What would you do with this pony?

[ridefast]

I recently aquired a (free) 9 yr old welsh sec D gelding, backed at 4 then done nothing, with the plan being get him going and then sell on. He is very overweight, and has been on/off lame for the last few weeks since I got him. No heat or swelling, slight raised digital pulse, worse when standing still gets better with movement, but too much movement makes it worse. Box rest made it worse. Farrier thinks it sounds like ringbone or navicular and is coming out to have a look. I didn't want to keep this pony, I haven't bonded with him at all and I really regret having him. If it does turn out to be ringbone or navicular, what then? Is it even worth trying to get him into work?

 

[Persephone]

What I would do is get a vet to the pony.

 

[Wagtail]

Agree. The first step has to be the vet. What a shame. I hope it is something that is easily treatable. I am guessing he isn't insured? If not, for the sake of the pony, if he is comfortable in the field, I would get him insured, turn him away for a couple of months, then if he's not sound get the vet and go from there. Say you got him in to start work and found he was lame. Not the most honest route but I'm thinking it's that or PTS if you don't have the funds or inclination to get his condition investigated.

 

[ridefast]

I know my vet and her first response is always box rest and bute - hence why I already tried box rest. As we have monday for our free call out day I don't want to get the vet out before then, also if it's something the farrier can find well he is cheaper. I was wondering about the insurance thing but wasn't sure if I could do it, will talk to the vet about it anyway. Forgot my point was that, IF it turns out to be something like navicular or ringbone, who would want a green older pony who already has a deteriorating condition? Feeling a bit down about it all

 

[swampdonkey]

don't mean to sound harsh or judgemental but you took this pony for free expecting to make money from it, which I'm guessing you would be quite happy to do, unfortunately the other side of this is that he is your responsabiltiy and even if it doesn't turn out to be the easy money you expected it to be, it is now up to you to sort out the pony and do your best for him.

 

[Wagtail]

I know my vet and her first response is always box rest and bute - hence why I already tried box rest. As we have monday for our free call out day I don't want to get the vet out before then, also if it's something the farrier can find well he is cheaper. I was wondering about the insurance thing but wasn't sure if I could do it, will talk to the vet about it anyway. Forgot my point was that, IF it turns out to be something like navicular or ringbone, who would want a green older pony who already has a deteriorating condition? Feeling a bit down about it all

If the pony is comfortable in the field and if you are considering the insurance route, then don't talk to your vet yet as effectively it will be down on your records (even if only in your vets head) that there is a lameness problem. You would then be asking your vet to effectively lie when or if it comes to making an insurance claim, which he/she cannot do. If the pony is not suffering and the situation can wait, then insure the pony and THEN investigate the lameness after the date of inception of the insurance. Otherwise you will not be covered. As I said, not the most honest of approaches but if it makes the difference between a young horse being PTS or being treated, then I could live with it.

 

[thatsmygirl]

My first point off call if this lad was mine would be " thermal imageing" I swear by it and does work out cheaper to start with. Full body scan to pick up on all areas off concern. I think it is very under rated or maybe people don't know a lot about it. It's always my first point off call. Pm me for further info

 

[Persephone]

I have to say this ....

As somebody who does the responsible thing and insures their horse for all possibilities, it really hacks me off when I hear suggestions like yours Wagtail. It is downright dishonest and fraudulent to carry on with Insurance as you have suggested. No doubt pushes the premiums up every year for the rest of us too.

 

[Echo Bravo]

Well if you dont like the animal and he is yours Pts and claim on the insurance. That way you will be happy and the pony well he's gone and no trouble to anyone.

 

[Wagtail]

I have to say this ....

As somebody who does the responsible thing and insures their horse for all possibilities, it really hacks me off when I hear suggestions like yours Wagtail. It is downright dishonest and fraudulent to carry on with Insurance as you have suggested. No doubt pushes the premiums up every year for the rest of us too.

It's not something I would do as all mine are insured the moment they lay foot on my premises. But if it saves the life of a young horse, then I have no problems with it. Hopefully the OP will learn a lesson for the next time and make sure all horses are insured.

 

[babymare]

just sits head in hands - sorry but poor horse - doesnt want to spend money etc - just head in hands - please PTS and im trying not to rant

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Did you not wonder why the pony was free? If you ask me someone saw you coming. My guess is that this pony has already got a diagnosis. I would ask the previous owner/vet.

 

[Persephone]

It's not something I would do as all mine are insured the moment they lay foot on my premises. But if it saves the life of a young horse, then I have no problems with it. Hopefully the OP will learn a lesson for the next time and make sure all horses are insured.

It doesn't work like that though. She won't learn, just use the same trick time and again.

 

[Wagtail]

It doesn't work like that though. She won't learn, just use the same trick time and again.

So would you prefer this young horse gets shot or the meat man has him?

As I say, this is not something I would do. All my horses are insured for vets bills from day one.

I also know that insurance companies won't hesitate to screw over their customers if given the chance. One of my liveries who has religiously paid her insurance and never made a claim in five years has been well and truly stitched up, as have I been in the past. So if it saves this young horse's life, then I have no problem with it. I would have a problem if I found that the same person made a habit of it though. We all make mistakes. Why should the horse pay for them?

 

[FarriersFriend]

just sits head in hands - sorry but poor horse - doesnt want to spend money etc - just head in hands - please PTS and im trying not to rant

My thoughts exactly. OP,you need to consider what is best for the poor horse,not your pocket. He is YOUR responsibility you owe it to him to do the right thing.

 

[Echo Bravo]

Wagtail. I think op doesn't give a damn about the pony and I think better the pony pts, as she isn't going to a) spend any money on him or insure him, she could dope him up bigtime and sell him on, but how many posts do we read on here about people buying said animals and how they've been conned.

 

[0ldmare]

Are you sure the horse doesn't have laminitis? Your description of the symptoms certainly make it sound likely!

 

[Wagtail]

Wagtail. I think op doesn't give a damn about the pony and I think better the pony pts, as she isn't going to a) spend any money on him or insure him, she could dope him up bigtime and sell him on, but how many posts do we read on here about people buying said animals and how they've been conned.

You are probably right. The OP does come over as rather unfeeling regarding the animal. The pony either needs proper investigations or a life as a companion, or PTS. But then again, it could be something as simple as an unresolved abcess.

 

[Fii]

I recently aquired a (free) 9 yr old welsh sec D gelding, backed at 4 then done nothing, with the plan being get him going and then sell on. He is very overweight, and has been on/off lame for the last few weeks since I got him. No heat or swelling, slight raised digital pulse, worse when standing still gets better with movement, but too much movement makes it worse. Box rest made it worse. Farrier thinks it sounds like ringbone or navicular and is coming out to have a look. I didn't want to keep this pony, I haven't bonded with him at all and I really regret having him. If it does turn out to be ringbone or navicular, what then? Is it even worth trying to get him into work?

Sounds to me like it could be laminitis, and if he had been on box rest on a normall bed of straw instead of a very deep bed of shavings, it may have made him more uncomfortable!
I hate to say it but you are coming over like you couldnt give much of a stuff for this pony!

 

[HappyHorses:)]

Are you sure the horse doesn't have laminitis? Your description of the symptoms certainly make it sound likely!

Just what I was thinking.

 

[ridefast]

Thanks guys that's given me food for thought. Yes re-read my original post and it does sound rather heartless. You all know me so well though don't you

 

[ridefast]

It doesn't work like that though. She won't learn, just use the same trick time and again.

What trick?

 

[Tormenta]

So would you prefer this young horse gets shot or the meat man has him?

As I say, this is not something I would do. All my horses are insured for vets bills from day one.

I also know that insurance companies won't hesitate to screw over their customers if given the chance. One of my liveries who has religiously paid her insurance and never made a claim in five years has been well and truly stitched up, as have I been in the past. So if it saves this young horse's life, then I have no problem with it. I would have a problem if I found that the same person made a habit of it though. We all make mistakes. Why should the horse pay for them?

Oh, shutup.

 

[cm2581]

Oh, shutup.

What a silly post!!

 

[peaceandquiet1]

Only your vet can diagnose, and if the horse is in pain you have a duty to get it assessed by a vet. A raised pulse suggests a foot problem. If you took the pony on you are responsible for it. It's not the pony's fault.

 

[Sandstone1]

Please get the vet out to the pony. By not doing so you are causing him suffering. You are his owner and you are responsible for his welfare. I would not advise pts as some people have as we dont know whats wrong with him.

It sounds as if it could well be lammi.

You are in fact breaking the law by not getting this pony treatment.
Get the vet.

 

[Ibblebibble]

what were the circumstances that led to you being given him? and why had he done nothing since backing at 4? Sounds like there were possibly problems before you were given him and you have been used to offload him on! Doesn't make your duty to him any less though so your first call has to be the vet to get a proper diagnosis, only then can you decide what is the right course to take.
I had a pony dumped on me that had a rope burn on his fetlock that wasn't healing, all his vet treatment came straight from my pocket as he wasn't insured, slightly annoying but you just get on with it because it's not his fault after all. once he was well enough i sold him on as a companion/project as he had some issues that at that time i wasn't in a position to spend time fixing. He went to a batty old bird who takes in all the projects and i've since heard he's being ridden quite happily, did i make any money, nope, just about covered my costs, but it doesn't matter as pony has a home for life

 

[hayinamanger]

Overweight pony lameness = laminitis.

Please get the vet.

 

[bensababy]

Absolutely amazed at your attitude towards this poor pony, why take it on knowing you could not/would not provide it with the care it could need?

How long have you left him like this? if it is Laminitis im even more disgusted - poor thing is all i can say.. and shame on you.

 

[Booboos]

Thanks guys that's given me food for thought. Yes re-read my original post and it does sound rather heartless. You all know me so well though don't you

If you post describing the situation a particular way you can't be surprised that people read it that way and respond accordingly. If you mean what you originally posted then my response is Get the vet out, the purchase price of a pony (whether free or millions) should not make any different to how you look after it when it is in pain. If you then decide to PTS that is up to you, but if the pony is in pain it needs help.

If you didn't quite mean your post the way you wrote it why not explain?