WENT TO PICK UP NEW PONY......CAME HOME WITH "BONUS" PONY!!

[Bunnylady]

I am glad that the owner recognized that things weren't working, either for her or the ponies, and decided to sell them. I am also glad that you have the heart and the means to give these boys a much better life. But while the cause of Wilbur's incomplete shed could be a lack of the nutrients needed to grow replacement hair, since he is probably middle-aged or more, I'd have to consider Cushings as a possibility.

 

[Baymule]

I hope they don’t have Cushings. But if they do, they now have a good home.

 

[drdoolittle]

Wilbur is only 7 years old.....don't know if that means he might or might not have Cushings.....I don't know much about it....

 

[drdoolittle]

Ok...I promised pics and here they are. I hesitated to post these, because our livestock area is SO muddy and a complete mess right now.....we had 2 days of pouring rain Saturday and Sunday night into Monday morning....Please know that it's not usually like this. There's quite a bit of poop just from the past 2 days.....I did scoop a lot of it after I got these pics, and do keep it much cleaner (I normally clean all the manure up on weekends (more during summer when I'm not working).
I hope I am not too harshly judged for the appearance of the pen....
I added a couple pics of my mini horse, Toby, for comparison. Yes, he's a tub right now. I'm hoping with the addition of new friends that he'll be more active and slim down a bit.
First pics are Wilbur, then Sam and last 2 are Toby.

 

[Mini Horses]

I expected a lot worse condition wise from your prior description. They are thinner than need be but, look to be able to rehab without a great deal of issue. Lovely, all. And mud? Hey, it happens!

See you are in Wilmington NC, not far from me -- 75 ish miles. It's warm -- why dry shampoo? Use a hose and some Mane & Tail shampoo & conditioner. A rubber scrubber and go for it. You will get out old dirt and grime that the dry won't touch. I used to wash, rinse and add back to leave in a little conditioner in their mane/tail to help with the coarse hair issue, breakage, less dirt collection. Plus, it keeps those features silky & so much easier to comb thru. Hey, a day at the "beauty shop" gives you a good feeling!! They will prance.

Saddles? wipe off well with warm water then apply a good leather conditioner, let it soak in! Leather is normally willing to forgive a lot of neglect, once treated a few times.

 

[drdoolittle]

I expected a lot worse condition wise from your prior description. They are thinner than need be but, look to be able to rehab without a great deal of issue. Lovely, all. And mud? Hey, it happens!

See you are in Wilmington NC, not far from me -- 75 ish miles. It's warm -- why dry shampoo? Use a hose and some Mane & Tail shampoo & conditioner. A rubber scrubber and go for it. You will get out old dirt and grime that the dry won't touch. I used to wash, rinse and add back to leave in a little conditioner in their mane/tail to help with the coarse hair issue, breakage, less dirt collection. Plus, it keeps those features silky & so much easier to comb thru. Hey, a day at the "beauty shop" gives you a good feeling!! They will prance.

Saddles? wipe off well with warm water then apply a good leather conditioner, let it soak in! Leather is normally willing to forgive a lot of neglect, once treated a few times.

Thank you! I don't know why it shows I'm in North Carolina......I'm in northeast Indiana....but it is still warm enough to bathe them with water, so I think I will!
You're right.....they probably aren't as bad as it seems to me.

 

[Baymule]

They are thin, but not skeletal. Your pen makes me jealous, wish we had rain to settle the foot deep dusty sand! Beautiful ponies, you will have them fat and sassy in no time.

 

[Mini Horses]

MY BAD!! I was looking at Bunnylady's post at bottom. BUT...you are right, get a warm day and be done for winter. They will appreciate the beauty treatment -- bath & massage.

It's mid 80 here today, low 90 for tomorrow --- I immediately thought "it's plenty warm".

 

[secuono]

They look wormy, with no topline, but otherwise fine.
Last one looks similar to my silver black girl-

 

[drdoolittle]

Thanks everyone! This may be a dumb question, but can I use the hose (cold water) to bathe them or should I take buckets of warm water (or hot to mix with water from hose) out to use?