The owners choice. Unethical in my opinion, and is still turning out but if you knew the owner you'd just be pleased she was agreeing to have it done at all. Very sad for the poor horse
Two on our yard have come down with it. One a chronic laminitis that will be pts next week and the other is 17hh! So unsure on his prognosis with his size.
but both been kept in large grass paddocks and overweight...
From experience, you will have time to ride one horse and do it well and look after your child and do it well, if you have a supportive partner. If you don't, or you're happy with two in light work, or a sharer then you could have two ridden horses in work and enough time for your child. Or...
Send no.3 back, ride the arthritic one on some bute in the meantime, if he is happy going out then that should make him comfortable doing a bit more. Your rehab horse sounds like a companion only, if it ends up being able to do more that’s a bonus.
Then find a loan that gives you more enjoyment...
Competent and experienced adult rider with insurance, looking to share a 15.3h plus horse 2-4 days a week. Own transport and happy to give a financial contribution and do stable chores. Happy to hack or school and the potential to go out to do some low level competitions, fun rides and XC...
I have two that would do this and would potentially take on a good sharer if one came along as I lack the time to keep both in work, but the sharer would not be the main/or sole rider and would not get to dictate what they did with my horses. A bit like what Red describes, I would take someone...
For testing: AM will show in bloods.
Grass sickness wont.
If it is chronic grass sickness then diagnosis is a process of elimination of other things (if it was acute he'd be dead by now). Predominately - the following symptoms once all tests have run clear- reduced gut sounds, tucked up...
Grass sickness, or sycamore poisoning. We had a chronic grass sickness case that took 3 weeks to 'get bad' but was showing abnormal signs the entire time.
I'd call the Dick Vets Edinburgh Equine Hospital for advice if your vets aren't experienced and you suspect grass sickness as they are happy...
I would aim to claim for loss of use to gain funds for a replacement pony for your daughter as horse can no longer do intended job. I wouldn't trust the horse in traffic again, you can rehab to an extent but I doubt will ever be truly safe on the roads after that.
I was in a nasty carriage...
If you really need to transport your horses it is very easy to hire transport, plus if you have offers from friends then you can pull in those favors if needed. If you have debt, I would sell and downsize the car.