Tell me about blood banks

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bumblelion

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Just wondering what you all know of them?
One of mine was due to be sent to one in Scotland until I took him on as a companion, I kind of feel I rescued him as they sound awful! Are they or do they lead a nice life? A day after having him I noticed early signs of lami which I controlled quickly but I do wonder if he'd have been PTS immediately if he'd have gone there as I'm presuming it's costs they don't want.
 
Hi
I keep my horse very close to a blood bank and no in my opinion they do not have a great life. when they are being rested from giving blood they are turned out in large herds, they are out in all weathers unrugged in the winter with only hay in the fields. I would not send mine to a blood bank so someone can make money from them I would PTS . I pass them most days and in the winter they look pretty miserable although last winter they looked in a lot better condition than the year before as some were very underweight.
 
I brought 6 sec a's from a blood bank, This was in new market the horses were well looked after, wormed, feet were trimmed they were vacinated and all looked very well. But other than that i have no experiance xx
 
sisco said:
Hi
when they are being rested from giving blood they are turned out in large herds, they are out in all weathers unrugged in the winter with only hay in the fields.
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Dear god.... a horse in a herd..... unrugged? With just grass and hay to eat?! What unnatural cruelty?!
 
The one in Scotland (if it's the same one I have in mind) houses the horses in a big, open barn during the winter - sheltered, warm, but well ventilated - with ad lib haylege. Horses that are prone to bully or being bullied are kept in separate closed pens at the side where they have contact with the other, but can also avoid nastiness. They are turned out over the summer, and are regularly checked by a vet.

At least, that was how it was when my own horse stayed there for 9 months for extended 'box rest' to recover from a persistent, low-level lameness caused by a pulled semimembranosus muscle in his hindquarters. (It was an unconventional arrangement, as it is not usually operated as a hotel and horses go there for the rest of their lives! I was also allowed to visit any time I liked.) That was in the late 80s.
 
They're not as bad as I imagined then! Although i don't think my boy would've been suitable as he needs grass management due to lami, he also is on bute occasionally to ease pain in stifles and regular massages! I wouldn't have thought he could be a donor if on bute. Does anyone know where the blood goes? I remember having this conversation with someone as I presumed it went to veterinary hosps etc and was used for horses but this person said it was used for humans in medications, so I have no idea exactly! They also said that once they were there the blood bank owned them, you couldn't visit them or take them back once they were given to them and that once they hit 15 years old they were PTS. I honestly have no idea, never visited one but am just curious really.
 
bumblelion said:
They're not as bad as I imagined then!
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I was happy enough about conditions to keep my boy there.

Although i don't think my boy would've been suitable as he needs grass management due to lami, he also is on bute occasionally to ease pain in stifles and regular massages! I wouldn't have thought he could be a donor if on bute.
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Probably not.

Does anyone know where the blood goes? I remember having this conversation with someone as I presumed it went to veterinary hosps etc and was used for horses but this person said it was used for humans in medications, so I have no idea exactly!
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I thought it was for equine transfusions originally - like human donated blood - but apparently it is used to make the stuff in the bottom of Petri dishes that bacteria grows on (for medical diagnostics). Maybe other things too.

They also said that once they were there the blood bank owned them, you couldn't visit them or take them back once they were given to them and that once they hit 15 years old they were PTS. I honestly have no idea, never visited one but am just curious really.
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Yes, I think that's true, in general. I was very fortunate to be offered the arrangement for my horse, because I knew someone who knew the owner of the bloodbank.
 
fburton said:
Yes, I think that's true, in general. I was very fortunate to be offered the arrangement for my horse, because I knew someone who knew the owner of the bloodbank.
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That was a good deal! Thanks for all the info. I'm pleased he didn't go there then as it wouldn't have been suitable for him and he possibly would be up in the clouds by now! He has a good life with me, get's the same treatment as my tb and I keep him comfortable pain wise when he needs it (although it's not constant, it's only very ocassionally or else I would get him PTS). I'v also been told recently by the vet that he can do some light hacking so in a way he has improved since I took him on!
 
Whilst bloodbanks have become essential, I'm not sure it's a place most of us would want to send our equine companion to.
 
amymay said:
Whilst bloodbanks have become essential, I'm not sure it's a place most of us would want to send our equine companion to.
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To live out the rest of their lives? No - I think you're right.

In my case, it was the ideal solution because it afforded months of 'box rest' without the downside of having the horse stuck in a stable on his own. The fact that he was donating blood every few weeks didn't bother me (or him) unduly. He didn't end up with nasty scars on his neck or anything like that.
 
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