So, I used to volunteer at a horse rescue quite a few years ago. Overall, it was a wonderful place from the horses' point of view. If I ever had to give up a horse, they would be my first call. BUT, while I do have lots of respect for the woman who founded/runs it, there were some issues with the whole people aspect. I'll refer to this woman as the BO, even though it was a nonprofit, etc.

Cutting in case it gets long-- ( Read more... )

The Wide World of Dewormers/Boticides is confusing me at the second, and I need some direction, please. I feel stupid as this seems elementary, but I just want to do right by our four legged friends. :)

I give Phantom Equimax (because it is both a Boticide and Dewormer) no problem. Hehe, he makes the best "YUCK" face, but he deals. Sol, however, will NOT take a Dewormer in Paste form (so she gets Pellets now, as Paste is obviously some Horse Eating Monster). Is there something out there in Pellet or Powder form that does Dewormer AND Bots? I would really like to make sure she gets something for Bots, as they are a problem in this area. Is there some trick I can do (like mixing the Equimax in with something else) to get her to take the Paste anyway?

Any advice would be appreciated. :) Thank you!

I've seen cheap ($2.99), generic, ivermectin dewormer on US sites like Dover before, but not on any Canadian sites. In local stores, I've never seen it cheaper than $15. Is there any reason I shouldn't save myself some $ and buy some cheap dewormer from the US?

Since its worming day again for my boy (Oh fun.) I was wondering, what type of wormers do you use? (Brand or chemical) and how often? What is your worming schedual like?

I haven't really had the chance to implement my worming routine as of yet, but I'm starting from now, my main problem is remembering which wormer to buy and what one I used before, this month I'm using Eqvalan (ivermectin), has anyone used Eqvalan before?

ETA: Just incase anyone is unclear, by worming I of course mean DE-worming.

I'm buying my next batch of wormer, and it's taking some calculation, because there is not a single horse in my barn that weighs in the 1000-1200 lb range, what most wormer syringes are dosed for. And I was vaguely annoyed, before I realized that my perspective on "average" horse size is probably skewed, as my smallest horse is 16.2, and while maybe some of my client horses are of average build, I think my horses (dressage-trained, with eyes on international competition) are rather more muscle-dense than most. All that said, 1150 pounds just doesn't strike me as "average."

So, a extremely unscientific poll: if you know, or can give an EDUCATED guess, what does your horse/pony weigh, roughly? To be ever so slightly more scientific, include height, breed, age and "purpose" (pasture-puff, Advanced eventer, whatever). 

And am I the only one that wants bigger worming syringes, because having to use 2 tubes is a pain in the butt?

( In Kishou's eyes, Worming is highly offensive. )

Does anyone else have the problem of getting motivated to go do something with your horses, but once you're out there, you realize how much you missed it, yet next time..you're still unmotivated. Has anyone gotten over this, and if you have, please share. =)

This morning I wormed the horses and as usual Freckles did not like it and tried to pull her head up out of my reach.  She does not act too crazy or bad just pulls her head up.  No big deal and nothing out of the ordinary so I put the tube in her mouth and plunged it.  As soon as I removed the tube from her mouth her entire body went completely rigid and she fell over.  She fell over like a tree all at once, there was no stumble or one leg down first just a big boom.  I stood there shocked and not believing what happened.  She laid there for a few seconds and then stood up and was as calm as could be.  I took the lead rope off and took a few steps back and she turned to look at me and walked right over for some attention.

I moved her around and she moved fine.  I rubbed and pressed all over on her and from all I could tell she was OK.  She did not have any kind of limp or soreness or even seem to be stiff.  She was completely un-moved by the entire experience.

It was one of the strangest things I have ever seen a horse do.   My BO and trainer said it was strange as well.  Have any off you seen this before or know what the heck she was doing?  She has never done anything like this before when wormed.  Maybe I just have a drama queen on my hands.