Horses??? Calling all horse people!!!

[tikeyas_mom]

here is a pic (in attachment) of what he looks like..



(except hes fatter, and has a bit more white on his face... I will take some pic of him next time we go up to the house).

His name is Fineous.

[Karen]

Give him an apple for a treat, but just one. Hold your hand flat with the apple balanced on your palm, so he doesn't accidentally nip your fingers.

Talk quietly to him, and don't approach him from behind. Just stand at the fence and talk quietly to him, let him get used to you. He may be easily spooked, so take it very slowly. Does he have a halter or bridle on him? Once he gets used to you, you may be able to lead him around a bit. Don;t rush it though.

He looks like he could use some exercise. He doesn't need a stable at night, depending on how cold it gets where you are, but I would definitely have a vet look at those sores. If he ONLY gets hay, he could use other food to supplement, nutritionally. Oats, etc, but ask the vet. How old is he? And is he shod, or not?

[tikeyas_mom]

No he doesn't have a bridal or anything on him.
He hasn't worn one in over two years the lady said.. So he might not approve on wearing one right away...

I am going to try giving him an apple. I heard before that you arn't suppost to give them the seeds in the apple? Should I remove the core?? I just want to make sure I don't make things worse lol. I figured out the growths on his legs are actually horse chestnuts? or horney growths?.. I read that they are normal, once he gets used to me I am going to rub cream on them till they soften up a bit, they look painfull...

Thanks for replying Karen

[Karen]

Spend a few weeks letting him get used to you before you try putting a bridle on him. Have an experienced person do that with you the first few times, as you don't want to spook him, or accidentally hurt him.

Have you had any prior experience with horses?

You don't want a dog to eat apple seeds, but I have never heard of them harming a horse! They will probably pass right through, no harm done. We never cored any apple before giving it to a horse.

[Vela]

Well just for some info, chesnuts are not painful, they have no feeling at all, horse have one on each leg. They are like fingernails, they are dead tissue, no pain. They grow long if they aren't peeled when groomed but even when long it poses no issue for the horse. Horses don't eat fruits and vegetables, they eat hay and/or grass. They ONLY need grain supplments if they are working hard and/or undernourished. If he's overweight, he needs nothing else for a supplement.

If he has trees for shelter he's doing fine. Horses can live even in winter with no shelter or blanket, although it would be best for him to have a lean to to go under to get out of the wind, they do not need to be stabled at all. My horses live outside 24/7. They have a lean to but they are healthier (respiratory wise) and happier living outside, rather than in stalls.

The horse should be fed twice a day, morning and night, if he's only eating hay. If there is pasture grass he probably doesn't need the hay in the summer/fall, only winter. He needs a clean water supply daily, a large trough filled with water that is kept full and dumped and cleaned out at least once a week.

I would not recommend riding him or doing anything else with him without an experienced horse person to help you, you will probably get hurt otherwise. You can pet him and get him used to you but I would refrain from doing much else with him until you get someone to help you.

Apples are fine, the seeds are fine, but honeslty he doesn't need much else. If you want to feed him something give him a carrot or two as well to "make friends" but he doesn't need any supplemental feeding if hes already overweight.

He would probably just like company and maybe some brushing if he's not scared of it but again, since he has not been handled much, get someone who knows about horses to come help teach you what to do so you are safe. It's really easy to get hurt. Good luck!

[pitc9]

Oh how sad!
Sure sounds like he's been forgotten about.

I hope you can make friends with him so he's not so lonley.

I'm sure brushing him and giving him carrots or apples once in a while will help to build your friendship quicker!

[IRescue452]

Sounds like they should find him another home. Poor horse. Personally, I'm against feeding 100% hay as its nothing but dead food with a few wasting nutrients. Is there at least some live grass in his pen? Are the pine trees big enough to provide shade and a good windbreak?