Fuming fuming fuming

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

I won't go into TOO much detail as dont want to be defamatory.
One of my clients i ride for, is looking for a new horse. I am finding her one but a friend of a friend of hers (who is in her 80s) has taken a liking to finding her a horse as well. Every horse she has shown my client has been on its last legs.
While i was away client went to see a horse from a riding school and was basically forced into taking it on trial... i went to see it today...and i've seen horses in better condition at the knackers yard. Sweetest horse, really lovely but really unwell, but i liked it and said 'get the vet out before we go further'
I was also informed that her friend has said 'only ride it yourself, dont let anyone else ride it as its a one on one horse'
This friend has met me at other viewings and knows full well i know how to spot a bad horse (physical or behavioural)

Vet came out....horse is covered head to toe in sweet itch (i noticed this but thought it was mites as no scratch marks) vet says no scratch marks as is high to the eyeballs on steroids....
Horse also has rainscald on legs....and the bum of a trotter....
He said its not 9years old as claimed, its nearer 13years old
And he said that hes amazed its still standing let alone working 3hours a day at a riding school. Also severly underweight but i had spotted that.

I'm FURIOUS as this friend has basically seen my very trusting lovely client coming and is trying to have her (luckily client sees this now!)

They were demanding £4500.....vet said he wouldnt pay anything for it as it'll need to be put down by end of the summer....

FURIOUS that these sort of crooks can not only make a horse get to this but then try and sell it to an unsuspecting well mannered trusting lady like my client.

Sorry for the rant, but starting to think 'friend' is working on behalf of people trying to offload dodgy horses....of course i would never say this but these are my suspicions and client said the same before i had said anything

Furious and broken hearted to have to send this darling horse back

 

[madhector]

some people

least your client saw sense

 

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

She was in tears when the vet told her

she really is the most honest genuine lady i've ever met and she doesnt deserve to be had like this

 

[SecretSquirrell379]

That is terrible, the poor poor pony though, can it be reported?

 

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

I'm not sure, i suppose if it could the vet would have said so? I'm really really reluctant to send it back, as is client, but no other choice. If offered it for free we would take it, but that is not the case.

 

[filly190]

You have clearly handled this professionally by calling in the vet and getting a third party to second your opinions. The lady has learnt a valuable lesson and I am sure will not be caught out again. Her trust in your abilities will have been strengthened and her distrust in the other people involved will be high.

I expect this lady is sat at home tonight feeling a complete muppet by the whole thing and really upset that people would try and decive her in this way.

You are obviously very caring and thank goodness this lady has you as a friend.

 

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

Thank you so much for your kind words, in the few months i have been working for her she has become a friend, not just a client, and she doesnt deserve this. Have to admit to bursting into tears as well when i heard.

 

[SecretSquirrell379]

I am not surprised you were so upset by this, it must be terrible for you. Can you ring the vet in the morning and ask if there is anything that you or even he can recommend you do. Do vets not have a 'duty of care' like doctors? Are they not duty bound to report neglect cases?

 

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

I think they must be duty bound which is why im thinking this horse cant be bad enough to report? Horse really has the most lovely attitude, and clearly very tolerant to be so nice tempered even though all this has gone on with it. Makes me very sad indeed.

 

[moneypit1]

Poor you. I do understand. Sometimes you have to do what you think is right no matter how hard it is. Best wishes. xx

 

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

Its going to break both our hearts sending this poor thing back to work, but there is just no way client can part with 4500quid for a horse that realistically, may not last more than a few months

so sad.

 

[ruscara]

I can certainly see how upsetting this whole saga is. I think you have acted very maturely and responsibly throughout. Poor horse.

I am sure you will do all you can for him, but sadly you cannot 'save' him. Very sad indeed.

 

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

Thank you, but yes very sad

can only hope the owner realises how bad he is after seeing the vet report and gives us him for free to live out the rest of his days in peace - not working 3hours a day (or possibly 6hours a day, could have been 3hours a morning) but i have a feeling that wont happen.

 

[YorksG]

When this horse returns to the riding school a phone call to ILPH or HAPPA or a local rescue centre sounds in order to me as the animal will then be working again, which sounds to be cruel. The local authority licensing body will also be informed by the rescue body, as this animal is working in a riding school.

 

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

Thank you for that information, thats very useful! Thank you! Will definately make a phone call

 

[YorksG]

No problem

 

[buckybee]

[ QUOTE ]
.horse is covered head to toe in sweet itch

[/ QUOTE ]

huh? don't think it's that type of thing that they get "covered in" it's more of an intolerance to migdes etc. that causes them to itch.

sounds a bit of a sh*t situation though - hope you get stuff sorted!

 

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

I thought so too which is why i didnt think it was that....but alas vet said it was sweet itch covering all down his neck and face...and carried on down his legs where it blended with the rainscald/mudfever...

 

[KatB]

It can be more severe with sweet itch.... but as correctkly said is an allergy so can appear anywhere

Good luck K_R

 

[Blizzard]

oh how awful, for your friend, you and this poor horse.

How cna people let an animal get in that state, please do report it when you send the horse back.