Where to begin. We were aiming for horses in the future. Two well trained, fit and healthy mature, steady horses.
But no. We have been blessed with two rescued colts (and a mare should be here at some point soon) Destiny, fate, divine intervention, stupidity, call it what you will. When I first clapped eyes on these beasts, I wasn't sure what to do, so I thought it only polite to go find the owner.
He turned out to be quite a nice man, considering he almost starved to death a couple of his horses. Much to my surprise, he agreed to my terms. They were simple. Feed them, or be arrested. I offered to look after some of them, since it seemed clear he couldn't manage the amount he had. The local Vets and Animal Control are aware of the issue. Long story short, he gave me one of the starved colts, and a pretty healthy 8 month old. Neither are halter broke. Actually, they wont let me touch them, but they do follow me, and are curious. They will take food from my hand, so this is a good start. What's the point of breeding horses, then not bothering to even touch them. I swear, its beyond me.
Over two weeks, the starved colt has made good progress. I thought I would share an image of him from two weeks ago - the day I saw, and intervened) I've put the image on a separate page, so if it is going to upset you, don't visit it. You'll find 'Mr Skinny' here.
The previous owner didn't name them, and we haven't named them either - in the meantime, we have Mr Skinny, and Mr Red. They only arrived yesterday, so its early days.
Here they are ~
But no. We have been blessed with two rescued colts (and a mare should be here at some point soon) Destiny, fate, divine intervention, stupidity, call it what you will. When I first clapped eyes on these beasts, I wasn't sure what to do, so I thought it only polite to go find the owner.
He turned out to be quite a nice man, considering he almost starved to death a couple of his horses. Much to my surprise, he agreed to my terms. They were simple. Feed them, or be arrested. I offered to look after some of them, since it seemed clear he couldn't manage the amount he had. The local Vets and Animal Control are aware of the issue. Long story short, he gave me one of the starved colts, and a pretty healthy 8 month old. Neither are halter broke. Actually, they wont let me touch them, but they do follow me, and are curious. They will take food from my hand, so this is a good start. What's the point of breeding horses, then not bothering to even touch them. I swear, its beyond me.
Over two weeks, the starved colt has made good progress. I thought I would share an image of him from two weeks ago - the day I saw, and intervened) I've put the image on a separate page, so if it is going to upset you, don't visit it. You'll find 'Mr Skinny' here.
The previous owner didn't name them, and we haven't named them either - in the meantime, we have Mr Skinny, and Mr Red. They only arrived yesterday, so its early days.
Here they are ~
Mr Red (approx 8 months old) he looks pretty healthy.
Mr Skinny, not so healthy (approx 18 months old) ~
He also has a swelling on his forehead. The previous owner thought it may be a snake bite, but I'm not so sure. I'm going to show the image to the vets tomorrow. Then they can decide what we need to do. Its so difficult not being able to touch them.
They have already eaten the grass in the pen - Once they are halter broke, we can let them into the first paddock. I hope the electric fencing will keep them in place. The rest of the 7 acres isn't ready yet.
I bought a book called Zen Mind ~ Zen Horse by Allan J Hamilton. I hope to God its going to help me through this journey....I'm freaking out left, right and center, but, I already love these two boys :)
Any advice, will be very much welcomed.
Je suis sure qu'ils vont être très heureux avec vous et que bientôt tu les auras totalement apprivoisés grace à tes bons soins et ton amour pour eux.
ReplyDeleteDonnes nous de leurs nouvelles
Isabelle
Merci Isabelle. Je vais partager des nouvelles.
ReplyDeleteDid the vet have any comments on the head bump? It looks like an abscess for a kick or bite. To bab tryouts can't touch it to see if it has any give or is squishy. Colloidal silver on a few sugar cubes might work if it's an infection. I'm not sure how much to use for a horse though. Good luck! And bless you for taking on somethiing(s) so big.
ReplyDeleteThe vet guessed a kick that got infected - the bump will be a permanent fixture, but it hopefully wont cause any problems for him. I have never heard of Colloidal silver - will have to google that one!
DeleteThank you for visiting!
Please tell us how the boys are doing as time goes, l would love to hear. You have taken on a huge task but, l am sure it will be a very rewarding one. Hard to tell what that lump is when you can't tell if it is hard/soft warm/cool. If he is gaining weight and looking happier it is a good sign though and hopefully not too sereous? The very best of luck to two and four-legged. Pam xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam. They are doing good. The bump is nothing to worry about according to the vets, and they were wormed etc, so they are sure to be feeling much better already :)
DeleteAwwww... Abi..... you are so kind and caring...and, dammit...guys like that make me crazy! Like Greg says...if I had a gun I'd always be out of bullets! I'd shoot that guy in the knee caps first chance I got.... see how he likes being ill treated....
ReplyDeleteI hope they come along okay... lots of internal things can go so wrong with starvation and even malnourishment..
Is that a scar above the lump? Probably was hit or kicked .. hopefully it is nothing serious... will the vet be able to check them out? I sure hope so... wishing you all the luck in the world ... hugs, Vee
They are doing great V. The bump was probably from a kick, and the vets figure it will just be part of him now. Nothing to worry about, so that's good news. I wormed them over the weekend, and they will be feeling 100% better following that treatment alone. We named him Humphrey, and the other baby is called Bo :) He is beginning to love a good stroke. Humphrey is still not so sure, but we will get there. They are loving their grass, hay and grain, and make it clear they know the time is feed time. LOL
DeleteHi Abi! Such a wonderful post. I commend both you and your husband for saving these poor mistreated horses! Colloidal Silver is supposedly a treatment for many things. Just yesterday, I read an article about a man who used it for intestinal problems, and while his ailments were somewhat relieved, his skin turned blue! Strange eh? I have not been posting much, but finally decided to get off of my behind, and feel better! Im hoping a renewed enthusiasm will do just that! Wishing you the very best with your two new adoptees! xoxo Christel
ReplyDeleteThank you Christel. I'm so glad you managed to get off your behind. LOL - I'm coming over to see what you've been up to :)
DeleteI'm so happy for you and for these lovely boys, they're so lucky you found them :D The lump on the forehead does look a bit like an infection, but not much you can do other than maybe some antibiotics in their feed! Any advice needed, you know where I am. Trust your gut instincts and you'll be fine.x
ReplyDeleteI just read your reply, above, doh! Hope Humphrey settles soon, although I suspect he has the most reason to have trust issues! Bo is a great name, my baby is called that, short for Bodhran which is a celtic drum :D
ReplyDeleteThank you so much :) I'll be sure to contact you when I get stuck :)
DeleteI was sure I posted a comment long before today. Maybe it just didn't take? Anyway.....you all are so good hearted. I'm glad you can afford to take care of all the fur babies.
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