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  Discussion on Advice to Pasture Board a 34 Year Old
Author Message
Member:
kellys

Posted on Thursday, Feb 6, 2014 - 4:30 pm:

Dr O,

I have a 34 y/o arabian gelding w/ melanoma and cushings. I have cared for him for 4 years after my father took ill. I live in a city so he is currently kept in a stall except when I am there daily to care for him. I am considering moving him to a rural area, to pasture board, about 1 hr away.

The barn I am looking at now looks like a postcard. The owner lives on the property and keeps her 2 horses and boards no more than 2 others. She has a small barn that the horses have access to 24/7.

The owner stays with them while they eat so Walking Tall won't have to compete for food (containing his pergolide). The owner said she hasn't had a problem with the horses not getting along so it appears that there are no aggressive horses there. In general, how does an older horse fare being kept with other horses?

I have a concern with free access to grass causing a problem with Cushings. He only has 6 molars and quids grass so does this mean he will likely not ingest enough to cause a problem?

Lastly, he has access to the barn in extreme conditions, but there is no guarantee he will go there?

I think you will say the best way to find out is to give it a try but I would like to make an educated decision to be successful. I don't want to lose my place at my barn and incur addl expense....but think it would be wonderful for Walking Tall to live out the remainder of his life doing what horses were meant to do.

Any advice at all would be appreciated from you and any members.

Thanks,
Kelly
Member:
lsweeney

Posted on Thursday, Feb 6, 2014 - 9:16 pm:

I would worry if the horse wasn't used to being out on grass with a cushings diagnosis. I would also worry that the horse might be picked on or run around with the other horses. Is there a way to create a temporary area where you keep the horse's exposure to grass controlled and a barrier with the other horses, and then slowly introduce the horse to the others and the grass? I did this when I introduced a young yearling filly to my 2 older horses that were awful to her. It gave them a chance to get acquainted with a fence between them.
Member:
mrose

Posted on Friday, Feb 7, 2014 - 2:17 pm:

I would also sorry; Normally, cushings horses don't do well when turned out; at least not in my experience. They need very careful monitoring as to sugars. Also, an older horse is very often picked on by younger horses, and I would worry about him being pushed away from his feed. Since he is quidding and has so few teeth, I would assume most of his nutrition comes from his feed ( pellets, beet pulp etc.) and not from the grass, but even so, I bet he could get enough grass to affect his metabolism. Like you, I like the idea of his enjoying all the turnout, but it would worry me. And, I would also worry about the shelter situation; again the younger horses would push him out imo. It seems like even though an older horse is doing very well, it doesn't take a lot to push them onto the "downhill slide." If he is doing well and seems happy where he is, I'd tend to leave him there. This, of course, is from the "outside looking in" and just based on experience I've had.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Feb 8, 2014 - 9:00 am:

Hello Kelly,
I feel a little different than others about this knowing how much happier horses are out. Then again there are individuals very happy to be in their stall looking out at the world...this should enter into your calculations.

If your Arab has not had a problem with pasture associated founder, is currently in good body condition, and does not have chronic lameness issues I think it is worth a try. It is exactly like you said: until you put them together and then monitor how your elderly horse does you will not know for sure.
DrO
Member:
mogedy

Posted on Saturday, Feb 8, 2014 - 11:55 am:

I agree with Dr. Oglesby. I have had several Cushings horses do perfectly fine on pasture full days . They were also on pergolide and never had founder issues. At 32, I can imagine he'd be thrilled outdoors as long as he has shelter and she keeps an eye on him with the other horses. Even limited grass turnout for horses like this is a real boost to their morale. Spring and fall are the high sugar times. Once the heat hits the sugars DrOp. At some point quality of life becomes as important as "quantity". Sounds as if he might also be a candidate for day turnout and nighttime stall as a compromise if that is available.
Member:
kathleen

Posted on Friday, Feb 14, 2014 - 3:38 pm:

Did the new barn owner give you an idea of what his/her plan is as to introducing Walking Tall to pasture and the other horses?
Member:
kellys

Posted on Saturday, Feb 15, 2014 - 3:52 pm:

The barn owner now has filled the slot she had open so I am back to the drawing board. I have a couple of other places to check. One is where the barn has a row of stalls with small paddocks attached with shaded overhang and the other is to be stall kept at night and turned out during the day in his own paddock with an adjoining paddock so he will have company of other horses. Sara, I intend to continue providing his pre-mixed feed. He is on Wellsolve L/S, alfalfa cubes (transitioning to pellets), and rice bran to balance calcium/phosphorus ratio and add some extra calories.

Thank you all for your advice. I have weighed it carefully and appreciate your shared experience.
Kelly
Member:
mrose

Posted on Saturday, Feb 15, 2014 - 5:17 pm:

Good feed choice imo. I like the idea of turnout during the day and in at night, unless the weather is terrible or really hot with no available shade. My older horses seem to like this arrangement. I feed them their supplements and goodies at night along with extra feed, which they usually finish by morning. The only downside I'd think would be if there were aggressive horse that picked on him.
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