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I've been meaning to do this for awhile now but haven't had the time! I'll be consolidating Roman news and updates to this thread for those who are interested in following. :)
For those who do not know, Roman is my 13 year old OTTB gelding that I was essentially given in May of this year. See thread 'I'm getting a horse!' (LOL) >> https://horseeden.com/forums.php?f=5&t=12927
The past 7 months have been lots of learning, trial and error, but we're both still here! XD Will update soon!
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Yes!! I need this thread in my life! :D <3 |
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Some Ro updates!
Ro has been on his new feed schedule for approx. 2.5ish weeks now (since 12/1) and the biggest change I've noticed is his attitude! He is much more mellow, patient and chill - no tugging, pacing or moving at the tying post and he doesn't race back/drag me to his paddock. He is currently getting free access 80/20 grass/alfalfa in a slowfeed haynet, 1 flake of alfalfa AM and PM and 1lb of a stable mix (total feed) + 1 scoop Cool Calories in the AM. Prior to this, he was just getting 1 flake (if that) alfalfa AM and PM, it just wasn't cutting it. I'm starting to notice him filling out so I might cut the alfalfa in the PM. My ultimate goal was to just have him solely on the free access but I kinda want to keep him on some alfalfa so... I'll likely keep it in the AM.
We were also having some issues with him tripping (way too often) and constantly nicking the back of his front feet with his hind feet. I mentioned it to the farrier and he came out and trimmed his toes back quite a bit and put aluminum shoes on. No clue what the purpose of that was but the tripping has essentially stopped lol. I'm guessing they are much lighter than steel? His abscess has also healed up great.
The next goal is to get a saddle fitter out to help me with that. We're getting by with his but I'd like an expert opinion. I'd like to purchase him something with a changeable gullet - either a Thorowgood or a Wintec, but I'm not doing diddly til someone comes out LOL. I've been communicating with one but she's been so busy she hasn't been able to schedule me. :/ Crossing fingers she comes out soon!
Hmm what else. Oh - he's been moderately cinchy for awhile but not really enough to convince me it was ulcers. Well now he's so irritated that if I brush his sides, underbelly or flank, he pins his ears and nips at me. I ordered Abprazole from Abler ("blue pop rocks", pelleted omeprazole) around Thanksgiving and I am starting him on it tomorrow. I've kinda put it off because I'm going to have to go out there every day to feed it to him myself - I don't trust the feeders to dump everything in my grain baggies into his bin. 1 month treatment only cost me $135ish so I figured heck, couldn't hurt! So... we'll see how that goes.
And now enjoy a fun video of Ro being a crazy racehorse man - I can tell he's feeling much better in how he moves! He has so much more energy! I've also never seen him flag his tail before LOL - so cute!
*** https://youtu.be/J91atbWjtBk |
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Aww look at him go!! He's so handsome x3
Hopefully his ulcers clear up with the abprazole <3 |
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Alright so we are... approx. 1 week (I think?) on Abprazole - maybe 6 days. I had to find a magical way to hide it in his feed because dressing it on top of his pelleted grain was a no LOL - he pushed it out of the way and wiped his face all over his feed bin. So I got this really sticky all-in-one with molasses and I'm able to make a little nest in it, pour the Abprazole in, add a little maple syrup to make it stick, scoop of Daily Gold and mash some more all-in-one on top lol. He inhales it - woot!
I was out yesterday to ride and I have noticed he is not as cinchy or sensitive on his sides, but still sensitive around his flanks. Going to give it another week and see where we are at then. He was obviously feeling better because we went for a ride and he was bonkers - tried to dump me twice, LOL. We ended the ride with a moderately controlled trot and a broken noseband but on a fairly good note. I tried to really channel his forwardness and use it buuut it was a little tough. We may need to start lunging before rides if he's always going to be feeling that good. XD
I was out today to give him his meds but we had 25 mph winds and after yesterday, it was a big NO from me hahaha. Plus I had a major allergy attack. Tomorrow is supposed to be much nicer so I'll go out and ride. :) |
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Abstract Dunes said:
We were also having some issues with him tripping (way too often) and constantly nicking the back of his front feet with his hind feet. I mentioned it to the farrier and he came out and trimmed his toes back quite a bit and put aluminum shoes on. No clue what the purpose of that was but the tripping has essentially stopped lol. I'm guessing they are much lighter than steel? His abscess has also healed up great.
The reason they cut the toe back and keep the heel more upright in a horse who forges is to stop them from hitting the backs of their heels, and aluminium being a lighter metal may have something to do with his balance which could be why he forges? You'd have to ask your farrier about that :D |
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Im sure once you can cut back on all the stiff youre adding to get him to eat he'll settle back down. Hes having a sugar rush from all that. When I have supplements that my horses won't eat I soak the feed and mix the meds in. Might be able to try that. |
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Summer said:
The reason they cut the toe back and keep the heel more upright in a horse who forges is to stop them from hitting the backs of their heels, and aluminium being a lighter metal may have something to do with his balance which could be why he forges? You'd have to ask your farrier about that :D
Well when we got him, his feet were crap and I guess he needed help in the heel area, so I think our farrier was intentionally letting his toes go long to help in that department? But after... 6 or 7 months, the constant clicking/tripping/bumping the backs of his front feet started bugging me and I mentioned something to him. He's my husband's friend and a GREAT farrier from what I've heard, but he is so busy I typically don't talk to him (except passing him a message about Ro through my husband) and he does Ro's feet on his own time (like shows up whenever, does his feets and then texts husband he's done LOL) so I don't get a chance to chat or talk. I'm sure he wouldn't mind explaining but I just kinda trust what he's doing. XD |
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Whipperwill Estate said:
Im sure once you can cut back on all the stiff youre adding to get him to eat he'll settle back down. Hes having a sugar rush from all that. When I have supplements that my horses won't eat I soak the feed and mix the meds in. Might be able to try that.
I thought it might be the sugar from the molasses (er, maybe the maple syrup too LOL XD) but I'm feeding him very little to try and prevent that as much as possible - literally just a few handfuls. Unfortunately I can't soak this medication. It has a special coating so that the medicine gets carried to his digestive tract intact, which is why I have to use something kinda sticky. I almost don't mind the extra energy boost but I heard long-term sugary grains and whatnot aren't good for tummies. |
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Yes. Sugars can cause problems but short term like you're doing should be ok. Do you think the amount of ulcer stuff would fit in a carrot if you hollowed it out? Then just something to fill the end and give him the treat. Maybe that would work.
Abstract Dunes said:
Whipperwill Estate said:
Im sure once you can cut back on all the stiff youre adding to get him to eat he'll settle back down. Hes having a sugar rush from all that. When I have supplements that my horses won't eat I soak the feed and mix the meds in. Might be able to try that.
I thought it might be the sugar from the molasses (er, maybe the maple syrup too LOL XD) but I'm feeding him very little to try and prevent that as much as possible - literally just a few handfuls. Unfortunately I can't soak this medication. It has a special coating so that the medicine gets carried to his digestive tract intact, which is why I have to use something kinda sticky. I almost don't mind the extra energy boost but I heard long-term sugary grains and whatnot aren't good for tummies.
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Morning Frost, but Warming
