old horses

Question
I knew these people who had two horses, they had to move and they could not take the horses with them, they wanted to put them both down, so I said I'd take the horses. The one is 25 and thin, the other one is 19 and fat.I wanted to know...

1: If i could make the the thin one fit and the fat one fit would I be able to ride one of them?

2: Have you maybe got tips about how you can get a horse to gain weight fast.And lose weight quickly?

3: Will I ever be able to run and jump with either of them?

4: Do you maybe have tips on how to catch a horse easily?

5: How can I get my horse to stand still when I put the saddle on and when I climb on?

Thanks for listening...hope to hear from you soon....  

Answer
Hi Jenny,
             
<1: If i could make the the thin one fit and the fat one fit would I be able to ride one of them? >

You would be able to ride one or both of them if they do not have any medical or other issues. Horses can be ridden into their 30's as long as they are in good shape physically and mentally.

<2: Have you maybe got tips about how you can get a horse to gain weight fast.And lose weight quickly? >

First thing I would do is have my vet down there to check them and to draw some blood to make sure that they do not have something going on medically that is causing this. For thin horses I put them on Senior feed and soaked beet pulp. It is high in protein and easy to digest. I would also give the horse 3 feedings a day, all the hay he can eat and I add corn or soybean oil to their grain. You can add up to 2 cups a day just start with 1/4 of a cup and grdually build it us. Rice bran if you can get it in your area is also a good thing to feed for weight. I would also got both horse's teeth floated.

For the horse that is fat first I would look to see what he is eating and if he is getting alot of grain I would cut the amount, if he is out on pasture you might want to put a grazing muzzle on him. Combine that with exercise and he should lose weight.

<3: Will I ever be able to run and jump with either of them?>

That is going to depend on the horse. Some older horses have more energy then younger ones. I have a 20 year old mare who acts 12 and can out run the best of them.

<4: Do you maybe have tips on how to catch a horse easily? >

Do you know why this horse does not want to be caught? Is it a fair issue or does he or she just not want to be? If it is not a fair issue I would get him in a round pen and basically sit there and everytime he approached me I would give him a hand full of grain or a treat. After he willing came to me I would put a drape a rope around his neck and give him the grain then release it. Keep doing this until it becomes second nature to him.

<How can I get my horse to stand still when I put the saddle on and when I climb on>

First you need to check if this is a respect issue, a medical issue or if the saddle does not fit correctly. Can you tell me what he does and when he or she does it?


Thanks,
          Lisa