The Dreaded Vet Visit!

The vet came out today to check out Jake! And all in all he got a clean bill of health! His temperature, heartbeat, and lungs were all fine and normal. We walk/trotted him in hand on the driveway and he was sound! The vet checked his age and said he's somewhere between 15 and 17 (not 12) so we're just going to call him sweet 16, lol.

His teeth had to be done, they were super long and hooked (ouch) and he has a cracked tooth in the back, the vet pulled off the piece that was dangling and rotten (it smelled so bad poor guy) she said the rest of the tooth isn't loose at all and too pull it now would be hard and cause some complications, as long as it doesn't bother him to eat and doesn't get infected we'll leave it for now. Also at some point in his life someone litterally cut of his canine teeth right at the gum :(

We're going to deworm him slowly since he's probably never been dewormed before. 1/2 dose of Ivermectin tomorrow, wait 2 weeks, full dose of safeguard, then we'll start him on a daily dewormer like Strongid C.

Food wise he's going to be getting 1 scoop of safe choice and 1/2 scoop of senior twice a day, plus empower ( a weight building supplement) and unlimited hay!

So all in all he did really well! And I feel relieved, I was so afraid that there would be something terribly wrong with him!

Jakes the best! Sorry no pics today but my friend Erin took a video of him getting his teeth done, so when she sends that to me I'll post it!

Jake Has Arrived!

Jake arrived at him new home on Friday. He has settled in really well, you can already see the light returning to his eyes! He's not nearly as depressed as he was when I went to Penn. to look at him! He is currently sharing a stall with my mare, Amber. She's out during the day and he's in, and then she comes in at night and he goes out. Currently he's going out by himself, but the vet will be here tomorrow to check him over, so hopefully once he gets a clean bill of health he'll be able to go out with other horses.

Feed wise he's getting a large scoop of safechoice and a 1/2 scoop of TC Senior in the morning and at night, as well as all the hay he can eat. I'm thinking of putting him on beatpulp or empower, but I don't want him to gain weight to rapidly, that's not healthy.

Today he got his first bath, and he really enjoyed it! Unfortunatly I forgot to bring my camera to the barn with me, but I will get new pictures of him tomorrow after the vet checks him out! here are some pictures of him from Friday and Yesterday

Introducing Jake

Jake is a 12 year old Belgian draft horse. He was an Amish work horse for a number of years, where he was abused and starved. Last Thursday we took a day trip 3 hours away to penn. to see him and put a down payment on him, and we will be picking him up this thursday. He is a beautiful, innocent animal that deserves a second chance at life. Right now he is super skinny, is covered in old sores from the driving harnesses, he has the typical stance of a horse who has been pulling too heavy loads for too long, and you can see the saddness and pain in his eyes clear as day! This poor guy will be getting his second chance with me and my good friend Amy, we will be co owning him and bringing him back to life!

This blog will be used to follow him through his first days at the barn, through all of his improvements and accomplishments and setbacks. Please follow! And comment!

Jake: