dunbnwild
Yearling
Wild horses can drag me away :-)
Posts: 403
|
Post by dunbnwild on Nov 18, 2011 11:16:25 GMT -5
I do think COPD seems to occur at a high rate in the Kigers- which seems to fit with the fact that they all come from a specific climate with nature breeding for success in that climate. Also since COPD doesn't often show up until they are older- 6 yrs old or so- many have had babies before it even shows. But I do know of a few breeders who continue to breed these horses, not thinking it is genetic. So it would be great to have some sort of testing for that.
That said- after becoming more aware of COPD and seeking out answers- I'm finding that COPD is actually becoming more and more prevelant in general, regardless of breed or background. This could be due to food allergies- or even pesticides used on hay. Either way- the best defense and solution seems to be feeding the cleanest hay you can in a manner where the horse isn't dunking it's hostrils in too deep and controlling the environment for dust. Also important is raising awareness about the severity of this condition- it is easy to pass this off as "just allergies" as we often do as humans- but any respitory distress should be taken very seriously. The strain on the heart and lungs can be fatal.
|
|
|
|
Post by lindad on Nov 18, 2011 13:07:03 GMT -5
Increased prevalance in general may also be due to more people feeding from round bales with increased exposure to dust and molds and horses tend to bury their heads in it. Wood shavings in stalls are more dusty than straw. When I used wood pellets, I developed a cough, that magically disappeared when I stopped using them. Any chronic respiratory condition can eventually become COPD.
|
|
|
|
Post by DianneC on Nov 18, 2011 13:36:19 GMT -5
My vet explained that horses can have multiple allergies, but no symptoms until an additional allergy to something pushes it over the edge and they get symptoms. If not caught early the allergy becomes worse (think allergy to peanuts or bee stings) and the lungs become highly reactive. There is some great information on thehorse.com and they say that soaking the hay and keeping the horse outside as much as possible are two things that do the most good.
Any kind of mold spores are especially bad as they are smaller than dust particles and go deeper into the lungs. So soaking wets the spores or dust particles and makes them not go into the lungs.
|
|
|
|
Post by nrly on Nov 18, 2011 15:26:42 GMT -5
Yeah I do understand the dun factor, and such and know we have a good chance of having a bay due to the fact that Stormy's sire is a bay, who is Hardluck from the wild.which is fine with me.
|
|
|
|
Post by DianneC on Nov 18, 2011 20:33:40 GMT -5
Do you have pictures of Hardluck?
|
|
|
|
Post by Michelle Clarke on Nov 18, 2011 22:25:50 GMT -5
I thought Hardluck was the stud that was accidentally run over as a foal - I thought he was dun. Maybe I am thinking of another one.
|
|
|
|
Post by sbutter on Nov 19, 2011 16:30:11 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by fantasykiger on Nov 19, 2011 17:49:01 GMT -5
Ok everyone sorry it took a bit to get the right logo pic' done, that represented both Kigers and owners. If you other ideas please post ..I will see what I can come up with.  |
|
|
|
Post by barbhorses on Nov 19, 2011 18:25:46 GMT -5
Hardluck is what I would call a dark dun. His dorsal is crisp and clear and you can plainly see some dark and clear striping on his legs though infrequent they may be.
|
|
|
|
Post by Michelle Clarke on Nov 19, 2011 20:21:18 GMT -5
It was so long ago when I saw Hard Luck at RL, that I can't remember exactly if this is him or not. I know he was dun, but I thought he was lighter and there was something wrong with his hindend from being run over but I do know this horse was bred. I don't know - I'm gettin' old!
|
|
|
|
Post by fantasykiger on Nov 19, 2011 20:52:50 GMT -5
here is a link to the wonderful stallions that have once graced (some still do) at the Kiger Mustang Ranch. There are soem pics of Hardluck www.kigers.com/stallions.htm |
|
|
|
Post by DianneC on Nov 19, 2011 21:22:24 GMT -5
Yes, I remember the pictures that look like he was wild, but that was a fenced pasture with rock and big sagebrush that Rick turned him on to photograph. Steens Mtn doesn't have big sagebrush. He was definitely captive bred and looks like he is out of Steens Kiger. Interesting, he has the sworl going up the midline under his neck like Chinook. I've seen that a couple times but not often. Looks like he had hives in a couple of the pictures.
|
|
|
|
Post by mystickiger on Nov 19, 2011 22:22:22 GMT -5
Looks like Hardluck is for sale. Never thought him as anything other than dark dun and captive bred. There is no freezebrand that I can see. www.equinenow.com/horse-ad-476670You're right about the hives Dianne. Also, notice the difference in the mane once he was in WI; rubbed out in spots. Would bet that's from another problem I see in alot of Kigers brought to the MidWest & East; hypersensativity to gnats. |
|
|
|
Post by kimk on Nov 19, 2011 23:18:18 GMT -5
Dianne,
as I recall, Hardluck is by Kiger don Sombre and is out of Corral Creeks Lacey Lady by Kiger Tiger 1 x Kiger Tiger Lilly. Hardluck is not related to SK.
|
|
|
|
Post by DianneC on Nov 19, 2011 23:23:39 GMT -5
Tiffany, didn't mean to slide past you. I like your logo!
|
|
