what to do?

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frostie652

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right then, apologies for all this, rather long winded and confusing im sure.

I am wondering what to do with my horse chippie hes 14.3hh, tbxnf, grey, gelding 5yo.

he was broken a year ago by myself, was doing well abd was turned away, when i brought him back into work I rushed him far too much and as a result hes bronced wih me a couple of times, he also wood-chews and has sarcoids...

His sarcoids are an aggressive type and although they havent flaired up this year it is very possible they will again (the curent treatnent bill for his sarcoids is £3.3k). I said I wouldnt treat him again as the liverpool cream causes him alot of pain and he now doesnt like anyone touching his groin area.

I was sure his sarcoids would come back this summer so turned him away to enjoy the last 6 months or so he had before PTS, however they havent but ive never really bonded with him and am now trying to afford a mortage so dont really want to keep him and cause of his 'issues' (which im sure can be fixed) I am reluctant to sell him since hed run the risk of being passed around.

all i can think of is to put him on 'perminant loan' so he cant be sold on, and that if the new owner couldnt cope (sarcoids coming back or behaviour) he would come back to me. hes nothing special but he is a nice chappie and im sure the ridden problems are my fault, but would anyone want a project horse with sarcoids?

id much rather do this than PTS, and am reluctant to send him away to be proffesionally rebacked/schooled as if his sarcoids come back again (which could be anytime) I will have him PTS rather than treat again (so although this sounds horrible I would have wasted my money). I dont think anyone would want him as a companion since hes not a little shetland and he wood chews.

so do you think anyone would be interested in him, and if so where is the best place to advertise (project horses?)


thanks in advance, sorry to ramble so much
 
amymay said:
Why on earth would you pts?
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because he was aggresive saroids which year nefore year before look 2 months to reappear after treatment, broke out in over a dozen places (one particually raw and open under his chin) caused him alot of pain through treatment and although (after last years treatment) it hasnt grown larger than it was he currently has already had one grow back to its original size on his sheath
 
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But the sarcoids haven't come back this year you said. Advertise him on project horses and be totally honest. Maybe someone would be willing to put the work in.
 
Have you had the vet out since his last treatment for the sarcoids? Just because the first treatment isn't totally sucessful doesn't mean subsequent treatments can't get the job done (though there can be a reduction in sucess rate). My mare had an awful looking sarcoid on her head - due to its placement she couldn't even be lead in a headcollar much less be ridden in a bridle. If it didn't come right her future (my absolute dream horse and at only age 8) was a field ornament. After injections and over 4 months healing time it the difference is phenomenal! There is hope for them so I wouldn't just write him off if one treatment has failed. Liverpool cream is also by no means the only option. There are good options for sedation for application of cream (f the best option) and pain killers for after.
If however you have pursued other options with no succes and the horse is in discomfort then sadly pts may be the best option for him.
If they aren't causing him discomfort then i would def consider a loan home - maybe on your yard or one nearby so you can moniter the situation. Perhaps go by word of mouth or ads in local tack shops to find a loaner for him?
 
Ilovefoals said:
But the sarcoids haven't come back this year you said. Advertise him on project horses and be totally honest. Maybe someone would be willing to put the work in.
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thank you :)

one on his sheath is back, but since it reappeared (6 months now, I think) it hasnt grown anymore in size
 
Why would you consider PTS?
The horse has a future in the RIGHT hands, and no disrespect but im not sure you can give him the time and money to allow him to achieve his potential.
There is no reason to think that if you sold him on that he would be passed around.
For his future, advertise him and be totally honest warts and all and someone out there will love him, will have the time and the money to do him justice.
If it makes you feel better ask teh person who buys him to give you first refusal should they wish to sell on, but chances are if someone is going to buy him knowing his full history they are not going to be interested in selling him on at a later stage.

do the right thing and give him a chance at a future.


i really need to win the lottery then i could give all these horses a home.
 
frostie652 said:
i wouldnt say he has no future just an unclear one health wise and am not sure anyone would be prepared to take him on with the uncertainty.
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In all fairness, with their determind attempts at self harm I'm sure many horses can't be said to have a clear future health wise! There is hope, don't write him off if he isn't distressed by them.
 
glosgirl said:
Have you had the vet out since his last treatment for the sarcoids? Just because the first treatment isn't totally sucessful doesn't mean subsequent treatments can't get the job done (though there can be a reduction in sucess rate). QUOTE]

hes been treated three times with liverpool cream (mostly under sedation)
hes has an operatioin on one high up on his sheath (not the one thats re occured)

they types he has arent the ones that respond to the injections, the vet is willing to treat him with the liverpool cream again but since he has been treated now three times and each time (although to a much lesser degree) have reoccured I am relictant to do so again. he now fears the vet when he visits from having the cream applied and doesnt like having his back legs touched by anyone
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I know you don't want to treat the sarcoids any more but I gather that this is more because you don't want to cause him more pain, rather than the cost. MY vet uses acupuncture to treat a wide variety of conditions and has treated sarcoids successfully with acupuncture. Where are you?
 
First of all, I would look very seriously at Newmarket Bloodroot Ointment for the sarcoids IF they come back - it has worked like a charm on a lot of horses, killing the sarcoids off permanently.
However, they might not even come back. I'd advertise him honestly, for his sake.
He might not bronc again if he's taken slowly and rider makes sure he's comfy and happy, so I wouldn't paint him as a rogue.
Good luck to you and to him.
 
I think you have his best interests at heart by the sound of things.

If further treatment became necessary and it was going to be ongoing, prolonged and cause him distress then I think the pts option may be kindest at that point.

But, at the moment he is happy and healthy and not in need of any treatment.

The woodchewing may be boredom related and possibly with the right person he may blossom into a nice riding animal and give someone at lot of enjoyment.

My personal preference would be to put him on long term loan - check up on him regularly and have a solicitor checked agreement in place - if his sacaroids come back or he proves unrideable at least you have given him a chance and know that pts is really the only option.

I hope you find a good home for him :)
 
Sorry, I didn't realise he had had more than one treatment. I understand your reluctance to put him through it again. As said before though, if he isn't currently distressed then I would loan him out or retire him. Then you can keep an eye on him and take any steps necessary should he go downhill.
 
I dont want to write him off at all, think i just needed the ressurance that perhaps someone would give him a loving future with the TLC he needs :), I think i shall put him on project horses on perminant loan. hes not nasty at all, I just worry what to do for the best.
 
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i would advertise as loving long term home required for this very special man, dont offer free to a good home unless you can get refernces from their vet, farrier yard and so on and have it legally binding. I would rather ask for money or a donation to a horse charity.

genuine people will not baulk at that.
 
Type up a very honest advert and put it on project horses and see what response you get. You don't have to loan him to anyone who rings but it would give you abetter idea of options and you might just be lucky and find the right home for him for life.
No harm in trying is there. I would also put an honest advert up in local tack shops as ideally you'd want him to stay locally so you can check up on him easily.
 
I took a 3 year old with horrible sarcoids on who was described as 'not a people horse'. I can safely say I have never ever regretted it for a moment. SHe went to Potters Barr and had chemotherapy drugs injected into the sarcoids after the liverpool cream did not kill some of them off - tough wood all clear so far. She had a little one they didn't treat which I treated with Hilton Herbs stuff - can't reme
mber the name but cream and feed additive and it fell off cleanly.

I am now hoping to qualify her as a 6 year old for the Grassroots championship at Badminton next year.

You may have to take some time but the homes are out there :)
 
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