| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Pheebs
Gold Member
944 Posts |
 Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 11:10:01 AM
|
A local riding school is currently using the field next to ours for a 38 year old horse to live out her "last summer" before being pts next month. She has taught 100's of people to ride in her lifetime. Since she's been in the field (since March time) they've only been up to see her once or twice (she didn't have water so I've been regularly filling it up) and nobody could get anywhere near her. I felt so sorry for her that I decided i'd try and spend time with her. It didn't take long and she now waits for me, and comes straight up to me for a cuddle and scratch, and when I leave she stands at the fence calling for awhile. I'm really bonding with her, and my neighbour told me I need to be careful about getting too attached given what will be at the end of the summer.
She suffers from terrible mud fever and I know it would be cruel in many senses to keep her going over the winter when it gets so boggy but I am just so sad that at the end of her life she has just been left like this.
|
Edited by - Pheebs on 14 Aug 2011 5:42:22 PM
|
|
Report to moderator
|
|
|
sab2
Platinum Member
8467 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 11:21:32 AM
|
Poor old girl, at least you are there for her although it should be her owners, sadly when they reach a certain age and of no use some people disregard them, please give this old lady a big hug and a scrub from me  |
Report to Moderator  |
|
|
Pheebs
Gold Member
944 Posts |
|
|
RUTHIE
Gold Member
United Kingdom
1238 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 6:08:31 PM
|
| Why is she being pts, because she is 38 or has other issues? |
     
In Memory of Crystal Flash 2010-2012 |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Ari
Platinum Member
1657 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 6:56:48 PM
|
| Poor old girl. My 29yr old gets more attention than ever because I am so grateful to still have her. She has started a new career bless her as a lead rein pony for my 5 yr old grandson. |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Goldenmane
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4964 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 7:18:29 PM
|
| Oh Pheebs, has she company, apart from you? She obviously loves your attention. If you had'nt been there what would have happened, no water?? Sad, and as for becoming attached to her....too late I'm afraid as you are. |
 |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Quarabian
Platinum Member
Wales
4340 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 7:54:33 PM
|
Can't cope with this. Are we going to rescue her?
I am so glad you are spending some time with her, but why must she die? is it purely financial or has she got medical problems. |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
complete novice
Gold Member
831 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 8:03:57 PM
|
Pheebs where abouts are you?
If they are not providing water surely that is cruelty and should be reported. |
Edited by - complete novice on 13 Aug 2011 8:10:15 PM |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Pheebs
Gold Member
944 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 8:13:05 PM
|
She has company on the other side of an electric fence but only overnight. Another of the riding stables horses was in there until about 3 weeks again because he was lame but they've taken him away. I do know that she suffers from mud fever so the winters are problematic but other than that as far as I can tell she is in okay health. She is about 15hhs and a heavy horse- very cobby with huge beautiful feather.
As you may have seen from another of my threads I cannot take on another hence why I am currently searching for a livery to join us- believe me I am trying to figure a way around it but this is worsened by the fact that our land is hear in Cornwall and I will be mostly residing in Bristol for a couple of years (OH staying behind). I feel awful that I cannot have particularly as I feel we are connecting so well.
What can I do other than make her remaining time as enjoyable as possible? |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Pheebs
Gold Member
944 Posts |
|
|
debs
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3218 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 9:47:56 PM
|
Er sorry but I would beg to differ... in my eyes just not visiting at least once a day IS cruelty.
It does make me angry...
I'm so pleased you have connected with her... poor old dear, done her lifes work then just forgotten.
If someone wants rescue her I can give a small donation...
D'you know what... surely these people think about putting to sleep before they just forget????????????????? |
    |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
debs
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3218 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 9:48:36 PM
|
| And if its a riding school its even worse.......... |
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
debs
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3218 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 9:49:38 PM
|
| Oh god... mind is whirring.... no fly spray either. |
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Pheebs
Gold Member
944 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 10:40:56 PM
|
I'm so sorry I didn't mean to make everyone so angry and upset I just needed to share the sadness I feel for this mare. I will endevour to make her last days with us as special as possible and make sure she is well cared for.
I am sorry I cannot do more. My neighbour (who's field is the one being rented) has been in and out of hospital so I have been looking after 5 horses instead of 2 which alongside work is extremely time consuming and exhausting bearing in mind I suffer from CFS. If I could do more for her, please understand that I would. |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Gerri
Platinum Member
England
4211 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2011 : 09:37:31 AM
|
OMG this is awful please please find someone that will take her on as a companion, please don't let her end her days like his |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
barbara.gregory
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4531 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2011 : 10:21:45 AM
|
If she has bad mud fever in winter she should have her feathers clipped off and if she has cow udder cream (I mix it with liquid parrafin to make it runnier) or something similar on her legs before the mud arrives she will not get mud fever. I had a mare who got it very badly on her one white leg (although they were all white as she was a grey) and by doing that she never got it again. She was stabled at night on deep straw so her legs dried and I just rubbed my hand down her legs to remove any traces of mud in the morning and reapplied the grease. It only needed to be done every other day after the first week or so.
It is so sad that people discard old horses like a broken telly.
Many years ago when I had my horses at DIY where we all rented stables and our own field a new horse appeared in a field in the early summer. She was obviously very old, a bit arthritic and one huge knee. It turned out that her owners were wealthy people who had point to pointers and this old mare in her thirties had been the wife's beloved pony. She then went on a series of loans and had now come back as she was no longer rideable. The people never came near her. Three of us clubbed together and rented a stable for the winter and between us we fed her and looked after her all winter, one of the others had a rug that fitted her so she even had a nice rug. On day the folowwing spring when we got to the yard she had disappeared and we heard later that the owners had come and taken her to be slaughtered. Nice people, we never even saw them; probably just as well! She was such a sweet mare and no bother at all, how anyone who had owned her and supposedly loved her could just throw her out in a field and forget her I do not know particularly as they had "better" horses who they lavished care on.
Barbara |
    |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Pheebs
Gold Member
944 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2011 : 10:28:30 AM
|
I have been looking for someone to take her as a companion but the horse world in Cornwall seems to have come to a stop. Even the nicest of horses priced reasonably aren't finding homes which leaves me with little hope for her.
I just don't know what to do.
My neighbour who's field she is in should be out of hospital and back up at the field in the next day or so, I will see if she's got any ideas as she knows far more people than I! However I think she has already tried and failed to find her a home. |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Quarabian
Platinum Member
Wales
4340 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2011 : 12:19:21 PM
|
Pheebs, don't feel bad. This isn't really your problem. I am glad you brought it to our attention and now if there is anyone who can help at least they are aware.
As to the cruelty issue, well, I suppose the riding school were at least trying to give her a summer at grass by way of a thank you. The fact that they haven't done a very good job doesn't mean they are heartless.
I just don't want you to feel bad about this, you are doing what you can. |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Pheebs
Gold Member
944 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2011 : 12:23:07 PM
|
Thank you Quarabian, you have no idea how much that means to me.
The mare & I are becoming closer still which is making this even harder- I don't want to let her down but I feel that at least spending the time that I am with her is better than nothing.
The use of my neighbours field is in exchange for the riding school taking one of her ponies who needed to be taught some manners under the saddle (he's a sweetheart, who just needed a firm hand) and he wasn't due to be back until September so I assumed thats how long the mare had left with me. However I have just found out he's returning early, this saturday so I don't know what that means for the mare. As soon as I know more I will update you all.
In the meantime, tonight she will be getting a good groom! |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Offira
Platinum Member
England
1583 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2011 : 1:57:32 PM
|
Oh bless her, 38 is a fantastic age. I bet she really appreciates you making a fuss of her. If she is living out without supplementary feed or anyone caring for her (apart from you) she is doing really well.
I would be willing to donate a bit to cover moving costs if someone is able to take her on. I have a 36 year old who is very demanding (in fact a total brat) so can't take another one on. I have a Rambo Exel 6ft turnout that would prob fit her and/or a Masta stable rug if that is any help. |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Paresh
Gold Member
613 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2011 : 2:45:04 PM
|
| poor girl, I had to have our old pony PTS the other week at the age of 37yrs, the last two winters had taken their toll on him, and he wasnt a happy pony anymore, he had lost his spark and it was time to let him go, I hope its the same for this girl and not just that she isnt able to earn her keep anylonger so they are getting rid off her. |
     |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
complete novice
Gold Member
831 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2011 : 2:48:44 PM
|
| It isn't you Pheebs who has made people angry, they are angry about the situation. Everyone is aware you are doing all you can so don't feel bad about bringing it to peoples attention, she's lucky to have found you. |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Pheebs
Gold Member
944 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2011 : 2:56:27 PM
|
I'll try and take some pics of her this afternoon, she's such a pretty mare.
 |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Pheebs
Gold Member
944 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2011 : 5:45:53 PM
|
Me giving her a good groom (and believe me it was needed she must have been so itchy and uncomfortable)
After her groom enjoying some garlic lick (once she figured out it wasn't a monster!) and exploring the grooming kit
Having a cuddle
Letting me know she really DID enjoy that garlic lick after all!
 |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
sab2
Platinum Member
8467 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2011 : 6:50:00 PM
|
What a lovely old lady, looks like she is really enjoying your company, i am happy to chip in with some money if it helps  |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
ali bali
Gold Member
Scotland
641 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2011 : 6:59:19 PM
|
| Bless you Pheebs, its a kind and brave thing you are doing, giving the old girl some love and dignity in her last days. Alison |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Topic |
|
A little bit sad...UPDATE + PICS
