erinjograves
11-12-2011, 10:12 AM
Hi Guys!
I have a student who has a 20-something Arab gelding. He is an absolutly wonderful guy. Very polite, very good on the ground, excellent with small kids. The problem is that when she bought this horse a few years back she found out he had arthritis in his spine. Due to the arthritis, he had a slight swayback but was still very rideable.
After watching him move for the past few months and looking at his back after a month of me being out for an injury, I have come to the conclusion that he needs to be retired. His spine has actually started to stick out of his back about 1/2 - 3/4 of an inch. His back is painful to the touch as he twitches and moves away when you run your fingers down his spine.
My student and I talked for about an hour the other night and we both decided that we would find him a home as a companion only either as a free lease so she could still go see him or as a give away. She then called me a few hours later and changed her mind. She wants me to look at his back again tomorrow. She says she can't see what I see. Which I understand to a certain point. She sees him everyday, so the change has been gradual to her and she loves him more then life itself so she is just grasping at straws at this point.
My question to you guys is are there any other options? The options I have suggested to her are..
1. Retire him to the pasture as a pasture puff.
2. Give him away as a companion horse only.
3. Free lease him as a companion horse only - this is so she can check on him at her own discretion.
4. Put him to sleep.
#4 isnt really a great option, but it is an option. He is in his 20's, has arthritis in his back. How many people are really going to watch to take on an older horse with issues just to spend more money on feed and supplements for him to sit in a field somewhere??
I guess I am just trying to have all my information together. She asked me what I would do if he were mine. My answer..hands down..he would live the rest of his life in my field as a pasture puff receiving kiss, hugs, treats and supplements until he told me it was time for him to cross the bridge.
Any words of wisdom?
Thanks!! :buddies:
I have a student who has a 20-something Arab gelding. He is an absolutly wonderful guy. Very polite, very good on the ground, excellent with small kids. The problem is that when she bought this horse a few years back she found out he had arthritis in his spine. Due to the arthritis, he had a slight swayback but was still very rideable.
After watching him move for the past few months and looking at his back after a month of me being out for an injury, I have come to the conclusion that he needs to be retired. His spine has actually started to stick out of his back about 1/2 - 3/4 of an inch. His back is painful to the touch as he twitches and moves away when you run your fingers down his spine.
My student and I talked for about an hour the other night and we both decided that we would find him a home as a companion only either as a free lease so she could still go see him or as a give away. She then called me a few hours later and changed her mind. She wants me to look at his back again tomorrow. She says she can't see what I see. Which I understand to a certain point. She sees him everyday, so the change has been gradual to her and she loves him more then life itself so she is just grasping at straws at this point.
My question to you guys is are there any other options? The options I have suggested to her are..
1. Retire him to the pasture as a pasture puff.
2. Give him away as a companion horse only.
3. Free lease him as a companion horse only - this is so she can check on him at her own discretion.
4. Put him to sleep.
#4 isnt really a great option, but it is an option. He is in his 20's, has arthritis in his back. How many people are really going to watch to take on an older horse with issues just to spend more money on feed and supplements for him to sit in a field somewhere??
I guess I am just trying to have all my information together. She asked me what I would do if he were mine. My answer..hands down..he would live the rest of his life in my field as a pasture puff receiving kiss, hugs, treats and supplements until he told me it was time for him to cross the bridge.
Any words of wisdom?
Thanks!! :buddies: