Yesterday after returning home from a doctor's appointment we found my horse laying down in her turnout.
This is completely off behavior for her of course, head on the ground and everything. She could have been like this for up to 4 hours. Was completely fine when we left.
I immediately got her up and started walking her, she pooped but I had still called the vet immediately. I really thought she would be fine.
Vet gave her pain meds, banamine, did an exam, tried to flush her, got nothing. Stomach was very distended, her eyes were cloudy and she kept going down.
We had to wait about 40 minutes for a trailer and she took 2 more rounds of pain meds.
At the emergency vet they did an ultrasound, belly stick, medical management to see if they could help relieve some of the gas, IV fluids, and pain meds every 20-30 minutes. Every once in awhile she would seem to come back around and then go back.
I was given the option for surgery and trying to scrape together the funds. She went down in the stall again. When I mentioned her old hip injury (she is an OTTB rescue and we think she flipped in the starting gate) the vets started to change their minds and advise against surgery thinking that even if she made it through, which wasn't looking good, she would brutally injure herself in recovery.
I made the decision to euthanize her but it is tearing me up. I feel like I should have tried everything even if it was throwing money away. Like if I had gotten home and noticed sooner I could have saved her. She was my first and only horse. I am so torn with guilt and sadness I don't know what to do.
Do you think it was possible to save her? Have you had a similar situation?
The hospital happens to have a rescue that needs a home who they think would be a good fit but it seems way too soon. I can't even look at the barn without bursting into tears. I want to help the other mare but I don't know how to get over these feelings.
Before I ask my question, I just want to be clear that I have never ridden a horse. A donkey once when I was a kid, but after watching the Rohirrim charge from Lord of the Rings and Balin's charge against the Saracens in the Kingdom of Heaven. I'm crazy curious.
What it's like galloping with a pack of horses and riders beside you? How much does it differ from riding yourself?
Because I intend to ride a horse one day and try shooting a bow and arrow from horseback and hitting a target.
And I'd love to ride with a group of 10 friends pretty much side by ride wielding a lance or sword each. (even if they're only mock versions), just to feel the thrill of a Calvary charge!
I know that it would take time to practice and cost quite a bit, but it would be hella worth it! :P
But until then, I'd love to hear from those who have done it!
Hi! I ride a horse in my lessons and I think I am going to lease him come January, but our biggest problem is our turning. In one corner of the arena we always have problems. On right lead canter we will be doing a circle at the end of the arena, where he will drop his outside shoulder and try to drag the circle larger or try to go down the long side. In my most recent lesson this caused me to fall when he ran into a jump standard while trying to go down the long side. I know its something that I am doing wrong, but my trainer just has me do more circles in that corner which seem to help at the moment but not in the long term.
What can I do, either by myself or with the horse, to keep him from dropping the outside shoulder and get him to turn more responsively? Thanks for the help!
Horse Ugly Christmas https://imgur.com/a/zxwimAO
I'm really nervous but also really excited about tomorrow. It'll be the first time in 2 years I'm horsebackriding again. I quit 2 years ago after 8 years of being an equestrian, but I am really happy to have made the decision to go riding again.
i'm a 19yr and my mom has 2 beautiful 17 hh horses. I figured i'll start riding lessons but on a smaller horse at the barn. I did tiny trail rides back at my cottage and the horse i was on started to run past the other horses and it created a fear. Any tips on my first lesson and what to expect? Any good tips on how to become a better rider ??
