"Wendi Saved From Slaughter"

2006 - Wendi is my new $35, 23 y/o flea bitten gray Arabian mare. She was headed to the Arthur Sale Barn & would likely have been bought by killer buyers having 3 strikes against her: being old, Arabian & extremely underweight. When I bought her in August 2006, she got girth sores every time she was ridden for an hour & only weighed 500#! Her ideal weight is 750#. 250# underweight! She had been kept on pasture with several other horses & was unable to maintain weight on grass alone.

My first plan of action included: summer sheet on cool evenings (she was shivering several September mornings), 1# of 10% grain gradually increased to 3# of 12% ground feed with increased fat content. Everyday, she was turned out to pasture for longer periods of time until she was out all day & night. She has been de-wormed twice & hooves trimmed. The vet checked her teeth, the ones she has are fine, but she is missing 6 or more! The ground feed should be easier for her to chew & digest also.

Now she wears a water repellant winter blanket in the evenings. Wendi is a great lesson & trail horse. I couldn't have bought a $2000 horse that rides better. She neck reins, cues easily for any gait, responds for 6 y/o or 10 y/o children, is very even tempered & stands well for grooming & saddling.

I plan to weigh Wendi again soon. I would guess she has gained 50# in the last 6 weeks. I don't believe she will ever be fat, but she is healthier already. Her skin & coat condition has improved, no longer getting saddle sores when ridden. Wendi has a great retirement home, she gets excellent care & is ridden about 4 hours a week. Her new "outfit" just arrived; hot pink Navajo designed bridle, halter & matching saddle pad.