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  Discussion on Malnourished thoroughbred
Author Message
New Member:
Klhanson

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 20, 2004 - 4:37 pm:

I adopted a 3-year old thoroughbred gelding in late July of this year. All I knew about him was that he had been pin-fired and was emaciated. I pulled his Jockey Club records from his tatoo and found that he was 3 in April, was run on the track 10 times, and had only one owner. The rescuer saved him from a dog food plant, and he went to a well-established horse rescue stable, where he was attacked by another gelding when he was housed in the same area.
The horse had very deep bite wounds in the withers, and some nasty hoof cuts and tears. He still has a small wound in the withers. He has already had pneumonia, and needed Tucoprin for it. He has had no vaccinations, and has just started a deworming program. He had aluminum shoes, but we had the farrier remove them and he is now barefoot.
Winter in the area where he is housed can be a little harsh, with snow and ice. We have a very nice neoprene/sheepskin blanket for him, and he has been getting alfafa and bermuda hay mix along with senior feed and some oats. He is picking up weight very slowly, and he is not being worked. Grazing is minimal right now. My vet feels that he had never been given any vaccinations, worming, or Coggins test based on the abuses mentioned (the vet suspects that any paperwork had been forged), plus there is a deformity in the skull that appears to be a skull fracture from a 2x4 blow to the head. The horse has pain when the farrier works on the back right leg, and there may be some ligament or tendon damage. Currently, the horse is about 300 pounds underweight, and had been around 500 pounds underweight. He is about 16 hands.
My question is, how do I maximize his nutrition and care this winter (he has a stall in a metal barn, and can move about on up to 10 acres of land) without jeopardizing his health, and when can I get a vaccination program started safely? What other issues should I have tested, what blood testing is appropriate at this point (money is no object), and should I have any sort of evaluation for the right hip discomfort other than a range of motion next spring? He will not be worked until spring, at which time he will start work for Western saddle if he is able.
Member:
Green007

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 20, 2004 - 4:56 pm:

I will let someone better equipped than I am answer your questions. However, I wanted to take a moment to commend you for taking on this poor sweet boy. It is so wonderful that his luck has changed for the better!

Member:
Redalert

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 20, 2004 - 5:03 pm:

Kristin, I would start with pulling a Coggins test on him, and a fecal...The rest someone who knows alot more than I, would have to tell you. I just have to say GOD BLESS YOU for what you have done, and surely HE will continue to pour out blessings on you for saving this animal! sounds like you are doing well by not "over doing" it right now ...the senior food and the hay mix also sounds right on target. Please keep us informed on his progress!!!! again , God's speed to you with his healing! NANCY
Member:
Eoeo

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 20, 2004 - 6:27 pm:

First thing I would do is have a thorough exam of his teeth. 3 yr olds shed caps and he could even have some abscesses. I would worm him with a mild wormer like strongid and follow up with ivermectin Gold in 3 or 4 weeks. I would give him a 5 way Fort Dodge vaccination and follow up with the 2nd just like he was starting from scratch which he might be. Remember, even though he gains weight and looks good on the outside he has been abused in the feed dept. so I would put a 12:12 horse mineral block that is put out by Purina in with a block of white salt. He will be able to get the minerals into himself that he is lacking on the inside free choice.. I would also put him on a product named Joint Health that is put out by Springtime Feeds, Inc. https://www.springtimeinc.com/live/ Actually, he would benefit also from a product called Vitamax which is made especially for stressed animals and he sure fits the bill. Vitamax can be found at Equine Racing. https://equineracing.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv
We are using it and the Joint Health on our 22 year old stud and he settled 12 out of 12 mares this year. He was having a problem in the past and this snapped him out of it. The Vitamax will help their feet immensely too.
So glad you are taking the time and energy to bring this horse around. Good Luck EO
Member:
Dres

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 20, 2004 - 7:29 pm:

Kristin, you are truely a lovely person..

maybe a little veg. oil to the senor feed as well.. that will add some weight for the winter without filling the belly...

Ann
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Oct 21, 2004 - 6:54 am:

Hello Kristin, almost all your questions about feeding, vaccination, deworming, and housing are addressed in the article associated with this forum. There has been much research lately into rehabbing malnourished horses and how you do it does make a difference, see the article for more. Concerning what blood work should be run should be directed by findings on the physical exam. As noted above a Coggins and fecal are important. I would have the lameness worked up as soon as the horse is able to withstand the lameness exam.
DrO
Member:
Goolsby

Posted on Thursday, Oct 21, 2004 - 8:57 am:

Kristin
I also want to express my admiration for what you are doing for this horse. I adopted a rescue colt last November and the experience has been very rewarding. Pardon my ignorance, but what is pin-fired? Also are vacs and coggins not required before a horse can enter the track? I would also think a well established rescue stable would pull a coggins first thing and would also give some vacs to insure the safety of the other animals there. Perhaps I assume too much.
Colleen
Member:
Sunny66

Posted on Thursday, Oct 21, 2004 - 10:26 am:

A 2x4?????????

Bless you Kristin...I'm sure he thinks he's in heaven!
Member:
Annes

Posted on Thursday, Oct 21, 2004 - 10:38 am:

My 20 yr. old TB also had been pin-fired as a racehorse. Colleen, the pin-firing was a method of treatment for tendon injuries at the racetrack. It may not be done anymore because I think it is looked upon to be rather barbaric treatment now. However, it has not caused any problem in 14 years of trail riding my horse. I also want to tell Kristin what a wonderful thing she is doing. There are far too many racehorses that need adoption. These are wonderful horses that deserve a loving home after the racetrack.
Member:
Klhanson

Posted on Friday, Oct 22, 2004 - 1:43 am:

Thank you everyone for the help and the kind comments. I will get a Coggins and a stool examination done right away, and will probably have the work up for lameness done in the spring.
Member:
Liliana

Posted on Saturday, Oct 23, 2004 - 12:52 pm:

Kristin,

Thank you for having such a good heart and rescuing this horse! You will not regret it, and he will not forget it either.

Colleen
Pin firing, at least in Europe is illegal, as the name implies a hot pin is used to burn pin-holes on the horses legs. It is a torture for horses.

Recently someone recommended a vet that works at a race track in the Texas border with Mexico and I was appalled to see the things he did which of course included pin-firing, stitching of the vulva and some other things that I cannot find a name for.

I would be very surprised if these procedures are not illegal in the USA also. If they are legal, please for our friends sake lets try and put a stop to it. From here I really do not know who or what department would deal with cruelty to animals. Guess I’ll just have to star looking it up in internet eh

Be happy
Liliana

New Member:
Andreso

Posted on Monday, Mar 13, 2006 - 4:27 pm:

Hello Kristin : Congratulations.! I fully understand your feelings. I am going trough a similar experience plus the fact that my thoroughbred swallows air!!!
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