Use the navigation bar above to access articles and more discussions on this topic.
| Author |
Message |
    
Karen Trojnar
Member
Username: Karent
Post Number: 9
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 20, 2006 - 8:09 pm: |   |
Hi,
Went to look at Quarabs at a farm in Colorado. I was appalled by what I saw. The owner has about 30 horses, all of which have never seen a farrier, been dewormed or vaccinated. None were malnourished and none we saw were sick. However, several had quarter cracks and lots of cuts from wire.
I ended up buying a 3 year old mare (more to rescue one of them than anything). Her feet are terrible and flaired out, but nothing I don't think my farrier can't fix. She is very sweet for never being handled and doesn't seem to have a mean bone in her body. Took us only 10 minutes to put a halter on her and into the trailer.
I have quarrantined her from my other horses and started her last night on Strongid C daily dose. I also bought invermectin to paste worm her, but worry about what DrO said regarding reactions to the dying microfilariae. Should I just keep her on Strongid C daily pellets for awhile before I give her the invermectin or go ahead and do it.
I will vaccinate her tomorrow with a 4-way vaccine and west nile.
She's a little shy, but wants so badly to be friends. She let me put a fly mask on her this morning (without too much of a fuss), wasn't too crazy about fly spray but not as bad as I thought she would be.
Any advice is welcome as I have never bought a horse under these conditions.
Karen |
Angie
Member
Username: Ajudson1
Post Number: 601
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 20, 2006 - 10:17 pm: | |
Karen,
I would hold off on things before DrO replies and follow his advice. The reason I say this is I joined this site 3 years ago when we bought a little malnourished filly. I know you are not saying you bought a malnourished horse, but...
How is this horse on the scale for condition? Can you see ribs? feel ribs? I am getting the impression that these horses perhaps stood around eating hay all the time, so have big hay bellies, but that doesn't mean they are healthy necessarily.
I don't know about the daily wormer or doing any shots either. Perhaps a half of dose of wormer? And only 1 vaccination at a time to watch for reactions.
She sounds like a very lucky horse to have found you.
Post a picture if you can. |
Aileen
Member
Username: Sunny66
Post Number: 1297
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 20, 2006 - 10:49 pm: | |
I agree with Angie on waiting for Dr. O and the rest she posted  I found this on Dr. O's deworming overview article...you can read it fully at:
Care for Horses » Deworming & Parasite Control »
From the article:
"Debilitated adults may be heavily parasitized and require extra care when being dewormed also. The killing and release of large numbers of parasites may cause a remarkable inflammation of the bowel. Best is to begin with a half dose of ivermectin and if no problems occur give a full dose 2 weeks later."
I didn't look up the shots, tho... good luck and yes, she is lucky you took her home |
Nicole Tucker
Member
Username: Tuckern
Post Number: 67
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 20, 2006 - 11:24 pm: | |
Ditto on seeing what DrO says before "assaulting" her body with the dewormer and shots.
Another thing to think about. Even though she looks healthy, doesn't mean something is not going on inside. She may seem laid back and easy to work with now. But once she gets some tlc, good food, and medical attention, she'll start really feeling better, and her attitude may change. Probably not in a bad way, but she might become fiesty, full of life, she'll be feeling good and will want to play. Does that make sense?
Good luck with your new addition! :0)
Nicole |
DJ
Member
Username: Djws
Post Number: 91
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 21, 2006 - 12:59 am: | |
Congratulations, Karen!
Let us know what you name your new girl! |
Angie
Member
Username: Ajudson1
Post Number: 602
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 21, 2006 - 8:33 am: | |
Ditto on Nicole's comment concerning her disposition. Our little Gem, once she got on real food, became very bossy and had to learn her manners! She knows her place now, but she isn't as laid back as when we first got her. And what I feed her makes a difference in her attitude also. No sweet feed for her. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 16208
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 21, 2006 - 9:40 am: | |
Since the horse is not malnourished or sick I think the 4-way vaccination should be fine. The problem is the Strongid C. It will not kill the preexisting larvae so the possible problem remains. We have a schedule for debilitated horses or those suspected of heavy burdens and you will find it at Care for Horses » Deworming & Parasite Control » Deworming Schedules. It is always better to check the articles for the recommendations because they may change and improve with time.
DrO |
Wanda Martinez
Member
Username: Sonoita
Post Number: 35
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 21, 2006 - 10:30 am: | |
Karen,
Would you say these horses are being mistreated? Like should someone be contacted? I had the pleasure in running into a situation where I bought a horse from a auction for mistreated horses he is a gem. Used for hunting and packing and was starved. Now everything I feed he gains. He gets mostly hay and he is still big.I never poured the grain to him . He is an excellent trails horse. Good luck with yours.
Happy Trails,
Wanda |
Karen Trojnar
Member
Username: Karent
Post Number: 10
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 21, 2006 - 11:30 am: | |
Thanks for all the replies.
DrO, you said the 4-way was fine, what about west nile? We have both a pond and river on our property and the reason we have so much grass is because we live in a marshy area and the ground is always wet. Our geese and ducks take care of their share of mosquito's and their eggs. Is it ok to give the west nile as well?
Wanda, I don't think the horses are mistreated, per say, they have plenty of water, room to exercise, hay, etc. The problem is that the man is probably 80 years old and doesn't bother with preventative care as I explained above, however, it was still appalling to me to see horses with feet never trimmed, wire cuts, etc. I think he is trying to sell off his herd because he can't take care of them.
My new little girl has clear eyes, no runny nose, I can't feel her ribs, she is small for her age probably only 13.3hh at this time (hopefully she will grow a little more). She is a rose gray (kind of looks like she couldn't decide whether to be gray or buckskin). I will take a pic and post it. We have decided to name her "Purple Sage".
I will follow your suggestions DrO. Thanks again and let me know about the West Nile. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 16219
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Monday, Jul 24, 2006 - 6:48 am: | |
I don't see why any vaccines should be held back Karen.
DrO |
