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Post by Jenny (& the boys) on Nov 2, 2009 12:08:08 GMT 1
Dan asked me to post to let you know Woody is settling in well. He had lots of visitors over the weekend and they had very kindly come with lots of new clothes for him so he is as snug as a bug now, happily chomping hay in the stable and getting ready for the next stage. Dan would like to thank everyone who came and donated something and to you guys for caring about Woody. Rest assured he will get all the medical checks/treatment he requires as well as the mental/energetic healing he needs Heather - try not to get wound up by those doing the judging. They don't know this horse, they haven't seen this horse so their comments are pretty much guff!
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Post by Ally S on Nov 2, 2009 13:18:47 GMT 1
Heather, just don't listen! You were a key player in saving that horses life, and if some arm chair critic with no knowledge of the situation feels the need to have a pop because of what 'should' have but could not have happened vet wise then fine. Let them blow off steam. I wonder what they did that was so useful on Friday!?! x
Jen, thanks for posting that. Woody could not be in better hands!
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Post by mandal on Nov 2, 2009 13:35:48 GMT 1
I am being berated on my own forum, by some members as he was not checked out by a top veterinary hospital with all the massively expensive equipment first, to ensure that he hasnt any really deep seated physiological problem, but the owner hadnt the several thousand pounds to hand in order to get this done. He is not lame and had just passed a five stage vetting a couple of months before, and I cannot see an insurance company paying out for vets fees as they would consider this a behavioural problem. Sadly in a perfect world this may have been able to happen and there are people who feel traumatized horses should never be used at Demos... I don't know... I suppose we can all hope that horses will never get to this stage, but circimstances in this case seem to have had a good outcome. Again horses have to suffer (pts) to protect humans from what humans have made them!!!! I wish Dan all the best and I am praying that Woody can be helped and live a happy life in the future. Mta... to take out a 'sadly' which changed my meaning and say Heather well done for doing something positive to help Woody.
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pd
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 1,367
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Post by pd on Nov 2, 2009 13:40:28 GMT 1
Those criticising this wonderful outcome for the horse are living in cloud cuckoo land where money is no object and each horse is a cherished object for its owner.
Congratulations to all who helped him get to this Demo and a thoroughly agree with the use of the buck stopper in this instance to allow the "real" horse to be seen. I hope Dan has great success with him but if not, I feel he is the right person to decide what's best for him.
Heather, thank you for being a true horse lover and for putting your reputation on the line to help him find another way forward, even if all posters can't see that is what you did.
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Post by heather on Nov 2, 2009 14:45:30 GMT 1
Thanks all of you, for your support. My reputation frankly, is something I have never cared a jot about- the welfare of the horse is paramount to me, and stuff anyone who thinks less of me because of this!! ;D
Heather
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Post by rj on Nov 2, 2009 17:45:44 GMT 1
Surely you guessed that would happen, Heather?!
There is something about people who get on horse-forums, who have little or no practical experience, and speak a load of high-minded, idealistic manure, and are quite frankly just poisonous!
Nothing wrong with those who questioned the facts that weren't already given, of course, and who weren't at the venue, to ask for clarification. It's the ones who look for a way of causing a furore, or making deliberately hurtful or spiteful comments - I hope they NEVER get close to a horse. If they're like that with people, it's a fair indication of the way they behave with horses too. Scary :-(
Sounds like Woody is in a safe place and will get the best chance of a future. I think there may be a book, a film, a series.....?
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rh
No Longer Posts on the DG
Posts: 263
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Post by rh on Nov 2, 2009 18:03:42 GMT 1
Do I take it you mean me rj in your last comment ?
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Post by SarahW on Nov 2, 2009 19:11:29 GMT 1
Oh please be careful, there is a whole world of difference between criticising and just asking a question or pondering about something. It's when people aren't allowed to even ask the question that they get fed up. In this case they've asked and it's been answered well and it's good to see what a balancing act (pardon the pun for Adrian!) it all is.
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Post by dismith on Nov 2, 2009 19:59:27 GMT 1
I have to say that we did hope that someone at Monty's demo would be able to take Woody on. There is no way, even with our collective experience, that we could have dealt with Woody's issues ourselves. It was on veterinary advice that the decision was taken to have him put down, as it seemed very likely that this problem was most probably an issue of long standing. Before his owner bought him he had been standing in a field for nearly 3 years, but following purchase had been ridden quietly for about 6 weeks. A terrific bucking episode resulted in the owner - a mother of 2 young children - being hurt. A professional event rider had a very similar experience but was at least unhurt. A vet and a physio could not find anything wrong. There may be underlying issues but only great expense and a very understanding husband would be required. There was no way that the owner was ever ever going to sit on Woody again. She could have passed him on like the previous owner did - and I cannot believe that they were not aware - but quite responsibly, she did not. The opportunity of meeting Monty came along quite by chance through Heather and we just thought - maybe someone with enough experience would take him on. So he was taken there to pass on, but only for less than she would have got for him at Potters, £250 as announced. Had the prospective owner not have been of the right calibre - in the opinion of Monty and other trusted people present, then I am afraid rather than risk someone being very badly hurt - he would still have been destroyed.
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Post by heather on Nov 2, 2009 20:09:15 GMT 1
I knew it would be contentious, Ro, but this wouldnt stop me trying to save the life of a horse who deserves a second chance. Some people will think less of me, because of my choice to save the horse and give him this chance, but that was my risk, and my choice.
I wonder if those who feel I did wrong, were in the same position as I had been, would they have stood by and let Woody go to his death on Wednesday? The owner hadnt the money to risk to have lengthy and costly investigations, so this was not an option.
Sensible, reasoned questions about this, I have no problem with, as dptc and others have asked. rh, you did not criticise on my forum, either, merely asked questions which were perfectly reasonable.
As I said, only time will tell. Dan will I am certain, keep us updated with Woody's progress, or inform us if there is something so wrong with him that he has no future. Either way, I feel I was right to do what I did, and would do the same again, if the situation arose.
Heather
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dptc
Olympic Poster
Posts: 557
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Post by dptc on Nov 2, 2009 20:17:27 GMT 1
I can't see why any one would think any less of you, you have saved his life and given him a chance, it was his only chance of a future and he got it!
Edited to add: Really pleased to hear he is settling in ok!
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Bay Mare
Grand Prix Poster
Olympic Poster
Speak to the hoof
Posts: 1,818
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Post by Bay Mare on Nov 2, 2009 20:31:57 GMT 1
Heather, just don't listen! You were a key player in saving that horses life, and if some arm chair critic with no knowledge of the situation feels the need to have a pop because of what 'should' have but could not have happened vet wise then fine. Let them blow off steam. Frankly I find this attitude offensive. So we're not even allowed to question then? How does anyone ever learn or methods move on if we're not allowed to query things? Why does anyone who questions something rather than following the sheep immediately get condemned as an 'armchair critic' or a bully? Heather and the owners could only do what they saw best with the knowledge in front of them at the time, I am not and never will criticise them for that. I can't see what the issue is with asking questions though! Not on Friday but prior to this I saved lives in my day job, quite a few lives. Is THAT useful enough for you?
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Post by Ally S on Nov 2, 2009 21:01:13 GMT 1
Bay Mare. You have every right to whatever opinion you want. Asking questions is wonderful and helps all of us to learn. Sadly we have a few people on here who don't question to learn - they just try to make an anti IH point whatever the circumstance. All I know is that a wonderful horse's ife was saved on Friday. No time for questions or debate - just a good job done. And I am finding it VERY offensive that people who refuse to understand the situation still think it's OK to have a go! I admit I feel very emotional about this one - I was there, I saw the horse and I am so pleased his life was saved on Friday. Excuse me if I fail to appreciate comments from people who never saw the horse, who do not or will not understand the severity of the situation, but who just see fit to comment negatively anyway!
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Post by heather on Nov 2, 2009 21:12:31 GMT 1
Questions are always welcome, Bay Mare, I have no problem with questions, but sometimes threads such as these turn into an inquisition and it then makes it difficult to defend my own motives!! My motive? Purely to save the life of a horse!
Heather
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Post by Del Boy on Nov 2, 2009 21:17:23 GMT 1
On behalf of Woody, Heather, I thank you, for taking the time, to bother Oh, by the way, this came to mind; The Horse's Prayer
To thee, my master, I offer my prayer. Feed me, water and care for me, and when the day's work is done, provide me with shelter, a clean, dry bed, and stall wide enough for me to lie down in comfort.
Always be kind to me. Your voice often means as much to me as the reins. Pet me sometimes, that I may serve you the more gladly and learn to love you. Do not jerk the reins, and do not whip me when going uphill. Never strike, beat, or kick me when I do not understand you. Watch me, and if I fail to do your bidding, see if something is not wrong with my harness or feet.
Do not check me so that I cannot have free use of my head. If you insist that I wear blinkers, so that I cannot see behind me as it was intended I should, I pray you be careful that the blinders stand well out of my eyes. Do not overload me, or hitch me where water will drip on me. Keep me well shod. Examine my teeth when I do not eat, I may have an ulcerated tooth, and that, you know, is very painful. Do not tie my head in an unnatural position, or take away my best defense against flies and mosquitoes by cutting off my tail.
I cannot tell you when I am thirsty, so give me clean, cool water often. Save me, by all means in your power from that fatal disease - the glanders. I cannot tell you in words when I am sick, so watch me, that by signs you may know my condition. Give me all possible shelter from the hot sun, and put a blanket on me, not when I am working, but when I am standing in the cold. Never put a frosty bit in my mouth, first warm it by holding it a moment in your hands.
I try to carry you and your burden without a murmur, and wait patiently for you long hours of the day or night. Without the power to choose my shoes or path, I sometimes fall on hard pavement which I have often prayed might not be of wood but of such a nature as to give me safe and sure footing. Remember that I must be ready at any moment to lose my life in your service.
And finally, OH MY MASTER, when my useful strength is gone, do not turn me out to starve or freeze, or sell me to some cruel owner, to be slowly tortured and starved to death, but do thou, My Master, take my life in the kindest way, and your God will reward you here and hereafter. You will not consider me irreverent if I ask this in the name of Him who was born in a stable.
AMEN
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