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Post by fanaberia on Mar 30, 2010 11:58:54 GMT -5
I got a nasty little surprise this morning when I went to feed my horses. I found Khramer (who loves to sleep) laying down in his stall. Usually he likes to greet me, so I was surprised he didn't get up. My heart sank when I saw that his food was still on the floor from last night... his legs were braced up against the wall, and he was in an awkward position. I went into the stall and grabbed his tail and yanked him around (thank you adrenaline!) to where I though he could get up. Poor little guy was shaking, but he didn't struggle at all. After I moved him, he got up and walked out to his paddock to tell his buddy about what happened. I think he was down for a LONG time though, mainly because he's very efficient about eating his dinner and it looked like it hadn't been touched.
So I feel like I got off easy this time, without a dead horse or vet bill.
So.... how can I make my stall safer? Any ideas? We just built them last month. They are simple 10 by 12's, max for permit less in my city, so I can't make them larger. Plywood board with 2 x 4's every couple feet.
Ideas appreciated....
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cricket
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Post by cricket on Mar 30, 2010 12:42:03 GMT -5
This has never happened to me, but I've heard that if you bank the bedding around the perimeters of the stall, it makes it less likely that they'll get stuck.
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Post by fanaberia on Mar 30, 2010 12:47:07 GMT -5
This has never happened to me, but I've heard that if you bank the bedding around the perimeters of the stall, it makes it less likely that they'll get stuck. I read that somewhere.... but he was stuck so high, that I would have to bank it up about 2 feet. |
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shekaberry
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Post by shekaberry on Mar 30, 2010 13:39:33 GMT -5
I have seen these things advertised that go around the perimeter of the stall that you can nail up on the stall wall that give the horse something to catch his hooves on should he go down. www.northcoastmarines.com/anti_cast.htm |
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Buena
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Post by Buena on Mar 30, 2010 18:31:35 GMT -5
You probably could get away with putting up 1x1 or 2x4 boards like a chair rail to do what those anti-cast things do and for WAY cheaper.
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Post by leahlady on Mar 30, 2010 19:35:58 GMT -5
That is really scary. My stalls are 12x12 but Chance lays down in them, he is 17.2. I'm really suprised he doesn't get stuck down there!
I think all the suggestions are good. I'm really glad Khramer is ok!
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Post by fanaberia on Mar 30, 2010 21:49:59 GMT -5
Well... he's really not okay. I just got in the house a few minutes ago from a vet call; he coliced. We couldn't clear the impaction so he's on watch. Hopefully he poops soon, if not I get to visit Pilchuck with him tonight  So now I really am bound and determined to find something. Anyone else with any ideas, let me know. |
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Post by trillium on Mar 30, 2010 22:02:03 GMT -5
Gosh, I am hoping he will be ok.
The only time I had a horse cast itself was Katie, she did it when she was in labor and I was at work. We lost the foal, I had to pull it and I almost lost Katie. It was horrible.
Can you leave him out at night with access to a stall?
Do you think he was colicing and cast himself because of the gut ache, or he cast himself and caused the colic?
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Post by fanaberia on Mar 30, 2010 23:24:38 GMT -5
Gosh, I am hoping he will be ok. The only time I had a horse cast itself was Katie, she did it when she was in labor and I was at work. We lost the foal, I had to pull it and I almost lost Katie. It was horrible. Can you leave him out at night with access to a stall? Do you think he was colicing and cast himself because of the gut ache, or he cast himself and caused the colic? Yes, I left him out so he has his stall and a gravel run. I had him like that most of today too though. The vet isn't really sure, but I think he cast himself first. He's done it before, and we've always caught him quickly and helped him. He's totally cool about letting you flip him over or whatever, no panic. But I'm pretty sure he was upside down most of the night, and their gut just isn't set up for that. We are also worried because his gums are yellow; which can be a sign of liver troubles... something that may be a visit from his past. I'm having bloodwork done on him tomorrow. |
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Post by leahlady on Mar 31, 2010 0:28:37 GMT -5
Oh no Jingles for Khramer... hang in there boy! |
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Post by cutiepiepmu on Mar 31, 2010 5:31:49 GMT -5
That is always a scarry thing to come in to. My stalls are bigger - 14x14 but my horses are also bigger (19+ hands for both) I have had one of my big kids cast and it is a horrible feeling. The rubberized rails that are at an angle are the best. They are safe, soft enough they don't get hurt, and allow for some traction on the wall so a orse can push himself away from the wall. If you have a horse that rolls alot - you MIGHT want to consider just leaving your stalls the size they are - BUT removing the boards in teh center to make a double stall  When I built in oregon they had similar regulations on stall sizing(how stupid!) but the loop hold is to just remove the center divider wall and have a double stall once things are all built If anything is ever said, your commen should be that it is 2 stalls but you opened up the wall for foaling/sick horse which - is actually true! |
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Post by drsgjunky on Mar 31, 2010 8:31:12 GMT -5
I wonder if stall mats on the walls might help (traction)? We have a couple of stalls where I board and I'm sure they were used at one time by horses who cast easily.
If I ever build a barn myself, I'd consider easily removable (or movable/hinged) walls.
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Post by fanaberia on Mar 31, 2010 11:12:44 GMT -5
The stall he lives in is actually an independent shed- like a Noble panel. So there's no divider to take down to create a double. The walls can break apart, but yanking him off a wall has never been a problem. He has done the same thing in a run in shed that was 12 by 16'.... I'm to the point where I feel like he could cast himself on a lone piece of plywood in a field.
I'm going to try the rubberized angled things. I thought about putting boards up, but I'm afraid he'll hit his head... rubber is more forgiving. I have tons of rubber mats, so I'm going to see if I can put boards underneath them to angle the mat. We will see.
The good news is he seems to be out of the woods as far as the colic goes. He's pooped and is VERY hungry. Running the blood today, we'll see what that Pandora's box holds.
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Post by monicabee on Mar 31, 2010 12:33:03 GMT -5
Wow. That's scary.
When Willy was on stall rest four years ago, I did the shavings banked up two feet (5-6 bags of shavings). Whenever I added fresh shavings, he would roll. Of course he got cast against the stall door, not the banked shavings - but he knew how to push himself away with a few kicks and the deep bedding helped him slide his body easily. I was right there watching, heart in mouth.
At that same time, a yearling arrived who had been moved from a pasture situation but needed confinement for veterinary reasons. He cast himself and need help several times. He did not have the benefit of the deep shavings to slide on. Eventually he figured it out and it stopped happening, but it was quite alarming.
Khramer was unlikely to have seen a shelter of any sort at the Elledge pasture. It seems like he just doesn't know how to place himself to lie down or to extricate himself - the deep shavings might help him figure that out - though it took me about half an hour to clean that stall.
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Post by coconut on Mar 31, 2010 21:38:29 GMT -5
I've had Khramer on my mind today...hoping he's doing better.
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When I built in oregon they had similar regulations on stall sizing(how stupid!) but the loop hold is to just remove the center divider wall and have a double stall once things are all built 
