i am new and need some advice

[phlares]

i have a question my 8month old filly is swaying when she stands and she falls........ her mother died of a heart attack and a stroke.... when the filly was 7months can her swaying have anything to do with that??? also she is in a barne that she cant see out of!!! cuz of tyhe weather.. any advice would be helpful

[rubysoho]

my advice, call your vet asap.


what do you mean she can't see out of your barn? how bad is the weather? is the barn very dark? I'd try and keep young horses out in the pastures as much as possible with other horses so they can just romp around and be happy.

[phlares]

She cant see out cuz the door is shut..... and she has a light in there but i have her in there cuz i just recently lost her mom and now she is the only horse so i have to spend a ton of time with her.... which is good i guess my worry is just the swaying now she hasnt fallen in a couple of days.. :(

[rubysoho]

still, I'd have her checked out by the vet. It is better to play it safe with things like this. Also, I'd go ahead and let her play in the pasture even if there aren't any other horses out there. She is young and growing, and being allowed to play outside will help her in the future. Playing in the pasture helps young horses learn where their feet are and once they are older and you start riding, they are more confident in their abilities, therefore easier to train.

going back to being alone, could you rescue a donkey for a pasture mate? that way your filly will have a buddy and you'll be saving another animal.

Oh, and always take out a treat or bucket with a handeful of grain. That way your filly associated you with yummu goodness and she'll be easier to catch for handling. Giving the treats while you put the halter on works really well, just takes some timing and coordination :)

[phlares]

I WILL LOOK IN GETTING A DONKEY FOR HER THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!! AND I AM GOING TO HAVE THE VET COME OUT SOME TIME THIS WEEK!!! I APPRECIATE THIS THANKS AGAIN HER IS A PICK OF HER http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/phlares/Picture010.jpg

[rubysoho]

she looks very sweet! If you can find a donkey before the vet comes out this week, it might be good to get the donkey on a trial basis (to make sure the two get along...they should) and have the vet look over the donkey real quick as well. That way you know your filly will be safe.

[rubysoho]

btw, are those nails I see sticking out?? If they are, I'd hammer those down or remove them asap so your little girl doesn't get a nasty cut. Nails + horse = not good ;)

[phlares]

oh crap i dint realize they were sticking out i am going to take them out and thanks again

[jersy17]

Hello,
I read your post, and looked at you filly's picture. If I was you I would have a farrier look at her feet they look to me from the pic that they need a trim. Also see the nails sticking out.

[PAWZnHOOVES]

u live in cali...how bad can the weather be?? i live in cali...and weather seriously is not an issue. whenever u notice something unusual about your horse, ALWAYS call the vet. asap. there could be something seriously wrong, and the longer you wait, the worse it gets. i hope everything is ok

[phlares]

the weather where i live can get pretty bad.. i live in northeastern california so it pretty bad up here.. i lost her mom to the last snow storm.. i laid out in the snow with her for 4 hours cuz my vet said he could not do anything for her.... she had a heart attack and a stroke in the same nigth.... the baby is doing great now!!!!!!!! she is up at my friends ranch until i can get her pen done and she loves it!!!! she can run play and just be a horse... :cool:

[eQuEsTrAin]

Definetly call the vet! Also your fillys feet are in definite need of a farrier! PS: not to sound rude but its not good to let her feet grow out that far they are starting to curl upwards not a good sign.
A donkey is a good idea and good to keep her out in a paddock. Good Luck