Any suggestions for an unridable 6 year old

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jellyshark

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A friend has a lovely 6 yr old mare who after investigation due to bad behaviour was found to have a spinal issue, this was treated with tildren and the horse put on a bute challenge - out come was the same horse still diplaying 'dangerous' behaviour when ridden. Vets feel she has learnt the behaviour due to the pain and as she is also a headshaker so will always have these tendancies. they have suggested that a proffessional might be able to ride throught the issues but that she will probably revert if sold!

Now the dilema is what to do with her options so far seem to be

Breed - but may get temperament and conditions passed on!
Give her away - but feel this will lead her into a awful life
Keep as field companion - wont be good for this as won't stay on her own!!
PTS!

If anyone has any ideas we haven't thought of please let us know!!
 
TBH I definately wouldn't breed from her. 6 yr old - a long time to be a field ornament. There is a risk she could hurt someone trying to ride her. I'd probably have her PTS.
 
I wouldn't breed from her naturally but if the vets think she is physically up to carrying a foal it might be worth considering being an embryo recipient, tremlows would be worth a call
 
ihatework said:
I wouldn't breed from her naturally but if the vets think she is physically up to carrying a foal it might be worth considering being an embryo recipient, tremlows would be worth a call
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Would have to ask don't you think if carrying a foal would make the spinal issue worse:confused: Also aren't there enough unwanted unsellable horses out there:confused:
 
Ha ha, hence I said IF the vets think she is physically ok.

Christine, recipient embryo transfer means she is a surrogate mother!!!!
 
I hate to say it she would make a terrible breeding proposition whether her own or embryo recipient .She still has to rear a foal and the mares temperament has a huge influence on the foal growing up.
Why do people always try and avoid the obvious,I am sorry it is my no1 pet hate breeding from unsuitable mares and then wondering why you end up with the same again plus it is nearly always inexperienced people who do this so the foal is never handled properly.
Blood donor possible but I think temperament may influence if she is suitable.
PTS is possibly best solution all round sorry but as I always tell myself they all go one day.
 
Have scans and treatment done (shiatsu is absolutely brilliant) so you know the mares spine is actually 100% fine. Then give her a year off riding and do some groundwork and bonding exercises instead to help get some condition on and get her muscles to develop evenly. Then after a year very very slowly get back on it. She should be alot calmer by then, have been getting used to wearing all the equipment and have been doing some slight groundwork and realising shes not in pain anymore!
 
You could turn her away properly and see how she is in a year or so. Before we could do all the things we can do now this was the standard practice and some horses did, indeed, come right. If you're going to do it though, my experience is it works best if you can really do it - out 24/7 on variable terrain, with suitable company and minimal human intervention, preferably on a forage based diet, shoes off - the works. It's not just not being ridden, it's a complete break. And, of course, depending on the damage it may not help.

Don't send her out into the world unless you are POSITIVE she's safe to ride. I can tell you some awful stories. Even if she is sold on as unsafe to ride there is no guarantee, a while down the line, that information won't get lost in the shuffle.

You can certainly ask about embryo recipient but, as mentioned, people who do that sort of thing are increasingly careful about the mares they use. Originally many breeders used part bred mares for their easy temperaments and good milk production, but a lot of people found the resulting foals lacked competition horse temperaments. It's clear the physical dam brings a lot to the party before and after foaling.

I know it's a very tough decision but your friend has to remember the mare is not agonising over the situaition. In the current economic climate, particularly, it's so easy for a compromised horse to end up in trouble. While your friend obviously owes this mare her best effort that means to ensure her a pain free, safe life. If that's not possible long term. . . .
 
I aggree with the above if it can be arranged a years turnout in a group in as large area as possible is worth a try .
If not well I have PTS in similar circumstances I would never pass such a horse on.
 
It's not unlike our situation a couple of years ago but we weren't happy that the horse was painfree and her aggressive and clingy temperament with other horses meant a field companion wasn't an option. She was PTS.

If you cannot make her safe to ride OR cannot guarentee her entire future, it would be kindest and safest to have her PTS.

I would never breed an tempermentally unsound mare.

It's cruel to sell or rehome her on as you have no control over her future. She may well end up being ridden (or attempted to be ridden) again. You could very easily end up with her killing a rider. She is the current owners responsility and her issues cannot just be handed over the the first mug who will take her.

Are you 100% sure all back pain is gone? If so I would turn her away for a year to forgive and forget a little then send her off for proffesional re-schooling with someone who specialises in very diffiuclt horses. If that still doesn't work then I'd have her PTS.

If her back pain is not completely healed and is unlikey to ever get better then I would have her PTS unless the owner can keep complete control of her future (i.e not sell/rehome)
 
As others have said is giving the mare a year off in the field an option?

My guy had problems with his feet and got v naughty to ride because of them. Despite being treated an having bute he was still naughty as you said it was a learned behaviour and I think he still thought it was going to hurt.

However he ended up having a year off in the field and has come back like my old horse before he was in pain. So it's worth a try if you are able to do that. :)
 
ihatework said:
Ha ha, hence I said IF the vets think she is physically ok.

Christine, recipient embryo transfer means she is a surrogate mother!!!!
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Sorry didn't read the post, still wouldn't breed from her as a surrogate either. She'd have some constant pain from the spinal issues, it wouldn't be fair on her. Kindest thing PTS!
 
christine48 said:
TBH I definately wouldn't breed from her. 6 yr old - a long time to be a field ornament. There is a risk she could hurt someone trying to ride her. I'd probably have her PTS.
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Agreed, but I'd give a year off first just to see if she forgot the pain (if indeed the meds have stopped it).
 
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