| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
|
ACGODFREY
Silver Member
United Kingdom
440 Posts |
 Posted - 12 Jul 2013 : 3:29:48 PM
|
Hello all,
Due to increasingly poor health (MS), I have gone from working full time, riding my two horses, running, being very busy & generally doing what most folk in their 30's do, to struggling to get off the sofa for days on end. Fortunately I am having a good spell just now, and with new meds hope things will stabilise, but having been in denial about the progressive nature of my condition have now realised I can no longer financially or physically support my two Arabs.
I want to try to keep my older boy as have had him for 13 years and can rely on him 100% to be very gentle, tolerant and kind in less able times. After 18 months of no riding I'm back on and enjoying some gentle hacks
 .
Unfortunately my younger boy is causing me a conundrum. I've had him from 9 months old and he is now 10, but he is not saleable. He developed navicular aged 4 & then low level unilateral stifle lameness. He also has a most spectacular scar across his belly from an accident in 2007. With good shoeing of his fore legs & low level schooling/gentle hacking on suitable ground he's remained sound. He's quite a cheeky boy, so does sometimes create amusement for himself at the expense of the humans!
A good instructor friend who rode him regularly for me has spread the word locally for responsible share/loan or companion opportunities but the feedback is not positive. I've spoken to WHW who are not able to help of offer any other advice. I have considered the blood bank but need to find out more.
They both live out 24/7 & live off fresh air so I can't save any money by changing how they are managed. His front shoes have been off for 5 weeks & so far he seems fine.
Being realistic, will anyone want to take him on as a companion, and are there any other ideas? Times are hard financially for everyone & most folk want a rideable, sensible companion who can be left by themselves & not turn themselves inside out.
Any thoughts or experiences, please? There must have been so many others that have found themselves in similar situations.
Sorry for the essay
Anne
|
|
Report to moderator
|
|
|
Nichole Waller
Gold Member
England
1168 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jul 2013 : 3:37:18 PM
|
| So sorry to hear about your situation. I can't offer no practice help with re homing your boy but I hope things work out for you. |
       |
Report to Moderator  |
|
|
alison
Platinum Member
Wales
1810 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jul 2013 : 4:44:43 PM
|
| Hi Anne sorry to hear this, but wishing you the best of luck and look after yourself.Alison |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jul 2013 : 4:47:49 PM
|
| Hello Anne, sorry I can't help, but I wish you lots of luck finding a new home for him if at all possible. & to echo Alison, do take care of yourself. |
    |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Kharidian
Platinum Member
England
4297 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jul 2013 : 4:55:20 PM
|
Sorry to hear this - MS is horrid (my Dad was diagnosed in his 40s). I hope you manage to find him a lovely home and can carry on riding your older horse for many more years.
Caryn |
Kharidian (Prince Sadik x Khiri)........ Alkara Cassino (H Tobago x Rose Aboud)
aka "Roger".................................... aka "Chips"
     
The first image is from an original painting by Pat Shorto.
South-East Essex |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Tomos
Gold Member
Wales
940 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jul 2013 : 5:39:37 PM
|
Hi Anne, I can't really offer any practical help but just wanted to wish you the very best. Your story has a resonance for me as my partner is in the progressive stage of MS, over the last few years we have had to face up to reality ie loss of health and income and reduce our numbers drastically and sell horses I really didn't want to, I am fortunately still in relatively good health for someone nearer 60 than 50, but am now having to work harder and longer to maintain our remaining horses and care for Ol.
One thing that did cross my mind if he's a hardy type is conservation grazing ?
I really hope you have far more remission than relapse and wish you all the very best in sorting something out for your boy
Mandy |
"An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind" Gandhi
www.hispanoarabeswales.co.uk
www.thewelshcrabbetshow.org.uk |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Ari
Platinum Member
1657 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jul 2013 : 7:25:37 PM
|
I really wish you all the best with your health and finding a home for your young boy. Feel sad I can't help, but I don't have my own place and just work to look after my horse and other assorted pets.
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Pasch
Platinum Member
2277 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jul 2013 : 10:57:17 PM
|
| I am sorry about your situation,can't help but hope you will be able to keep riding your older Arab.Will he not need company though?It is a difficult time but maybe keep looking for a share?As for MS I have a US Facebook friend who has Arabs and MS,she could maybe give you good advice,please PM me if you want me to give you her name.All the best. |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
SuziQ
Gold Member
England
922 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jul 2013 : 11:13:08 PM
|
| I am so sorry to hear of your troubles and do hope that you find a happy solution for you and your younger boy, I have a friend with MS who is still riding her IDxArab, caring for him is a huge motivator and helps keep her mobility levels up. |
Everyone in my life brings me happiness, some by arriving others by leaving. |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Pandora
Bronze Member
77 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2013 : 12:34:00 AM
|
Just starting down similar path of having to reappraise my future with my small herd of horses since an injury last year resulted in a similar type of degenerative disease, fortunately I have a son who while not 100% both feet in the horse camp made the decision himself some years ago to want to continue my work with our horses...he just has had to be launched a little faster into taking over.
A long way back in my equine military past I worked with the former ILPH now http://www.worldhorsewelfare.org/Our-Work
it is not all about only jumping in to help abused horses, they are there and will help in situations like this where through no fault both horse and owner can not continue alone and ILPH will look at taking in horses like your boy.
They will spend the time seeing how best they can care for him which may mean him permanently staying at one of their establishments turned out to pasture or if they have the means and it is possible he may be retrained and schooled and find a working loan home but still be under their 'ownership/protection' for life. You would also be able to keep in touch and know how he gets on.
You loose nothing by contacting them and talking to them.
All the best to you and your boys. |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
martha615
Gold Member
England
1053 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2013 : 08:10:40 AM
|
| I feel terrible for you and and wish it could be different. If I think of anything, I will let you know. So glad you can keep at least one of them. |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Misshana
Silver Member
England
449 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2013 : 12:40:55 PM
|
| Sorry to hear your health problems. I think this is something we all worry about as we get older. A friend of mine who was very ill with lung cancer, gave her two horses to Redwings who kept them for the rest of their lives. Hope everything works out for you. |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
natntaz
Platinum Member
England
2919 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2013 : 1:21:07 PM
|
So sorry for your situation. No advice but wish you good
Luck with what you ever you decide x |
   
Natalie Pix. Essex. Tariq ibn Radfan and Taroub |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
ACGODFREY
Silver Member
United Kingdom
440 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jul 2013 : 7:04:03 PM
|
Hi all,
Thank you for your very kind words and thoughts. I appreciate it.
Tomos, I know nothing about conservation grazing, but living in Scotland, may investigate further.
Pandora, I have contacted the WHW already & they seem unable to help. Perhaps I will try again & emphasise my position more. I understand their priority is neglect/cruelty cases & they are probably confident that someone considering the best future for their horse in advance of it becoming a crisis situation will PTS before welfare is compromised.
Pasch, I would love to be able to communicate with someone else with this condition & horses to share ideas & experiences. My boys are on grass livery 20 plus miles from where I live (Edinburgh) so there are many horses for company if just my older boy stayed with me. Of course, this means I really cannot cut costs, particularly as there are limited yards in this area that offer 24/7 grass livery. But at the same time, when I have been in relapse (9 months last time), I can be confident they are ok & getting the care they need when I am not functioning well and I have good friends there who always help me out.
I remain hopeful that I can find a solution at some point that I am comfortable is the best for him. I know my family will help me out financially if I need it, which alleviates panic! In the meantime, physically I am in the best condition I have been for 2 years and will keep relishing spending quality time with my boys in the sun!
Thanks again everyone.
Anne
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Quarabian
Platinum Member
Wales
4340 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jul 2013 : 8:18:18 PM
|
Just a message of support ACGODFERY
Thinking of youat this difficult time. |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Goldenmane
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4964 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jul 2013 : 07:24:44 AM
|
| Sorry for your situation, keep spreading the word about your younger boy, you never know what will turn up. |
 |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Pasch
Platinum Member
2277 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jul 2013 : 11:25:37 AM
|
| Have PM'd you |
Edited by - Pasch on 15 Jul 2013 11:37:02 AM |
| Report to Moderator |
|
| |
Topic |
|
Sad situation - advice please
