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  Discussion on Have to move my horse- advice
Author Message
New Member:
Callieme

Posted on Friday, Sep 16, 2005 - 3:56 pm:

I just found this site and am in need of advice. I am a greenie only a year experince with horses and the person who taught me is no longer available to me.

I have to get my horse out of where he is boarded. He is about 2 acres away from where I live. He is with 2 other horses. Not in same pasture as he has an injured leg. He reinjured a very old injury this summer.

I am getting a goat for a pasture buddy and am putting my horse in a small paddock area due to injury. My concern is he always yells when he is unable to see the other horses he is with currently. He will be able to see (probably) and smell the horses he has been with for the past year. Any suggestions how to relieve stress upon moving him. There is about 2 acres and an apple orchard in between.
He is 25 yr old. He will moved tommorrow late afternoon. He has to be moved. Do I feed normal grain amount at dinner.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Sep 17, 2005 - 9:14 am:

Welcome Lisa,
Yes you can feed him normally and if your situation is as stated in your post, there seems to be little you can do to make this easier. Usually the hollering will stop in 3 or 4 days and the biggest concern is that he might test your fences. Be sure they are in good shape. If he seems to be getting increasingly agitated you could put acepromazine in his feed for several days. For amounts and frequency see Equine Medications and Nutriceuticals » Sedatives & Anesthetics » Acepromazine.
DrO
Member:
Redalert

Posted on Saturday, Sep 17, 2005 - 9:27 am:

Hey Lisa
The goat might help, or if you can locate a friendly pony to put with him. You can usually find a good pasture mate really cheap from local auctions (in Georgia, the Agriculture Dept. rescues abused and neglected horses, and auctions them off- they are usually so happy to have regular food, water, and any attention, that they are quite gentle). BUT, you should ask questions first, as some animals who have been starved become quite extreme about getting fed FIRST that they might kick or hurt another horse who has had regular care! Your goat idea is good if your horse bonds with it(same with the "rescue horse/pony)! Good luck ... it IS maddening to have to watch and listen to your horse for a day or two (like DrO said) but it should pass!
Nancy
New Member:
Callieme

Posted on Sunday, Sep 18, 2005 - 10:30 pm:

Thank you for your help.
Moved my horse yesterday. We got him a goat for a friend. So far it has been Ok. He has been pacing and his leg is a bit swollen, but not to bad. Very little yelling so far. Hope it continues
Member:
Qh4me

Posted on Monday, Sep 19, 2005 - 1:26 pm:

Lisa,

Welcome...I would imagine as the days go by, he will get better and if he hasn't called alot, he likely won't now, and the pacing will eventually stop.

I remember about 10 years ago, we thought we would get a pasture body for my old gelding. The next door neighbour had a sheep who loved horses, and his horse buddy had just died of old age, so of course, what a good pair right??? Well, when we unloaded the sheep, he noticed my gelding and thought, wow, theres my buddy and took off running towards him. Scared the bejeebers out of my horse, he cleared the fence and took off to the back of a 200 acre field. He snorted and fretted for a week, and was petrified of the sheep. So we took back the sheep and left the gelding alone. For about 2 years, everytime he noticed something white and moving, he would go a bit snaky.

So if your guy gets along with the goat, that is great!
Member:
Canter

Posted on Monday, Sep 19, 2005 - 4:24 pm:

Another word of caution about non-equine pasture buddies: my former TB who I had to retire several years back, recently got a goat as a pasture buddy. They get along great. However, the goat ate the horse's tail and what once was a beautiful, thick glorious tail, is no longer there!
Member:
Leilani

Posted on Monday, Sep 19, 2005 - 5:57 pm:

Ha, ha. I boarded my friend's mare on my property a few years back and my goat, Shigey Boy took a real liking to her. He used to (with her permission) sleep under her. A couple of times his horns got tangled in her tail, but she never raised a hoof to him. Good luck; goats are great.
Leilani
New Member:
Callieme

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 21, 2005 - 12:20 am:

Well so far not bad. Blitzen is still pacing,but it's getting better. Love the goat stories. I didn' realize how fun goats could be.

At first my horse let the goat eat out of his feed bucket and just watched her. Guess she got tired of it as tonight when I put hay out the goat started eating it and my horse went after her. It looked like he bit her ,but no marks. He pretty much did a lift and push of the goat. Of course she still didn't get it. When I put 3 other small piles of hay out she still went after the horses pile. Did also see the goat go after his tail. She is a baby so wouldn't eat to far up. They do seem to be developing a friendship.
Lisa
Member:
Canter

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 21, 2005 - 8:04 am:

Glad to hear it's going well, Lisa. I envy you...I've always wanted one of those little pigmy goats...I think they are so darn cute!

Enjoy! I bet you'll have some of your own goat/horse stories to tell soon...
Member:
Green007

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 21, 2005 - 9:14 am:

If I ever need a companion for a horse someday, I have already decided it will be either a donkey or a mini. They are just so cute!
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