Why?

[Flame_]

I wish there were something I could do to help you but there's just not is there? Your patience with these people and dedication to the horses despite the attitude of the owners is a credit to you. The owners were well out of order chucking P out when you had followed the vet's advice to the letter to give him the best possible chance of recovery. That said, if he isn't field sound after seven months of box rest it does seem very unlikely that he's ever going to come right, although I fully appreciate some do.

I can understand and to some extent support a well considered decision by a horse's owner to turn it away, even sometimes against the vets advice, its a bit of a kill or cure approach but there comes a time when it can be the right thing to do. Many would consider seven months box rest enough.

It doesn't sound like the owners made an educated choice though. They should have discussed it with you after all your imput, and they should have built up to it with a small pen and walking in hand. It sounds like they did it in a strop because they are used to their own way and they knew they weren't supposed to. You are wasting your time, emotion and energy trying to help these horses because sadly the owners are never going to change. If I were you I'd make them a sensible offer for Pally due to his lameness, that is the only way you can be genuinely responsible for him, though they'll probably refuse of course. Walk away from the stallion, it sounds like he'll cope just fine. Good luck, you sure deserve it!!!!

 

[missshell]

Oh it just gets worse. His owners need a kick up the ass and don't deserve to have horses.

My honest opinion is that you have to walk away. Sorry i know how much you adore those horses but with owners like that what else can you do?

 

[Boodle]

Read through all the replies.

Sorry, not replying to everyone individually. Exhausted and thought i'd let you know what's going on.
Phoned vet today, but P's vet isn't in till 9 tomorrow, so we have to speak to him.

Secretary couldn't be sure on whether owners had spoken to him or not, but she remembered him being on the phone to someone and him repeatedly saying "definitely not".

So whether they've phoned, he's told them not to turn him out, and they have anyway, or they just did it themselves we're not sure.
Will be sure tomorrow.
Went to see him.. and his fetlock is very swollen again, and when he walks it is almost touching the ground as his pasterns are so weak and too long anyway. He looks like he gets an electric shock every time he takes a step.

He seems ok in himself tho.
We provided him with hay, a feed and a water bucket.

We will speak to vet tomorrow and will do no more until then.

I can't draw any conclusions yet.
Owners have still not contacted us.

Will update in the morning.
Thank you to everyone.

 

[Equus Leather]

How about if we all send emails through the castle website??? Would that shock him into doing something?

What about going to the local paper and telling your side of the story??

There is always something to be done.

book an appointment with your vet, go and talk to them and see what they say...they might speak to the relevant animal welfare charities....

Not that I condone this next action....BUT...you could just take them, take them away to a resuce center if nothing else. Don't know how you would stand legally as they aren;t your horses. Does he have passports for them?? Do you have anything written, anything from him to show you've been caring for these horses?