So where would you draw the line...

J

JessandCharlie

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... if a vet hit your horse? especially if it were repeatedly, and for no opinion (or at least stamping her foot isn't imo) and then did it again around her nose for trying to nuzzle (not bite, no way) the vet?
Not very impressed, but what would you do?
 
If it was just a tap Id ask him/her not to do it again as the horse didnt need disciplining. If he/she gave it a whack then Id be changing vets.
 
Simple change vet, this is unexcusable in my eyes and I would not want them to be the one I was relying on in an emergency.
 
If your horse really wasn't being nasty (not that its an excuse) then I would be calling the practice on the next working day and making an official complaint!
I know its not nice having your foot trodden on, and when a horse nips you (Horlicks is always pulling faces at me, and threaten to take a chuck out of me) but personally, hitting a horse back, isn't the way forward.
The only time I would "hit" a horse is if I had NO other option... like I was cornered in a stable, and had to push my way out (its happened!!).

When ever Horlicks threatens to bite, normally a loud NO, and a push (not smack) on the neck is enough for her to close her mouth and turn away!!

Let me know what happens, and if you make a complaint! Was it your normal vet?
 
Thank you, have complained to the boss, although wont change practice as generally they are very good. I only had this one because she was on call and it was 6 in the morning. The boss is aware that Im not impressed and wont accept the vet in question treating my horse again. Was furious, especially as my poor pone was already in pain :( Oh, and it wasn't A thump, it was about 5. Unacceptable to me, but just checking I want being the overprotective doting mum that I am. . .
 
I've actually just been discussing this re a farrier incident! I just said (very nicely but firmly) to the farrier that hitting my horse would get him nowhere and he didn't do it again. My mare gets more wound up and fidgety if anyone is rough with her and all it takes is a verbal warning usually.

In your case I would think twice about using that vet again - in my opinion there is no excuse for hitting an animal in the face. Years ago I had a vet out to do flu jabs who was clearly scared of horses. He rushed into the stable, stuck my horse in the chest and shot out again. That horse, who had always previously been perfect for the vet, took about 5 years to forget that incident and needed twitching for jabs afterwards.
 
O would change practice. You need to have confidence in your vet. I think I would have said something at the time though. I know afterwards you always think 'oh i wish i had said this or that'
 
i'd bin that vet. i've never had a vet do such a thing, even when provoked... one of my big youngsters was being loaded on 3 legs (had paralysed shoulder muscles, made full recovery) by me and vet, was struggling to move, and then managed to jump with full weight on vet's foot, vet went white but held temper and said and did nothing... Huge provocation, all credit to him for his control, (i apologised and thanked him profusely btw) but that's what you have to have around horses.
i won't put up with farriers or dentists mistreating my horses either. if a horse is being arsey or cheeky i don't mind if they're firm with them, but there's a limit.
 
I would be very angry and give them a piece of my mind, if there attitude about their behaviour was rude or not bothered I would change vets.
 
I am unwilling to comment without knowing what really happened.

As an example, my sister is completely oblivious to her youngsters dangerous behaviour. She has tried to stop me smacking him for behaviour which is completely unnacceptable because she just cannot see that it's dangerous.

I wouldn't stay with a vet who hit my horse without reason, but you admit that behaviour did trigger the incident and so I'm loathe to condone knowing what some owners can be like, blind to their animals faults. Sorry.

This is from someone who has been hanging around with large animal vets and vet nurses for a long time...
 
Harper_Gal said:
I am unwilling to comment without knowing what really happened.

As an example, my sister is completely oblivious to her youngsters dangerous behaviour. She has tried to stop me smacking him for behaviour which is completely unnacceptable because she just cannot see that it's dangerous.

I wouldn't stay with a vet who hit my horse without reason, but you admit that behaviour did trigger the incident and so I'm loathe to condone knowing what some owners can be like, blind to their animals faults. Sorry.

This is from someone who has been hanging around with large animal vets and vet nurses for a long time...
Click to expand...

Behavior triggered it?
I don't condone hitting, thumping, shouting EVER. And is it really down to a vet to discipline my horse? And what she was doing was in no way aimed at the vet, or dangerous. and a long time? I read your other post and you're 23...
 
I didn't mind my farrier or vet being firm with mine when she was young and just trying to use her weight to get out of an uncomfortable situation, but I would never tolerate ANYONE hitting her. I can't stand it.
 
I wouldn't hit somebody elses child, so don't hit my horse!!

Ok, I know that's a bit strong but mine freaks if anyone gets after him. I am not 'blind' to my horses faults and I am experienced enough to know the difference between anxiety and fear and 'trying it on'. I also know the difference between acceptable and unaceptable behaviour - OP in this case, I can't see what, from the behaviour you described would merit 1 smack let alone 5!!!

My horse is wary of new people, particularly men and men wielding hammers doing odd things to his feet definitely fall in the category of something to be very suspicious of! One of the first farriers I used (after I'd explained he was a bit nervous), made no effort to 'introduce' himself to my horse and then kicked him in the stomach when he snatched his foot away. Needless to say I didn't use him again but it took nearly a year of quiet, patient but firm handling before he was comfortable with the (new!) farrier again.

As others have said and as you've done, I would refuse to let that vet treat my horse again.
 
The only Vet who ever raised a hand to my horse was told in no uncertain terms that if he tried to hit him again I would deck him. Reason for hitting Horse was horse objecting to second go with the microchip needle as same vet had forgot to put chip in large needle. The same vets practice also killed my friends weanling when gelding him as they forgot to check weight ratio for sedative. Another aquitance owns a reg shire who was a slaughter rescue. Weighed half his proper body weight as vets wife had left him to starve when he failed to make stallion grading! When last I heard she was sponsered by a food company and looking forward to showing a board at the breed show with before and after and horses pedegree. Vets wife is on the council and it was the onbly way friend could shiw what had happened without a legal dispute...
 
hi, my, ex farrier,punched my mare full force in the face the first time she was being shod.she was actually being very good and didnt misbehave just put her foot down twice after the shoes were on and being finished off.i didnt say anything that time but was worried about the next visit,he went to repeat this ,at the next visit, and i put my arm up to protect her and he got my arm.i now have another farrier and he is great with my horses.i have since found out that farriers can be struck off for such treatment.dont put up with it
 
I worked in a large equine practice for 5 years so I have also 'hung around with large animal vets and nurses for a long time' and I have never witnessed a vet hit a horse. It is completely unnecessary. If a behaviour was in any way dangerous or preventing the necessary treatment or investigations then the horse was twitched or sedated. Complaining to the Practice Manager is the way to go.
 
Hitting an animal or a human is violence why would anyone need to use violence in anyway. Anger management springs to mind or more like not being able to cope with the situation. I have never hit any of my animals or another human. Its terrible behaviour. I have seen a senior BHS instructor belt the hell out of a horse (a clients horse she was getting paid to school)when she thought nobody was looking, when I said something to her she gave me a shouting at. Ha saw her reporting her.
 
been in this situation.

my then 3yro was having an absess dug out of her foot and started to shake her leg a little bit.

the vet dropped her leg and walloped her on the bum shouting that she was a 'rude little cow.'

i resisted the urge to wallop the vet but rang the practice the next day and made a formal complaint, got my bill voided and never had that vet again.

I don't expect anyone to discipline my horse apart from me- i can tell if they need it and every other professional person who has dealt with them has been fine with it.
 
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