starving horse

["Garner" <GarnerT@email.msn.com>]

I purchased a starved horse also.  The horse could barely walk.  He was so
weak he couldn't eat more than a few bites without resting.  In two days he
had maybe 3 or 4 little hard stools.  Although not an expert, I made
available to him all the water he could drink and alfalfa.  I did not know
about beet pulp at the time, but would have given it to him in small amounts
if I had known.  I did not worm him, grain him, or supplement him.  I
basically just let him eat small amounts of alfalfa and drink good clean
water.  He was stabled at my boarding facility, so he was checked on many
time during the day to make sure everything was all right.

He went through a series of flu and colds,  his winter coat was very thick
due to his starvation, but he is now fully recovered.  I did several limited
distance rides and one 50 on him.  Due to previous injuries he cannot do
endurance, but is an excellent trail horse.

My advice is to take it slow.  Don't feed too many "good" things.  Keep it
simple, keep your eye one him, and when he's gained some strength, then you
can start giving him more and doing more "to" him.

Good luck,

Kathy & Cisco