Opinions on this please.

Fools Motto

Fools Motto

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 June 2011
Messages
6,600
Visit site
Firstly, this horse isn't mine but in the field with mine and I am looking after him. (owner can't catch him for a start!)
Secondly, he is 30 (or possibly older, - owner can't remember how old he was when he was brought in 1990!)
Thirdly, he is a TB who has raced. (if that makes any difference)

IMG_20111024_134431.jpg

IMG_20111024_134419.jpg


Question is, should I worry about his hind legs?? He is obviously not so mobile now, but I DO worry about everything with him! He isn't looking the best, but trying to convince the owner that 'now' is a good time before the winter is falling on deaf ears. Ideas please.
 
His hind suspensories have obviously taken a bashing at some point, but I wouldnt worry unduly - what does the farrier think? His fore legs look thickened too, but again, if he is mobile and the farrier is balancing his feet correctly he shouldnt have too much trouble.

What is his over all condition like? A friend has just taken the decision to have her 28 yr old boy pts before the winter, his legs were gyping him and he had lost condition to the point where he was a score 2, he went last week.
If this horses teeth are ok, he is mobile and is carrying condition, theres no reason why he cant keep going....are there any body pics? xx
 
Never seen anything like this before - but it does look worrying, maybe send these to your et and ask for some advice ? Or just make the decision before winter gets bad :(
 
I can't really offer anything concrete, but a friend of mine has a tb who I think is about 10-12 or so (if even) and his hind legs look similar. He has been cleared by the vet for hacking, pleasure rides etc, I've not known him to be unsound but I guess it might not be the same thing.
 
its his hind suspensorys which have streched i have known quite a few older horses get this its good if you can keep their legs warm because they can get a bit stiff but all of the horses i have known (some a lot worse then this) are still able to trot and sometimes canter as long as they are able to move i wouldnt worry too much as long as he doesnt look lame or very stiff and is still eating he should be able to carry on as normal :)
 
He can't eat well sadly. His front teeth are very long, I doubt he has ever seen a dentist, certainly not recently - he spills what he chooses to eat. His coat is dull, stary and to be honest he smells. There is only so much I can do. His feet were left VERY long, I managed to get a farrier to them, but as it is money is tight for mine, I can't keep spending money on him. I don't think his long feet did him any favours, but he is a bit happier now. He loves the company of my two, but the last 2 days he has been distancing himself from them and neighing like mad at me. His eyes looks old, and I wish he could tell his owner no more. I've tried, but owner doesn't like facing what is in front of him it seems.
All his legs are puffy, but if he had a trot, I would hate to see his hind legs' tendons snap or something, hence why I asked for you all to have a look!
 
He probably needs his teeth looking at, but swap the feed to a soaked down feed such as D&H veteran cubes or RB Veteran Mash. He may have a loose tooth and may need pulling.

He is old, and he needs looking after properly, but he is NOT your animal - The best you can do is to speak to the owner - tell him/her that he needs the dentist in your opinion and you can hold him whilst the dentist/vet does his teeth.

Dont go meddling with other peoples horses chick - i know you want to help and the right thing by the horse, but there are other ways you can do this. Certainly try not to spend money out of your own pocket. For all you know the owner may think he/she is onto a good thing - someone else to look after their responsibility and pay for it too.

I agree its so hard not to do anything, but just be careful you arent being taken for a mug and i dont want you to get hurt.
 
I've known a few horses with suspensory problems and they all looked similar to this horse. The ones I know range in age, not all of them are old. They are still happy being ridden out on hacks. Sometimes things look worse than they are and the people I know who own the horses have no intention of putting their horses down while they're sound, painfree and ticking along fine.
 
Faracat said:
My first thought is DSLD.

Eagle_left_hind_3__2_.jpg

http://www.angelfire.com/bc/curlygait/diagnose.html
http://www.horseshoes.com/anatomy/esad/information/dsld/dsld.htm
Click to expand...

Interesting, thankyou.

I've known this horse for some time, I had him on loan 16 odd years ago as my RC horse. He is a quirky character! It is so sad to see him like an old man. He is sad, and I wish I could help him more.
When my old pony became sad back in June, I didn't hesitate, it was her time then, she asked us to do it. This old boy 'Horse' is doing the same, and I can't bloody do anything more.
 
I think that it's not your decision to PTS and that the owner probably knows their horse a lot better than you think you do.

The horse is 30 years old and while I understand you are concerned about the horse - it is the owners responsibility to look after it and make decisions for it.

I presume you had spoken to the owner prior to having the long feet trimmed?
If the owner cannot afford to get feet done then you could offer to loan them the money - agreed in writing - or you could remind them that you will be forced to notify the relevant people if the horse is not looked after to a minimum standard

As for the horse smelling - why not discuss with the owner and maybe ask if you can bring it in and groom it on a daily basis? Bit cold now to be bathing a 30year old - maybe the rugs need to be changed / washed more regularly?
 
CM, I feel your frustration, I really do. Could you ask the owner to just look into his horses eyes or do you think he is short on the empathy?
I hope you can turn his thinking around.
Have a hug, hun.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top