Injured Palomino Gelding, please read & answer for him???

Question

My friend has a 4 year old palamino quarter horse. He has hurt his foot and is confined to his stall for 22-23 hours each day. The time he comes out is when we clean his stall and I lead him, so he can graze safely and won't be spooked. He always looks for me when I come, and whinnys for me so I will pay attention to him. How can I get him to trust me without the join-up in a round pen? (He won't be able to do more than a slow walk for a while, and it is still painful.) And I always worry about him getting colic. What can I do to lower this risk without buying a supplement or medication? My friend might sell him, so I was thinking about buying him.

Answer 1

Wow. So much to say, so little space. First, it sounds like he already likes and trusts you. Does he enjoy being groomed? You could brush him, as he is grazing, to get him used to you moving around him in a friendly and comforting manner. Have you ever seen horses massage each other? Use your knuckles just below or behind his withers to "massage" him, like a horse buddy would do. If you are worried about colic, you could give him a bran mash a few times a week, to help keep everything running smoothly, so to speak. If the owner doesn't want to do that, just add some rice bran oil or corn oil to his feed two or three times a week. A quarter cup or so should be enough.

Answer 2

Depending upon how experienced of a horse person you are, here is what I recommend. Crouch down low so he understands that you're not a threat - you can do this right in his corral. This is my form of "redneck, I-dont-have-time-for-your-games join up" :) He should, after a while, lower his head to your level. That's a good sign, a little more trust was placed there. You can keep doing this and just staying quiet. The more time you spend with him, the better. Especially if the poor guy has nothing more to look forward to than you coming down and spending time with him - that will be great as well. If you can halter him and lead him to a pasture, keep doing that. Try doing it a little differently each time, even if it slight. Nothing to spook him though. If you usually lead him from the right, lead from the left once, try touching him on his neck, back, legs, etc. Don't do anything hasty like jump on his back and act all Roy Rogers :P Haha, juuust kidding. But seriously, if you're going to do that, you need a cowboy hat on and a video camera...ANYWHO! Let me know how it goes. All horses are different so this may not work, but i've done it with a couple pesky fillies of mine. :) E-mail me at [e-mail] if you have any problems! Good luck! All it takes is time, patience and trust!

Answer 3

It seems like he trusts you pretty well right now. Just keep spending time with him and giving him the attention he needs. I wouldn't fear too much about colic. Colic usually doesn't occur from being confined. If the vet hasn't provided a supplement or medication for him, you shouldn't need to give him any.

Answer 4

TRY TO GENTLY OFFER HIM CARROTS OR APPLES, WHEN YOUR HANDS ARE FLAT. WHEN HE APPROACHES YOU WITH NO PROBLEM, YOU'RE GOLDEN IN HIS BOOK!!

Answer 5

He's already joined up with you from your description.  Fancy equipment is not needed to communicate and form a bond.  I have done all these things and each helps differently with different horses.

Always, Always, Always talk to him.  Your voice is reassuring.

Crouch down and hand feed his hay.

Sing soft songs to him as he eats quietly.

Lead him when he grazes.  You are the boss mare that tells him when and where to eat.

Blow softly in his nostrils.  They sometimes suck it up as sort of a horsey hello.

Scratch him until you find his "favorite spot."  He'll probably stick his neck out and soak it all in when you find it.  

If he "lips or nibbles" you back when you groom or pet him he is grooming you back.  This is the best sign you are buddies and he is returning the favor.

Like others have said, treats are bribery and it works for some animals.  Watch out for him to get nippy or pushy.  Especially when you don't have treats.

Watch out on the grain, oil, bran and the like.  He is not excersizing and may put on too much weight.  This won't help a sore hoof heal any faster.

Good luck.  You are showing the interest in him and it sounds like he is coming around to love you too!