[jacksydneyellen]

I am in the process of adopting a horse from the SPCA and he is fairly fat. He is four years old and was a stallion until about 4 months ago. He has been kept in a stall for all his life just being taken out for walks. He had not been out in a field until last week when he was surrendered.

Anyway my question is, what are the likely effects to his joints in that he hasn't been able to move around like a normal horse and that he is carrying a little too much weight (he is probably about 50 pounds overweight).

Also are there any considerations I should take into account when I start to train him with regard to strengthening him?

I am planning on taking everything really slowly to give him chance to acclimatise and he will be outside 24/7 in a field with a couple of other horses to play with which should also help him.

Any advice would be welcome.
Thanks

[jacksydneyellen]

Here are some photos of him

[doublebarr]

What a refreshing difference in horse condition than most rescue cases. And while he's a bit heavy, it's really not bad at all. Get him working and he'll burn it off pretty quickly.

He would probably benefit from total turnout so he learns to use himself. He will have no idea about different terrain and how to place his feet to his advantage. If you can pony him, that would be the optimum way to start him out. And yes, he may have some bone and joint issues (more density of bone than anything else) because he hasn't been out of a stall, but nothing that can't be fixed with time. Such a shame a nice horse like him has only known a stall for 4 years, but it's not as "big a deal" in the total picture than having to bring one back from starvation also. Just give him time to find himself and work those bones.

[Rainbow.Gray]

My friend has a mare that went through th same thing, only she was in the stall for 8 years. She has one bad knee and easily gets injures in her legs tendons and joints.

She was over weight, but not this much. Hopefully you don't have the same issue with him, and we don't know her full past so it might not be related to her standing in a stall at all.

But she is a sweet girl and my friend loves that horse, she says if she had the chance she wouldn't change her decision.

But in this mares case getting out and worked was the best thing to happen to her. Just work him lightly at first.

[jacksydneyellen]

Thanks guys, I can't wait to go pick him up.

[GoddessBoy]

Originally Posted by Rainbow.Gray

My friend has a mare that went through th same thing, only she was in the stall for 8 years. She has one bad knee and easily gets injures in her legs tendons and joints.

ohh ah >.< 8 years is a really long time to wait in there


aw good choice made ^.^
seems like such a relief to think about him going to a much better home!

[Beeks]

Man he's gorgeous...a little tubby...but gorgeous.

I am wondering if leaving him intact would have any affect on bone density. Maybe testosterone will be your friend here. IMO, horses do not fully mature until at least 5-6 years of age, so while he is getting a pretty late start, I think if brought along slow and steady, he will be just fine.

What do you want to use him for. He sure is a pretty guy and I love how expressive his face is.