Advice Needed Please (also in Vet)

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misterjinglejay

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Right, complicated story coming up:

My horse and my friends horse moved to a new yard about 2 months ago; my lad settled in well, but his mate didn't and was intimidated by the 2 existing horses.

This all came to a head on Sunday night.

My freind is away on a course during the week, and left me in charge of the horse. This is a normal thing, and we both know each others horses well.

On Sunday, when my friend was doing the evening shift, her horse was found to have a lot of bites and kick on him, but ate his tea and seemed okayish in himself. She separated our lads, from the others for the night. And went off on her course.

He was fine in the morning and ate breakfast, etc.

Monday night: found him down, but calm, couldn't seem/didn't want to get up. He'd only been down for 5 mins max. Rang vet, who came out.

Meanwhile, we'd got him on his feet, and walked him to his stable. He seemed weak behind but otherwise okay - pulse, gums, etc.

Vet examined him v thoroughly IMO, and ruled out concussion, stroke, colic etc. putting it down to a kick on his loin area (there were scrapes there). Gave him a long acting painkiller, said to turn him out with my lad for the night, and he would be a lot better by morning.

This morning, he was down again; we got him up, and he was still wobbly, not interested in food, water or anything much, just walking around.

Rang vet again, who was most reassuring. This was all to be expected, the painkillers were still reaching maximum effectivness.

I didn't contact his owner as she was miles away and couldn't do much from there. Should I have done?

Went up at lunchtime - he was the same - mooching around.

Tonight, found him dead! *****, *****, *****! Had been dead for a while. Checked for vital signs - nothing.

Rang his owners OH, who came up to the yard. Should we have rung the vet for conformation that he was dead (like with people)? The OH asked if we had and to be honest it hadn't crossed my mind - he was defo dead!

Just a spot of advice - did we do all we could? Should we have rung the vet for death conformation?? (I know he'll need to be contacted to sort out post mortum/disposal - but her family are doing that).

If there's any gin left after I've finished with it, you are welcome to it if you've made it this far!
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Yikes!:eek: that's horrible, so sorry for you and the horse...
As to advice, I don't think you need to get the vet out to confirm the horse being dead, but I would definitely want a post mortem as it just sounds so bizarre, popping his clogs just like that:eek:
 
Bloody hell - don't know what to say. Poor you - poor horse - poor owner.

Must have been some internal bleeding I guess, and the horse has either died of blood loss or shock (two go hand in hand).

I would have the vet, yes - because I would want to know the cause of death.

The pale gums are an indicator that something was very amiss.....
 
Again... OMG... I didn't expect that!!! My thoughts are with all of you.

And yes, I do think it may have been internal bleeding as it went so slowly...
 
Oh my word! How awful.
So sorry to you for finding him. And huge Hugs to your friend.
I think you did everything you could, you had the vet out to him and kept in contact with the Vet when you were unsure.
Like you said, your friend was miles away, and your judgement at the time was that it was nothing too much to worry about.
Nothing could have prepared you for finding him dead, and im sure if the Vet had advised that he wasnt going to pull through, you would have contacted your friend.

Obviously, your friend will want a post mortem. Has she been advised yet?
 
That's awful for you, if it's any consolation, I'm sure your friend will not blame you. I wouldn't have called the vet for a death certificate but obviously the sooner a post mortem is done the better so would probably have called him the same day- your friend's family presumably are dealing with this now though.

I looked after my friend's horse while she was away for 6 months, horse went on loan but the loanee wanted to return it. The horse went mental and galloped into a wall, broke her leg and had to be pts. I felt so awful and still have flashbacks but she was very nice about it, understood that it wasn't my fault and accepted that I did all I could.

You can only do what you would have done for your own horse and that is exactly what I would have done.
 
Terrible news! I am sorry for the horse, for you having to deal with all this and the owner for being away while all this happened!

I don't think there is much you could have done differently. I assume the owner can arrange a post-mortem now if she wishes.
 
OMG Farrierlover, that sounds dreadful. Bloody horses!!!!

Thank you for all your kind words.

I haven't spoken to my friend yet as she is still very upset. Her dad rung me earlier and was very kind. Apparently the body was taken this morning (it was a blooming hot day!!!), and I think/hope they are doing a PM for answers.

Last night, though, I had a lovely text from her OH saying that they knew we'd done all we could, and that M couldn't have wished for a better stand-in. It was so sweet of him - and started me off again!

Hopefully the worst is over for everyone now, and it's just the fallout to deal with.

Poor, poor horse - he was a delight to work with.
 
Hindsight is always perfect. Don't beat yourself up about it. What to do in such a situation isn't something they feature in books or horse magazines so you did what you thought best at the time.

I hope your freind will be able to get some clarity from the PM as to what happened. Her insurance co may also need to know.

Poor you, and poor horse. Love and Hugs...
 
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