gallopinggal418
New User
First-time poster here from California. H&H has helped me so many times in the past and I have found information on my topic here, but perhaps could elicit more.
I adopted a 19yo Connemara pony in January of this year knowing she had melanoma. The rescue listed her as needing an under saddle tuneup, which I was fine with and ready to accept. I also knew she came from a neglect situation and her son and brother had to be euthanized after arriving at the shelter (son for laminitis, brother for melanoma related).
I wasn't prepared for the surprises that have unfolded over the last few months. At the rescue, which is small, I was limited on my ability to see her do much but she seemed fine enough. A little buddy sour and a bit bargy, which seemed understandable for her previous situation.
When we got her to my boarding facility she quickly became problematic. Impossible to lead and incredibly vocal. Afraid of everything, especially fly spray. She was at this facility until June when I moved all of my horses to a better place with full care. My vet recommended Regumate which we started and has helped somewhat. The woman running the facility is fantastic and has been very patient with her. Despite this and her being worked with, she is very erratic. One day she is great for something, the next day she explodes. I have dealt with difficult horses all my life but this is something else. There is no rhyme or reason to her behavior and it doesn't seem training is helping. Even with pressure/release and positive reinforcement. My fear is that the melanoma has metastasized to her brain.
She had never been aggressive until this past Friday, never once offered a bite or kick. Or even pinned ears. On Friday my farrier was doing her feet in her pen. We do it in there as she is unpredictable. She was sweet and fine the entire time. Afterward, he went to pet her over the fence and she pinned her ears and tried biting three times. Followed by a swing of the rump, and that is one big booty. I had always been worried aggression would come into play here, her sweet but erratic demeanor made dealing with the polarity much easier.
She also lacks a sense of self-preservation. So if she gets away from us, even with a stud chain on, she will literally step on the lead rope and jerk her head and keep going. And keep stepping. I've never used a stud chain until now but I imagine most horses would stop after doing that to themselves once or twice. Like, hey this hurts!
This past weekend she had an episode of rapid breathing, lethargy, and no appetite. She even laid down at one point and took a few heaving breaths. We thought she was going to pass, it was very scary. But then she jumped right up! A total head shaker of a moment. We did two spaced out doses of Banamine Sat. afternoon and evening and by Sunday she was hungry and back to her old nutty self.
I shared info with my vet who is scheduled for normal maintenance visit on the 13th of this month. She suggested possibilities, most of which are internal tumors which we already expected.
I am just feeling guilty for being upset about the fact that I will probably never feel comfortable getting on her. I was looking for an adult riding pony and expected a small refresher, not a total rehab - but can she even be rehabbed?
My vet said she wants to evaluate on the 13th but obviously between now and then if she has another episode and is in pain, that could dictate humanely PTS.
Anyone have any experiences similar to this with a Connemara or melanoma-ridden horse? Thanks in advance
I adopted a 19yo Connemara pony in January of this year knowing she had melanoma. The rescue listed her as needing an under saddle tuneup, which I was fine with and ready to accept. I also knew she came from a neglect situation and her son and brother had to be euthanized after arriving at the shelter (son for laminitis, brother for melanoma related).
I wasn't prepared for the surprises that have unfolded over the last few months. At the rescue, which is small, I was limited on my ability to see her do much but she seemed fine enough. A little buddy sour and a bit bargy, which seemed understandable for her previous situation.
When we got her to my boarding facility she quickly became problematic. Impossible to lead and incredibly vocal. Afraid of everything, especially fly spray. She was at this facility until June when I moved all of my horses to a better place with full care. My vet recommended Regumate which we started and has helped somewhat. The woman running the facility is fantastic and has been very patient with her. Despite this and her being worked with, she is very erratic. One day she is great for something, the next day she explodes. I have dealt with difficult horses all my life but this is something else. There is no rhyme or reason to her behavior and it doesn't seem training is helping. Even with pressure/release and positive reinforcement. My fear is that the melanoma has metastasized to her brain.
She had never been aggressive until this past Friday, never once offered a bite or kick. Or even pinned ears. On Friday my farrier was doing her feet in her pen. We do it in there as she is unpredictable. She was sweet and fine the entire time. Afterward, he went to pet her over the fence and she pinned her ears and tried biting three times. Followed by a swing of the rump, and that is one big booty. I had always been worried aggression would come into play here, her sweet but erratic demeanor made dealing with the polarity much easier.
She also lacks a sense of self-preservation. So if she gets away from us, even with a stud chain on, she will literally step on the lead rope and jerk her head and keep going. And keep stepping. I've never used a stud chain until now but I imagine most horses would stop after doing that to themselves once or twice. Like, hey this hurts!
This past weekend she had an episode of rapid breathing, lethargy, and no appetite. She even laid down at one point and took a few heaving breaths. We thought she was going to pass, it was very scary. But then she jumped right up! A total head shaker of a moment. We did two spaced out doses of Banamine Sat. afternoon and evening and by Sunday she was hungry and back to her old nutty self.
I shared info with my vet who is scheduled for normal maintenance visit on the 13th of this month. She suggested possibilities, most of which are internal tumors which we already expected.
I am just feeling guilty for being upset about the fact that I will probably never feel comfortable getting on her. I was looking for an adult riding pony and expected a small refresher, not a total rehab - but can she even be rehabbed?
My vet said she wants to evaluate on the 13th but obviously between now and then if she has another episode and is in pain, that could dictate humanely PTS.
Anyone have any experiences similar to this with a Connemara or melanoma-ridden horse? Thanks in advance
