I have had this on my mind for a week now and am wondering if anyone else has been in a similar situation. I 'acquired' a nice Thoroughbred when my ex-fiance abandoned him when we split. He is nice, has great ground manners...is 17.2HH. He has had a bad hind end from the day he was picked up at the auction for $300. The only other bidder was a 'killer'. Recently he had been tossing his head a lot when I asked him to trot - recently as in the last month. He had an unjury around Christmas that I wasn't sure was completely healed. I had my riding instructor out last week and she diagnosed a suspensory injury. Basically the suspensory is pulling away and one day it will no longer be attached.
He is only 12 years old, far from retirement. He is also unridable and most likely not fixable. Has anyone else been in this situation? Any ideas on what to do with him? (other than euthanasia or slaughter - only serious answers please).
2008-02-04T18:32:27Z
The answers are good - an no, he probably doesn't weigh 1100 lbs, but it sounds good in the question. I don't know how much he weighs other than to say he isn't overweight.
Honestly, who want to just brush a horse? The horse rescues near me have enough companion horses, they are hard pressed to take a horse that has a good home. I don't know many people who want a companion horse - if anyone knows of anyone in Maryland area that does, let me know.
I don't think the mothers of small children will want their children near a horse so big.
Any other suggestions.
2008-02-04T18:35:28Z
I understand everyone's concern with my riding instructor, but she has worked with vets and rehabs thoroughbreds as part of her business. She is as familiar with horse injuries at vets. I did try a therapy program, they will not take a horse over 15.3HH.
Road Apples2008-02-04T18:39:24Z
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If I had enough money, I would definitely take him (I'm in the MD area, too). He definitely sounds like a lawn ornament. This website says there are options you can take to keep him usable, one of which is to get special shoes from the farrier to relieve the stress on the ligament and help it heal and relieve pain. http://www.horseshoes.com/anatomy/esad/articles/tendoninjuries3/tendoninjuries3.htm I would also talk to your vet to see if there's a surgery that can be performed to reattach/strengthen the ligament.
Let's look at your question: he's a "nice" TB who narrowly escaped the killers once. You don't want to euthanize.
Rescues are filled with horses saved from irresponsible owners. Are you an ethical, responsible person or an unethical, irresponsible person? Do you think it's ok to burden them with this one? How much financial support are you willing to provide?
You'll try to find a good home. So how much effort are you willing to put into making sure the good home you find for him STAYS a good home?
If you aren't prepared to be diligent, why not euthanize him? He has already been in the pickle once, you can't just say "he went to a good home" and let that satisfy your conscience.
Out of sight, out of mind may help YOU sleep better, but how many horses in the kill pen at the sale were once placed in "good" homes.
The only thing that stands between a marginal horse OR a horse that is not "useful" and abuse/neglect is its responsible owner.
My mothers Horse cisco pulled a suspensory ligament. The vet came out and wrapped his leg and we changed the wrap i believe every other day to make it heal well after a month it had not healed but mind you this was due to his age he was 27, So we had h I'm put down Call your local vet, A horse at 12 should recover from a injury like that and with therapy should be ridable again. But please get a vets opinion it could not be as serious as a pulled ligament, Trainers like me know horse but were no substitute for a Vet. i would like you to keep me up to date on him My email is coorscowgirl101@yahoo.com also were are you located and would you be willing to give him to a good home? I live in eastern Or. and my family has been taking in rescues and horses that are Hard to care for. we have a large ranch.
Donate him to a therapy barn where light, small riders can walk around on him if he's suitable temperment wise.
Otherwise, you could give him to someone looking for a companion to a lonely horse, or perhaps even a companion for themselves.
But first, I would get my vet out to check him out for certain. Riding instructors are smart people, but they're not always right about diagnosing injuries. Get a vet to check him over well, it very well may be something that needs just some time off and rest to recover. If so, in the meantime, spend quality time grooming until you see your reflection in his coat, and polish up those ground manners if the need be. Good luck with him, he sounds elegant and handsome.
My horses that have served me well and wind up no longer usable wind up pasture art. Like my hubby's aged gelding....I never begrudged him a single scoop of feed that went into his bin. He'd served us well, took care of my hubby who was a little on the inexperienced side, so we took care of him. He was retired for a lot of years before he finally had to be euthanized. If you don't have an attatchment to him, I'd just try to find someone who needs a pasture companion. A little harder to do now than it used to be....but it can still be done. I have a few out on "free leases" as buddy horses. But as far as the most likely not fixable, if possible I'd schedule a vet that's good with soundness issues and have them give him a work up. Could be that there are things that could be done to make him servicable for light use.