I have an arabian show horse, and he got lame recently. We took him to the vet a few times, and she couldn't figure out what was wrong with him. We even took him to a vet that specialized in horse lameness, and he gave my horse injections, and that didn't even fix it. He is just resting at a friend's house right now, and has been there for a few months. My parents told me he could possibly come to our house to live, because we have 5 acres in the country and could get the right setup for a horse. The problem is, if my horse is lame, I think I may get really tired of mucking his stall, feeding him, and generally taking care of him if I can't even ride him. Do you think I would get tired of doing all of that if I couldn't ride him? I could just basically walk on him. What do you think I should do?
2007-01-24 16:54:37 · 17 answers · asked by ninny_freak 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
he is only 12
2007-01-24 17:02:50 · update #1
Since you say this is a show horse and you would have to set up at your place for him to be there, it sounds like he has never been at your place, but the trainers. And it sounds like you are like a whole lot of spoiled kids, who want the horse and all the flash and fun of winning, but none of the responsibilty. It would be best for your horse if someone else owned him. Hopefully your parents are smart enough to see what a brat you are. My daughter (who is 8) has helped at the barn since she could walk. So did my other two kids. And they all got to start with the same old unbroke, crippled in the front knee broodmare. They had to take of her for a YEAR (and do it well) before they were even allowed to ride. She is now 20 ( we got her at age 3) and they all still take better care of her than their show horses. You would be better off with a Chia pet. That way when you get bored, you can just throw it away.
2007-01-25 13:19:18 · answer #1 · answered by Paint Pony 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry but this question seems more along the lines of you are looking forward to having to take care of a lame animal that you have been with at least a couple years, I assume, and your concern rather than the animals comfort or health is whether or not you will grow tired of taking care of him. Your horse is probably in pain, I'd imagine and you're concerned with losing interest on the very basics of equine care because you can't ride him.
Is this animal not your friend?
Sorry, I raised a few horses and alot of other animals so just in my personal opinion, The pets we choose should become our friends, not burdens . I would be doing everything I could to make him comfortable.
2007-01-25 06:22:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is a website I will give you that may be worth the while to look at. If you still think your Arabian horse is worth saving- then I would try to do what you could. But if financial issues or something else gets in the way you may want to retire him to a rescue that specializes in finding homes for companion animals. Your horse may however have a navicular disease and I know from experience that denerving procedures saved many of mine and friends equines.
I do hope you make the right decision for you and your equine. IF you are already in the mind set that you'll get tired of mucking out his stall and feeding him (even after he dedicated his life to you riding him) I'd sell him or donate him to an organization for retired or companion horses.
Here's the website- http://www.horse-injuries-and-therapy.com/sumereltherapeuticsystem.html
Also look up lameness specialtists in your area.
2007-01-25 01:10:56 · answer #3 · answered by silvaspurranch 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Don't give up so easily. After all the shows your horse has taken you to, the least you can do is to be there for him when he is in pain. Are horses only worth keeping and caring for if you can ride them? My horse will be with me FOREVER, rideable or not, even if it means I go without so he can eat. Why don't you give him a chance? Also, if you give up on him and he can't be used for riding anymore, where do you think he will end up? Most likely the slaughterhouse. If you absolutely cannot take responsibility and care for him during all the ups and downs of his life, you should donate him to an equine retirement farm or rescue group where he will always have a loving home with people who CARE! I agree with Paint Pony, it sounds like you want all the fun and glory, but none of the work or responsibility.
2007-01-25 22:56:19 · answer #4 · answered by rockerchic821 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Owning a horse, or any pet, means taking care of the animal until its unable to live out its life without pain.
You took this horse into your family knowing that some day it would be too old or infirm to ride. It is your responsibility to care for the animal until it dies.
Just because the horse is lame doesn't mean its in constant pain. A "limp" can mean a joint is fused or a bone is rotating, etc, or a muscle is torn/pulled. These can be permanent "limps" or lamenesses without causing consistent pain.
Give your horse several months on pasture rest under the treatment of a good farrier. Give your farrier copies of the vet's xrays if the farrier asks for them -- this will help ensure that your horse is shod properly.
Reevaluate your horse again within 6-8 months. If he is still showing signs of lameness, speak with your vet about therapeutic daily supplements such as "Buteless solutions" Like the new "Devil's Claw and Yucca Root" (herbal) supplement which can help with arthritis (which may be the issue for a 12 year old show horse.)
It MAY be time for your horse to be retired to the pasture. If that's the case, you are responsible for taking care of him until he's too old and in pain to live anymore.
A horse is not about shows and blue ribbons. A horse is about a partnership for life.
If you are not willing to make the commitment to your horse for the rest of its natural life, you are not ready to be a horse owner. It sounds harsh, but its true.
Please sit down with your parents and discuss your concerns. They will understand your frustration but they will likley tell you to be responsible for your horse and continue to care for it.
IF you are responsible for your current horse during his illness/retirement, perhaps your parents will consider getting you another horse you can care for and show again. But remember- that doesn't REPLACE the ill horse- it just gives you a horse to ride when you can't ride the lame horse. You still must give the first horse the same amount of love and care as you do the horse you CAN ride!!
Best of luck to you and your horse!
2007-01-25 02:31:18 · answer #5 · answered by kerrisonr 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I had a vet friend once and she said that 90% of all lameness in horses are in the foot. Have a vet x-ray his feet. Show horses are notorious for going lame. I have a 20yr. old geilding that I don't ride anymore and I don't care how long it takes I will never get tired of taking care of him till it comes time to put him down.
2007-01-25 16:16:28 · answer #6 · answered by Toni 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is having a horse really just about riding them to you? If you don't even care for your horse enough to take care of him if he IS lamed, then he'd be much better off in someone else's hands. There are people who care enough about animals that they'd be perfectly happy to have the poor dear as a companion animal. Just because a horse can't be ridden doesn't mean it can't live out the rest of its life happily.
I'd like to add, the earlier comment about the 12 gauge was extremely callous and uncalled for.
2007-01-25 01:20:52 · answer #7 · answered by Tealah 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Not being rude or anything but if u think you r going to get tired mucking his stall and feeding him maybe u should sell him to some one that might just care a bit more for him then u.
Sorry but that is how i see it!
i have a 24 year old quater horse that i can no longer ride but i still love him to death i muck his stall out everyday and feed him!
it seems to me that u r more interested in the blue ribons u could be winning then looking after ur horse even if he lame and u can no longer ride him.
i think u might not even be interested in the horse at all u just wanted one because some u knew was getting one
I have grown up on horse studs with me dad and ridden all my life
i could neva get sick of horses even if they r unfit to ride
2007-01-25 01:15:33 · answer #8 · answered by nikita p 2 · 6⤊ 0⤋
no. i dont think that you will get tired of taking care of him because i couldnt ride my horse for a few weeks and i just loved taking care of him because i knew that he was being taken care of and he was happy. even if walking is the most you can do on him you could go for long WALKING trail rides and just take it easy on him for a while and gradually try to up his exersise. i mean not like hard core jumping or running or anything like that but maybe a nice canter through the woods. and he may have to be retired from showing. what kind of showing did you do? feel free to e-mail me at brttnyblckwll@yahoo.com i hope he gets better soon :-)
2007-01-25 11:18:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you love the horse then you shouldnt mind doing all that, it comes with the teritory, but if to you it is just for riding well then maybe you would have to think it over a bit better. The vet dosnt know whats wrong - just a suggestion, a took a couple of trips to the vet and xrays for my horse, then we found out she had a broken paddle bone, she is retired to pasture now, but i would never give up on her and shes 26
2007-01-25 05:47:38 · answer #10 · answered by Calais 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋