foundering or colicing that was used to being out on pasture all year round. I think their systems must get used to it as the grass puts out.
That's what I think too, other then if the grass is really rich the horse might founder from getting obese.
Becky
Could be! I remember looking at Cav's pictures of his out in belly high grass and asking him "don't they founder out there?"
The horse I know who foundered on grass here wasn't too fat at all... was a Thoroughbred turned out (with other horses who had been there all along and did fine) on a five acre pasture in spring. Foundered within a week. That's the case that made me really paranoid.
Did he suddenly get turned out on it, or had he been there awhile? Suddenly getting turned out on rich spring grass would be the same as getting into the feed bin. If a horse is on pasture as it grows I don't "think" it would be high risk to founder.
Becky
I met a guy with a little Appy who had him trained to lay down in any water thay came to. He didn't even get off. The horse would lay down, the guy would just stand there astride of him while the horse rolled a bit (but not completely over), then the horse would get up with the man still on him. He said it was a handy trick to cool him down during the race. I thought the guy was a little nutty coz the horse was saddled and he got the saddle all wet and muddy. But I guess as long as the guy didn't mind cleaning it up it didn't hurt anything. To each his own I guess.
Sudden - was purchased and turned out on it. The horses that had been there didn't founder.
I feel like our grass can shoot up in a matter of days in spring... bout of rain and you can watch it grow ;~D Then a week without rain and it stops growing. I am having to watch it all the time to see if there is enough out there to eat, or too much.
Not only would the saddle be wet, but the guy would have to finish with wet boots. Yuk. I wouldn't want to be around when he took them off:)
Becky
That's the way it is around here. I keep them off the pastures for awhile once the grass starts to grow. Give it a head start. But then they only get turned out on it for several hours a day, mostly to make it last, but also, no one know how much is too much when it's not something they normally get. Then when it gets hot and the growing slows, they can stay longer. Of course it gets ate down to the ground...
Becky
Sorry. L. laminitis
Wet boots don't bother me. I like to go swimming in the creeks with my horse in the summer when it's really hot and I sure ain't taking my boots off. The creek bottom is gravel and I'm a tenderfoot if there ever was one. They're a little gushy for the rest of the day, but hey, my feet are cool!
OK - so we make a note.... Give FrogInABlender some 'space' when she takes off her boots ;~D
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