Simon
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2009
Posts: 352
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Post by Simon on Mar 21, 2013 14:17:44 GMT -5
The boss she who must be obeyed, has 2 horses, they are both older models I think 17 and 19 respectively, earlier today they had to be moved to another field, you have to understand that I know nothing about them (horses that is) leg on each corner and skittish, that's more than enough for me.
The question is this can horses suffer from dementia? The younger one seemed confused and wasn't sure what was going on the older one was cool with it. Just plodded along as he always does. But the younger one didn't seem to be herself doesn't seem to be responding when called, and as I said confused.
This is for me to understand as the boss is upset, and I don't want to upset her more, any help gratefully received. I know we'll have to get the vet out.
Simon
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grayfingers
Cave Dweller
Member since November 2007
Posts: 4,575
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Post by grayfingers on Mar 21, 2013 14:34:16 GMT -5
Simon, Horses can get dementia, as can dogs, cats, etc. However, I doubt that to be the case in this situation. Sounds to me as though the younger was confused and unsettled by the proceedings. They are creatures of habit, as are we.
Bill
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Post by NatureNut on Mar 21, 2013 15:19:41 GMT -5
Always stay calm and confident Simon, and use a soft but firm voice, and be deliberate with your actions. Do this with the horses too. Jo
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,709
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 21, 2013 15:34:03 GMT -5
They are a flee animal,always be calm around them with a soft voice...They will react better towards you..They can smell fear too...(Be confidant around them)...
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Simon
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2009
Posts: 352
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Post by Simon on Mar 21, 2013 16:19:23 GMT -5
Thanks for the input, I always try to be calm round them, perhaps I should be more like buddha mentally rather than physically , they're like a couple of kids to us, they don't get ridden are well looked after, just odd that she isn't her normal self. Maybe as Bill said the break in routine has thrown her. We'll see tomorrow. Going up to the field take some carrots see how she is. Simon
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Post by NatureNut on Mar 21, 2013 17:41:29 GMT -5
Is there something new parked around the pasture? A plastic bag blowing in the wind? Has something changed?
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Post by helens on Mar 21, 2013 17:50:51 GMT -5
First, I love and appreciate horses, other people's horses:). That said, they are the absolute dumbest animals I can think of, and when I owned my 2, I thought my chickens were smarter. Creatures of habit who will kick out windows in a storm so they can get right into the storm they're afraid of. Or take out your garage doors because you are 15 minutes late getting home to feed them, and they know exactly where their hay and sweet feed are, so they'll feed themselves.
That said, gentle guidance, eventually she'll get used to her new spot. I can't tell if a horse has dementia, mine seemed demented all the time, so not sure how you would tell the difference:).
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Simon
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2009
Posts: 352
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Post by Simon on Mar 21, 2013 18:08:18 GMT -5
The Kids, the white one is Bam Bam, he was rescued was in a bad way, the boss has had him for 15 years or so, the brown one is fluff she's been with the boss from birth fluff because she goes fluffy in winter. The Mrs owned Fluffs mother. Simon
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Post by Woodyrock on Mar 22, 2013 1:34:27 GMT -5
Ah, Simon, is the new paddock neared to England? That would upset a good Welsh pony for sure. Woody
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
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Post by Sabre52 on Mar 22, 2013 10:03:51 GMT -5
Simon. You might also walk your paddocks to check for perennial patches of plants that might be toxic. I would not think that would be a problem where you are but here in Texas, our horse pastures contain about ten different weeds, some native and some introduced that can poison horses if not diluted with enough non toxic roughage. We had seven horses poisoned during the drought a year or so ago when they got into some periwinkle left over from an old homestead here on the ranch. Several poison plants can cause confusion, irritability, rashes that will make a horse nuts and or sun sensitivity. I notice one of your horses is light skinned. They are especially prone to skin sensitivity issues. Knotweed can cause sun sensitivity and rashes that will make a light skinned horse crazy. You should be able to find a list and pics of stock poisoning plants in your region online. Every horse owner with native pastures should walk their fields and find out what might be a threat to horse health. I used to do it several times a year for ranches when I worked for the Ag dept.
Helen, you are a hoot! I concur about horse intelligence and mentality. They are not particularly bright except in an evil way and you take your life in your hands every time you climb up on one *L*. I love Hopper but really would not know if was nuts. He's a pretty thing but meaner than a snake and the safest place to be is on his back where he can't bite, kick or head butt ya ( his latest evil pleasure). We just got us three new horses and one , named "Flint" may become a new favorite with me as he's jousting horse big, pretty, well behaved and nice tempered. What a change after riding the horse from Hell for two years........Mel
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Post by helens on Mar 22, 2013 12:33:02 GMT -5
LOL! I think back on my horses and while I definitely loved them, they drove me nuts.
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Simon
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2009
Posts: 352
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Post by Simon on Mar 22, 2013 14:33:20 GMT -5
Helen, I know exactly what you mean about demented all the time. Woody, she hasn't seen a map, and doesn't own a sat nav so I think we're safe there. Mel, Rag wort is about the only common weed we get here that is bad for horses, fields are cleared of that. We had a phone call this morning somehow they'd got into a field with some sheep, turns out the gates in inter connecting fields had been left open. Damn kids again 2 legged ones the four legged ones aren't that smart. So we got them out of there and back into the field they're supposed to be in. Fluff is fine I had the lead rope on her and she just stood there for almost 10 minutes, freezing cold snowing me getting wetter by the minute, then almost as if she was scratching her head, she lowered her head to her right front leg rubbed it a couple of times stood up and we were off, walking first off then a jog furthest I've run in a long time. They're back in the field they're meant to be in, went back with hay about 5pm called them and they came running. So Bill was right just the moving around threw her out a bit. We're keeping a close eye on them and trying to get a field closer to us.
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Post by helens on Mar 22, 2013 15:41:34 GMT -5
Well, from your pix, you have a lovely range for them:). Also from your pix, I can tell where your horses were by the complete absence of grass:P. Ha, watch for colic, another symptom of stupid horse is eating sand/dirt with the grass they rip up by the roots, then getting a tummy ache and rolling around (killing more grass), and after you've spent $500 on a vet to come tell you they have colic, they eat some more sand/dirt, rinse and repeat.
Ahhh horses, they can cost more than raising 10 kids at the same time. I'm still wondering how much money I'd have now if I didn't have those 2. On the other hand, I think of how much amusement I got from them for the time I had them. Back then, we didn't have video recorders, and making a movie was a process, but the things they did (and I did because when I got them, I knew almost nothing about horses) was comical on hindsight, even if it wasn't funny at the time:). Like what stupid person would put 2 very large horses in a glass greenhouse to keep them sheltered from a storm? <---- doh
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Simon
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2009
Posts: 352
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Post by Simon on Mar 22, 2013 18:17:58 GMT -5
No green house?
The land looks very green and pleasant, it's all coal tips tho, 20-30 years ago would have all been black and covered in trash, any of you have google earth, np237sj put that in if it doesn't recognise it put UK after it. It'll take you to a place called Cwm near Ebbw Vale, the heart of the coal and steel industry in Wales all gone now, if you zoom out it shows all the local towns and villages every one had a pit, the pit was the main employer in the majority of them. The slag heaps were just piled up round the villages. So everywhere you go round here has a permanent reminder of Wales industrial past.
Simon
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