MY HORSE LIVES AT THE BLOOD BANK

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NELSON11

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I have just joined Horse and Hound forum after reading some of the negativity towards horses retiring to be blood donors and to say I am incensed is to put it mildly. I would like to share my story. My lovely 5 year old was purchased having past a 5 stage vetting for intermediate eventing, Over the next few months it became apparent all was not well. The horse was diagnosed with kissing spines and suspensory problems. As a responsible horse owner I did NOT stick my head in the sand but spent 2 whole years treating this horse up and down the country with the best and most up to date veterinary treatment possible. To no avail. Monetary value did not come into this but I lost £12,000 on this horse with his purchase price and veterinary treatment. When all else failed I sought to find him the most comfortable natural home I could and DID research the blood donor farm at MK before just packing him up and sending him on his way which seems to be the general opinion on here. He was accustomed to living out by being roughed off and having his shoes removed and obviously hard feed was not required as was not working. When I took him and let me tell you it broke my heart, It was the most comforting place I have ever been to where horses are concerned. 360 of them grazing, looking well and you could hear a pin drop. I am under NO illusions that this is a business and horses will come and go and be slaughtered as you so put it. However there is a choice to have your horse back if they don't settle/become poorly and I have the paperwork to prove this. So It isn't a case of shirking on my duty as caring horse owner. I did what was right for my paddock sound 6 year old who was comforted by being with similar paddock buddies to enjoy life with. As for giving blood every two/three weeks to help the veterinary profession, surely the benefits can be seen. It broke my heart leaving my boy there who in the short space of time I watched him make 2 new buddies and put his head down to graze I knew he was in the right place. My only comment was I wish I could take everyone who was cynical on a coach and let them stand on the hillside and watch and listen, THEN make your judgement.
Life isn't a bed of roses, some of us aren't fortunate enough to have our own places to keep all our unsound/old horses but let me tell you something I know my boy will not be passed around from pillar to post which he obviously had when I purchased him so it was my duty as his carer to see him settled and that is what I did. Anyone who knows me will tell you I am a perfectionist and slightly obessive about my horses so anyone who is thinking about this as an alternative, do your research, go look, talk to the people who have been through it, then make your mind up
 
What a brave and good decision. I applaud you and I am sure many others on here will do the same.

That cannot have been easy for you but at least you know where he is and what is happening to him, which is more than can be said for a lot of horses!
 
...and BREATHE nelson111. As you will be aware, the strength of this Forum is the global (almost) opportunity to share and debate information, ideas, expertise and experience. The nature of a debate is that different people will have different takes on a subject. I felt that the posts on the subject of blood banks reflected that perfectly, with valid points being made pro and con. So why are you "incensed"? It was a debate and everyone is entitled to express an opinion, no matter (sadly...that's the nature of free speech) how polarised, justified or balanced.
 
This OP here is my best friend. I sent her the link to the post made the other day by the person whose old eventer was being faced with being PTS by his new owners but they were also considering the blood bank option. I sent her the link before it has become such a heated debate and before all the mention of abbatoirs, etc. B.O.F I hear what you say about freedom of speech, this is one of my favourite things about forums such as this one, but I think the point my friend is trying to make is that some people just jump on the bandwagon, enjoy debating without really knowing why thy are debating a subject, clearly have no knowledge of what they are talking about but see fit to comment, have terrible misconceptions, etc, etc. To be told that you haven't done your best by your horse by a complete stranger, I'm sure you will agree, is a bitter pill to swallow. As I said before I back my friend 100%. ITs certainly not an easy option and for my friend it was a heart wrenching decision, but for some people and indeed some horses, it is a lifeline, a second chance of a lovely carefree existence for bonus years that they wouldn't have been given the chance to live if it were not for such an organisation. x
 
I wasn't going to comment anymore about bloodbanks but I can't let this go without a comment - no a question as I assume you are talking about me. What makes you think I know nothing about what I said ? did you think i made it all up ? why the terrible misconception comment ?
I know exactly what I'm talking about and about the weekly loads of horses going from bloodbanks to the slaughter house, do you ?
Like I said before you are living in cloud cuckoo land but if you are happy there thats fine but don't sit there throwing wild accusations about a subject you clearly know nothing about or about me without a bit more evidence than your best friends desire to think her horse has a lovely carefree existance !
 
bonny - the same applies to you! The strength of this forum is to share and debate information, ideas, expertise and experience. In a debate, everyone is entitled to their own view, however extreme (or not), however fanatical (or not), howver biased and unbalanced (or not), even if you totally disagree with it. It's a journey of exploration and can often raise powerful interpretations that the "other side" had never realised existed. But a debate should not resort to personal attacks: the person who resorts to violence in word or action has already lost the argument. In this thread, nobody has accused you of anything. Why not just mull nelson11's experince over and log it in your "interesting" file?
 
because I think what the OP and her best friend are saying is rubbish ! I know that's not debating a point but it is true !
 
I think that's already been covered ! they are slaughtered, either at 15 or earlier if they are not suitable in any way - or if the bloodbank just dosen't need them .....some people seem to believe that they need an endless supply of new horses, clealy that's not the case !
 
I think at the end if the day it's a personal decision. We take horses on and give them a home and try to do our best for them.

Bonny, I completely understand where you are coming from, I do not like the idea of blood banks and would never send my horses there. I listed a post last night about my new horse who has arthritis and now laminitis. He was being sent to a blood bank in Scotland (as no one wanted him as a companion horse) by his previous owner. He had been out on paddock rest for a while living off grass, my farrier picked up the early signs of laminitis so he is now stabled and being treated. I can't help but think that if he had gone to the blood bank 2 weeks ago and I hadn't have given him a home then he would be PTS as blood banks are a business and a laminitic horse isn't viable for them.

I also want to say that I have never been to a blood bank so can't make a true judgement. I can see the good points to them also, from a veterinary point of view and if owners think they will be happy in that environment then that's a good thing. At the end of the day horses have different opinions like humans, so each to their own! We know our own horses.

Bonny is talking with her heart which is very admirable and she has all horses welfares in mind.

I just want to say that I see both sides of this debate.
 
Bonny, I've read in other posts that you think the care the horses receive at blood banks is fine, and I believe you have no problem with lame/otherwise unrideable horses being sent to slaughter (I think I'm correct in saying you think the owners should make that choice though?) However, if you do accept there is a need for blood where would the blood banks get them from if owners didn't gift their horses to them? Should they breed the donors themselves or pick them up from market? Ultimately the destiny of all the horses is the same so is your objection a welfare issue or is it the fact that owners are 'passing the buck' instead of taking responsibility for having their own animals PTS? If it's not a welfare issue, I'm not sure what the problem is.
 
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I think that's already been covered ! they are slaughtered, either at 15 or earlier if they are not suitable in any way - or if the bloodbank just dosen't need them .....some people seem to believe that they need an endless supply of new horses, clealy that's not the case !

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I havent followed the bloodbank threads so I wouldnt know whether it had been covered or not
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If the animals are pts at 15 then so be it. I'd much rather a horse of mine have a happy life and then when it has no use or no financial backing to keep it happy, healthy and well looked after pts than to be kept alive with someone making do and cutting corners due to finances or time.

Especially in this current climate I would gladly have a horse pts, regardless of age, health and use than to pass it on to an unknown future or keep it going with half measures due to finances or time.

If anyone thinks that makes me cold so be it. I think it makes me responsible.

I would imagine a horse being used for blood would be kept healthy as the blood needs to be of a good quality, the same as in humans. You wouldnt expect a cancer victim, an anorexic or a heroin addict to donate.......
 
Thank you for that. I think it is always hard when you have a paddock sound but non ridable young horse. I think you made a brave decision and applaud you for this.

Bonny, it would be wonderful if every horse had a home in a field until the end with its loving owner by its side but we all know this cannot always be the case. I am not sure what your problem is really. PTS is not so terrible as being passed from pillar to post. 15 is not a great age but nor is it all that young. If slaughter/PTS is done in a humane professional manner then that is what counts. Horses do make bonds with us but they make bonds with other people and horses too. We are often more distressed by separation from them than they are from us. (much as I would like to believe my horses only love me I know they love anyone who feeds and cares for them.).

I think it is very unfair to criticise others when we are not in their shoes. I hope I never have to send a horse to a blood bank - but worse things happen every day and the OP sounds like a loving, responsible person to me.
 
Really interesting to hear first hand an owner's story of giving a horse to a horsebank. I'm not sure you need to be incensed - you'll understand how emotive some subjects can be with regards to horses and ownership, and this is one of those subjects.

The blood bank was obviously a decision you thought long and hard about. It certainly wouldn't be everyone's choice - least of all mine. HOWEVER, if my horse ever needs a blood transfusion then obviously I'm going to accept it.

Perhaps it's one of those things that we horse owners (or some of us at least) like not to think about too much. So people like you have to be congratulated for your decision.


Welcome to the forum
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what a lovely story and have to agree with you the blood bank is a very peaceful place for the horses to got to

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couldn't agree more , i never knew this option existed x
 
My friend sent her horse to the blood bank for a year or 2 (Bad memory
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) as it had been injured and needed rest but they had limited turnout - blood bank took it and horse is now sound.

IMO I think the blood bank is a wonderful idea - what is to stop you from visiting the horse there, and at least if it is pts at 15 then it is before it succumbs to some other painful injury/disease
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I think that that would be my choice if there was no other option.
 
I feel I must point something out. Horse blood banks are not for horse blood transfusions, they are for medical experiements and for creating vaccines etc in humans. I believe snake bite anti-venom is created via horse blood.

A lot of lab work is done in petrie dishes using the horse blood as a growing medium to grow bacteria to see what bacteria is growing in a wound swab or something, for example. Most of the time, they use a special nutrient jelly called agar, but sometimes, they use horse blood or its derivatives.

People have different opinions on horse blood banks, personally, it is not an option I would choose. I nearly had to make this decision and decided that if my horse was not happy and in pain, I would have had him pts. Luckily, my horse made a fantastic recovery and we are back to hacking again.
 
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I feel I must point something out. Horse blood banks are not for horse blood transfusions, they are for medical experiements and for creating vaccines etc in humans. I believe snake bite anti-venom is created via horse blood.


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Really??? I thought they were for use in Equine veterinary treatments.....
 
highland.. thats a very ignorant post.

I know of atleast three horses who have received blood tranfusions. I know of one, which receive 4 in a space of a day.. they were all provided by an equine blood bank.

I think the idea is brillient, I think that the horses all seem to be healthy and happy. And I think that 15 is no older than what they would die in the wild.

However I dont think it suit every horse. Or owner.

Lou x
 
Oh and Ive read that article and I dont think a single decent person on this site would have a problem with Horse Blood being used to safe the live of a LITTLE BOY.

Lou x
 
I came on here just to share my experience that is all. My point was that is wasn't fair to generalise about horse owners. everyone is entitled to their own opinion which I respect, however as i have already discussed I am aware of the in's and outs after doing my research so cannot be accused of spouting rubbish (Bonnie). It was my story, no more and no less. I wish everyone well if they wish to take this pathway and those that don't I respect your decision. It shouldn't be a mud slinging session.
 
I know two or three people who have sent their horses to the blood bank up here in Scotland and they have never regretted their decision.

As a matter of fact I may be facing a very similar scenario with my beloved boy later this week and the blood bank will certainly be considered.

As someone else said it is everyone's right to say their bit and express their view and it is also very easy to criticise, pontificate and condemn.

There but for the Grace of God go all of us and Heaven help any/all of us when we have a rotten decision to face. But better that you know where you horse is than sell it on in the earnest and often niave hope that all will be well.....

I hope you are Ok Nelson and that you have found yourself another beloved horse to help you through this...
 
My friend has been able to get another horse. She has a lovely youngster who is three, a very handsome lad with plenty of promise for the future, and although she will never forget her lovely horse at the blood bank she has been able to move on, safe in the knowledge that he is enjoying a carefree existence for however long he has left. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their repies, they have been thought provoking and interesting, and hopefully the blood bank has given a lot of owners a lifeline for their horses, should they face the worse decision they may have ever had to make. Most of all I would like to thank the blood bank.
 
Very interesting story here, and i have no knowledge of any of it and a so I haven't got an opinon on it......

But can I ask all those people who are opposed to blood banks, would they refuse medical treatment for themselves, family, children or animals if they knew that it was in some way involved in a blood bank organsiation?
 
This is the Bonnybridge Lab showing products
http://www.eolabs.com/

This one did come in for some ''stick'' a few years ago as horses were moved on without consulting owners first.
The situation would not suit every horse but did suit a friends racehorse who had a year there to rest a tendon before going back to racing.
 
Years ago a friends orphaned foal was dieing from jaundice - his life was saved because someone cared enough about others horses to have their horse at the Blood Bank. A full blood transfusion helped to clean out his liver and give him back his life.

Without people like these our horses would be at even more risk during operations.
 
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