L&M
Well-Known Member
Firstly a big thank you for all the replies and helping me put things into perspective - I owe you all big time (for those who didn't read my original post my cob has recently diagnosed with career ending high ringbone/pastern arthritis, and also possible hock issues but yet to be confirmed).
We have decided a plan of action:
Firstly too retire rather than pts. We have a small paddock, just under 1 acre, that is separate from our other grazing and horse. We have tried my chap on his own down there for a few days - initially he was quite distressed at being separated from his field partner, but over the days has settled better than expected. Our neighbour grazes a pony in an adjacent paddock - it is not ideal but he seems to take comfort from it being there, so may alleviate the need to get a companion as don't think the paddock could support two. (again for those that did not read the initial post my cob gets really bad separation anxiety if his field mate is removed, so taking her away to exercise has become a nightmare now that they can't be ridden together).
We have found a good area to put up a shelter, and plan to make a large all weather apron in front, so that he can be 'in' at night in winter, but not shut in a stable as such, therefore being better for his pastern arthritis as he can still mooch about. He would be out 24/7 in the summer and will either set up a track system or subdivide the paddock as required, so should address the laminitis risk. Also by having a shelter/hardstanding for the wetter mnths, the mud fever should also be less of a problem.
Secondly, medication wise, I will have a good chat with my vet when he comes to do the hock x rays tomorrow. I really don't want him becoming an equine pincushion just so I can ride him around the block a couple of times a week, so going to try and avoid joint injection route. Instead I am going to suggest we retire him fully from ridden work, and try to keep him comfortable on low level bute and joint supplementation. He is currently field sound but when he gets to the stage we need to increase the bute will re-consider pts, when it would be an easier decision to make.
Long term I will then look at getting a youngster - so have something to ride until my partners horses retires (which is likely to be in the next few years), then possibly sell the youngster, and if my cob is still with us, allow my cob back in with my partners horse again so we can revert back to the plan of them both retiring together.
Hopefully this way I am doing the right thing by my horse, the right thing by my partner and his horse, and for myself too.... and can continue to spoil my little chap rotten until the time his quality of life becomes too compromised.
Obviously a lot depends on what the vet says tomorrow, but at least we have a plan!!!!!!!
We have decided a plan of action:
Firstly too retire rather than pts. We have a small paddock, just under 1 acre, that is separate from our other grazing and horse. We have tried my chap on his own down there for a few days - initially he was quite distressed at being separated from his field partner, but over the days has settled better than expected. Our neighbour grazes a pony in an adjacent paddock - it is not ideal but he seems to take comfort from it being there, so may alleviate the need to get a companion as don't think the paddock could support two. (again for those that did not read the initial post my cob gets really bad separation anxiety if his field mate is removed, so taking her away to exercise has become a nightmare now that they can't be ridden together).
We have found a good area to put up a shelter, and plan to make a large all weather apron in front, so that he can be 'in' at night in winter, but not shut in a stable as such, therefore being better for his pastern arthritis as he can still mooch about. He would be out 24/7 in the summer and will either set up a track system or subdivide the paddock as required, so should address the laminitis risk. Also by having a shelter/hardstanding for the wetter mnths, the mud fever should also be less of a problem.
Secondly, medication wise, I will have a good chat with my vet when he comes to do the hock x rays tomorrow. I really don't want him becoming an equine pincushion just so I can ride him around the block a couple of times a week, so going to try and avoid joint injection route. Instead I am going to suggest we retire him fully from ridden work, and try to keep him comfortable on low level bute and joint supplementation. He is currently field sound but when he gets to the stage we need to increase the bute will re-consider pts, when it would be an easier decision to make.
Long term I will then look at getting a youngster - so have something to ride until my partners horses retires (which is likely to be in the next few years), then possibly sell the youngster, and if my cob is still with us, allow my cob back in with my partners horse again so we can revert back to the plan of them both retiring together.
Hopefully this way I am doing the right thing by my horse, the right thing by my partner and his horse, and for myself too.... and can continue to spoil my little chap rotten until the time his quality of life becomes too compromised.
Obviously a lot depends on what the vet says tomorrow, but at least we have a plan!!!!!!!
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