This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Horse Care » Equine Nutrition, Horse Feeds, Feeding » Rehabilitating Malnourished Horses »
  Discussion on Rehabbing Malnourished mare with foal (Long)
Author Message
New Member:
Zutessa

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 1, 2003 - 4:39 pm:

Dr. O and Everyone,

Greetings! First time poster here, but I have lurked in the background for a couple years. After being a full fledged member, I am sorry I did not apply years ago!! This site is wonderful Dr. O. Thank you for your time with it…Now down to what is going on…

I have an 11 year old mare that is what I am rating a 2, or at most a 3 on the Heneke scale.

I have known this mare for about 7 years now, although until recently, the owner refused to sell her to me.

This is what I know of her so far…
She was bought as a 1 year old filly. Bred the same year because she had her first foal the following spring. The stallion runs free amongst the mares and has been for many, many years. She has had a foal each year since she was bought. The horses had roughly 10-15 acres of fescue to run on. The owner had a “grain” milled made from Salt and crushed corn that he fed to all the horses. There were no annual shots, no farrier work, and no wormings (Periodically, the stable manager or I forked out enough money for 15 horses to worm them).

Ok, to the present time….
I brought her home about six months ago and had a friend keep her until I could get a place for her here (currently looking and buying our own farm). I live about 2 ½ hours from my friend so visits have been limited, but I always supplied all that was needed such as wormers, feed, hay, vet and farrier money, etc

When we brought her home (was about a 3 or 4 on the scale), she was pregnant with her LAST foal (if I have anything to do about it). Since then, she has had the foal and lost a great deal of weight in the process. She has been fed free choice round bale of hay and a scoop of 10% grain twice a day in a 1-1/2 to 2 acre paddock with other mares. My friend refuses to feed her anything else because she is kept in the “mare” pen with about 15 other mares. No feeding stations…just piles of grain left on the ground.

I hauled her to my barn earlier this afternoon. I cried all the way home. She has lost even more weight than when she had the filly. She is now very emaciated. She has her filly at her side. To be honest, I am at a loss for what to do. I want so bad to stuff her with grain, hay and supplements but I know I would lose her if I did.

When I first bought her, I arranged to have her teeth floated, bought wormer and scheduled the farrier to come out for a visit…my friend now tells me that it never happened. She has never had her teeth worked on, never wormed her and she has not seen the farrier. I AM FURIOUS!!! The only thing I am exactly sure of is I have wormed her several months ago with Ivermectrin.

I have put in a call to an equine dentist for her teeth, I am thinking of holding off on shots until she can handle them a bit better as well as the farrier work. I have bought 4 boxes of the Strongid wormer and 2 boxes of the ivermectrin.

Now for the question, she has been wormed in the past but not regularly so which direction should I go with that? Should I worm her as “heavy infestation” or “regular worming” and regarding your article Dr. O, when it says to give ½ the dose for a week…does that mean you give them ½ dose each day or for just that week?

I plan to slowly integrate a 16% feed with the existing 10%. High quality hay for forage, as well as run of the pasture. I gave her a small handful of Alfalfa pellets as a treat until she gets used to it. Also, I do have rice bran oil I can add to her feed but am unsure if I should let her get “settled” first.

Thanks for listening to me rant, rave and complain. I haven’t said it, but this mare is very, very important to me. I do not plan to do much riding with her. She is more a pasture ornament that I will ride occassionally. I just want to repay the kindness she payed me years ago. She saved myself and my unborn child from certain death…for that I am eternally grateful to her. I have to pull her through this!!!

Thanks All for listening,

Sincerely,
Michi
Member:
Jerre

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 1, 2003 - 10:47 pm:

My God Michi, what a story! I know others will have good help for you; I have no experience, thank goodness, of your type of circumstances.

But I'm sure I'm not the only one who wants to hear the rest of this horse's story. Please, please share it!

Best of luck,
Jerre
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Oct 2, 2003 - 6:16 am:

Hello Michelle,
You can have a fecal run on her to determine her parasite status and this can guide how careful you need to be and that would be treated just once a week. Be sure to read the article associated with this forum as it has what we think is the safest way to bring back horses from a grade 2 condition.
DrO
Member:
Cassey

Posted on Thursday, Oct 2, 2003 - 9:00 am:

Please do share the rest of the story and keep us updated on her progress. Dr. O's articles on worming and feeding will be very helpful. I have heard of many having good luck with rice bran oil, but if the cost is prohibitive, plain old vegetable oil, added slowly, is also appropriate, and you could start right away. Best of wishes.
Dee
Member:
Jojo15

Posted on Thursday, Oct 2, 2003 - 10:52 am:

Sounds like she will be fine if you have her in your care. Just go slow with all your changes... I think pasture ornament ownership is commendable. All she has to do is be there for you to gain pleasure, what better life than that... :-)

How is the foal? How old? Can a mother get so emaciated in a herd environment because she is trying to give it all up to the foal?

Good luck,
joj
Member:
Zutessa

Posted on Thursday, Oct 2, 2003 - 4:36 pm:

Thank you all for your kind words and encouragement. As far as an update, I have a vet coming out Monday to do a general exam, teeth floating, and anything else she wants to test for. I guess we will go from there…btw, I did worm her with ½ the dosage of strongid. No diahrea or tummy upsets yet…but I will keep watching.

The filly, aka Contessa, is doing fine. Fat and sassy I should say. She is inquisitive, responsive and very affectionate. She is now going on 4 months at the end of October. I wanted to wait just a little longer before I weaned her to give her a good start.

JoJo, I’m not sure if a mare can give it everything in a herd environment. I do know that this woman is a good woman. She just has a lot of horses to care for and forgets some things.



The rest of the story:

I have loved horses most of my life, but seriously took interest into them because of this mare.

Seven years ago, I was pregnant, uncomfortable, BIG and very hormonal. I was making regular trips to my sister’s house to go out to the barn with her (newbie horse person btw). I felt at ease, better, maybe even not so big…LOL I sat in a chair mostly and watched her mess around with her horses or the ones in the pasture, especially the one that caught my eye. She would really, really look at me…to tell you the truth, it was eerie at times. She always had time to stop and just sit at the fence and let me pet her while her pasture mates would call her. She would take treats ever so softly out of my hand, not like the other horses in the herd. When she wanted to be pet, she would stand in front of me but wouldn’t push. When she was in the field and noticed me there, she would stick her head up and over the others…standing so still. She took my breath away and still does to this day, despite the weight issue. Slowly over time, I began to regularly brush Sugar and I think she liked it too.

One day, I didn’t feel so big and cumbersome and was anxious to run my hands over her coat. To brush the burrs and mud out of her beautiful blonde mane. Just to be with her while she ate. I wasn’t there enough to feed her grain (did know that I didn’t want to upset her belly), so mostly it was good ole alfalfa/Timothy mix of hay versus her fescue round bale. She loved it! I brought her in as I did a zillion other times and hitched her to the feeding station that had both a bucket and hay bin. What I didn’t know until it was too late, was my sister’s mare came in too and went nuts on poor Sugar. They were both kicking at each other. She didn’t have anywhere to run to since she was tied. Her foal ran down the aisle and I was left in between Sugar and my sister’s mare. Pinned and scared for my life. I screamed, cried and desperately tried reaching for the snap that kept Sugar tied to the wall. While all of this was happening, my sister ran to the tack room and grabbed a knife she had in there. She ran back and cut Sugar loose from the wall. All reasoning would dictate that Sugar would have run off to get away from the fight…but no. She took a couple steps away and the mare turned on me. Me being the pregnant woman I was, was not very agile and fell instead of running out of the way. The mare was kicking, but kept missing somehow. I knew I was dead. Sugar ran at a dead run, past my sister, past her foal, and straight at the mare. I was somehow underneath Sugar. My sister grabbed me and I got out of the way. Sugar and the other mare fought until I thought she was going to die. Eventually, the other mare stopped kicking and wandered off. Sugar on the other hand, was in bad, bad shape. She would not move, she was bleeding, and there were big bruises everywhere. Hoofprints all over her body. Her head was held low, eyes half closed, the bruises were turning into Big Welps (I later found out that it was blood in them), rapid and shallow breathing. The owner at the time refused to call the vet to treat Sugar, although he did agree to allow Sugar to be treated if someone wanted to pay for it. I did.

While we waited for the vet to get there, I stayed with Sugar. She never took one step or paid attention to her foal. She just stood there. There was a couple times that she would open her eyes and look around…but not for long. Mostly, we just stood there…me crying…rubbing the only part of her body not kicked (her neck). The thing about it that I will never forget….is she opened her eyes, lifted her head and looked at me (like she had done so many other times). She didn’t just look…it was like she looked right into my soul…the chills went up my spine as every other time…and a single tear fell from her eye. I lost it.

Once the vet got there, he administered an IV that had the most smelly side effect in the world!! Seven years later, that sweater of mine still has faint smells of Sugar…LOL He said it was to help the blood clot and re-absorb better. She was put on stall rest / turn out, bute and a salv for the gashes she had. She lost the foal she was carrying, but she survived. She was confined away from the herd for two weeks, during which time I took sole care of her. (LOL, the smell was too bad for anyone else!) Within 30 minutes of getting back to Ft. Campbell where I was stationed, I went into labor with my daughter.

That is our story…to this day, I’m not positively sure if she was protecting me as my sister claims or if there was a herd dominance thing going on between the two mares. I do know one thing, if she had not taken the beating from the other mare that day, I would not be here nor my daughter. For that alone, I am indebted to her. The least I can do is provide a good home, loving care, hugs, kisses, food and a good pasture….and that is why I have stopped in on the farmer, asking to buy her every year to be turned down. Turns out, he is sick and trying to sell some horses. My luck. (Iknow that is bad to say…so sorry)
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Thursday, Oct 2, 2003 - 5:01 pm:

When you get it published, I want a signed copy.

Holly
Member:
Ajudson1

Posted on Thursday, Oct 2, 2003 - 5:09 pm:

Michi,

My eyes were full of tears reading your story, and I found myself nodding my head in understanding. I was gonna post a standard reply this morning "follow recommendations on this site", and am glad I waited for the whole story.

In June my 9 yr old daughter fell in love with a very thin buckskin filly. Age about 1 yr, breed supposively QH. Her neck was like a board, backbone stuck out, hip bones stuck out. Warts everywhere on muzzle, bad feet, etc. But those two girls looked at each other, and that was that. I was afraid to buy her simply for the fact I wasn't sure she'd live, and my daughter would have to deal with losing the filly. I even argued with my dh over buying this little baby, and that's a first, me argueing against a horse purchase!! But I joined this site, and followed the guidelines. 4 months later this filly looks great. And my two "girls" still gaze into each others eyes. I swear the filly knows she's been rescued. I say she's a Mustang, don't know why, just that she seems so smart and special. When she was hurt with a sore on leg, she just came and put her head under my arm. You 2 will have a wonderful life together. Just take it slow, the hardest part is wanting to feed too much outa love and concern.

Thanks for sharing such a beautiful story.

Angie
Member:
Sunny66

Posted on Thursday, Oct 2, 2003 - 5:15 pm:

WOW!!! Me tooo....and pictures.

Wishing you only good things!
Member:
Zutessa

Posted on Thursday, Oct 2, 2003 - 5:26 pm:

Thank you all for listening. I know it is going to be hard...it is hard now to not add that extra grain...not to give her a full tub of alfalfa pellets, etc. But I have hope. I will do all that I can to bring her back...and in the meantime, she nuzzles my sleeves every time she sees me. She makes me smile and leaves my spirits soaring. It is good to have her home...now we will grow old together.

Holly, my husband has always said that I have a gift of words...LOL I doubt it. Can't write a full complete sentence to save my life, but I can get my point across. Thanks though for making me feel like I did what I came to do. Tell our story. One of these days, I'll get some pictures scanned into the computer so you all wonderful people can see my darling Sugar.

Take care all,
Back to the barn,
Michi
Member:
Kthorse

Posted on Thursday, Oct 2, 2003 - 7:17 pm:

Wow, The tears are comming down as I read your story. The bond between horse and man is why I love horses. Truly beautiful. Katrina
Member:
Zutessa

Posted on Friday, Oct 3, 2003 - 10:18 am:

Hi guys,

You know, I tend to keep anything and everything. Yes, I am a packrack. Last night, I found some pictures of Sugar when this incident happened. Now they are after a few days of healing so they looked alot better. It is amazing how quickly she healed up.

Hope the link works.

sincerely,
Michi

https://www.webphotos.com/list_photos_edit.asp?mi=1&smi=1&a=121847
Member:
Jerre

Posted on Friday, Oct 3, 2003 - 11:18 am:

Michi, the link didn't work for me (I got "this album does not exist), but thanks so much for sharing the rest of the story.

I'm sure that she will become healthy soon and you two will have years of love, and mabye even miles of riding, to together.

Jerre
Member:
Zutessa

Posted on Sunday, Oct 26, 2003 - 5:50 am:

Greetings All,

Sugar passed away October 23rd at 10:17am. She collicked the night before. The vet was out and did a tubing, shots and all. She made improvement and we both thought she was well on her way to recovery.

Sincerely,
Michi
Member:
Fpony

Posted on Sunday, Oct 26, 2003 - 6:28 am:

Michi, I'm so sorry! After all the two of you have been through.My heart aches for you. Warmly, Kim
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Oct 26, 2003 - 8:23 am:

My deepest condolences Michi. I wonder if it would be possible to do a necropsy to find our what happened: it is amazing how much better you feel when you know what happened.
DrO
Member:
Dres

Posted on Sunday, Oct 26, 2003 - 10:10 am:

oh what a story you have told... my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of sadness...

do you still have sugar's foal..?? i lost a favorite mare a few years ago.. i kept her two kids, i just can't seem to part with them... they are a part of her that i can still have here on earth...

Ann

Ann
Member:
Jjet

Posted on Sunday, Oct 26, 2003 - 1:02 pm:

Our hearts are broken for you both. Words cannot express the anger I feel for the previous owner and your 'friend' who ignored her obvious needs. Are all the old owners horses in such sad shape? If so he/they should be reported and prosecuted. No one should own animals who won't give them a reasonably healthy way of life. I love my six horses so and cannot bear to think of any horse enduring such abuse. I'm so glad you were able to give her a loving, supportive environment in her last days. My most heart-felt condolences.
Member:
Zutessa

Posted on Monday, Oct 27, 2003 - 1:32 am:

Thank you all for your kind words. It has been a rough few days. Sugar is/was very special to me. Words cannot tell you what she meant to me. Her filly seems to be prospering, although it is still quite hard to look at her and not cry. She looks so much like her Momma.

Dr. O, about the necropsy...she is buried. I was so torn up, a very good friend of mine took over on the burial details.

I believe I have taken care of all that could have gone wrong. The vet suggested I start adding salt to their grain to increase water consumption and as the area is low in selenium. I have fenced off the 95% of the bush hogged weeds that is what is suspected of the cause and I have burned the round bale that they were eating off of.

All I can think of now...is to keep Tess safe...for Sugar. It is the least I can do.

Sincerely,
Michi
Member:
Cassey

Posted on Monday, Oct 27, 2003 - 6:39 am:

Michi, my deepest condolences. Keep in touch, we would love to hear all about Sugar's growth and development.
Member:
Paul303

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 28, 2003 - 9:50 pm:

Michi: For whatever reason, Sugar was delivered ( mercifully ) to you, to spend her final days surrounded by caring, warmth, and perfect love. I find it surreal, that after the lousey life Sugar endured, she ended up with you to ease her final days and present a home of security and freedom from want for Tess. Yes, you must take care of Tess, not for Sugar, but for Tess - that wonderful little piece of herself that Sugar left for you.....her precious baby.
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC