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Member
Posts: 8
| I have a 9yro gelding off the track that we just retired this year. Perfectly sound. I know this because we were the ones who trained him and have owned him whole life. Now getting ready to start him on the barrels my husband says I go a little overboard pampering him. What are some overboard things you guys do to your horses? | |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
  
Location: North Dakota | There is no such thing as overboard. I mean, I'll do ANYTHING to make my horse more comfortable. | |
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 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| I'm to the point that I only do basic stuff until they really show me something. They get vaccinated, teeth, shoeing, injections as needed, etc etc. If obviously sore they might see the chiropractor.
They don't get the expensive supplements, the BOT, the blankets, the Ultium, the Adequan, the Legend, the etc, the etc, the etc.
They're always treated well, and fed properly, but they just don't get the goodies until they've really turned in some grit, effort, and "want to". I don't want to fix or spend the money on somebody that doesn't really want the same things I do.
The horses that have done and will do anything for me are the ones that get the gravy. | |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| Is this pampering? At night when I do last check on the horses, I have been taking my cup of coffee with me. My gelding just about knocks me down to smell my coffee and tries to drink it, so I dip my fingers in it and then rub it on his lips and gums. He LOVES this stuff. I don't know if its good for him so I only let him have a couple of coffee rubs a night on his lips/gums.  | |
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Meanest Teacher!!!
Posts: 8555
Location: sunny california | mine is at an equine spa... does that tell you anything? | |
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  Northern Chocolate Queen
Posts: 16576
Location: ND | classicpotatochip - 2015-02-13 7:30 AM I'm to the point that I only do basic stuff until they really show me something. They get vaccinated, teeth, shoeing, injections as needed, etc etc. If obviously sore they might see the chiropractor. They don't get the expensive supplements, the BOT, the blankets, the Ultium, the Adequan, the Legend, the etc, the etc, the etc. They're always treated well, and fed properly, but they just don't get the goodies until they've really turned in some grit, effort, and "want to". I don't want to fix or spend the money on somebody that doesn't really want the same things I do. The horses that have done and will do anything for me are the ones that get the gravy.
THIS!!!!
All my horses receive every bit of necessary care & none do without. But the extras come when they prove themselves & earn the pampering. They have to show me heart, try & grittiness both in & out of the arena before they get the special treatment. | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 597
| classicpotatochip - 2015-02-13 7:30 AM
I'm to the point that I only do basic stuff until they really show me something. They get vaccinated, teeth, shoeing, injections as needed, etc etc. If obviously sore they might see the chiropractor.
They don't get the expensive supplements, the BOT, the blankets, the Ultium, the Adequan, the Legend, the etc, the etc, the etc.
They're always treated well, and fed properly, but they just don't get the goodies until they've really turned in some grit, effort, and "want to". I don't want to fix or spend the money on somebody that doesn't really want the same things I do.
The horses that have done and will do anything for me are the ones that get the gravy.
This is me as well. My kids good horses that try their hearts out and take care of my babies get treated like kings, my horse gets everything, Hubby's good rope horse that we just retired got, and still gets everything, these horses give us their hearts, they work hard for us, take care of us, god willing have never gotten us into a bind and my daughters horse in particular saved her from serious injury or worse, these horses deserve the deluxe package... All of our other horses are on basic cable until they deserve more... | |
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Expert
Posts: 1477
Location: In the land of peanuts and cotton | classicpotatochip - 2015-02-13 8:30 AM
I'm to the point that I only do basic stuff until they really show me something. They get vaccinated, teeth, shoeing, injections as needed, etc etc. If obviously sore they might see the chiropractor.
They don't get the expensive supplements, the BOT, the blankets, the Ultium, the Adequan, the Legend, the etc, the etc, the etc.
They're always treated well, and fed properly, but they just don't get the goodies until they've really turned in some grit, effort, and "want to". I don't want to fix or spend the money on somebody that doesn't really want the same things I do.
The horses that have done and will do anything for me are the ones that get the gravy.
This is what I do also. Unless there is some thing major wrong with them or they have earned it I won't put a fortune into them. I have a 11yr old mare that has major problems but she also has earned it. What Tess needs/wants Tess gets. She's on the edges of retirement and even after retirement she will get what she needs. I've had her since she was 4 and she's done more and won more for me than all my others combined. I have a physical disability and sometimes I need her to take care of me and she's the only one that ever taken care of me the way she does. She even broke down to a slow lope one time no matter how hard I kept trying to get her to go because she knew something was wrong. After that run she stoped at the gate and stood to let me off. Usually she's really hyped up after running her and you have to walk her around before getting off. She's taken care of me and been good to me all these years and I will return the favor.
Edited by TessBelle 2015-02-13 7:12 PM
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | I only have one horse at the moment. He's completely spoiled rotten. BUT in my defense, I don't spend the money. I've asked for all the fancy things (PHT, BOT, etc.) for Christmas and birthday gifts. I also forfeit gifts for myself if he needs something extra. He's currently injured, so I forfeited gifts for the rest of the year in order to rent a Game Ready machine to use while he heals up.
I don't blow money by any means, I'm pretty cheap - but I do try my best to make sure he is feeling 100%, even if it means I go without extras. | |
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 I'm Cooler Offline
Posts: 6387
Location: Pacific Northwest | classicpotatochip - 2015-02-13 6:30 AM
I'm to the point that I only do basic stuff until they really show me something. They get vaccinated, teeth, shoeing, injections as needed, etc etc. If obviously sore they might see the chiropractor.
They don't get the expensive supplements, the BOT, the blankets, the Ultium, the Adequan, the Legend, the etc, the etc, the etc.
They're always treated well, and fed properly, but they just don't get the goodies until they've really turned in some grit, effort, and "want to". I don't want to fix or spend the money on somebody that doesn't really want the same things I do.
The horses that have done and will do anything for me are the ones that get the gravy.
Same goes for mine too.
They all get beet pulp & alfalfa pellets, the amount depending on their weight/workload. They only get an extra supplement if they seriously have a medical condition that I KNOW the supplement is helping. For the most part they all just get Horse Guard multivitamin, then I have on on FORCO and another on Tight Joints Plus & SmartGut Ultra. They are all on a schedule for their feet, teeth, and vaccinations, so no one is ever overdue on anything.
I do have BOT and PHT products but I mainly only use them on whoever I am currently hauling. I only have one of the items I do have (BOT hock boots, back pad, quick wraps and PHT poll pack and stifle wraps) so there isn't enough for everyone to share at once. I'm really bad about using them everyday though so idk how much good they actually do.
My main barrel horse gets massaged if I think she's having body soreness issues, but it's not like on a regular basis.
They're blanketed but turned out 24/7 with the option to come into their stalls if they want, no one is ever locked up. | |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| classicpotatochip - 2015-02-13 8:30 AM
I'm to the point that I only do basic stuff until they really show me something. They get vaccinated, teeth, shoeing, injections as needed, etc etc. If obviously sore they might see the chiropractor.
They don't get the expensive supplements, the BOT, the blankets, the Ultium, the Adequan, the Legend, the etc, the etc, the etc.
They're always treated well, and fed properly, but they just don't get the goodies until they've really turned in some grit, effort, and "want to". I don't want to fix or spend the money on somebody that doesn't really want the same things I do.
The horses that have done and will do anything for me are the ones that get the gravy.
I guess I look at it differently then you
"If obviously sore they MIGHT see the chiropractor"
If my horses are sore, they go directly to who can help, no maybes about it.
I had horses come back from the trainer refusing to pick up a lead, with one quick visit to chiro to adjust them, they pick up the lead like a broke horse.
How can you or anyone expect a horse to try for you when at the beginning you have bullied them through pain, and never once listened to them tell you they were in pain and needed help.
This is why there are so many blown up horses and gate soured horses.
I also automatically treat for ulcers if I even suspect, as I learned the hard way what happens when ulcers are left untreated. Mine never did show any symptoms except for when it was too late and she bled out internally. | |
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Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| cheryl makofka - 2015-02-13 7:58 PM
classicpotatochip - 2015-02-13 8:30 AM
I'm to the point that I only do basic stuff until they really show me something. They get vaccinated, teeth, shoeing, injections as needed, etc etc. If obviously sore they might see the chiropractor.
They don't get the expensive supplements, the BOT, the blankets, the Ultium, the Adequan, the Legend, the etc, the etc, the etc.
They're always treated well, and fed properly, but they just don't get the goodies until they've really turned in some grit, effort, and "want to". I don't want to fix or spend the money on somebody that doesn't really want the same things I do.
The horses that have done and will do anything for me are the ones that get the gravy.
I guess I look at it differently then you
"If obviously sore they MIGHT see the chiropractor"
If my horses are sore, they go directly to who can help, no maybes about it.
I had horses come back from the trainer refusing to pick up a lead, with one quick visit to chiro to adjust them, they pick up the lead like a broke horse.
How can you or anyone expect a horse to try for you when at the beginning you have bullied them through pain, and never once listened to them tell you they were in pain and needed help.
This is why there are so many blown up horses and gate soured horses.
I also automatically treat for ulcers if I even suspect, as I learned the hard way what happens when ulcers are left untreated. Mine never did show any symptoms except for when it was too late and she bled out internally.
That's not even close to what I meant, don't read so much into it.
The chiropractor is 3 hours away from me. A lot of the time, even the nice finished horses don't see one, unless something is wrong. A chiropractor is not usually a necessity and I think are a luxury item. (Don't get me wrong, I've seen the chiro really work some miracles too!) It's $150 dollars or more a pop. Depending on the soreness, sometimes they just need some time off, and they're just as fresh and happy as if I'd thrown $500 at them with chiro and vet.
That's why I threw the "might" in there, because there are variables. Sometimes they need the vet, sometimes they need chiro, sometimes they need a month off, sometimes they need a different saddle, etc, etc. When horses are out in the neck, in the back, ribs, etc, that's more than just muscle soreness and needs to be corrected.
In the long run, I've noticed that mine don't seem to need as much chiro work if their feet are level, their teeth are done, their joints are maintained, and that I ride good saddles that fit.
I agree with you about most of what you said, but it's been a really long time since I blew up a barrel horse. I was 17 when that happened, and it's because I had NO clue that I was doing wrong.
Edited for a bit a spelling, punctuation, and to clarify a thought. :)
Edited by classicpotatochip 2015-02-13 8:34 PM
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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | cheryl makofka - 2015-02-13 5:58 PM
classicpotatochip - 2015-02-13 8:30 AM
I'm to the point that I only do basic stuff until they really show me something. They get vaccinated, teeth, shoeing, injections as needed, etc etc. If obviously sore they might see the chiropractor.
They don't get the expensive supplements, the BOT, the blankets, the Ultium, the Adequan, the Legend, the etc, the etc, the etc.
They're always treated well, and fed properly, but they just don't get the goodies until they've really turned in some grit, effort, and "want to". I don't want to fix or spend the money on somebody that doesn't really want the same things I do.
The horses that have done and will do anything for me are the ones that get the gravy.
I guess I look at it differently then you
"If obviously sore they MIGHT see the chiropractor"
If my horses are sore, they go directly to who can help, no maybes about it.
I had horses come back from the trainer refusing to pick up a lead, with one quick visit to chiro to adjust them, they pick up the lead like a broke horse.
How can you or anyone expect a horse to try for you when at the beginning you have bullied them through pain, and never once listened to them tell you they were in pain and needed help.
This is why there are so many blown up horses and gate soured horses.
I also automatically treat for ulcers if I even suspect, as I learned the hard way what happens when ulcers are left untreated. Mine never did show any symptoms except for when it was too late and she bled out internally.
What kind of career do you have that you can financially treat for ulcers every time you suspect it? From my understanding, ulcers cost around $900 to treat.Our horses are pampered. But I would never call the vet with every "ouchy" we have. I don't expect any of them to perform under pain, but I exhaust my efforts before dialing the vet. Call me a bad horse owner, but our farm is well cared for.... | |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | I see every horse as a gift from God. Don't think there is TOO much I can do for them. | |
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 Expert
Posts: 1440
Location: Texas | cheryl makofka - 2015-02-13 7:58 PM
classicpotatochip - 2015-02-13 8:30 AM
I'm to the point that I only do basic stuff until they really show me something. They get vaccinated, teeth, shoeing, injections as needed, etc etc. If obviously sore they might see the chiropractor.
They don't get the expensive supplements, the BOT, the blankets, the Ultium, the Adequan, the Legend, the etc, the etc, the etc.
They're always treated well, and fed properly, but they just don't get the goodies until they've really turned in some grit, effort, and "want to". I don't want to fix or spend the money on somebody that doesn't really want the same things I do.
The horses that have done and will do anything for me are the ones that get the gravy.
I guess I look at it differently then you
"If obviously sore they MIGHT see the chiropractor"
If my horses are sore, they go directly to who can help, no maybes about it.
I had horses come back from the trainer refusing to pick up a lead, with one quick visit to chiro to adjust them, they pick up the lead like a broke horse.
How can you or anyone expect a horse to try for you when at the beginning you have bullied them through pain, and never once listened to them tell you they were in pain and needed help.
This is why there are so many blown up horses and gate soured horses.
I also automatically treat for ulcers if I even suspect, as I learned the hard way what happens when ulcers are left untreated. Mine never did show any symptoms except for when it was too late and she bled out internally.
Really? Quit being so literal. I personally know Classicpotatoechip personally and i can tell you her horses want for nothing and they go to the vet or chiro when needed. She in no way shape or form rides or runs a horse that is sore or hurt. The may not be taken to vet or chiro for every little bump or bruise but to me that is absurd!! So quit being so judgemental. Sorry all this just hit me the wrong way when someone slams someone that they dont even know anything about. | |
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Expert
Posts: 1561
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 Go For It!
Location: Texas |
I am maybe a bit different than most people. There was a time when I expected a horse to "earn" the extras. My opinion has changed quite a bit over the years though. When I get a horse I treat them like they are worth a million dollars, they get all the extras that a top notch horse would expect. Every horse gets an Adequan series, probiotics, daily joint supplement, massage and chiropractic, magnetic blanket, soft rides, whatever they need. They get every opportunity to shine... If something happens and they don't turn out, THEN they lose the extras.
Honestly, I have never had one (since I changed the way I do it) that didn't "turn out". Maybe I know what I like now and don't bring them home if I don't think that they will be a nice horse. If they don't do well, it's not because they didn't have every opportunity though.
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Member
Posts: 8
| Fortune has earned every bit of what he gets. He won over 100k in his racing career for us and tries his heart out now that he's no longer at the track. I too treat for ulcers no matter what because most horses put through training get them and any equine vet will tell you that. | |
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Meanest Teacher!!!
Posts: 8555
Location: sunny california | grinandbareit - 2015-02-13 8:01 PM I am maybe a bit different than most people. There was a time when I expected a horse to "earn" the extras. My opinion has changed quite a bit over the years though. When I get a horse I treat them like they are worth a million dollars, they get all the extras that a top notch horse would expect. Every horse gets an Adequan series, probiotics, daily joint supplement, massage and chiropractic, magnetic blanket, soft rides, whatever they need. They get every opportunity to shine... If something happens and they don't turn out, THEN they lose the extras. Honestly, I have never had one (since I changed the way I do it) that didn't "turn out". Maybe I know what I like now and don't bring them home if I don't think that they will be a nice horse. If they don't do well, it's not because they didn't have every opportunity though.
This but I am pretty quik to cut one off the extras but only after I have quit pursueing them as a barrel horse | |
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | I think this thread was an innocent idea and wondering what spoiling goes on in barns. Not if you call the vet or not when your horse has an ouchy.
Mine get more personal attention over buying them the next new fad product. Even though I may want them all in my tack stall... I think my horses benefit from a little extra snuggling each day. I like to brush them out each day, and spend time with them on more of a personal level. I think my horses and I are a lot closer then most relationships because I feel like we spend that time gaining love and trust from each other. **Insert overly lovey dovey horse and owner emoticon here**
and yes, they get a professionals opinion when something is going on. I try to make an informed decision if the horse is just being a butt-face or they are hurting or something is wrong. | |
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