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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
    
| Maintenance is just that. You do certain things to your truck/car to keep it running properly or make it last one nger. I have a 16 year old Dodge diesel that has had excellent maintenance through the years----bought it new. It runs like a champ. The same is true with a horse. With proper maintenance it will run like a champ. | |
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 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | None of ours are maintenance free. I consider them pretty low maintenance, but they all require at least one thing. | |
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 Three in a Bikini
Posts: 2035
| All three of mine survive on prairie hay and water.
Would they run better with chiro/supplements/voodoo magic?
Yes!
But I personally am too lazy to take it all on. My 16yo is 2D but could be winning the 1D if I actually invested the time that is needed into him.
Maintenance is not something I took into account when I decided to become a competitor. I chose to take the easy way out. I think that is really something to consider when you have a good horse. How far are you as the owner willing to go. | |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 359
Location: BETWEEN HOT FLASHES AND GERITOL | My barrel horse never was and now that i'm just roping (heeling) he" always sound. | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 805
Location: Montana | cavyrunsbarrels - 2015-06-24 11:58 AM
Lucy's Mom - 2015-06-23 12:17 PM I wish. My gelding got turned out for two months because at the time I couldn't afford to get maintenance done on him. He had injuried his back. So I started watching YouTube for stretches that would help him self adjust. We got my mare injected last year for the first time at age ten. We also discovered last year she was a bleeder. This mare though she may never be a 1D horse has given me 110% every run. I hadn't gotten her injected because I couldn't afford it and couldn't justify it by only going to a couple races a year, ( when I could afford to go). I think horses need the maintenance people just don't want to spend the money. My Dad is one, he is always telling me that in his day they didn't have everything they do now, and their horses worked just fine. And I tell him well with certain calming supplements you could have won Appaloosa nationals in pole bending if you could have kept her mind together by using them.
My dad firmly believes that vets are con artists and EVERY equine ailment can be fixed with bute or a bullet. Drives me nuts.
Lol Mom talked him into taking his calf/heel horse (her barrel horse) in once to see a chiro (aka Witch Doctor) the guy staples and magnets in his ears and told him that he should get him injected ( this back when injections first got popular) I thought Dad was gonna blow a cork when he seen his horse. Lol that **** horse was a cheat anyways took one hard jerk from not wanting to stop correctly on the corner on rodeo ground. Never wanted to stop nice even having time off and being cleared by the vet. But I made him into a pretty English equitation horse for 4H.
Edited by Lucy's Mom 2015-06-23 4:59 PM
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | After injuring my own knees and still having to ride and work, I have an entirely new appreciation for "maintenance". I feel 10 billion times better when I wear my BOT wraps, take an ibuprofen after an especially taxing day, I keep special inserts in my work boots and tennis shoes, and am thankful for my cortisone shots. Could I survive without my maintenance? Yes, of course; but you sure wouldn't get the same output.
My gelding is a pretty easy keeper as far as diet goes (RG + minerals + alfalfa), he gets his hocks injected 2x a year usually (sometimes only 1x), has bar wedges on his front feet because he had some heel issues that my farrier thinks got exacerbated while on the track, and he is on routine Pentosan due to fracturing and bruising his P1/P2. Considering the phenomenal athlete that he is, I look at him as being pretty low maintenance. His wedges cost me $15 more than a normal shoeing, injections are $400 ish, and I forget what the Pentosan costs per dose. He's not crazy, he hauls well, stalls well, is sweet minded, and a talented athlete. I will sure do what I can to keep him that way. | |
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 Ace Ventura Pet Detective
Posts: 2409
Location: Wisconsin | All of them thank goodness!! I had one that i ran a couple years ago, i had much maintenance on... | |
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| None of mine get injections, if that's your maintenance.
They do have PHT, get regularly chiro'd/massaged by myself, and get SmartPak joint supplement.
I guess I would say they are low maintenance. My one gelding is 21 and still running consistent 2D/3D times and he's been running those since I got him at the age of 5. | |
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 Vodka for Lunch
Location: Lala Land | One without maintenance sounds like owning a unicorn at my house. | |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| cavyrunsbarrels - 2015-06-23 2:00 PM
stayceem - 2015-06-23 12:45 PM
cavyrunsbarrels - 2015-06-23 9:38 AM
To me "maintenance" is things like injections, special shoeing, things that I have to have done to my horse regularly by someone other than myself that are outside the normal realm of dental, farrier, immunizations, etc. Putting BOT's on or giving some supplements does not qualify as maintenance in my book. I don't have a maintenance free horse. One of mine needs wedge pads in his front shoes every 6 weeks and may need injections or something in his back legs (not sure at this point, but he's dealing with some lameness issues). The other is called "My Delicate Flower" because has kissing spine, allergies, sensitive skin, crappy feet, is prone to stocking up, prone to scratches, I could go on. He gets back injections, theraplate, head-to-toe fly gear, he will be getting some BOT products, legs cold hosed after strenuous workouts and may also get liniment and standing wraps. He gets a custom blend from THE. I see it as an investment in the future and in my horse's well being. He is a GOOD horse. He's not a complainer and is rarely naughty. I love him to death and he's the envy of the barn. Kissing spine is a chronic issue that I am willing to deal with for him because he is just so awesome. I will do everything in my power to keep him comfortable so riding is fun for both of us. He's only 7 and I want him to last forever. A healthy diet and regular exercise can't be replaced and are absolutely vital to getting him to this point, but he would not be rideable without that extra help because of his condition. I've given up on buying "maintenance free" horses because in MY experience, that just means the owner is lying or ignorant. I'm sure there are some out there, but just don't think I'll ever be lucky enough to find one.
I think you and I have the same "delicate flower." 
Lol he's SUCH a baby. I mean, he won't complain or act up but will be covered in hives, or dandruff from a reaction to MTG, or horse bites if I try turning him out with anyone, or any number of things poor baby. He's worth it though.
I am glad to hear that I am not the only one. Sometimes I think my barn owners think I am crazy or my horse is a wimp. LOL
But yes, he's well worth it. I have like 15 different anti-fungal, anti-itch, diaper rash cream, allergy relievers, etc etc ... its actually kinda funny. He also has kissing spine so he gets meso-therapy every 6 months, regular chiro, corrective shoes every 5 weeks and I keep him on forco for maintenance. | |
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Expert
Posts: 2531
Location: WI | Here's the thing with my horse. Is he sound without maintenance? Yes. Does he run better with it? Yes. Mine gets monthly poly and joint injections. And yes, I'll prly give him some bute after a 6 hour trailer ride and 3 runs in a weekend. Is he high maintenance, I sure don't think so!
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 762
Location: NC | my older gelding who is 19 this year only gets adequan and a daily joint supp. Then again this all started the past couple years and hes been running the past 11 with no special anything. But hes not a 1d horse, hes a 3d/4d open and 2d/3d senior horse. Hes been adjusted once and that was this year and he really didnt need it. He has mild arthritis due to age per the vet and has never been lame. He is know shod all around but that was started last year before that was only fronts.
My young mare (7) on the other hand has been adjusted 2x gets daily joint supp, has been on noni and ulcer stuff. But when shes not out with an injury is moving thru the ranks.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 629
| I didn't read through all the replies, but while I read through some, and read some people's description of "maintenance" I kept having the same thought. Asking a horse to run without the right shoes, the right supplements, the right pain management for their specific needs is like saying you expect your car to drive without gas and oil.
I have a mare that gets wedged aluminum shoes on the back for hock soreness. Is this "no maintenance"? I'd classify it as usual and customary. Using my car analogy, its like starting to put high mileage oil in a car with 100K plus miles on it. Would it run without it? Sure? Am I increasing its reliability and longevity by buying something more than bare minimum? Of course. It's the same with the horse.
So that being said, I would say I have two horses that are "no maintenance" and one retired gelding that is my most high maintenance.
One mare gets wedged aluminums in the back for hock soreness and just in the last few weeks have decided she's reached the point where she needs at least yearly hock injections. They all get checked by the chiro/massage a couple times/year to make sure they haven't tweaked something during a run or in the pasture that's going to give them a problem.
The other mare wears shoes only because she stomps her feet at flies so bad during the summer she gives herself abscesses. She's 9, and I think she could start needing injections in the next couple of years. She also has allergies, so she gets AniHist from Feb-August so she can breathe.
They all get 24/7 turnout, and 1-2 cups of enrich 32/day to make sure they're getting their nutrients. | |
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 I"m Jealous!
Posts: 1737
Location: Benton City, WA | I would pose a question within a question on this subject: how many horses that are WINNING are maintenance free. To me, that is a unicorn.
Could I skip some of things I do for my horses to keep them feeling good? Sure, of course. But they would not perform as well. It all just depends on what your priorities are. JMO | |
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 Jr. Detective
Location: Beggs, OK | This goes back to the old saying..."Just because you CAN, doesn't mean you SHOULD."
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Veteran
Posts: 174
Location: Wisconsin | My daughter used to run a gelding that I considered low maintenance. He is 29 years old now and retired but she ran him until he was 24 years old. We shoed him, gave him previcox and weekly glucosomine injections. No special feed. No magnets or special blankets. He has never had a joint injected and we never took him to the chiropractor. He was a competive Jr High/ High School Horse. Qualified for the Jr High Nationals every year but I wouldn't take him to Gallup. It would have been too hard on the old guy. He would try so hard. That is why he was so good--he wanted to work hard and was so tough. Wish I had another one like him. He looks fat and healthy and looks like he could still run but he has earned his retirement. Relaxing and eating the tall grass is his main job now. | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1066
| We have one three year old who is maintenance free... But he will get chiro/massage etc when we feel he needs it. 10 year old barrel horse gets hock/SI injections, 13 year old calf horse gets hock/pastern injections, and they're both on Recovery EQ. | |
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 Expert
Posts: 1482
Location: on my horse | clover girl - 2015-06-23 9:28 AM
I have one that can go without maintenance, but is not the easiest thing to ride. She is 12 this year.
She is a 3D at big shows, 1D in small patterns and 2-3D local in large patterns. If I don't inject her she is not fun to ride, but still places well. If i inject her she is MUCH easier to ride and places a little higher. She is also a breakaway horse and can get a little hot in the box when not injected. She is made to last, but I try to keep her feeling good so I feel like I can walk after a run. On another note, I think she has been trimmed twice in 4 years and one set of sliders put on when she was mainly roped on. I wish they were all like her.
My others all have little things like hocks and my other mare needs wedges to run in. Nothing too crazy. I do keep everything turned out so they can keep in somewhat decent shape and work their sorness out themselves.
ETA: I think you can find no maintenance in younger horses easily, but the older more seasoned horses will have a MUCH higher chance of aches and pains.
Wait so you've only had her feet done twice in four years?! | |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 371
| cheryl makofka - 2015-06-22 7:18 PM
Everybody has different definitions of maintenance.
I won't run a horse that I have to give bute or previcoxx, as I believe if they are not sound enough to run without, I shouldn't be running them.
I sold a judge cash daughter who is used in wrangler high school rodeo in barrels, poles, and now goats, she has made nationals the two years she has owned her, and this mare needs nor gets anything.
Another I sold a grandson of FWF is knocking on the door of placing at prorodeos, is a 1d horse, the girl only gives him platimum cj for preventative care.
All my horses currently are young and just starting their career, I put them on Lubrysin as a preventative measure so I don't have to fuse hocks or inject joints, as I do believe the more prevention I can do at a younger age, the longer they will last, and less maintaince later on.
Can you explain how the Lubrysin helps prevent joint injections please? | |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| abdittmer1154 - 2015-06-25 5:38 PM
cheryl makofka - 2015-06-22 7:18 PM
Everybody has different definitions of maintenance.
I won't run a horse that I have to give bute or previcoxx, as I believe if they are not sound enough to run without, I shouldn't be running them.
I sold a judge cash daughter who is used in wrangler high school rodeo in barrels, poles, and now goats, she has made nationals the two years she has owned her, and this mare needs nor gets anything.
Another I sold a grandson of FWF is knocking on the door of placing at prorodeos, is a 1d horse, the girl only gives him platimum cj for preventative care.
All my horses currently are young and just starting their career, I put them on Lubrysin as a preventative measure so I don't have to fuse hocks or inject joints, as I do believe the more prevention I can do at a younger age, the longer they will last, and less maintaince later on.
Can you explain how the Lubrysin helps prevent joint injections please?
Lubrysin is an oral form of hylauronic acid which is found throughout the body especially in high motion joints.
The company claims Lubrysin is absorbed into the blood stream via mucus membranes before it gets to the stomach, as HA will be destroyed by the a is in the stomach. So as soon as the horse eats it, it is being absorbed in the mouth, and in the esophagus.
Hylauronic acid is a prostaglandin inhibitor. Prostaglandin is a hormone/chemical that is secreted by damaged cells to trigger the inflammatory response, therefore inhibiting the chemical to trigger, you are preventing inflammation.
Inflammation long term will cause arthritis, this is why windpuffs are not a good thing to see as this is a warning sign that the joint is inflamed. If left untreated the horse will develop arthritis. The protein in the inflammatory cells will erode cartilage, and also destroy what HA the horse already has in the joint. Yes horses are continually producing HA but cannot produce enough when inflammation is present.
I use Lubrysin as a preventative measure, it is not a substitute for injections, but with two of my horses I do believe it has prolonged/prevented (will only know as time passes) at getting hocks injected or fused. I am anal when it comes to my horse, so I look for the subtle things such as shifting weight in the hind end, swishing their tail, their behaviour. How they are turning, how they are walking, etc, after a week on Lubrysin, they had no symptoms of hock pain.
My other horses had the initial signs of windpuffs, not obvious but I could feel the puffs, after a week their legs were tight, no wind puffs, and very clean.
The con to Lubrysin is you cannot miss a day as it doesn't build up in the system, it is excreted the same day.
Mine are on it during performance season, and when they are kicked out for winter, they no longer get it
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