007Equestrian
Well-Known Member
So to update on my earlier post my mare of a lifetime has just been diagnosed with kissing spines. We now face the awful decision of the injections, surgery or retirement.
To put into context she is a 16h draught cross currently competing successfully at Inter 1 dressage. (I previously said gelding as I am aware of some nosy previous coaches who may know this account). She is so talented and could go to Grand Prix and has never had a lame day in her life until now. However she is 14 and I've not read any reports of horses doing more than hacking after the surgery. She is totally sound on the lunge.
If she could successfully rehab from the surgery and lead a competitive life moving up the grades I would bite the bullet and pay for it. However, I am NOT just going to inject the area to numb it and continue to compete, as she owes me nothing and I wouldn't risk her future health by doing this.
If she will do no more than hacking after the surgery then I would retire her and inject to keep her comfortable while possibly put her in foal if the vet agreed that was an option.
I basically want to do the right thing for her. She is my horse of a lifetime and I want her to be happy even if that means being a lawnmower. Does anyone know if it's possible to come back from the surgery and compete at a high level or would I be better just making her comfortable? What an awful day
To put into context she is a 16h draught cross currently competing successfully at Inter 1 dressage. (I previously said gelding as I am aware of some nosy previous coaches who may know this account). She is so talented and could go to Grand Prix and has never had a lame day in her life until now. However she is 14 and I've not read any reports of horses doing more than hacking after the surgery. She is totally sound on the lunge.
If she could successfully rehab from the surgery and lead a competitive life moving up the grades I would bite the bullet and pay for it. However, I am NOT just going to inject the area to numb it and continue to compete, as she owes me nothing and I wouldn't risk her future health by doing this.
If she will do no more than hacking after the surgery then I would retire her and inject to keep her comfortable while possibly put her in foal if the vet agreed that was an option.
I basically want to do the right thing for her. She is my horse of a lifetime and I want her to be happy even if that means being a lawnmower. Does anyone know if it's possible to come back from the surgery and compete at a high level or would I be better just making her comfortable? What an awful day