What are the effects on overall vigour and bone density of a infantile horse self confined to a small pen 24/7?
I recently went to look at a 16H, 3 1/2yr old Thoroughbred gelding that I be considering buying. He's had NOTHING done with him at all. He is literally upset of his own shadow and afraid to be touched. I know that issue can be corrected or improved by devoting lots of time and love to him, but my main concern is that he is kept in a 15x15 pen, and the woman that has him told me he has not been taken out of that pen surrounded by over a year! NO exercise at all. So, what I'm wondering is what kind of long term effects, whether any, can it have on such a young horse to being confined approaching that when his body is still growing? Is he prone to a lot of problems in the future? If so, what kind? And should I even consider buying him? He's very sweet and I feel so bad for him, but I can solitary afford one horse and I would want train him for jumping and dressage, I can't have a horse that is going to be lame or well injured. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!
I don't think it would enjoy affected his bone growth(bone density will change for the better when he starts working), but the horses muscles and tendons state would be in cross-examine. Given that he's shy to the touch and the conditions he has been kept in I would be worried whether he has be getting the proper medical and farrier care.
If he is up to date with the vet and farrier, I would consider him worker competent and an okay prospect for a rider not intending to use him for higher level competition. He'll need slow and wary retrain and unless he going to be barrel race, cutting or showjumping at complex levels, it's not going to matter much if he have slightly weak tendons. Get him thoroughly vet before buying, so you sure you not going to get hold of any nasty surprises.
If you are looking for a horse to train and compete, I will recommend that you not let you emotions draw from the better of you and give this guy a miss, he's a lot of work for a horse with an distrustful future.
Totally report that to animal cruelty.
This horse would not be even used to do more than walking, it would take years to bring it to where it could canter around the ring. And even then it might have alot of soundness issues.
It is honestly up to you whether you would like to work with this horse, and it would be a great commitment.
Answers: I'm a trainer at the Hooved Animal Rescue & Protection Society in IL, & the first step you need to do is find your local Hooved Animal Rescue and get some of their investigators to walk out & check this place. They will assess the situation and take the steps that need to be taken for the horses to have the best adjectives, whether it's sending them to a rescue, or telling the owner the steps she needs to take to modernize their health.
As far as this horse goes, if he is 16hh & 3.5 y/o - and as others enjoy mentioned if he's been in that pen for a year hopefully he be turned out in the critical growing months before. Also, be sure he hasn't be in this small pen because he was healing from an injury.
I hold a rescue horse who was abused and starved. It has taken over a year, but he is cool as a cucumber and the best horse, and most rewarding horse I've ever had. He's 3.5 as capably and he's seriously wonderful. Watching him learn and grow every day is the most rewarding thing I've ever experienced and I outstandingly recommend rescuing to anyone who has enough experience, time, patience, and finances to do so. Often times horses who are rescues are free or totally inexpensive, but be ready for vet bills to catch them up on everything (coggins, their teeth will need floating, etc... things beyond of late shots) as well as farrier work. Be sure you are ready to nick on the challenge and get the okay from your vet to purchase this horse (I agree- the lady should only just GIVE him away...some people just shouldn't own horses). Best of luck and feel free to e-mail me with any questions you might hold in your journey :)
You said the owner said that he'd been confined to the pen for a year, so, by inference, he was turned out up to that point, I hope. Those first years are when a lot of developmental problems come to pass, so hopefully he'll be alright physically. If you do purchase him ( I think the lady should GIVE him to you, what she's done to him is ridiculous and abusive - I'd close to to see her locked in a closet for a year . . . ) just remember that he will need impressively, very gradual conditioning work to bring him back. When you turn him out for the first time, make certain it's a fairly small paddock with rounded corners (a round pen would be good) and that you give him, or achieve the vet to give him a little tranq, so he doesn't hurt himself. I admire you for individual willing to take on the challenge, and whether you're experienced enough to proceed with the training process, or have an experienced soul who will help you, you should go for it. Since you do plan to use him for jumping and dressage (you don't vote what levels), it would be a good idea to have an experienced eye look at him for an view regarding conformational suitability for these sports, though no one can judge for certain how he'd be at these disciplines. Also, I assume you're planning a vet check.
Best of luck to you. I hope you end up with him, if you can afford to hold care of him and provide a good home next to appropriate training.
well he is young at heart and if u think he has that oertential and ur inclined to devote ALOT of time to him go ahead but exsplore ur options dont take him out of pity
and u hold to rember tbs are naturaly flighty animals
If he is scared of his shadow he may own a history of some form of abuse. My horse was previously abused and it is a lot of work to bring them around. Unless you enjoy experience dealing with something like this I would get a trainer to give support to you (if you buy him.) Definitely get a vet check on him before you consider getting him. I would worry something like how his legs are after being penned up for a year. Why have they not done anything near him? Was he aggressive so they just penned him up?
Exercise produces stresses on bones and joints that are important to building bone density, and developing cartilage in the joint. When the horse doesn't get ample exercise while growing, it does affect the way his limbs develop, and it could organize to problems along the way. I think that between the fact that he have not been handled at all, and the possible physical vulnerability from lack of exercise, he would be a poor choice for you to purchase. I would keep looking.
Those first couple years are the most important for bone growth and development. If a foal be kept confined, it would cause some major issues, you'd probably see a lot of reciprocated swelling, etc. TB's tend to be a little bit slower to mature than some of the other breeds I've worked with, so I'm not positive how this would affect him. I know from an intense standpoint, he's probably batty as hell from being cooped up that long, and some nice turn out time and exercise will probably help him relax a lot. I would manifestly take a close look at his legs, look for things like epiphysitis, check his hoof shape/development (did she have him trimmed regularly.whether not, he couldn't wear his feet down in a small enclosure, so foot are super important to look at). Another side effect of being locked up so long is his muscle development will probably be track behind other horses his age, and you'll have to do a lot of work to build him up.
If you ponder this gelding has the athletic potential for what you want to do, and the price is right, I would consider spending the extra couple hundred dollars on a pre-purchase exam from a vet. Make sure you use your vet, or pick somebody indiscriminate, but don't use HER vet.
Another thing to consider.do you really want to start from scratch with a 4 yr elderly thats not started, not handled, and already 16hand? He's going to be a little bit harder to manage than one thats have more ground work when it was younger. I know you can get really good deal on TB's off the track through CANTER. A lot of times you'll see one thats been lightly raced, used to anyone tied, ridden, hauled, big crowds, etc, and just wasn't quick plenty. I've re-trained a few for jumping and absolutely loved them. I've gotten them as cheap as $500 for a gelding.
Good luck!
