As is assuming anyone here knows more than the people who actually lay hands on the horse.
Getting huffy when the OP chooses to trust their professionals instead of you, is… weird.
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Who has assumed they know more?
People are offering advice.
Most are suggesting caution. Since when is caution, offered to a newby owner who has really been through the wringer with horse shopping and ownership, and a lack of resources of pros to help her and now financial constraints… a bad suggestion?
Especially considering the repeated photos that don’t show much progress in a horse who the OP loves and wishes the best for?
Sure those photos might not be a good way to judge, as they might not accurately show her condition.
They certainly could exaggerate how poorly she looks.
It’s equally possible the pictures make her look better than she is.
Horses live a long time.
This one is in her teens
Op has another dozen years to ride her.
What’s the rush?
This forum is a wealth of knowledge.
I assumed that was why the OP came here, and then kept coming here.
If one chooses to ignore the cautions shared by members, well then why post here and share all this data? If you know what you’re doing, have a vet you trust, trainers you trust, why post here?
Especially knowing it’s the Internet and you are likely to get comments that might not be helpful, might be critical, and might even be unkind?
The genie won’t go back in the bottle.
That’s the way of the internet.
So here we are.
People are commenting, largely because they’re concerned. Much of that concern could be allayed by sharing more details of the advice from the pros on the ground, like feeds used, and specific quantities.
It’s pretty simple to calm the concerned comments if one chose to.
Not doing so only makes the concern grow, and reinforces the idea that she not getting the best guidance.
But clearly your mileage varies.
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I suggest taking front, side and rear photos of Honey weekly. If there is a nice, level, well-lit barn aisle so the lighting would be consistent, that would be a boon for keeping track of her physical changes.
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Do you include yourself in that remark? Because you have sure been adding your advice and armchair opinions.
Unless you of course have laid hands on Honey. If you have in fact laid hands on Honey, then I retract my above remark.
We only want what is best for Honey and Honey’s Mom. Opinions are like a$$holes, everyone has one. What is needed are facts. Facts according to the vet. Facts to what Honey is eating. How Much. What type of feed. How often. What brand. What type of hay.
And no, not all vets are created equal. Each vet has their expertise, their likes, their dislikes…I would suggest a nutritionist for Honey and a full panel blood work up. But I am an internet nobody, who as far as everyone here knows nothing about anything.
There are people here who have vast experience with re-feeding the malnourished horse. All they want to do is help. Their experience should not be poopooed.
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What a wonderful suggestion!
I have done many photo shoots with my tail moved to the side to see if my handsome butt cheeks were growing closer together, that and add in keeping a diary of my weight tape measurements.
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Everybody: Please get off this poor gal’s back and remember what I posted earlier about what my vet said when he saw my mare thin when I first got her. “Easy to take weight off. Hard to put it back on!”
@AdultEmmy: Don’t let the turkeys get you down.
You’re doing fine. Hang in there and I would also love to continue to hear about Honey’s progress. {hugs}
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Really.
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They could present it with a little tact, and be less pearl-clutchy when the owner responds “no thanks.”
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Ok, I will give you that.
But then again, sometimes blunt is needed. And sometimes feelings get hurt. But sometimes, blunt is an eye opener. Sunshine and rainbows are not working here.
Please look at the Matilda thread. Compare the difference in the 90 day photos to Honey.
Is the other one Henry/Harry the Handyman, or something like that, again compare the 90 day photos to Honey.
The extreme difference in the above 2 horses to Honey is dramatic. And don’t give me the different breed thing. We are talking about horses. Horses in general are pretty simple. Honey needs groceries plain and simple.
Take it for what it is worth, but something different needs to be happening with Honey.
We don’t want to see this ending up poorly.
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I think that would be Bo you’re thinking of.
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Such as yourself?
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I wholeheartedly agree with this whole post, but these two paragraphs in particular.
Im surprised (or completely missed) that no one is connecting the dots to Honey’s lack of fitness and antics at the mounting block. Without digging back, Im pretty sure the collective agreement was possible soreness and saddle fit. I don’t know HOW this horse wouldn’t be sore or how you fit a saddle to a horse that needs groceries and conditioning so badly. I think there was some improvement with this, which may have more to do with bonding/trusting OP which is good, however, she just may be being stoic. My gelding developed girth galls due to saddle fit. He didn’t show any signs or pain or discomfort before it popped up but I sure has heck got that saddle situation sorted out before we started riding in tack again even though he was acting fine. Know better do better.
Personally, I would hold off on riding until she is in better shape. There is so much that can still be done on the ground. I also really agree that putting her on pasture over the winter isn’t what I would do either at this specific point. Any ground she has gained since she has been with OP may be lost in a split second due to the stress of another move/new environment, herd dynamics, and of course winter. Then you have a much bigger problem to deal with at a bad time of the year. If there is something underlying that is in play, I would want to rule out anything obvious, especially going into a winter pasture board situation.
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Oh look, you still have interest. Shocking.
Yeah, me as much as you.
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Thank you.
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Henry the Handyman did make a pretty significant improvement over 90 days too, but he was less starving and more thin and under conditioned.
Bo does fit this comparison much better. Just plain skinny, now looking great.
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And each horse has his/her own personal metabolism. Honey will put weight on at her pace. Bo puts weight on at his. AND, he is a much heavier type to begin with. OP is doing fine. Honey will add weight at her own pace and faster isn’t necessarily better.
There is no “I Dream of Jeannie” blink or “Bewitched” nose wiggle that will magickly turn the horse into what you want, instantaneously.
Lighten up.
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Do you have a point where you think it is taking too long?
Just curious.
How long is too long to go up one BCS number?
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Yes each horse has its own personal metabolism. That we will agree. There it ends.
Honey is no better now in the weight department than she was when Honey’s Mom took her into her care. If anything Honey is worse in the weight department.
I am not being heavy. Lighten up yourself.
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Good grief. People can be infatuated with themselves.
I am not the horse’s vet and have only seen pictures, just like you. Your horse is very tall.
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Have you forgotten your opinion of the vets where you live, and that maybe that might apply in this situation too?
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