|
|
Post by atticus on Feb 6, 2007 17:33:03 GMT -5
Thought I would start Finn an "official thread" so I can keep everyone up to date. Finn is an 8 year old Belgian Stallion (soon to be gelding 2-13-07) he was at the Woodburn Auction 1/07 and a young gal bought him but couldn't keep him. He was at High risk so with the help and encouragement of all of the BB people here, and Dean who is going to train him for us (thank you  ) We rescued him from his rescuer who didn't really have the facility for a stallion. Here is his pic before we got him:  Here are the pics after he arrived:     And a pic of his yucky feet:  |
|
|
|
Post by atticus on Feb 6, 2007 17:36:49 GMT -5
From 1/30/07 his first day home Hello everyone, Here are some pics (no the best pics but I will have) of our new boy, we decided to name him "Finn". He is a very good boy settled right in at his new place and did some stallion voicing but then drank some water and took a nap. He is very good, let my hubby touch him all over but is flinchy around his rear end, but he did let hubby cut out a long dirty dreadlock out of his tail. He is nippy and tried his luck at nipping hubby and got his coat instead, but when Bryan poked his nose and said NO and stepped to him, he lowered his head and stepped back like he was just testing. His feet are in horrible shape and need a trim bad. He seemed perfectly content and really didn't care where he was, as the first stall we got set up in the barn mgr forgot it was open for another horse coming in. So we moved to a different one and he could have cared less. He likes to nicker at the ladies...but with a slight tug on the leadrope he was like....oh well and forgot about it. We did get info today that his previous owners had used him as a stud to breed to thier TB's. This horse is famous too, either someone saw him at the auction or they saw him on the internet, I had 10 boarders come right up and ask me about him today and say they saw him. We are going to give him a bath ASAP and schedule his gelding and hoof trim, have his teeth checked, etc. He needs some weight. I will get better pics when we have him out and about, just letting him rest in his stall today after 3 hours in the trailer. |
|
|
|
Post by atticus on Feb 6, 2007 17:37:50 GMT -5
From 2/1/07
We turned him out in the arena he was a perfect gentleman. Wants the hubby to run with him though, so hubby is tired now! Sorry about the dust on the lense, he rolled about 100 times and it was dusty out there! He was to excited to take a bath, as all the horses are coming in for the bug horse show, so Monday will be his clean up day.
|
|
|
|
Post by atticus on Feb 6, 2007 17:48:11 GMT -5
Today we were out with Finn and no one was really at the barn, we let him out in the big arena to stretch. He did some rolling and then was showing off for us. He has a very smooth trot for a draft and can extend, I was surprised, then he was galloping around and bucking and such. He is a crack up. Poor guy is really out of shape, he broke a sweat just running around for 5 minutes. He has the loudest hoofbeats! ;D
He is gaining weight well and LOVES all the food. He is pushy about his food he wants it right NOW! But is not pinning his ears anymore really as he knows it is his.
His gelding appointment is on Tuesday and I talked to Dr. Chris today, he thinks he is going to do it standing and then he will trim his feet for us since we are having a tough time trying to find a farrier that will be willing to do a draft horse in our area.
Finn does not like water! This is the first time I have ever seen him act upset about anything, he doesn't even act studdy really it all seems to be talk, but he had NO intentions of taking a bath. The best we could get is his legs hosed off, trying to hold a Belgian that doesn't want to do that is not easy!! We going to keep hosing off little by little. He is not a big fan of his rear being touched, his a little flinchy on his flank and doesn't want us to brush out his tail, he never offers to kick he just tries to walk away, that seems to be his first intention when he doesn't like something.
He figured out that he can trust us and will let me scratch him all over (other than the rear) but he is warming up and now even looks happy to see us, at first he just looked suspicious. Great he finally decides he like me and then I am gonna get him gelded!! He will hate me for sure! LOL
|
|
|
|
Post by atticus on Feb 14, 2007 10:28:58 GMT -5
HI guys it is all done and Finn is doing well.
I forgot the camera,
Finnn had to be knocked completely out. Our Vet Dr. Chris is a saint and tried to do it standing but after that huge hoof came towards him a couple times he was like, Finn wants to kick and is going OUT.
We walked him to the round pen and put him out. Poor guy, it was hard to see him lay down like he was dead. We found out beacuse Finn is fat he needs ALOT of anesthetic he tried to get up twice during the surgery.
Dr Chris said that he is a good weight already just extremely out of shape and that is why he looks thinner since he has no kind of muscle. He needs to start work ASAP he said. We will start lounging him. He has to start moving tomorrow to keep the swelling down.
Here is the lowdown.....
He recovered from the anesthetic very quick and was up in no time and walking.
He is having very little bleeding considering how old he was and how HUGE his testicles were. OMG!!
He didn't have his feet done, vet said they look OK for now and that they look like typical draft feet. He will need them done but we will wait until he is recovered.
He needs his teeth done but will do that in about a month.
We found out why he is so touchy about his backend, he has an infection on both of his back legs near the hoof (I forget what he called it) it is caused by either mites or trauma (He said it is not scratches or the other thing) but he may have clipped his foot while running and then it got a low grade infection. He said it is common in draft horses since the hair hides it and traps bacteria. He shaved it up and then we are to squirt it with nolvosan and then rinse it. Dr. Chris said it is probably why he is backend sensitive as it hurts, it feels like when you quick a nail. While he was out if we touched it he would feel it and move. So if we keep it clean it will go away.
He is on Banamine and antibiotics (which will also help his leg infection).
So all is well for now, he is being a pill, but I would to in his situation. He was hungry and is back to eating and begging for food! Dr Chris said his testosterone will be 1/2 by 30 days and by 60 days it will be gone completely. He should be a better boy except for any of his studdy-ness that may be a learned behavior, but then we can work on that. (shouldn't be hard since he is not real studdy to begin with).
Jingles for a speedy and uneventful recovery!
|
|
|
|
Post by caryn on Mar 16, 2007 12:19:23 GMT -5
How's Finn doing? Hope all is well. What a gorgeous boy!!!! I love his wavy blonde locks  |
|
|
|
Post by atticus on Mar 16, 2007 20:37:09 GMT -5
Finn is doing ok, Shelly is letting us turn him out at night so he can exercise his gedling area and that helps. He has been on Antibiotics for a month and now has green snots coming out of his nose (the vet says he is OK and not contagious since he has been on AB's for a month, he thinks it is a sinus infection). Bloodwork was good and mange is cleared up, but poor guy doesn't have any immune system to speak of so hence the snots. Vet says the fresh air and sunshine are the best thing for him to recover so we are fixing up a paddock for him at Shellys this weekend so he can stay out.
|
|
|
|
Post by caryn on Mar 17, 2007 21:22:02 GMT -5
Well, thank goodness he has such a loving owner now! Sounds like this poor guy has had it pretty rough. I'm sure he is going to be very happy in his new paddock. I'm sending jingles for a quick recovery.
|
|
|
|
Post by ljbrooks on Mar 18, 2007 0:07:06 GMT -5
I got to meet this beautiful boy today! Sorry you weren't there Ashley, but Miles (if I remember the little boys name correctly) and I had a great chat. :-) Finn likes those little licorice snacks I was feeding him so I left them there for you. Hope you found them. I felt bad for him. He looked like a little kid with a cold who wanted his mommy. He sure is big and pretty though. Thanks for taking such good care of him. Those silly snots will clear up in no time with the fresh air and sunshine.
|
|
|
|
Post by atticus on Mar 18, 2007 8:55:04 GMT -5
Thanks guys, he is a good boy and i just wish that darn immune system would rebound, but the doc thinks we are on an uphill trend now....knock on wood. I am almost scared to have his teeth done for fear it will happen again. Lisa- Jonah and Myles gave me a full report about how Finn loves the licorice treats, thank you so much. Sorry Hubby is shy and not much of a talker. But he said you met Finn and got to see his boogers! LOL Glad Mahan is home and a happy hubby horse! |
|
|
|
Post by lorsadoon on Mar 18, 2007 11:13:47 GMT -5
I took a peek at Finn yesterday, he is one good looking boy. I just love the long sexy forelock he has going on.
|
|
|
|
Post by atticus on Mar 19, 2007 2:08:56 GMT -5
I took a peek at Finn yesterday, he is one good looking boy. I just love the long sexy forelock he has going on. Lors- Did you come over for the St. Patty's Party?? I heard it was fun! |
|
|
|
Post by atticus on Mar 25, 2007 19:10:28 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by atticus on Mar 25, 2007 19:11:43 GMT -5
Being cute!!   |
|
|
|
Post by hystyle on Mar 25, 2007 19:25:23 GMT -5
What a Stud! Love those drafts!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by ljbrooks on Mar 25, 2007 20:24:01 GMT -5
He was having a good old time! :-)
|
|
|
|
Post by emjay on Mar 25, 2007 21:08:22 GMT -5
good looking boy, he looks much happier and healthier.
|
|
|
|
Post by April on Mar 25, 2007 21:10:36 GMT -5
Wow, isn't he quite the stunning boy! I hope my Bandito grows up to have that kind of mane! ;D
I'm glad he is feeling better!
|
|
|
|
Post by lorsadoon on Mar 25, 2007 22:02:17 GMT -5
I took a peek at Finn yesterday, he is one good looking boy. I just love the long sexy forelock he has going on. Lors- Did you come over for the St. Patty's Party?? I heard it was fun! Sorry I didn't see your post till now. Yes, I went and watched the polo demo, but did not stay for the party. I had to go loose my money at a poker game  Finn, looks awesome. I love that mane. He looks like some wild rock star with bleached blonde hair. LOL |
|
|
|
Post by beckybee on Mar 26, 2007 2:06:09 GMT -5
WOW! That's alota horse!
|
|
|
|
Post by swissgrl on Mar 26, 2007 7:58:06 GMT -5
WOW, he looks awesome, love that flying mane.....!!!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by atticus on Mar 26, 2007 9:20:01 GMT -5
Thanks guys, he is the funniest horse, now that he is feeling better we are seeing a whole playful side of him. It is really fun to see. He really loves my husband and will call to him and if he is near he will stand right by him. It is really cute. His testosterone is going down too after his gelding, he doesn't walk around with his head in the air looking for a horse to yell at anymore and is much more personable. Now he needs to learn "horse etiquette" he has no idea to to be "around" a horse. Being a stud for so long has left him socially stunted!
|
|
|
|
Post by eirualaerdna on Mar 26, 2007 17:43:09 GMT -5
atticus, I've been in love with your boy since you posted his first pictures... he's amazing! *drool* haha...
|
|
|
|
Post by nalasmom on Mar 26, 2007 22:50:16 GMT -5
He is a cutie. His eyes tell me he is a little horse stuck in a big body.
|
|
|
|
Post by atticus on Mar 26, 2007 22:52:11 GMT -5
He is a cutie. His eyes tell me he is a little horse stuck in a big body. He is kinda shortie pants for a draft even, only about 16hh and 1200-1300 pounds. He does act like a little guy. |
|
|
|
Post by ebo on Mar 27, 2007 10:49:54 GMT -5
If you have any money left at all, you might want to get a little bottle of APF--sold through most catalogs in the herbal pages. I'm told that it works wonders for immune systems under stress.
He's so cute! I'll bet he grows more, too.
|
|
|
|
Post by agilitygal on Mar 27, 2007 18:05:46 GMT -5
He was really covering some ground there! Beautiful guy.
|
|
|
|
Post by atticus on Mar 27, 2007 18:59:59 GMT -5
He was really covering some ground there! Beautiful guy. I was TOTALLY amazed at how much ground he could cover full tilt and how fast he was with those big clod hoppers!! Then I jumped outta the area cause I thought "OMG with all that hair does he really see me?? AND the ground is shaking every time he runs by!!" So I booked outta there myself. ;D ;D  |
|
|
|
Post by sophie on Mar 27, 2007 19:23:29 GMT -5
Those are GREAT pictures! I love his wild flying blond hair!
|
|
|
|
Post by watermarkfarm on Mar 27, 2007 19:24:14 GMT -5
Wow, he looks so much better from when you got him, even with all the health issues. What a handsome guy.
I have a new Belgian boarding with me, he is 3 years old and from a PMU ranch. I am simply amazed at how handy and athletic he is----I had no idea such a big draft could be that way. Your guy looks like he is fun to watch!
|
|
) We rescued him from his rescuer who didn't really have the facility for a stallion. 
