Wow, the pony survived on his own for two years, stuck on a fenced field, and the worst that happened to him is severe obesity? What a resilient animal...
The amount of people who are think he looked better fat is concerning. She went over how she knows he's overweight, not just based off of appearance alone.
I know right, so many horses are too fat so it almost becomes the norm and fit horses are called too thin. My cousin has a shetlandpony who used to be too fat and now she’s on a good weight and people say she’s skinny or thin.
bel pet People can be so odd to me. Whether a person, a dog, or a horse, being overweight is so unhealthy. A shortened life of pain, a variety of obese medical conditions, means a poorer quality of life. We fostered an elderly dog, 10-12 years old, foster fail as we kept him, who was so over weight every step he took hurt. With our vet’s help it took over 9 months to get him down to the weight he should had been. The weight loss gave that wonderful boy a new lease on life. When our vet first saw him, he was honest with us that he was close to the end of his life. After the weight loss, with a healthy diet, lots walks and play time, he lived 4 more years...4 happy active years. Somebody is going to be blessed with a wonderful pony. I wish nothing but a good quality of life for the dear pony. It’s obvious Thunder likes to eat, so his new owner will need to keep an eye in him. Lol.
I hate it when people in the comments section say that this pong was Better before. Clearly they don't know what a fit, healthy, happy horse looks like. This horse was so horrifically obese, that he couldn't walk properly and was severely laminitic. His condsition was horrile and anyone that knew the smallest thing about horses would realise that this horse at this weight was cruel and in no way acceptable. For those of you saying that he looks like a lanky two year old now, he doesn't. In fact, he still is, at the end of this video, overweight and is still continuing to lose weight as that is whats right for the welfare of this poor pony. You guys have done an amazing job and should be really proud of yourselves. This pony has made an amazing recovery and is much happy and healthier for it!
In another 9 month's time, Thunder will look completely different. Now castrated,back to a healthy weight and with the Laminitis under control; he can now begin his fitness training gradually building up the length and workout intensity. As I understand from the report, he is having physiotherapy to help regain the mobility and build muscle.
That must've been some good grass. where I live if people leave horses/ abandoned horses out in a field with just grass they tend to be severely underweight and usually dead..
Had my pony 42 years, he bucked off everyone who ever rode him at least once lol, I Miss him horribly! He was my best man at my wedding even, wish they could live forever!
It might do Thunder some good to spend some of his physio time in a water treadmill. That way,he can build up strength without too much stress on his joints. It would be easy enough to get a vet's referral as thunder already has had a bout of laminitis and obesity
Just wanted to pop back and say a big thank you for this video. I saw it a few months ago and looked up at my cat nearby.....he was terribly fat, fed ad lib. I took him to the vet, put him on a diet and now he is much healthier and happier, although still a little way to go. He plays like a youngster ( he is 11), runs and jumps. Thank you for making me wake up and take notice!
I work with horses(employee at a riding school) and honestly some of them would just eat themselves to death without guidance from humans. All they think about is food, for the most part.
He is a lovely pony with so much potential. With better care, neutering, he will be a wonderful companion. He is the type of pony I rode when I was a kid, and still love.
He is beautiful ♥ Looks like a Tinker when he arrived. I think he was more beautfil when he was bigger, but now he is healthier and can enjoy his life again and thats the inportant thing.
WHR have done a fantastic job to give Thunder his quality of life back in a healthy and happy environment. Its a long road sometimes for these little laminitic ponies - often just cast aside because its all too hard to get them literally 'back on their feet' again. Kudos to all the staff and helpers, farriers and vets that take on the challenges and turn a bad situation into a victory! Thankyou!
Thank you so much for all you do for the horses and ponys! I have never been around horses, and I live in Kansas, USA. The reason you can do this is you have a heart of gold!!! I would want to find the people who do this, and let them live like they make the animals live! GOD BLESS YOU ALL OF YOU 💙🙏🏻❤️🤗🐴💚🍀 The World Horse Welfare/and you, will always be in my prayers!
Wow. He looks AMAZING now! He was a fatty boom-ba-latty when he 1st showed up. I've never heard of a horse so fat it had a pad between and behind the ears! That's over a decade of grooming thoroughbreds... I'm so glad y'all could help him.
I despise people who harm or neglect animals. Horses, dogs, cats, pigs, cows ect. Im an animal lover and it breaks my heart to see any animal, especially horses and dogs, suffer at the hands of a human.
Awwwwwww. He looks like an absolute sweetheart. It's horrible that there are people who neglect and abuse animals. It's awesome that there are people like you guys who work tirelessly to help them and restore them to good health. That poor boy. You can see he is just miserable.
Good job everybody and that Pony looks gorgeous now. Thanks for the tip about shaving part of the hair off to cause this shiver to help reduce weight. I didn't know that and truthfully I hadn't thought about that. That's just another tool for my toolbox while dealing with horses. Hopefully it won't be something I have to use. Thank you for loving and caring for horses and ponies donkeys too maybe
Cheers from California! I love your videos! Although initially they are sad and I feel horrible for the horses, you ALWAYS rehab the animals and they are SOOOOO much better for it! Wonderfully joyful outcomes and beautiful horses to be adopted by people who will love and care for them!
fascinating programme he's been through in a year and the shaving technique to induce shivering weight loss is especially interesting to me. His coat is beautiful and anyone would be lucky to get him!
He's such a pretty boy! I'd snag him in a heart beat. He also seems friendly to work with. Unfortunately, I'm in no situation to owning a horse probably for years. Hope he gets an absolutely amazing home!
Thunder is such a fine pony; Even when he was fat, he was still endearing. I can see people hammering bids at auction to own him now and going to a good home. A happy ending that any horse/pony deserves.
The fence came down and he found high carb buffet heaven, lol! Ponies like this are designed to exist as extremely easy keepers! To get that fat, he was pumping out excess insulin to clear his blood of sugar. Laminitis is horrible! He's lucky to have been removed from that situation. Sometimes you have to turn out only in an arena or paddock that has no grass. You can use a grazing muzzle if that's all you've got. They can still graze, but much less. No grain or even sugary treats for these guys! Either will raise insulin too much, too often. They are essentially put on a greatly reduced carb diet just like humans. Its practically the same treatment. He is gorgeous!!!
gracie gunderson you have to put a lot of animals down as a vet. I worked in a vet office for 6 years and it’s not really the place you should go if you “love” animals. Maybe a sanctuary or something like that.
I've rescued a pony like this, very fat, huge crown on his neck and somewhat laminitic, hooves stuck out untrimmed. It took 7 YEARS to get him okay. Gradual trimming of his feet and weight loss achieved very simply by putting a bucket over his head like a plastic feedbag if you will. We took a kids hard plastic sandbox toy bucket and cut a two inch round hole in the bottom, attached it to a halter. He could only eat what he could get through that hole. He went from immoveable to taking kids on long mountain trail rides! Worth all the work! And money.
I must say I love horses with a big sturdy neck my horse, Arthur has a massive neck!! He’s very very strong but he never does anything wrong and he isn’t overweight it’s just his build and a sturdy cob who lives in in the hills in England!
Molly Equestrian exactly, yours isn't obese Whereas this horse is obese with no muscle development. It doesn't matter what you prefer in apperences he was clinically obese and had no muscle development as he hasn't been exercised and was at risk of serious health issues
I know this is an old video now, but he looks like such a doll, such a cute head shape, congrats on doing a safe weight loss that didn't result in anything like a fallen crest. Whoever owns him now is super lucky to have him
Fantastic outcome. Those poor legs and hooves holding his weight. I'll be honest at first I thought WoW what a beauty, his proud thick neck. Then I listened to the experts. Well done guys. He's a lot lighter but still looking fantastic. Now to gently build up the muscles. Excellent 🌹💟💟💟🌹
At the end he looks gorgeous ! But I also like how he looked before he totally lost all the fat (I'm a fan of heavy horses) but I know it's not good for his health so... Good job ! ^^
