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Veteran
Posts: 116
| I have an amazing opportunity to intern with a trainer for 6 months over 3000km away, and am extremely excited and thankful for the opportunity.
I have three horses of my own, that I supply all care for. My parents have offered to look after them for me. They are not horse people, but I have been teaching them and they seem to have it down pretty good.
So far, I have taught them how much hay to feed, where to put it, and what times to feed, paddock cleaning and checking waters.
I feed grain/beet pulp every evening, and am still working on teaching them the grain. I am thinking it will be easiest to write down the exact amounts of each supplement and grain on the top of the bin for each horse, and having cups/scoops that are the correct measurement.
I am working on writing a list for them of the feeding schedule, as well as where to purchase feeds if runs out, farriers number and name, vets name and number, and emergency info such as if they are colicing or have a bad injury. Will also leave dewormers with month written on them.
Will also be teaching them how to put the halter on/lead/hold for farrier, and put on blankets if needed.
Is there anything else I am missing that would be good to include?
I'm so happy they are willing to take care of them for me, but being the worrywart I am, I want to make sure all bases are covered!
Thank you :)
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 Expert
Posts: 5293
 
| If they are not horse people that is a lot for them to remember. Lol. It might be a good idea to have a back up caretaker in case the parents need to leave for any reason |
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 Tried and True
Posts: 21185
Location: Where I am happiest | FLITASTIC - 2014-12-20 3:28 AM If they are not horse people that is a lot for them to remember. Lol. It might be a good idea to have a back up caretaker in case the parents need to leave for any reason
I agree! If your parents are the ones going to be taking care of them then obviously they wont be getting rode. Eliminate the grain, especially the beet pulp since the soaking done wrong could be disastrous, and just go to free choice hay and a mineral lick tub. The simpler you keep it, the better off your horses, and your parents are going to be. |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| Agree with the above, keep it simple. I would teach them about colic and signs of distress. I am fortunate to have a husband and daughter who are horsey to help when needed but on occasion my 19 year old non horsey son has to feed. He can follow directions but I worry about him recognizing if there is a problem. |
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 Namesless in BHW
Posts: 10368
Location: At the race track with Ah Dee Ohs | ThreeCorners - 2014-12-20 5:51 AM FLITASTIC - 2014-12-20 3:28 AM If they are not horse people that is a lot for them to remember. Lol. It might be a good idea to have a back up caretaker in case the parents need to leave for any reason I agree! If your parents are the ones going to be taking care of them then obviously they wont be getting rode. Eliminate the grain, especially the beet pulp since the soaking done wrong could be disastrous, and just go to free choice hay and a mineral lick tub. The simpler you keep it, the better off your horses, and your parents are going to be.
I have to agree here. The simpler the better. |
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Veteran
Posts: 116
| Thank you all! I really want to keep it simple and not have the grain, but one of my horses is arthritic and really needs her supplements. The beet pulp is mainly fed to mix the supplements as they are powdery. I could possibly take them off beetpulp, and mix a bit of water or oil with their grain to mix the supplements.
Beet pulp definitely would be the scariest part, although they seem to understand how it works, but again if they forget or don't let it soak long enough it won't be good.
Does anyone have experience with feeding whole bales in slow feed hay nets? I was thinking they could put a few bales out, and refill the nets once they run out. But I'm worried my horses will overeat.. They are pigs. Lol |
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 Chasin my Dream
Posts: 13651
 
Location: Alberta | I would have someone horse savvy to drop in weekly and also be a contact for them...feeding is important but do they know the signs to recognize illness, colic or any issue. Blanketing horses is a 24/7 job, judging temps to type of blanket, keeping them dry.
Good luck! |
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Leaving horses in others care, anything I'm missing?