I bought a horse to save it from the slaughter?

Question

I have never owned a horse, but I just couldn't let it go to the slaughter, he is beautifull, well I think so, he is 4 years old around that, I am just worried ...How much water do they drink?????, he has a field full of green sweet grass, I have a big tub with water and fills every time he and yes the cow take drinks, the cow is fine, I just never see the horse drink.....Also, should I be worming him on a regular bases, I had the farria come to do his hoves, he said he looks like he has a little arthurites in his leg, but I am going to get a vet to check him out, it is just the water thing,I am more worried about just yet.....

Answer 1

Check out this website. It seems to have lots of good, basic information for you. Click on the items on the page to get specific answers to specific concerns.



FIRST TIME HORSE OWNER

http://equerry.com/html/ftho/eq_ftho.htm

Answer 2

Call a vet NOW. The horse may have worms or any sort of illnesses, he needs blood tests done and vaccines. If you are not prepared for the expenses of owning a horse, I would suggest calling the humane society. If he is only 4 and has arthritis, that is a huge problem. He will need a lot of medications and rehabilitations. He may be much older and needs feed supplements. Grass is not enough, he needs a trace mineral salt block to have access to at all times, you you probably should feed him grain with a vitaming supplement. Talk to the vet about this. You can pinch the skin on the horses neck, and if it goes back immedietly he is well hydrated. If it takes several second, you need to call a vet NOW. Do this first thing. If he isn't drinking he may have severe problems, possibly even intestinal blockage. Horses cannot throw up, so he may be dieing and you don't know. Look for fresh poop every day to make sure his system is moving. It shouldn't be runny ot dried out. If he gets dehydrated it can cause his intestines to stop working or get blocked up and will almost certainly kill him. Call a vet now and talk to him about everything you'll need, and see if you can get the number to a stable and maybe even take lessons on grooming, feeding, and general care. If you are not up to this, you should immedietly place the horse in a good home before any harm is done.

Answer 3

That was very nice of you, but horse slaughter is now illegal in the United States. The vet needs to see this horse ASAP, if you are a first time horse owner then you probably not sure what other sypmtoms this horse is having. Horses need to have a constant supply of water and salt blocks. Electrolytes can be given to make a horse want to drink, but donnot until consulting with a vet to make sure that there is not a more serious issue. If it has been this long then your horse is probably dehydrated and needs fluids ASAP, get a vet out there now or tomorrow if you have to. After you vet has addressed and tended to your horses immediate problems he or she can help you make a feeding, deworming, and vaccination schedule for your horse. I warn you this could get quite expensive, horses requrie a lot more personal upkeep than cows. (Also you should deworm your cow as well, with an equivalant bovine form of dewormer, ask your vet as well)

Answer 4

Thank you for saving your horse from slaughter. Perfectly healthy young horses are going for slaughter to feed wealthy foreigners. Both your horse and the cow should have a salt block or a box of loose salt. He probably only drinks a little at a time so you don't notice it. If more people like you were around we would not need all the slaughter houses that are making a fortune on horsemeat. Thank you.

Answer 5

I even have rescued maximum of horses from the two slaughter, and abandonment. You do could desire to bypass into this as a rescuer. each now and then they'll have not any actual problems and in basic terms given time and sufficient care, they arrive alongside rather nicely. yet once you do not have an excellent form of experience, this could additionally be the main distressing, high priced and heartbreaking factor you ever do. finding out to purchase this way has similarities to russian roulette. you don't get to trial the horse. many of the time you don't get to do plenty different than seem at it, in the past delivering the money. they could or will possibly no longer extremely be broken in. they could or won't be sound decrease than saddle. They fairly commonly have some degree of emotional/psychological matters. And any form of wellness matters that are no longer obvious till at last you start to look after them. in case you get it magnificent, they would be the main suitable and maximum dependable pal you have ever had!!. the vast factor is that it may desire to take a protracted time. could desire to value you a fortune in vet and feed costs. soak up each spare minute of a few time for 12months, just to finally end up with a horse this is un-rideable. as long as you bypass into this with endurance and empathy, keeping your ideals grounded extremely, it extremely is a challenge that each physique actual horse people could desire to experience. in basic terms be arranged to have each undertaking in the international with the horse, this might make each step forward the excitement that it may very well be. And shop you grateful for the little issues!!!!

Answer 6

Congratulations on your new horse! You did a very brave and kind thing to save him! =]



They drink about 14-20 GALLONS of water a day! [[depending on the horse]]



DON'T give him too much sweet green grass. Slowly get him use to it or else he could colic. ((Because I'm guessing he probably didn't have sweet green grass to eat since he was going to be sent to the slaughter house.))



Yes, you should be worming him about 6 times every year.



That is very smart to get him vet checked =] The vet should be able to help you a lot!



Have fun with your new horse and God Bless You! =]



Hope this helps dear!

Answer 7

horses on average drink a full 15 - 20 gallons of water a day. More if they are worked and a little less in the winter but at least 15 gallons or so .

Answer 8

Put a salt block out for him and then he will drink more. It really just depends on the horse and how hot it is. I have a 20 gallon tank in my field and I fill it every day with 6 horses.

Answer 9

i don't mean to be mean to rude, but some horses are just meant to die, the arthritus thing, he just isn't living the best life, and if he really is 4, thats sad for him and you that he will be living that long with such a painfull disease. o and buying a horse, and not knowing any of the basics beforehand, is just a tragedy waiting to happen. get help from like a trainer, and a vet. they are reliable people, who should be much better able to help you with this.



p.s. horses drink like 12-15 gallons a day, but if the water is accesable to him, justhave faith that he is drinking it, because he probably is doing fine.

Answer 10

worm every 6 to 8 weeks, but you have to rotate on the wormers or the worms will become imune to it. Also he is probably drinking just fine, you just dont see it, iif he does not seem dehydrated then he is probably drinking 10 to 15 gallons a day, which is the norm, any way good luck with him!! hope the vet check goes over well!!!

Answer 11

your doing alright, the horse will drink when it wants to and all that it wants, dont worry. I worm twice a year spring and fall...first freeze...and you need toask a vet on shots for your area, i live in idaho and theres alot of horses coming and going. Youll be fine and thank you for saving another horse, I am so against slaughter, ENJOY.

Answer 12

Horses most commonly drink at sunrise and sunset. Dunno why but yeah! Unless they are really hot, in which case they should be cooled down before they drink.



Worming is usually about every 6-8 weeks depending on which drench/paste you use.



My 6yr ex race horse has arthritic kind of symptoms, which I have just started him on glucosamine sulfate. about 3 days into it he started 'clicking' quite a bit more, and now two weeks on is improving in mobility. Long term use promotes cartilage repair and it helps regulate joint fluids too. I always stretch all four legs before AND after he is ridden, and try to lunge him two out of his 5 days of riding. Lunging helps keep their bodies supple. The lunge also allows them to concentrate on carrying themselves rather than lugging extra weight all the time too, but is harder work on them!



Muscle stiffness/tying up can also be an indication of imbalance in minerals. Diuretics such as 'neutradex' helps buffer the pH of urine, (encourages them to drink) which if he is dehydrated, his kidneys will not be flushing out toxins from his body. Horses in hard work can use that product to help stop lactic acid build up in their muscles.



Good luck, hope the vet check is good news for you!

Answer 13

since you didnt provide the size of the horse, or breed at least, we have no idea on the water, my 12.1hh pony drinks about 6 gallons (if that) in 24 hours. when our 18.1hh horse (thats huge incase you dont know, his sholder is 6' 4'') and he drinks about 16 gallons (i think) of water in 24 hours, plus if the horse isnt used to being on grass the sudden movement to 'lush green grass' can cause a colic, you really need to talk to a vet, just to have a check up on the horse, and for the vet to infrom you, I know you said the vet is checking him out, so that's good! depending on what you have to give him water, water trough, if so, is it short, tall, 100 gallons? metal, plastic, or is it a muck bucket (thats what we use for my pony for his night pen, no we never used it to muck) or regular buckets? what ever you use have atleast 10 gallons avaiable for a day (12 hours) just experiment and see how much he drinks!



It's people like you who help save this world's animals from the money-thirsty inhumane people who slaughter animals thank you and good luck!



by the way we have a 100 gallon for our two horses and we wash it and refill it about every 4 days and they dont drink out of that at nightm and also dont let your water troughs get all yucky, if you wouldnt drink it, dont make your horse, if stuff is growing on the side it needs to becleaned!!!!!

Answer 14

Kudos to you for rescuing a horse. If you can care for a cow, you can care for a horse. There is a little more to horse care than cow/cattle care, but you sound like a very competent person and are already looking out for the welfare of him. Good luck to you both.

Answer 15

you saved a life..thats huge..god bless...pinch his skin on the neck..does it go back down or does it stay pinched? If it stays he could be dehydrated and need vet attention...also check his gums..are they pink or white? If white then hes dehydrated..You can lead a horse but you cant make them drink..but you can add electrolytes to the water..which will replenish him and encourage him to drink...a mineral salt block put in a spot near his feed will also encourage him to drink and give him nutrients...Good luck and keep us posted...;0)

Answer 16

Generally a horse when turned out will drink approximately twice a day. My mares usually come in for water in the mornings and just before dark. You might put out a salt block if one isn't there already. Salt will get him to drink. You should worm your horse every 6 to 8 weeks.

Answer 17

*sigh* Ah, dear.



Please call that vet ASAP...



I can't believe only one other person is thinking the same thing I am (Wish I Were Riding, thank you for your sanity...!)



As for caring for a cow being the same as caring for a horse....Jesus, Mary and Joseph, on what planet is that true?!?

Answer 18

Oh thats so sweet your a great person it's extremly hard to extremly hard to explain so talk to a vet,a lesson barn,or just do some information on the internet heres one to get you started...





http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/1004.htm





As I said again your a great person,good luck!!!!!!

Answer 19

You should be worming him on a regular basis and don't worry about him drinking if he isn't you would see it in his flank es. He is drinking you just don't see him do it I have four and rarely see them drink.

Answer 20

well if you just got the horse from the sale barn then it may still be nervous or scared and just like humans when they are sad is causes them to not eat or drink, but if not then it may just be like my dog and not eat when someone is around(food shy)!!!!!

Answer 21

having him vetted would be the best thing to do he may just be stressed but at the same time he may have an underlying health problem

Answer 22

Listen If you are worried about him then sale him he doesn't belong there with you (no offense but if you don't know how to care for a horse you should not have one) he can not live off grass you are really practically making his life even worse than death sale him cheap.some one will buy him.





He should have water at all time do you have a barn if so a bucket of water in his stall would be good take care of him till you sell him k.

Answer 23

Why was it being slaughtered anyways? For food?