I don't know what to do

Shantara

Shantara

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Please please please be kind, I'm in a bit of a pickle.

There's an absolutely gorgeous pony on my yard called Spike. I've known him for years, I used to ride him a lot and show him in-hand too!
He's the easiest, friendliest pony ever and I fell in love with him again when he came back to the yard after a few years away.

Now here's the problem. His owners are refusing to have him back because he's lame. He's fine when he's in the field, I witnessed him trotting and cantering with no sign of pain or limping etc, but when he has a rider, you can see him limping slightly.

Vet is coming on Thursday to see how bad he is and if he'll ever come right again, if so, YM will do as vets say and hopefully get him back into very light work (he's a walk/trot lead rein pony), but if not...I don't think he'll be here for much longer.

As I said, I love this pony and he's field sound (as far as we know, vet hopefully will confirm!) and I want to have him so badly!! If I had a better job I would take him in a heartbeat, but I simply can't.

If he was really lame, then yes, I would agree that he should be PTS, but he's so happy just being a lawn mower.

I guess this is more of a "get stuff off my chest" thread, than anything else :'(


Here's the gorgeous boy <3
 
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I'm afraid there is nothing you can do - unless you can afford to buy him, keep him, pay for vet (as I expert he will be uninsurable). Sometimes life stinks :-(
 
EllenJay said:
I'm afraid there is nothing you can do - unless you can afford to buy him, keep him, pay for vet (as I expert he will be uninsurable). Sometimes life stinks :-(
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I'm hoping beyond hope that we can swap him for my friends Shetland who needs breaking. That means friend will get a companion for her horse and the yard gets a new pony to work on!
 
Could you perhaps encourage the owners to try to find him a home as a companion, if he`s not in pain when he`s in the field. He sounds a calm friendly lad that would make a lovely companion to someone`s pony. Very hard for you thinking that he may be PTS when you obviously care greatly about him.
 
How bad is it? Check out hoof balance. One of ours nodded his head when ridden, a little to start with and then noticeably - a change of farrier sorted it.
Or the saddle perhaps.
 
He's amazing! He is one of the stars of the pony days! He'll put up with kids all day long if he has to, he'll stand steady as a rock to groom and is very affectionate. He once spent about 30mins resting his head on me and licking my hand!
It's awful :( if he was really sick I would welcome it, but because he's still well in himself and field sound, it's just so unfair.
His owners want nothing to do with him :(


Millsandboon - I know, but I just love him so much :(
 
digger66 said:
How bad is it? Check out hoof balance. One of ours nodded his head when ridden, a little to start with and then noticeably - a change of farrier sorted it.
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I don't know exactly, but it's not /that/ bad. It's not even controlled by pain killers. He's fine until ridden, even by a tiny person. I think he's barefoot at the mo, so vet might suggest shoes. If it could be sorted with shoes, that would be a god send! I would even pay for that!
 
Here's the thing- if he's lame, he's in pain. Lameness is a pain response. It might not feel like the right thing to do, but if he is lame consistently then PTS isn't exactly cruel IMO.

Pet peeve atm is people saying "he's only a bit lame"- it still means he is moving in a way that isn't normal to alleviate pain...

I'm sorry he's this way- I hope it's something that is sortable.
 
I'm a bit lame most days but i'm happier here than not! I can take a paracetamol and crack on even on bad days. The vet may bute, a fit horse tends to be healthier in general. Otherwise your shetland swap would be a great idea. Good luck nah but as someone else says you can't save them all sweetie.
 
Lolo said:
Here's the thing- if he's lame, he's in pain. Lameness is a pain response. It might not feel like the right thing to do, but if he is lame consistently then PTS isn't exactly cruel IMO.

Pet peeve atm is people saying "he's only a bit lame"- it still means he is moving in a way that isn't normal to alleviate pain...

I'm sorry he's this way- I hope it's something that is sortable.
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Thanks, so do I :( he's a cracking little pony.
I know what you mean, if he's lame, he's lame! He was ok until last year when he was lame on and off. This has been the longest spell of lameness so far, but I'm hoping the vet will suggest something :(
 
Meant in the nicest possible way, stay out of it, it doesn't concern you.

If the pony is currently being well cared for, he is getting a vet's assessment and if the problem can't be sorted the pony will be pts, I think this is best for the pony anyway, but it is the owners' call, respect that and leave it alone.
 
Flame_ said:
Meant in the nicest possible way, stay out of it, it doesn't concern you.

If the pony is currently being well cared for, he is getting a vet's assessment and if the problem can't be sorted the pony will be pts, I think this is best for the pony anyway, but it is the owners' call, respect that and leave it alone.
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Nah it's hard but I completly agree with Flame this is the owners call you have your own horse to care for .
 
Well, it does concern me. If I can help him out, I will! It's not really the owners call anymore. They have said to YM that they do not want him back and she can do what she likes with him. She doesn't want him and depending on the vets verdict, she'll either try and loan him out/swap for Shetland, keep him for the riding school (unlikely) or PTS.
If his owners had said "Yes, PTS" or "We want him back" I would stay out of it, but they simply do not care anymore.
 
Nah said:
Well, it does concern me. If I can help him out, I will! It's not really the owners call anymore. They have said to YM that they do not want him back and she can do what she likes with him. She doesn't want him and depending on the vets verdict, she'll either try and loan him out/swap for Shetland, keep him for the riding school (unlikely) or PTS.
If his owners had said "Yes, PTS" or "We want him back" I would stay out of it, but they simply do not care anymore.
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So what are you going to do? To keep a poorly pony will cost a fortune.

Without being rude, you probably do not know the full story - and even if you did could you afford the time, money and heartache of a field ornament? ... and if push came to shove would you give up Ned to care for this pony?

Sometimes, as hard as it is PTS is the best option - even if the pony isn't that ill. Sorry for the "harsh" words. xx
 
If he's sound to be ridden bareback you've solved the problem! Find a good saddler that can strip down the saddle, you'd be horrified to see some trees in saddles, nails sticking out, twisted trees etc
 
ridefast said:
If he's sound to be ridden bareback you've solved the problem! Find a good saddler that can strip down the saddle, you'd be horrified to see some trees in saddles, nails sticking out, twisted trees etc
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I really really hope it's something like that. I mean, I'd be horrified as you say, but I would be glad I knew the problem.
 
Hope it is that simple, I wouldn't have thought feet would be causing lameness if he's field sound, unless it's a footyness on hard ground but then I would have thought it would be all feet not just one. I know how hard it is when you love a horse and want to help, I've been through it plenty of times before, and been told to forget about it and concentrate on my own horse but it's still hard
 
ridefast said:
Hope it is that simple, I wouldn't have thought feet would be causing lameness if he's field sound, unless it's a footyness on hard ground but then I would have thought it would be all feet not just one. I know how hard it is when you love a horse and want to help, I've been through it plenty of times before, and been told to forget about it and concentrate on my own horse but it's still hard
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That makes sense! Lots of things to bring up with the vets :) thanks!
And you're right, it's really hard. Me and Spike go way back, much further than Ned, so I feel I owe it to him to give it a go. If I can't help, I can't help, but I want to make sure everything has been done to help
 
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