bit of a dilema please help me

Dogbetty141

Dogbetty141

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 October 2006
Messages
2,157
Location
Derbyshire
Visit site
So im looking after my friends two horses one is about 15 and ok and the other is ancient 30+ and has arthritis! So went up last night and turned them both out in a titchy paddock we have got! Anyway went down to roll and couldnt get back up! we all pushed him up (only 12.2hh) and he was fine! Was then told that she never turns them out due to his arthritis(i was never told this) everyone then said he is wasting away in his stable and has lost all of his muscles and it is the best option what i did to turn him out! Is this right or should i do right by his owner and leave him in?? been told today that pony is ok and not still and looks more alert instead of what he is normally like! What should i do help me please!sorry to ramble!
 
Tough one, I know I would turn out in these circumstances as I would want the pony moving around as much as possible..but this is something you need to sort out with the owner
 
I suppose its up to the owner, and you can only really do what you've been asked to do. I'm suprised the pony can walk after bieng shut in! Chex legs are stiff enough in the morning and he's only in 10 hours.
 
she did not say do not turn him out but she may have thought that i should know what to do! a woman who is helping me with them both has said that she is going to put them out and i can do what i want! i want to do what is right for the horse but i do not want to upset the woman also!
 
Ohhh a tricky one. If the horse is arthritic I would have thought exercise would be beneficial (surely it is going to stiffen up even more standing in a stable all day). Personally I think keeping a horse in all the time is cruel unless there is a really really good veterinary reason for it.
If I were you I would try putting it out for short periods of time and see how you get on. That is assuming you have no instructions so are relying on your own initiative. It will probably really cheer the horse up! Does it ever roll indoors and get stuck? If so it could be more at risk in a confined area.
 
hes on bute all the time! i know its not good but the old guy is still there in his head and heart and seems to be a lot better today than he has been!
 
So you haven't been told not to turn him out? What did the owner tell you? Seems very strange to go away and leave someone in charge of looking after your ponies without giving any instruction?

If the owner has not told you to keep him in, but the others are telling you that he is not allowed out.....then I wouldn't risk putting him out. He may have other conditions that you are also not aware of?

Take him for walks by all means, however if you do turn him out and he ends up getting in a pickle...or worst case ends up getting laminitis or something similar....will you be prepared for the repercussions, some of them possibly being financial?
 
the turnout they go into has not grass its like a paddock! I will from now on i think take him for walks and apologise for putting him out yesterday i dont want him to be miserable and he is a lovely little pony who i just want to right by! I understand your point totally tia and i will do the above from now on at least he is getting out! I will let him eat grass too he loves it! Not lami doesnt eat a lot! How long would you advise he is walked for each day??
 
she is abroad i do have a contact number for her but i dont want to worry her whilkst she is away as there is nothing worng with her horse and she will think that there is!
 
[ QUOTE ]
she is abroad i do have a contact number for her but i dont want to worry her whilkst she is away as there is nothing worng with her horse and she will think that there is!

[/ QUOTE ]
I don't think it's a question of worrying her - rather clarifying what she wants you to do with her horses.

Text her.
 
You will be able to tell when he has had enough of walking. I wouldn't take him too far just incase.

I only mention all these things as I left Cloud in the "capable hands" of a groom back in England a few years ago whilst we were out here at our farm in Canada. I left clear instructions of what to do and what not to do......I got a phone call out of the blue to tell me that the groom was making the decision to have Cloud put to sleep because in 10 days she had come down with serious acute laminitis.

I had to call my vet and categorically state that she did not have Power of Attorney over this pony - I found another groom to take care of her until we managed to get a flight back to England. It was a very harrowing time for us and all because a groom, who should have known better, did not follow instructions and did NOT even bother to call me until things had almost gone beyond the point of no return.

Call the woman, or as Amy says, text her at least.
 
When my old horse (33) was having health issues and couldnt be turned out, he wasted away just like that little pony. I know i couldnt have taken him out because he was suffering with balance problems, but being in, he lost all his muscle round his bum and he did the same when he did go out, got down and couldnt get back up again. I know he isnt yours but i would certainly advise to get him out for walks where ever possible at will help to build his back end up.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top