What would you do?

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Parkranger

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Well after a few rearing incidents in the last 2 weeks I had the vet out today to give my boy the once over.

He's been quite stiff in his back end since it's got cold.

Vet has diagnosed hock spavin
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So I don't want to sell him for £600 and him get into the wrong hands so I'm thinking of loaning him out as a companion/happy hacker.

I feel so sorry for that poor horse, he really has had a tough time.

Vet says he's fine for hacking but working on his hocks (dressage/jumping) is what is causing the severe reaction.

Definately can't afford to keep two horses and I don't know if I'd find a sharer that just wanted to hack him out so at a bit of a loss of what to do.

What would you do?
 
oh no Im really sorry to read this, perhaps this has been part of the reason for him not enjoynig jumping then.

Of course it couldnt have come at a worse time when you had finally decided to sell him, but on the plus side at least you still have hmi and he isnt being passed from pillar to post.

ok, did the vet say he thinks he will be fine once it has fused?
 
Oh vic, Im sorry!!

Was just about to text you actually and find out how it went!!!

You may well find a sharer/loanee that just wants to hack him, I'd definately look into it.
You may also actually find someone who wants to buy him that way, ie loan him for a bit, fall in love etc and then want him as their own.

Big hug coming your way mrs, am sure you'll find someone to love him like you do!
 
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Oh vic, Im sorry!!

Was just about to text you actually and find out how it went!!!

You may well find a sharer/loanee that just wants to hack him, I'd definately look into it.
You may also actually find someone who wants to buy him that way, ie loan him for a bit, fall in love etc and then want him as their own.

Big hug coming your way mrs, am sure you'll find someone to love him like you do!

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Thanks hun! Think I'll put him on loan and that way I can control what happens to him!
 
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oh no Im really sorry to read this, perhaps this has been part of the reason for him not enjoynig jumping then.

Of course it couldnt have come at a worse time when you had finally decided to sell him, but on the plus side at least you still have hmi and he isnt being passed from pillar to post.

ok, did the vet say he thinks he will be fine once it has fused?

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Possibility the vet said so also considering turning him away until the spring or loaning him out solely as a companion and then reassess next spring....
 
Well why not turn him away for the winter at your yard so you can keep an eye on him, or send him to your mums, that way you can keep an eye on him.

Hock spavins arent that bad usually, once it has fused I imagine he will be able to do most things.
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Poor Ty, he really has been through it. No reason why someone won't want to share or loan him as a hack only. My Mac has arthritis in both hocks and ringbone in one leg and can only hack, but hasn't put off his sharer. I only really enjoy hacking myself, do the odd bit of dressage now and again, or sponsored ride, but would certainly be interested if I was looking.
 
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Well why not turn him away for the winter at your yard so you can keep an eye on him, or send him to your mums, that way you can keep an eye on him.

Hock spavins arent that bad usually, once it has fused I imagine he will be able to do most things.
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I can't keep him where he is as he'll be costing me £300 a month - unfortunately can't go to grass there.
 
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Well why not turn him away for the winter at your yard so you can keep an eye on him, or send him to your mums, that way you can keep an eye on him.

Hock spavins arent that bad usually, once it has fused I imagine he will be able to do most things.
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I can't keep him where he is as he'll be costing me £300 a month - unfortunately can't go to grass there.

he's never going to want to jump I don't think so unfortunately will never be up to what I want to do so maybe if I can find a loan home where he can just chill and hack out occasionally he'll be happier too.

He's always had something lurking there poor thing but stupidly I had back people out and not the vet - never make that mistake again.
 
I dont know if its possible or if he'd wanna be out 24/7 (I know how wimpy these TB's can be) but can ask where I have my share for you if you want?? Dont think its V expensive and they have a fair bit of turnout (although they all come in at night in the winter)..... and I know a horse is leaving this weekend???

Might be a bit of a trek to Crawley, but I'd be more than happy to do/check him on the days I go up there for you hun???
 
I personally wouldnt loan him out until he is sound, if you do, Im not saying it will happen, but someone could really work him hard, after all its not their horse, thats how some people see it, and make things even worse.

I also personally wouldnt take a horse on loan that had just been diagnosed with hock spavin, not until it had fused, I wouldnt want to think any blame could be put on me if he got worse.

So what has the vet said to do, keep hacking him? Newmarket supplement?
 
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I dont know if its possible or if he'd wanna be out 24/7 (I know how wimpy these TB's can be) but can ask where I have my share for you if you want?? Dont think its V expensive and they have a fair bit of turnout (although they all come in at night in the winter)..... and I know a horse is leaving this weekend???

Might be a bit of a trek to Crawley, but I'd be more than happy to do/check him on the days I go up there for you hun???

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that's really kind of you babe - crawley might be a bit of a trek for me though!
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I personally wouldnt loan him out until he is sound, if you do, Im not saying it will happen, but someone could really work him hard, after all its not their horse, thats how some people see it, and make things even worse.

I also personally wouldnt take a horse on loan that had just been diagnosed with hock spavin, not until it had fused, I wouldnt want to think any blame could be put on me if he got worse.

So what has the vet said to do, keep hacking him? Newmarket supplement?

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Vet said he's fine for hacking but just shouldn't be engaging his hocks and behind. Maybe even a companion home for the winter would be an idea.....

Having to sell trailer now to finance another horse - why are they such a drain on finances?!!
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Why dont you just wait until you eventually sell Ty before buying another horse, if you sell your trailer surely you will have a new horse but no transport to go to any shows!

you have been back and forth over selling Ty for a LONG time, and the right horse is probably not going to come along overnight, so why not just take a step back and wait a bit.


If you cant afford to keep two horses, then you are relying on someone taking Ty on loan or finding a companion home, what if it falls through after you buy another horse?

What then, sell Ty quicky, sell new horse?

There is no rush, personally, I would concentrate on Ty, once he is given the ok, look for a good home for him, when he is sold, use the money towards a new horse.


Its just if you 'definitely cant afford to keep two horses' it seems silly selling things like your trailer to buy another!

If Ty ends up needing joint supplements etc, newmarket, synequin (sp?) it could be very expensive.
 
Im thinking St bernard that as Ty now has a much smaller selling price Vic would be looking at selling her trailer anyway to get the sort of horse she wants..... could be wrong but that how I saw it....
 
There are trailers I can borrow at the yard so transport won't be a problem.

Just think that keeping the trailer is a luxury at the moment.

Definately not rushing into another horse - not even looking yet, but want my finances sorted out - even if it sits in the bank for 6 months!
 
So many horses have hock spavins, and compete at a high level with them. It is NOT all doom and gloom, you just need to allow a bit of time for the hock spavin to fuse. Keep working him, as it is important to keep working them through this to concuss the bones as this makes it fuse quicker.
Once fused, the horse will be sound and will be 100% ok to go and do whatever you want to go and do with the horse. They will have an altered gait, yes, which means that they wont be as athlethic as they couldve been, but still very 'normal' and capable of being worked as a normal horse.

A hock spavin is only painfull in the initial stages when it is forming.
So dont worry- he will be OK ! Do put him on a good joint supplement, and do keep him working lightly ( say a good 45 mins or marching walk every day) It can fuse within a few months, or will sometimes take longer. But never stop working them as that makes it much worst, and they become very stiff.

Really gets me how vets are so uneduacted about these things. and start telling their clients that 'that is the end' when it is NOT !If you do some research on the net, you'll find lots of info on it, mostly saying what I've said above. Have known a good few horses with spavins, and they all became sound, and returned to competing.
 
My older mare has totally fused hocks, arthritis in both fetlocks, navicular, all sorts! I've never tried to sell her bu didn't find it hard at all to find a sharer. She's lovely to hack out, not a numpty's ride but not difficult, and I had loads of calls, both from people wh wanted to share her and some who asked if I'd be prepared to put her on full loan and let them move her to their yard/house, which I wasn't at the time but nice to know there is always homes out there!
Best of luck
E.

ETS once they had fused, her hocks cause no problems at all. She is, as poster ablove said, not as athletic as she used to be and does tend to drop her hindlegs on a jump now and again, but has learnt to compensate by jumping at least a foot higher than she needs to!!
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Don't jump often because of the arthritic fetlocks/navicular but she loves the odd sponsored ride etc and goes mad for XC - you should see her if my sharer tries to hold her back an let me jump first on a sponsored ride
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I've been told several times that she won't come sound enough to ride - well, she is, and has been for about 18 months now, ridden 4/5 times a week over the summer! I do think they have different pain thresholds, and as long as she is sound and enjoying her work, I'll continue to do as we are doing!!
 
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Im thinking St bernard that as Ty now has a much smaller selling price Vic would be looking at selling her trailer anyway to get the sort of horse she wants..... could be wrong but that how I saw it....

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ah I see!
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Agree that it could fuse etc but he's never wanted to jump so that's not going to change - good hocks or not!

Will see how things go and keep my eye out for maybe a sharer to keep him hacking out in the week (when I'm working) or a loan home.

Will definately keep him working and to be fair the vet didn't say it was the end of the world - that's my pesimistic side coming out!
 
Hi,

It's just been one thing after another with Ty, it's such a shame. Something to consider (although I am sure you have already) if you loan him the loaner can just give him back with very little notice and then you would find yourself in the position of having to pay for 2 horses anyway.

Also I am thinking of buying a trailer, what do you have?
 
Im really sorry, such a hard descison to make. Hugs to you and him. Good luck in what ever you decide to do.

I have a pony who has been out on loan a couple of times and what I never really took into consideration is the fact you are still always responsible for them financially. Its great when it works, but you have to think long term- what happens if it does'nt work out- can you afford to have him back and exercise him whilst you look for somebody else? What will you do if he needs retiring permanently? Are you prepared to pay for any drugs/ supplements or vets bills which may follow?

Im sure you have thought through all these things already.

Hope this makes sense.. Im at work and people keep walking past
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Hi,

It's just been one thing after another with Ty, it's such a shame. Something to consider (although I am sure you have already) if you loan him the loaner can just give him back with very little notice and then you would find yourself in the position of having to pay for 2 horses anyway.

Also I am thinking of buying a trailer, what do you have?

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PM'd you x
 
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