[RedxHandedxJill]

Hello all!

I have a wonderful, albeit very sensitive OTTB that I'm moving about 12 hours away next week. It's a long, convuluted story, but I had him away on a lease for my first two years of college and just got him back last week. He was in a pretty decent weight but the stress of traveling made him lose weight overnight! It was only a two hour drive, so I'm getting worried about his nerves while he travels next week. Do you have any advice? He travels well, but the moment he gets to a new place (or one he hasn't seen in a long time) he looses a lot of weight.

Also, the lease did not turn out like I hoped. Leaser wanted a nice gelding to be a pasture buddy to his preggo mare. I wanted my boy to have a chance to just be a horse and relax. Leaser never trimmed his feet and his feet are not in good condition now. I trimmed him a bit this week, but his feet are VERY dry. The new location is extremely dry. I know it's going to take time and good nutrition, but is there anything I can do to help the process along??

ETA: I know this isn't primarily related to eventing, but i know how great eventers are with OTTB's and leg/hoof condition. Seemed like the right board for the job!

[flashwhitelock]

full tube of ulcerguard when you travel and wet alfalfa hay or alfalfa cubes while your traveling. It will give him a slight case of the runs but it will keep him eating better than regular hay and will give him the best chance of keeping ulcers down which flare up on travelling and cause tb's to then not eat enough.

Keep some alfalfa hay mixed in the first 3-4 days at the new place. It makes all the difference in the world.

[RedxHandedxJill]

Thanks flashwhitelock! I was thinking about wetting his hay down since he tends to not drink while trailering and it's going to be a long hot trip! Good to know it will also help with his weight. Thanks again!

[RiverBendPol]

UlcerGard (full tube/day) for the week leading up to travel and the week following.
Thirst Quencher in his water-Give him 2 buckets, 1 plain, 1 with TQ, during the week leading up, to make sure he likes it (I've never met one who doesn't) Then on the trip, assuming he does like it, give him TQ water.