I am considering trying out a nice 10 yr old gelding. He hasn't had much work in the past couple of years and he is quite fat and out of shape. The concern I have is that about a month ago the owner decided to take him on a pack trip to the top of a big mountain in 95- 100 degree weather. When they got up there they offered him water, but he didn't drink well and later that night he tied up pretty bad. He had a couple of episodes, falling over, pulling back from his tether... but by morning he was okay. He hasn't had any other episodes since, but I'm concerned that there may have been permanent muscle and or kidney damage. I have never had a horse tie up before. I'd like to get him out of there and put him to work. He is a beautiful horse, but he is about 150 lb. overweight right now. Do you think this is something that could become a chronic problem after tying up only once? We own a cattle ranch and spend a lot of time on the range a long way from home so I really need my horses to be sound and reliable.
Need advice
