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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 456
 
Location: SW MO | I am interested in a 4 year old gelding that needs some groceries... but the fact that he does need some TLC at a young age kind of worries me. Is there anything I should watch for if I do decide to purchase him? He is 15h, so his growth is alright height wise, but he is pretty thin. His topline is all there, but over the back side of his hips and the side of his body look thin. Should I be concerned? |
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| I would definitely have his teeth checked out by a vet. It could just be that he has never had his teeth looked at, and he may have some loose caps in there, or he could have a dental issue cropping up. He could have gone through a growth spurt and they may not have given him all the groceries he needs. Some horses that are put on the back burner really don't get that much attention paid to them, and if he is out in a pasture with others, he may not be the alpha horse and gets pushed off feed. He may never have been dewormed either. I wouldn't be overly concerned, but I would go into it with my eyes wide open, knowing he could have something minor or something major you may need to put money into.
Edited by madredepeanut 2018-01-05 7:05 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 456
Location: SW MO | madredepeanut - 2018-01-05 7:04 PM
I would definitely have his teeth checked out by a vet. It could just be that he has never had his teeth looked at, and he may have some loose caps in there, or he could have a dental issue cropping up. He could have gone through a growth spurt and they may not have given him all the groceries he needs. Some horses that are put on the back burner really don't get that much attention paid to them, and if he is out in a pasture with others, he may not be the alpha horse and gets pushed off feed. He may never have been dewormed either. I wouldn't be overly concerned, but I would go into it with my eyes wide open, knowing he could have something minor or something major you may need to put money into.
The owner is an acquaintance of mine, and she remarked that they moved him to a new pasture because he was being chased away from the hay feeders by the older horses and that he is the lowest on the totem pole. I will definitely ask about his teeth- I know that younger horses can have dental issues that need to be addressed. |
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| Mzbradford - 2018-01-05 5:13 PM
madredepeanut - 2018-01-05 7:04 PM
I would definitely have his teeth checked out by a vet. It could just be that he has never had his teeth looked at, and he may have some loose caps in there, or he could have a dental issue cropping up. He could have gone through a growth spurt and they may not have given him all the groceries he needs. Some horses that are put on the back burner really don't get that much attention paid to them, and if he is out in a pasture with others, he may not be the alpha horse and gets pushed off feed. He may never have been dewormed either. I wouldn't be overly concerned, but I would go into it with my eyes wide open, knowing he could have something minor or something major you may need to put money into.
The owner is an acquaintance of mine, and she remarked that they moved him to a new pasture because he was being chased away from the hay feeders by the older horses and that he is the lowest on the totem pole. I will definitely ask about his teeth- I know that younger horses can have dental issues that need to be addressed.
That's great his owners are being open and honest with you, since you know them, and you aren't scratching your head too much as to why he is thin  |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
 
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | If they are not selling him for a bunch and your getting a good deal on him I say go for it, I would have his teeth done and dewormed. Is he broke and really to get a job? |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12841
| Often I have my 4 year olds' teeth floated 3 times in a year. being lotwo things make sure you west in the pecking order can make a huge difference. I just bought a mare sight unseen. She obviously was pushed away from the hay. One month at my house where she is separated to eat in peace has made a huge difference. A couple of things, make sure you have a valid coggins and you might have the horse checked for EPM. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 456
Location: SW MO | Southtxponygirl - 2018-01-05 8:33 PM
If they are not selling him for a bunch and your getting a good deal on him I say go for it, I would have his teeth done and dewormed. Is he broke and really to get a job?
Yes. He has been hauled to arenas to see the sights and is quiet enough for a 12 y/o girl to ride. He has a coggins. He’s priced under 3k and is a son of Zoomed (by SHAZOOM) out of a daughter of Outdashem. He’s loping around and has a nice stop. I’ll have his teeth checked. Thanks all!! |
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Location: Somewhere up North | Teeth, regular deworming and a rigid feed program that includes good quality hay and grain will make a big difference in a few months time. I've had young horses that I've brought in who were very thin and in two months time looked great! |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Mzbradford - 2018-01-06 11:18 AM Southtxponygirl - 2018-01-05 8:33 PM If they are not selling him for a bunch and your getting a good deal on him I say go for it, I would have his teeth done and dewormed. Is he broke and really to get a job? Yes. He has been hauled to arenas to see the sights and is quiet enough for a 12 y/o girl to ride. He has a coggins. He’s priced under 3k and is a son of Zoomed (by SHAZOOM ) out of a daughter of Outdashem. He’s loping around and has a nice stop. I’ll have his teeth checked. Thanks all!!
Sounds like a really nice deal  . When you get him you need to show him to us |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 618
| Is he a track reject, only asking bc of breeding?
If he's a track reject I'd check him for ulcers most likely he's had dental work done but will probably need to be brought UTD. |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| I think it also is super normal for them to go through growth spurts and they can slim out. Mine did that, I wouldn't ever called her thin but I made adjustments so she wouldn't and not all have that kind of care. I wouldn't be too worried unless he seemed stunted. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | Since his height is not stunted I wouldn't be concerned at all. I've bought quite a few that needed some groceries because they were a great bargain. As soon as I get them home I de-worm, schedule a dental appt, and for some I will run a couple of tubes of Ulcergard through them the first week to help them settle in. Then I just put all the hay in front of them they can eat and feed like normal. They bloom out within a month or so. |
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 The One
Posts: 7998
Location: South Georgia | Teeth, parasites, ulcers come to mind. I bought a very thin mare last year and she put on weight with no problem. She had no physical issues, other than her former owner not feeding her adequately. It's a gamble. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 456
Location: SW MO | iloveequine40 - 2018-01-07 11:32 AM
Is he a track reject, only asking bc of breeding?
If he's a track reject I'd check him for ulcers most likely he's had dental work done but will probably need to be brought UTD.
He never went into race training and was never raced. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 456
Location: SW MO | BamaCanChaser - 2018-01-09 11:18 AM
Since his height is not stunted I wouldn't be concerned at all. I've bought quite a few that needed some groceries because they were a great bargain. As soon as I get them home I de-worm, schedule a dental appt, and for some I will run a couple of tubes of Ulcergard through them the first week to help them settle in. Then I just put all the hay in front of them they can eat and feed like normal. They bloom out within a month or so.
Thank you! You always have great advice. I appreciate it BCC! |
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