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Post by mandal on Apr 12, 2009 22:10:15 GMT 1
I daren't ask what a Yorkshire halter is... I am from Yorkshire and I've never heard of one!! A pony my Sister has was led with a rope round his neck by a tractor!! He still has a scar/dip on his neck. That was a one off but the thought of that sort of leading being routine is horrific!!! I suppose to some extent I bury my head, I'm actually really upset by these stories and ashamed to be a human!!
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laura
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Post by laura on Apr 12, 2009 22:37:10 GMT 1
and I thought that natives had a "better" life than some of the showing / competition equines ( eg no gingering, nerve cutting, rapping etc) ........I knew about the branding but not the nicking of ears of natives . better not type nay more what I think , it will be censored def will back kellys petition ..... so another legacy to piper I hope.
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Post by lizpurlo on Apr 13, 2009 0:43:10 GMT 1
Oh Sarah .... I know only too well that awful 'if only' feeling. My beloved Jingo, who I rescued from a skid row market as a yearling..... when he was four, I moved him up the road to a friend's place so I'd have company when I started riding him out. Unknown to me, I moved him away from his lovely safe field to a grass sickness hotspot - and six weeks later he died of GS. I have never known such pain, laced as it was with guilt.
During his six weeks there I rode him out - and he was wonderful, everything I'd hoped he'd be. And every time I dismounted after our ride, I told him how marvellous he was and how much I loved him - we had such a strong bond, as you had with Piper.
These wee vulnerable beasties come to us for a reason, to teach us and fill us with joy when we realise we can reach them. And they leave us for a reason too, although it's so hard for us to accept when they leave us so soon.
'The best-laid plans o' mice and men gang aft agley- And leave us naught but grief and pain for promised joy.'
Jingo's legacy? A Welsh Cob habit .... every one of which has come as a forlorn youngster from a sale... and a tendency on my part to praise and thank each and every cob I ride as if it were our last ever ride.
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Post by SarahW on Apr 13, 2009 8:06:27 GMT 1
Every morning when I wake up, my first thought is, Piper is dead. I hope it stops soon.
The vets have accepted that the stress of the sedation procedure must have been a contributory factor in his death. I have no intention of suing or naming and shaming, they didn;t intend this should happen and I'm glad that they haven;t just rammed the shutters down. If I can get something positive out of this, perhaps in the way that vets treat their clients, human and equine, I will. If we start to have an intelligent debate about the practices surrounding semi-feral ponies I shall be pleased too.
I cannot tell you how much everyone's kind words have helped me.
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Post by Diane D on Apr 13, 2009 18:31:50 GMT 1
Sara I am so sorry to hear about Piper. RIP Piper. Sending you ((hugs)))) xxx
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Post by felicia on Apr 13, 2009 18:41:38 GMT 1
So very sorry. He was a special horse x x x
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licey
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Post by licey on Apr 14, 2009 12:40:30 GMT 1
Have only just logged on, but am so sorry Sarah xx
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Post by Zuzan on Apr 14, 2009 13:00:08 GMT 1
oh what a loss... feel for you.
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HeatherL*
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Post by HeatherL* on Apr 14, 2009 13:18:10 GMT 1
I'm so very sorry to hear about Piper, thinking of you Sarah x
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Post by Jenny A and Jigsaw on Apr 14, 2009 13:23:27 GMT 1
Hi Sarah Only just logged on but I did hear from Tim M about Piper and I am so so sorry. I have had similar experiences with some 'professionals' who I feel have given bad advice. I had my first NF pony - Tango put down 5 years ago nearly to the day and I still feel guilty that there was perhaps more I could have done. I've had a few episodes of poor advice from vets / farriers with Monty and Woody and finally I feel I have got the strength to now question my vet when things don't quite seem right and I now use Tim M (done away with farriers for ever)! I just never felt I knew enough to question a professional - but trusting our instincts is definitely the way forward. We are the ones who know our horses and we should all learn from what's happened ... I really feel for your loss though and hope you can find fitting way of remembering how special he was to you and many others...(I found IH after I lost Tango - how much more special could you get)! Much love and hugs from the me and the ponies x
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Moe
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Post by Moe on Apr 14, 2009 15:15:00 GMT 1
Sarah, I am so sorry to hear this. He was a truly inspirationaly little pony, with real wow factor!
You did so much for him and he in return gave you alot too. A real partnership, he was very lucky to have you as his human!
RIP Piper x
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Post by neal on Apr 14, 2009 16:53:03 GMT 1
I was dreadfully sadened when I heard there was a stallion that no one could save. I went back from Exmoor in a state of hating the world.
Then someone akin to a real superhero, a real angel even, stood up (That's the RA Sarah Weston) and said she was taking Piper on--saving this proud, magnificent wild animal from the Continental deli.
I had the utmost gratitude and admiration for her for doing such a thing. They said she was mad but with limitless patience and great skill she allowed Piper to have a life no one else could possibly have provided for him.
I am not going to be angry out of respect for Sarah Weston RA Super hero, angel of mercy, failed legal wizard--but I would sue the pants of them and laugh like a tickled rat as they squealled. But she is made of better stuff than me and she will continue making the world a better place for horses despite those who forget the maxim: Primo non nocere.
Thanks for saving Piper in the first place Sarah! It meant a lot to me.
xxxx
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Post by SarahW on Apr 21, 2009 10:00:13 GMT 1
I just wanted to let you know that I have today spoken to the vets involved and they have accepted that they got things wrong including attitude and lack of communication. I don't want to have some sort of sticky label that I attach to anyone with the word "blame" on it. It won't bring Piper back. I'm not expecting a bill from them but I would rather have a large bill and a large pony than no bill and no pony at all.
The good news is that on Sunday I went to the Caspian Horse Society to do a demo with several horses including a 10 year old stallion called Basil. Basil has not been touched since he was a yearling and until Sunday, wouldn't allow anyone to touch him. By Sunday lunch time he was letting Dale touch him all the way up to his ears with his hand. And....Dale is a veterinary student! The stud owner Fleur and her friend Holly (who organised the event) are also veterinary students. There were two others there. So that's already a handful of vets that I have been able to talk to about ways in which they can help horses to see them as friends not foe and at least set out on the right foot when they meet a horse for the first time.
I'm also going to talk to the big veterinary schools to see whether I can give a talk or even better a short demo on the tiny little bits of technique which would help horses when they arrive and what they can do with and advise owners about with horses that are really awkward.
Wish me luck!
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Post by Zuzan on Apr 21, 2009 10:07:27 GMT 1
Wonderful news about the vet students and Basil.... all the best
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Post by donnalex on Apr 21, 2009 10:08:57 GMT 1
Good luck!
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