gill
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Post by gill on Jan 1, 2010 13:52:42 GMT 1
I bought an elderly mare four months ago 20 + year old. She has been a bit stiff on her hinds but enjoys a light hack out with the others . The main problem is when she goes down she struggles to get up. In the last four weeks she has gone down three times and could not get up. Vet out 1st time she went down said she is very stiff put on bute and told to just keep an eye on her. She was down 9am this morning had been down a while took two strong men to get her up, when up she is fine but I cant go on like this !! its not fair on her. I dread going to the field as dont know what I might find. Please anyone need advice .
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Post by julz on Jan 1, 2010 14:12:34 GMT 1
if you havent got her on any supplememnts like cortaflex, i'd be inclined to try that.. (if you get the one that is fortified with HA) either in powder or liquid... see if that helps, if not.... let her go. it's not fun for a horse that cannot get up easily and fly, should she need too.. horses being flight animals need to know that they can get up and go should the need arise... Im sorry, probably not what you wanted to hear....
being out 24/7 would be better, as less likely to stiffen completely, but if she's lying down alot then she's needing some rest time.
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Post by Furiey on Jan 1, 2010 14:22:12 GMT 1
I'm afraid you need to think about the quality of her life. If you can keep her comfortable, maybe increase her medication so that she can get up, otherwise if you can not get her to be able to get up herself you are probably coming to have to make a decision for her. It was this that finally caused me to have my old pony put to sleep at the age of 36. He would injure himself in his attempts to get up until he was unable to try any longer. We lifted him up several times, but it was heartbreaking to finally have to make the decision. I do know however of one old pony that was lifted to his feet every morning with a winch in his stable and he lived for many years like that. Perhaps discuss with your vet about increasing medication to keep her comfortable. Is she in or out when she goes down? We found with my old pony that letting him stay out and move around stopped him getting quite so stiff at night. Best wishes.
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gill
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Post by gill on Jan 1, 2010 14:35:24 GMT 1
She is on several supplements julz she is out 24/7 with stable to go in and out I took her on to give her a better life she is such a sweety but this is really a problem for me and her !!
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gill
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Post by gill on Jan 1, 2010 14:56:50 GMT 1
She never goes in stable perhaps she had a bad experience in one ? she always goes down outside and in this weather its even worse. The vet suggested bute for the rest of her life but she is still going down and still cant get back up without help.
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Post by tikkatonks on Jan 1, 2010 15:20:17 GMT 1
I used to ride a horse with similar issues , he seemed fine on light hacks but then one day he stumbled and fell onto my leg, he proceeded to struggle to get up. Fortunately the ground was soft and my leg was just a bit squished but my foot was hurt quite badly. He was fine but I would be very cautious about ever getting on a horse that struggles to get up again.
Best of luck with finding a solution.
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Ann NF
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Post by Ann NF on Jan 1, 2010 16:08:35 GMT 1
Our mare Flaky is on bute for the rest of her life, for back-end arthritis. She will be twenty this year and retired several years ago as riding was obviously causing her discomfort. I find myself keeping a close eye on her movments and her attitude every day. When she gets to the stage of not being able to get herself up, or something similar, then she will go to Rainbow Bridge. So far, so good this winter, but you have to prepare yourself....
I hope that your mare improves Gill. If not, then don`t feel guilty if you have to send her on her way with dignity. She has known good care and love while you have had her. Hoping that she does make it through to another summer...xx
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