Omg, poor Bo. He’s so lucky to have landed with you! It’ll be interesting to see what the dentist says about his age. I thought he was younger too but I’m certainly no expert at evaluating teeth for age! He has a kind eye but he also looks like a bit of a trouble-maker.
TSC is my usual feed store, I’m not sure they do that but I can investigate. I’m not too concerned about giving out my address, at any rate. Yesterday’s chopped forage trial was a bust - It’s a mix of timothy, oat, and alfalfa coated with molasses, which I thought might actually be more enticing, but he sniffed, shoved it around like he was looking for ‘the good stuff’ and passed. When he shoved the tub back in my direction, I got the message.
@equinelibrium he is mostly the bestest behaved boy. Somebody put a lot of training into him from what I can tell. He’s starting to act more alert and interested in life around him, less dejected.
I refer to myself as Room Service
Good to hear Bo has some 'tude about feed.
Hope the dental appt goes well & you find something Himself approves as noms.
Mr Yankee says that he is just the butler.
We had an interesting conversation just now (yes, I talk to them all). I threw dinner to the ponies first because quarantine isn’t over yet. Then I dole out Bo’s allotment of senior into a bucket and drag along the blanket we refer to as the Snuggy - it’s a heavyweight full neck that makes my large pony look like he’s wearing a turtleneck. It’s dropping to mid 30’s tonight, so must switch out blankets and bundle the poor guy up. I dump the grain into his tub, switch the blankets out (got myself stuck inside the Snuggy for a minute when the wind blew up!) and he’s looking at the tub, looking back at the ponies with their delectable alfalfa and piles of hay, and then looking at me. He repeats this several times, getting closer to the tub in case I don’t get the message. I. WANT. HAY. Sorry Bo. I tried to explain it to him. He seemed disappointed but resigned himself to eating the senior anyway. I did leave him with a bucket of the chopped forage he rejected yesterday, just in case he decides that offensive hay is better than none.
You are not alone
I keep up a convo as I prep feed.
Mostly to tell the pony to stop.making uglyface at the horse (from his safe place, stall grille between them).
Or tell the mini - who has free run of the aisle (I made a Monster ) to stop plundering the stacked bales of 2nd cut hay & have the 1st.
Sometimes an earworm has me singing as I do chores.
I’ve been caught at this by a neighbor… Who probably thinks I’m on the way to senility…
Anyhow, glad to hear Bo is interested & showing you a bit of his personality
Yeah, he looks like a baby to me, too.
Assuming he is young, what are some causes of missing molars? I’m drawing a blank. Maybe damage to his jaw?
I cannot imagine. Seems to me if there was trauma enough to damage the teeth, there would be some outward evidence like bone distortion. I hope the dentist can shed light and help this fellow live a decent life.
I am a softy for the sweet QH character.
I haven’t a clue how he could have lost so many teeth on the top only - periodontal disease, maybe? Just on the top? I will pick the dentist’s brain when we have him out.
Today I picked up some alfalfa cubes, and some timothy alfalfa cubes. The alfalfa cubes were picked at, some was eaten, but he’s not scarfing them down. That’s ok. Even a few handfuls of longer-stemmed fiber is better than none. I also re-offered the chopped hay from yesterday, he shoved it around some more but did actually take a few bites. Unfortunately he can only quid it and it came back out in a lump. So, mushy hay it is. I soaked the cubes in one of the Tuff Stuff Flex Tubs with a TSFT strainer basket so I was able to drain off most of the excess water.
Fed the ponies lunch hay. Bo not satisfied with his tub of alfalfa cubes and hoping he can sweet talk me into giving him hay too (sound on):
20221201_133346
He is adorable in his snuggie.
Is that “The Snuggy” blanket? Looks cozy.
I bet the TSC store is wondering what exactly you are feeding on your property
He still seems bright, no? I wish he didn’t seem to be so picky…buddy…we are trying to help you out!
I know, right? Why must you turn down what others would consider dessert?
Maybe someone else has already suggested this, could he have some inflammation in his esophagus from an earlier choke episode (before you got him)? Swallowing might be painful.
Good luck with him; he certainly was lucky to land with you!
Yep, that’s the snuggy. It’s a smartpak ultimate so if anybody destroys it, I get a replacement (already been replaced once!). My only gripe is the leg straps instead of a tail cord (esp with poopy butt here), but I’ll live.
He is brighter every day. He finished his lunch in record time today, without even walking away from the tub! He is also getting a lot of rest - 3 recumbent naps (that I saw) yesterday alone. I imagine he was probably somewhat stressed living with the trader for a couple weeks, so I’m happy to see he’s comfortable and settling in.
I had to replay the vid 3X to hear the I Loff you, pls feed me that whicker
Sounds like he may be relaxing - naps aside - enough to feel like eating could be a Good Thing
What a sweet boy
Replayed multiple times too.
GOOOOO BOOOOO!
Psst - these are amazing. I have one for all my blankets that came with leg straps. I believe you can just remove them from the Smartpak Ultimate but some you need to cut off with scissors.
Are you using beet pulp in his ration? I always used it to keep the weight on in the winter. The thrift bread shop is palpable also. For the critters (works on me too).
I can’t wait for all the transformation news! Good on you! This is the reward of a lifetime. I brought back one we found in the winter in a pasture with a seasonal creek and yellow hay strewn on the ground. Zero shelter. He was thrilled to be a part of our barnyard here. He blossomed into a total personality.
He seems to think beet pulp is gross. Won’t eat anything that has beet shreds in it, no matter how good I say it is He’s getting 4-5 meals a day of Purina Senior (only thing he will eat so far) and seems to think that’s pretty decent. We will start slowly increasing amounts in the next week or so now that his appetite has returned.
@2DogsFarm and @EssexFells his excitement for food brings me great joy! It’s like he’s surprised to see every meal.
He may have been worried and sad at losing his mare buddy, and yet another life change with new humans. Life is hard on horses at times.
Sounds like he’s realizing he’s on to a good thing here and that you are an OK human being.
He looks very sweet.