Another New Horse - It's Bo!

[Pico_Banana]

For the “how much water to add to the cubes” question, I find that I can soften the cubes without soaking them by putting in enough cubes to cover the bottom of the feed pan in a single layer. Then cover with enough hot water just to hit just below the top of the cubes. Leave to soak for a while - I make them up at the previous meal. When I get back, they have soaked up enough water to soften completely but are still kinda flakey and more damp rather than soaked.

This probably is not making sense, but the point is to use less water than you think you need, and give it more time than my usual 5 minute soak in hot water. With enough time, the cubes will soften in a smaller amount of water.

I use Standlee cubes, in case it matters.

[Heinz_57]

I managed to track down a bag of chopped alfalfa and a bag of timothy/alfalfa yesterday, and he says the chopped alfalfa is . He can’t eat the coarse or longer stems, but he’s able to dig around and eat the smaller softer pieces, leaving me the ‘chaff’ to throw away. I’m putting it in an empty 30 gallon trough so he can root around without tipping it or shoving a bunch out. And I’m really happy it will give him something to pick at overnight, I’ve been stressing over that a bit.

The list of things Bo will actually eat is quite short, but at least he’s eating!

[skydy]

How are the sand poops going? In some ways it’s good to see the sand(and rocks ) coming out, but when/if it stops, I’d be concerned about how much he still has in there.

Well done you for taking him on. You’ll have a good looking horse when he recovers.

[Heinz_57]

I haven’t done my daily pile examination yet today, but as of yesterday it was still 99% manure with a handful of pebbles. Will report back once I’ve poked every pile with my stick.

He is a very pretty boy, and every time I walk out my back door to feed I yell ‘hello, my pretties!’. They all yell back.

[skydy]

[2DogsFarm]

Color me Jelly
Only my mini consistently greets me, even before I call out to the 3 geldings, generally a version of Hey, Boyz!
Sometimes the TWH will deign to spare me a nicker

[BatCoach]

@Heinz_57

every time I walk out my back door to feed I yell ‘hello, my pretties!’. They all yell back.

that sounds like heaven on earth to me!

[Heinz_57]

It mostly only happens at feeding time, although if I come outside usually they expect to be fed something if I’m near the hay shed I have a chatty, interactive group here, I guess I encourage communication . Elmo was always talkative, and I think Fern picked it up from him. Bo seems to have picked it up quickly as well.

Elmo also stalks my house. He can see through the glass back doors into the kitchen, so he stands in the corner of his stall facing the house waiting to see lights and movement every morning.

I am pleased to report that the most recent poo piles have been checked. I didn’t see any pebbles, but I did note that the consistency is getting closer to normal formed balls. And the vaccines I ordered arrived this afternoon, so I am prepared to get him UTD once he’s a bit more well off. FEC kits should be here soon too.

[Heinz_57]

Guess who was PLAYING today?! Just for a moment, while I was riding Elmo around the hacking lane on the edges of the property. I haven’t seen him voluntarily go faster than a slow walk since he’s been here, other than the one time he accidentally touched the electric fence.

I drew up this comparison with dates yesterday for progress tracking. It was low 80’s yesterday (and today), too hot and humid for even a turnout sheet so I had to leave him totally naked for the first time. He can be seen from the road since he’s in the front pasture, so I’m a little anxious about that - but I don’t think anyone out here really calls AC much.

[JBCool]

Look at the difference in his waist! If anyone says anything, just show him those pics and this thread. Go Bo Go!

[Jenerationx]

Wow! That’s a huge difference already!

[Displaced_Yankee]

Oohhh…I hope he got a good roll in while he was nekkid.

Looks like some shine coming in on that coat too.

[skydy]

@Heinz_57

Guess who was PLAYING today?! Just for a moment, while I was riding Elmo around the hacking lane on the edges of the property. I haven’t seen him voluntarily go faster than a slow walk since he’s been here, other than the one time he accidentally touched the electric fence.

What did he do? Trot? Toss his head?

He looks better than he did, for sure. Well done you!

[2DogsFarm]

@Heinz_57

Elmo also stalks my house.

The East wall of my house faces the West Wall of the barn.
The first light I turn on is the hallway bathroom, that can be seen from that side of the barn.
Inevitably, if not all 3, there’s a “sentry” posted on that wall & by the time I get out the whole herd is there.
They know the routine.
Chickens first, then I head to the barn.
Usually by the time I’m done in the coop, 2 of 3 have headed for their stalls.
Mini is my escort to the barn

YAY!! on Bo playing
He looks fatter & shinier for sure
Congrats on the poo inspection results

[starsandsun]

So much better!!!

[Heinz_57]

@Displaced_Yankee

Oohhh…I hope he got a good roll in while he was nekkid.

Dirt on his neck says he at least took a nap

@skydy

What did he do? Trot? Toss his head?

He was trotting around while I was down in the lower field (I think Fern instigated this, he likes to be dramatic when I ride Elmo), and then when I got up around his field he trotted over, tossed his head and cantered off in the other direction. The usual stuff you would expect from loose horses when you ride past

I was just surprised to see it, he’s been very low energy so far even if the other horses are riled up. But this is the first time I’ve ridden since he’s been here, thanks to rain/holiday/my messed up finger. Also gotta give props to Elmo for staying workmanlike in spite of both his friends yahoo-ing on the other side of the fence.

[skydy]

Oh, that’s great!

[Obsidian_Fire]

He looks a LOT better!!

[JBCool]

That is terrific! Probably easier without all the concrete in his gut, too.

[OnAMission]

You’re doing great with him Heinz! Good job!