Blood Bank.

Eventerlad15

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Does anyone have any experinces with the Scottish one? I have only heard good reports, and am trying to get Bertie there as he is never going to be totally sound and I'd rather he had a 'job', than be stuck at home costing money to keep.

Any experiences good or bad much apreciated
 
the one in scotland is in tillicoutry, but i think there is a waiting list. my horse was there for ten years or so, and died there! but she was really well looked after, and well fed and sheltered. the horses have to be well to be able to take blood from them so always well fed, and good grazing and they all seem very happy and settled! good luck
 
Dont know about the scottish one but know of several horses that have gone to the one near milton keynes. Your horse has to be a certain build/height for the blood volume and capable of live shoe/rug and drug free for the rest of its life. They are run in large herds throughout summer and winter, I think Oct - April they live in large indoor barns all together, and summer they live out in large fields. They come in about once a month for blood which takes about ten mins, and in return they get a hard feed to say thankyou. They live wonderful retirements and its really nice.
 
I've visited the Scottish one and I came away really sad after seeing the horses.
I am a realist and appreciate yes these horses had a job to do but as they had came from owners and previously been used to human handling they were all desperate for attention.

They also have a catheter in their neck for easy access to the vein, rather than cutting into their neck every other week. Horses must be under a certain age before they can be accepted and it is a business and horses that cannot continually supply the required level are PTS or returned to the owner.
Horses are not rugged and for the horses who are at the bottom of the pecking order living in the barns can be a traumatic experience for them. For horses that have ben used to rugs and careful management it is hard to see them so neglected.
Some looked so sad and neglected. I would not send one of my horses there, I would PTS at home.
Think long and hard before you send your horse there and visit first if you can.
 
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