ChestnutHunter
Well-Known Member
Trying to do some soul searching because I just don't know when to call it a day with my horse.
I bought him in July 2015 as a 7 year old to do some dressage on and possibly some low lever workers classes. He is the best natured horse I have ever come across in my life, completely sane, loyal and would be fussed for hours, a typical gentle giant. He is what I would consider as a good competition horse, striking looking, maybe not the best confirmation but the correct brain and he will get he job done.
Now the perfect horse quickly turned into a nightmare and Since March 2016 he has had reoccurring grade 4 ulcers four times from which we found PSD in his hind right which we had surgery for. Sutures burst, leg was a complete mess and he hen spent a month under hospital livery. The rehab was going to plan after a winter long turnout and SI injections. He has been back in work around 6 weeks and looks great, and low and behold he has gone completely lame in his right fore. I had the vet out yesterday for a lameness work up including X-rays which were inconclusive, meaning he is now on Bute and box rest until we can decide what to do ext.
Of course, my insurance has run out today and he is no longer covered for any leg or for ulcers.
On top of these problems he has sidebone in his two forelimbs, and mild arthritis in his coffin joints which of course isn't going to get any better, a partially paralysed larynx, and gets regular hives requiring steroid treatment over the summer months.
I'm at a loose end because we have used claim after claim and I'm starting to think that he can't cope physically with a ridden career and I think he may be better as a companion. When he is sound he is fantastic and works very hard, but how long do you put up with the problems for? There are so many people telling me that we have gotten this far and to carry on with him but the financial burden ontop of an unused wagon is starting to become emotionally and financially draining! The fact that he is so kind is making the decision of what to do with him seriously difficult.
I bought him in July 2015 as a 7 year old to do some dressage on and possibly some low lever workers classes. He is the best natured horse I have ever come across in my life, completely sane, loyal and would be fussed for hours, a typical gentle giant. He is what I would consider as a good competition horse, striking looking, maybe not the best confirmation but the correct brain and he will get he job done.
Now the perfect horse quickly turned into a nightmare and Since March 2016 he has had reoccurring grade 4 ulcers four times from which we found PSD in his hind right which we had surgery for. Sutures burst, leg was a complete mess and he hen spent a month under hospital livery. The rehab was going to plan after a winter long turnout and SI injections. He has been back in work around 6 weeks and looks great, and low and behold he has gone completely lame in his right fore. I had the vet out yesterday for a lameness work up including X-rays which were inconclusive, meaning he is now on Bute and box rest until we can decide what to do ext.
Of course, my insurance has run out today and he is no longer covered for any leg or for ulcers.
On top of these problems he has sidebone in his two forelimbs, and mild arthritis in his coffin joints which of course isn't going to get any better, a partially paralysed larynx, and gets regular hives requiring steroid treatment over the summer months.
I'm at a loose end because we have used claim after claim and I'm starting to think that he can't cope physically with a ridden career and I think he may be better as a companion. When he is sound he is fantastic and works very hard, but how long do you put up with the problems for? There are so many people telling me that we have gotten this far and to carry on with him but the financial burden ontop of an unused wagon is starting to become emotionally and financially draining! The fact that he is so kind is making the decision of what to do with him seriously difficult.
