So there are two sides to everyone's story. I know this farm manager, not friends, but horse aquaintances. Keep in mind that a boarder at the farm is not going to know EVERYTHING that goes on. We have had similar issues with boarders. Just because they didnt see treatment/phone calles etc. with their own eyes, must mean it didnt happen! I was told about this horse and its condition, by the manager and how he was working with the vet, and absentee owner on helping the horse. The horse was blowing abcesses frequently. Upon vet inspection it was discovered to have a very bad infection in the hoof which had eaten away part of the coffin bone. This is why the horse was put down. there was no hope of making the horse comfortable long term. This was the OWNER's decision! Obviously the owner trusted the barn manager to give her all the info to help her make this decision in her abcense.
And yes this farm is mostly self care, more like people renting out little barns/sections of the farm. The manager with a couple of the boarders helping out are responsible for a couple other "full board" horses. To my knowledge ALL of the horses are well cared for. From the sounds of it not much could have been differently in this case. If it were my horse that has been chronically lame, would I have thought, Well this horse must have a terrible infection in its hoof, that is going to cripple it for life and it will have to be put down! No. Also boarding manager only has so much control over an owner's horse. Unless they believe the horse to be in dire need, they will probably not call the vet out on their own dime. I know personally the horse would have to be in serious serious trouble for me to call the vet without owners permission, (which I have done on one occasion, as owner would not call vet, so I did) If the owner does not agree with the prescribed treatment, that you got, on their horse, they could potentially sue you!!
