Well I finally got it done

The first time ever. I got the babies registered! What a feat though. Being as it is something new to me, it was a learning experience even. But boy, am I relieved.

I also called the vet, who will be out on Monday, weather permitting, to 1. geld Cotie, 2. pull his wolf teeth, 3. pull Coggins and 4. put my beloved Rottie Heidi to sleep.

More about Heidi in a seperate post.

For Sale - $1,500.00

Genetically tested as a palomino. A/A, e/e however, she is going gray I believe.

"CC" is registered AQHA, NFQHA and FQHA. She's 14.2hh

Her registered name is Foothills Cappuccino

Her pedigree is listed on All Breed (click on link)

She's not been started yet, but will be this spring - fall. She's used to kids running around like screaming banchees, cats, chickens, etc. She isn't spooky but will be "alert" if the killer bag goes flying across the field. She's at ease with other horses, foals, mares and geldings. CC leads, loads, does all the normal typical stuff she should, all but had someone sit on her and ride. She is currently a 3 yr old. Ready to start your way. Good mind and solid feet, doesn't crib, bite, kick or charge, easy to handle on the ground.

If interested email me privately at my email address.

Cotie

This is my stallion Cotie, each of these pictures were taken today. Of course it has been raining off and on since yesterday. So please excuse the muck.

Cotie weighs in now at 969 lbs and is somewhere around 15hh. I'd like to see him bulked up a bit and of course fully shed out. I've put him on that Gold As Sun stuff to see if it makes any difference in his coat color. I'll post the results after the tub is gone and his coat is fully blown.

He's finally developing that chisled jowl of a stallion, I think I see it anyway. Now he may not have an A list pedigree, he may not have what one would call eye appeal, since beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

In my opinion, he has matured into a fine looking horse. What do you think?

Proud? Why Yes I Am!

I was accused of being "proud" of my horse Cotie once. Ya know, I have to agree, after much deliberation and thought, I admit, yes I am proud.

Cotie came here when he wasn't quite 4 months old, he got shipping sickness shortly after he arrived that quickly turned into full blown pneumonia.

Fast forward to about his 2ND yr. I decided to sell him to someone who really wanted him to service her own mares, since my fencing seriously lacked the security it needed for an intact stallion. Well, things didn't work out as well as I had hoped. In fact, things didn't work out at all. After him being there for about 8 months, I brought him home. He had lost a significant amount of weight and hadn't grown much if at all.

Well, he has been back home for a year now. His temperament remains the same as it always has been. He's a pretty "Steady Eddie" in that department. According to the new tape, he weighs 969 lbs. My height stick is in two pieces currently, so I used the tape, according to it, he's at a flat 15 hh. However, I think he's taller then that, I don't think I used the tape correctly. Neither here nor there, he looks pretty good now. One can no longer feel the every vertebra or all ribs. I can see muscle AND fat. It was a long year of recovery, one that I am SO glad is over. Cotie has had a rough start in life. So to say, "She's proud?" Why, yes, I guess I am.

Cotie has 2 foals due to hit the ground this summer. One will be for sale, the other is already sold in utero. He will be gelded here shortly as I would rather him being out in the open enjoying life, seeing the sights and going on trail rides with me.

Botulism~

It seems there's a Botulism outbreak in our area. Carol from the tack store sent me an email saying that there's been some horses that have died from this. From what the Merck Manual states, it's a horrible way for any animal to go.

Merck Vet Manual - Botulism

As I recall, awhile ago, there was a hay supply that was suspected. We had had an outbreak of botulism cases here locally, when exactly I don't recall. I need to check into this further to see if there's a pattern from where the suspected source is. Sigh..... if it's not one thing it's another! Everyone be careful and check it!

Today~

I met an interesting person. Someone that I know I've seen before, but never had the opportunity to talk to. She ended up with a horse that is in her words, "Sorry shape", enough so that she's flaming mad about how poor he is. He has rain rot, skinny and of course blowing his winter coat. So he looks worse then he actually is I'm sure. However, she said she could feel every rib.

I felt bad for her, I know her frustration. The anger at whomever had the horse previously to allow the animal to get in such a state.

I advised her to do several things.
One contact the vet, have the vet come and do an exam on the horse. Two, power pack the horse. Three, Bathe the horse with an astringent type shampoo. Four, put the poor thing on a really easy to digest and palatable grain that's a complete feed. Five, free choice hay. And finally Six, Groom, groom and more grooming. And a possible Seven, perhaps putting him on SMZ's for a bit would help with his skin issues and anything else that may be going on. I would Definitely have his teeth checked also, thinking about it, but I forgot to mention that.

I'm sure she thinks I'm nuts. But I've been there, done that.

She asked me how long it should take to see some improvement. I said, about 6 weeks to 2 months. Possibly more, the longer the horse has been down it seems the longer it takes to bring them back up. And the horse isn't young, so bouncing back may take a bit more doing then just tossing food at the poor thing.

Example:
This picture is about a year old. Taken 3/24/07

(This is NOT the horse in the post above, however.)




This was taken 8/19/2007



Yes, I know, I take REALLY crappy photos, so please don't hammer me for them. I'm trying to get better at my picture taking skills. It's hard when your subject wants to be In your face instead of standing still for that "perfect" shot. : )

WHY do people let their horses get to this state before they find them another home? Are they hoping for a miracle? Are they hoping that hay prices will go down? Simply saying they can't afford it doesn't make sense to me. If you couldn't afford to feed the horse, then, sell it, give it away if need be. Find a temporary home for the poor thing, as in Free lease the horse out. Anything but let them starve!

Which brings up a question. If you came across a horse that was in sad shape, what would you do?
A. Say something to the owner
B. Call the authorities
C. Sneak the horse food
D. Attempt to get the horse
E. Walk away
F. All the above
G. None of the above

And if you chose answer A. How would you approach the owner about it? Would you ask if the horse had a medical problem that led him to be thin and sickly? Or would you use a more tactful route? I'm curious how others would approach this touchy subject. I have been faced with this before.