New horse not eating grain, should I be concerned?

[KPF]

So I got a new horse on Saturday on free lease. The owner aced him before she put him on the trailer so he was pretty chilled out on Saturday. However, Sat. night, he would not eat his grain. I fed him the same exact feed she'd been feeding. Sunday morning, same thing. I put it out in the field with him and still no interest (my horses are out during day, in at night, he's also been on this schedule at owner's place). Sunday night, I tried adding a little TC Sr. and beet pulp (what I plan on feeding him). He took a bite but that was it. Again, left it in the stall and it was still there Mon. AM. Mon AM ate a few bites, that was it. Again put rest in field and no interest. Mon. PM ate a few bites, left it in stall and he ate a little more overnight, but not much. This morning, only ate a few bites again. He is eating most of his hay (3 flakes nice orchardgrass) and drinking a lot of water, plus the field he's in has a lot of grass.

His teeth are not good, I can hear squeaking when he chews grass out in the field. I already have an appt. to get him floated next week.

How concerned should I be? This is an older (22) horse and owner says he is a fairly hard keeper, however, there was NO grass at her place.

Also, new horse is pacing the fenceline of his pasture, wants to be out in my other field with my other 2, but my other gelding is way too protective over his pony mare and will beat him up (I tried it on Sun. for a little bit, no go). He can see the other 2 in their field 80% of the time from his field. He also does not like coming in the stall, but can see the other two while in there.

My thoughts are to grin and bear it for a few more days and hope he settles down. At least he ate a little more grain last night.

Any other thoughts or suggestions?

[BornToRide]

Not if he gets enough hay. Picky grain eating can also be a sign for ulcers.

[Highflyer]

Check his temp. just to be safe. Ask his owner whether he ever did this while she had him. Hard keeper doesn't always mean picky eater. If this is new, then yes I would be concerned. I would strongly consider treating with Gastroguard. You also need to think about what you will do if he doesn't settle down out in the field. Some horses do better than others with being alone.

[FindersKeepers]

I'd call the owner and see if he's usually a picky eater. If he's eating a lot more grass now than he did before, he may just be full. Since he is eating hay and grass, I wouldn't be horribly concerned. I would watch him closely though, in case his weight starts to shift.

As for turnout, seeing the kids on the playground from the window is not the same as being out there for recess... Some can't be in a field alone. I own one of these. It doesn't matter if there is another horse 10 feet from them. If it's not on the same side of the fence, they still feel alone.

He may clam down, but he may not. I'd try it for another week, but if he doesn't settle, you'll need to come up with a new plan for him.

[Simkie]

I would be suspicious that he has ulcers.

[findeight]

With the change of environment, plenty of hay which may be better quality, addition of grass that was lacking at the other place and, probably, bad teeth and sore mouth that will soon be addressed? I bet he is just not hungry enough to try to chew the grain.

If he is eating well, drinking, peeing, pooping, acting normal and has no temp? Bet it's the sore mouth/bad teeth and a full belly from grass and hay.

They really don't all tear into it if they are well fed, have had a few that just didn't seem to like grain or pellets as well as their hay and grass.

[KPF]

Forgot to mention, he was in a pasture by himself at her place also. However, he may have shared a fenceline with others (I'm not sure), but he doesn't at my place. His field is on one side of the barn, the others field is on the other side. So unless they're behind the barn or over one small hill at the far end, he can see them.

Unfortunately, he'll either have to adapt or go back to his owner, because going out with the other two is not an option. :( My other gelding is old and lame (sidebone and ringbone) and spent the few hours they were out together galloping across a 7 acre field charging the new guy and trying to kick him. :eek: My old gelding is in love with his little pony mare, and he cannot stand to be alone at all. He was sore from all the running when he came in Sun. night. I've had him for 10 years, he has paid his dues, and I'm simply not going to jeopardize his well being... he's my heart horse. I don't have room right now (or the desire) to add another horse to keep the new guy company.

:sigh:... I hope new guy settles down. If I make it until the vet appointment, I'll ask about checking him for ulcers.

I also forgot to add, he is peeing, drinking, pooping (diarrhea-- but I figure that's from the grass since he's not been on grass). I have yet to be brave enough to try and get his temp, will have hubby hold him for me and try to take it tonight.

He is supposed to be extremely quiet u/s and seemed to be when I tried him. He is very good natured and easy to handle, even when he's upset. However, I'm beginning to wonder if he'll ever settle enough for me to even get on him. I'm a weenie rider and wanted something saintly to ride at home, thought this guy was it, but who knows. As long as he's this upset, no way am I getting on him. I'm a little perplexed because supposedly this horse was shown by a beginner over the last year, and never put a foot wrong. I'd think if he were used to going to shows, he'd adapt to being in a new environment a little easier.

I do have it in writing that I can send him back at any time if it doesn't work out. I'll give it another week or so and see what happens.

[BSFKimbees]

Also, keep the Bamamine close by. Sounds like he COULD be colicky. My horses always go off their feed first. I never let it get to rolling and going down. Just keep your eye on him.

Good luck!

[KPF]

The good news is that after today, I'll be off work until Monday, and will be around the farm so I can keep an eye on him. Believe me, I'm checking him constantly. I was off yesterday and checked on him 3 times while he was out, then turned everyone in and fed and also did another night check before I went to bed. Hubby is going home early today and is going to check on him again.

I'm doubting he's colicky since he's eating hay/grass and drinking. He drank 2/3 of a bucket last night and 1 1/2 buckets the night before, and I've seen him drinking from the trough outside also.

[Diamondindykin]

When I sent my gelding out for training for the first time he didn't eat his grain for the first 3 weeks he was there. Their grain was a pelleted complete feed and he had been getting something different but he is a big pig so I was very worried. He did finally eat and I realized that he was just stressed from being in a new place and being in training. As long as he is grazing and eating hay I wouldn't worry too much for now.

[findeight]

How long was he at the other place? Years?

Anything or anybody gets to like routine alot more as they get older and it is harder to adapt to change. This old guy may need a little more time to settle. He misses the surroundings and his old pasture buddies

Dunno if you want to spend the money but, if previous owner thought he was a hard keeper? Might run some basic blood tests when the vet comes, not that expensive if he is going to be there anyway. At least you can rule out any pre exsisting conditions or make a diet change or add meds or supps to help if he has some condition or other. Some of them are just hard keepers but, IME, most that are have underlying issues. Teeth and not enough food are also a prime culprit.

[gloriginger]

my mare always goes off her grain at a new place. I'd just bump up his hay a little and keep offering his grain. He'll get the swing of things.

[KPF]

He'd only been at the owner's place around a year. He was turned out in their arena alone (within eyesight of other horses but not fence to fence with them) when I went to see him and he was fine. He didn't seem concerned in the least about being by himself.

I haven't called the owner because I want to give him the opportunity to settle down first. It's only been 3 days. I'm just a little concerned, because my other gelding is older too and he can be a little neurotic, but he normally only takes a day or two to settle into a new place. I've moved him twice in the last two years.

I think having his teeth done will probably make a huge difference with his eating and weight, she had not had them done since she'd had him and like I said, they squeak when he eats :eek:. My vet does a really good job with the power float, so if Mr. Neurotic can last until next week, maybe he'll at least be able to chew/digest his food better. I'm betting that findeight is right and he's having a hard time chewing his grain, and now he has grass to eat so he's not as hungry at mealtimes. I've noticed he likes to dunk his hay some also.

I think tonight I'll add a little more of the beep "soup" and see if he'll eat if he can just slurp it up.

Thanks for the input and reassurances! :)