tusca

 So many things can cause it to become too difficult to keep a horse that you love.  Health issues, financial problems, the distance away you must keep your horse, or not knowing if the horse is receiving the necessary care.  We received a call from an owner who was at wit’s end concerning her horse’s failure to gain weight.  Several veterinarians were consulted and still, the horse was not gaining.   ​  The gelding was a 5-year-old registered Tennessee Walking Horse.  Despite his young age, the photos the owner sent showed a horse with almost no chest, a skinny hind end, ribs showing, and U-necked.  He would be considered a two on the body scoring.  It became evident that health issues were preventing the young horse from getting the help he needed.  We contacted the owner, told her of my concerns, and made the offer to pick up the young guy.  It seemed the family was just overwhelmed and we’re happy we’re able to help.  ​  The trailer was readied – windows opened, hay-filled, halters checked, and the gas tank filled.  The plan was to leave late afternoon and head to Mecklenburg County to pick up the horse.  When we arrived the first thing we noticed was how gorgeous the property was and that all the other horses appeared to be in wonderful condition.  Often individuals just do not have the knowledge or experience necessary to successfully put weight back on a horse in poor condition.  ​

The owner of the property, not the horse owner, told us “the horse needed to be ridden every day.”  It is not uncommon for people to be riding or exercising their horses even when they are in such a debilitated condition which can be so detrimental to the horse.  ​  We arrived back to the sanctuary and the gelding was unloaded into the front field.  We walked him around showing him the fence line, location of hay and water, and introducing him to his new pasture mates.  It is so wonderful when a pickup goes smoothly.  The following morning the skinny boy had left some of his feed and most of his soaked alfalfa… until it was hand fed to him!  It always takes some time for horses to get used to eating in a stall when they’ve previously been fed out in a field with the other horses (another factor that was surely contributing to his skinniness).  It was a slow start, but our tall, lanky boy finally began to put on some weight!  He choose his new name, Tusca, which means “warrior.”  After several weeks he had gained enough weight to go out with the main herd.  

Tusca is a big love bug and quite the flirt.  He will melt the heart of anyone who meets him!