I got me a new "OLD" horse Long
Question:
Hi everybody….it’s been a two or three weeks since I’ve been able to log on….and I’m still not getting all the posts. But I’ve also been a tad busy. Let me tell you all about it. Well….I rescued myself a horse. Or I should say, a bag of bones held together by skin. I answered an ad in the paper for a companion horse for my mare, and in hope for light riding mount so I could accompany my son…I was already tipped off by the price that I wasn’t going to look at the reincarnation of Man O War….after all, a $500.00 horse is a….well, usually a $500.00 horse. So my expectations were reasonably low, but when I got there!!! There was this poor old feller, stuck in a yard. A bare YARD, not a pasture, and this old guy was pitiful. Skin and bone…about 400 lbs underweight, a blown knee…….and it literally looked like he was standing on four stovepipes instead of legs. Now I know that horses get old, and they get sick, and I was fully prepared to walk away, but the old guy came right over to me and started begging for something to eat, so I asked them if they had some hay they could throw him. The woman quite airily told me that he had plenty of hay…..it was lying right over there, but when I looked it was clear to see that the "hay" they had been feeding him was actually straw. Yup….straw….the kind of stuff you and I use as bedding. So I asked where their oats were and what kind of supplements they had given this old guy to try to help him maintain his weight. Supplements??? I take a deep breath and try to control my anger/annoyance, and since the old guy was pestering me for food, I took a look in his mouth……. he has no upper teeth! No cusp, no cup, they’re even with the gums….and if he’s a mere 15 then I’m a Rockette. So they bring a bucket of grain….whole, hard, grain….and he tries to eat it and more is falling out of his mouth than going in. While he’s got his head in the bucket, I go look at his poop. Surprise, surprise….what little he’s getting down is not even stopping in his gut long enough to break down, it’s going straight through. He’s starving to death on the hoof….and then there is the matter of the big open sores on both shoulders. When I questioned her about them, she told me that last fall she put a blanket on him and "sort of" forgot to take it off….or even check it. Seems that he finally got it wrapped around his front legs and went down before they got around to taking it off. Okay, I admit it…I’m pissed. So I ask where is his water. Seems that they (when they remember to) carry out a five gallon bucket once a day….that should be enough huh? AND I should know that he can be real dangerous. I look at the old horse, who hardly has enough energy to move, and say "Dangerous, how?" Well, they put their little girl on his poor old sway back and were leading him, when he stumbled on that bad knee and swollen legs and went down to his knees and their little darling fell off. Now I’m no longer pissed and well into furious, so I tell them they have a choice…..they can call the vet and have the old feller put down right now, they can give him to me and let me take him to my barn and call the vet to see if I can either save him or have him put down…….OR I could call the HS and they could put the old boy down and give them a big fine for mistreatment of an animal, but one way or another, I wasn’t leaving the old horse there to starve to death slowly. After a little blustering, ( she actually had the audacity to tell me that they were big time animal breeders….they sold puppies to stores as far away as Portland…I was "REALLY" impressed, I tell you) they decided that it would be cheaper to let me have him for a dollar. So I loaded him up and brought him home. He went right into quarantene….a good thing, because he had pneumonia….and it was really touch and go for the first week. Neither the vet nor I thought he would live, but for all the abuse his body has taken, his bloodwork came back amazingly good. He was so sick that he stopped eating at all, so we used a syringe and pushed oatmeal mush and mollasses and water with electolites and every vitamin we could think of, down his throat, and be damned if the old boy didn’t start to come around. Because he is an old trouper his name is now Soldier….and because he can’t eat hay, he is getting alphalfa pellets and Equine senior. After getting enough water down him, the swelling started going down in his legs and you can actually see that he has ankles now. The sores on his shoulders are healed and the hair is starting to come back. We have an appointment with the farrier to get his overgrown feet trimmed here next week. He’s probably gained 75lbs in the last three weeks, and is now my son’s 4-H project, complete with pictures. He may never be sound enough for an adult to ride, but that’s okay…in fact he may never make it through the next winter, but that’s okay too. At least I know that he’s going to live out whatever time he has left, as a beloved pet. I have to tell you that there is a wonderful look in his eyes…..and that makes up for the raft of shit that "everyone", including my husband, has given me. Actually my husband has been wonderful…he’s down there helping clean Soldier’s stall and feeding him carrots, right along with the rest of us. Soldier has been adopted as my boy;s 4-H club mascot 
, so he gets lots of carrots and loving pats and is he soaking it up! He must believe he already died and is in horse heaven. He’s been out of quaranteen for the last week, and unbelievably seems to have suffered no lasting affects of the pneumonia. He’s a red chestnut Morgan gelding with a stawberry blonde main and tail and once upon a time must have been a sight to behold. Anyway, that’s what I’ve been doing with my time….and contrary to rumors, I am NOT opening up an old-age home for horses. I just never should have watched him gumming those frickin oats!! Lois E
Response:
Good job, can we help. Dogs, cats, horse they all matter. Hope it has a few really happy months, lots of warmth and a few sweets. dw – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> snip > Lois E
Response:
This is a wonderful thing that you are doing for the poor old guy. I have seen one to many older equines die as a result of innadequate care and feeding. Did you finally get an age on him? My fathers old Arabian show horse died at 33 after having lived a wonderful long life. I hope your guy has a great time for the rest of his days. Tammy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi everybody….it’s been a two or three weeks since I’ve been able to log > on….and I’m still not getting all the posts. But I’ve also been a tad > busy. Let me tell you all about it. > Well….I rescued myself a horse. Or I should say, a bag of bones held > together by skin. I answered an ad in the paper for a companion horse for my > mare, and in hope for light riding mount so I could accompany my son…I was > already tipped off by the price that I wasn’t going to look at the > reincarnation of Man O War….after all, a $500.00 horse is a….well, > usually a $500.00 horse. So my expectations were reasonably low, but when I > got there!!! There was this poor old feller, stuck in a yard. A bare YARD, > not a pasture, and this old guy was pitiful. Skin and bone…about 400 lbs > underweight, a blown knee…….and it literally looked like he was standing > on four stovepipes instead of legs. Now I know that horses get old, and they > get sick, and I was fully prepared to walk away, but the old guy came right > over to me and started begging for something to eat, so I asked them if they > had some hay they could throw him. The woman quite airily told me that he > had plenty of hay…..it was lying right over there, but when I looked it > was clear to see that the "hay" they had been feeding him was actually > straw. Yup….straw….the kind of stuff you and I use as bedding. So I > asked where their oats were and what kind of supplements they had given this > old guy to try to help him maintain his weight. Supplements??? I take a > deep breath and try to control my anger/annoyance, and since the old guy was > pestering me for food, I took a look in his mouth……. he has no upper > teeth! No cusp, no cup, they’re even with the gums….and if he’s a mere 15 > then I’m a Rockette. So they bring a bucket of grain….whole, hard, > grain….and he tries to eat it and more is falling out of his mouth than > going in. While he’s got his head in the bucket, I go look at his poop. > Surprise, surprise….what little he’s getting down is not even stopping in > his gut long enough to break down, it’s going straight through. He’s > starving to death on the hoof….and then there is the matter of the big > open sores on both shoulders. When I questioned her about them, she told me > that last fall she put a blanket on him and "sort of" forgot to take it > off….or even check it. Seems that he finally got it wrapped around his > front legs and went down before they got around to taking it off. Okay, I > admit it…I’m pissed. So I ask where is his water. Seems that they (when > they remember to) carry out a five gallon bucket once a day….that should > be enough huh? AND I should know that he can be real dangerous. I look at > the old horse, who hardly has enough energy to move, and say "Dangerous, > how?" Well, they put their little girl on his poor old sway back and were > leading him, when he stumbled on that bad knee and swollen legs and went > down to his knees and their little darling fell off. Now I’m no longer > pissed and well into furious, so I tell them they have a choice…..they can > call the vet and have the old feller put down right now, they can give him > to me and let me take him to my barn and call the vet to see if I can either > save him or have him put down…….OR I could call the HS and they could > put the old boy down and give them a big fine for mistreatment of an animal, > but one way or another, I wasn’t leaving the old horse there to starve to > death slowly. After a little blustering, ( she actually had the audacity to > tell me that they were big time animal breeders….they sold puppies to > stores as far away as Portland…I was "REALLY" impressed, I tell you) they > decided that it would be cheaper to let me have him for a dollar. So I > loaded him up and brought him home. He went right into quarantene….a good > thing, because he had pneumonia….and it was really touch and go for the > first week. Neither the vet nor I thought he would live, but for all the > abuse his body has taken, his bloodwork came back amazingly good. He was so > sick that he stopped eating at all, so we used a syringe and pushed oatmeal > mush and mollasses and water with electolites and every vitamin we could > think of, down his throat, and be damned if the old boy didn’t start to come > around. Because he is an old trouper his name is now Soldier….and because > he can’t eat hay, he is getting alphalfa pellets and Equine senior. After > getting enough water down him, the swelling started going down in his legs > and you can actually see that he has ankles now. The sores on his shoulders > are healed and the hair is starting to come back. We have an appointment > with the farrier to get his overgrown feet trimmed here next week. He’s > probably gained 75lbs in the last three weeks, and is now my son’s 4-H > project, complete with pictures. He may never be sound enough for an adult > to ride, but that’s okay…in fact he may never make it through the next > winter, but that’s okay too. At least I know that he’s going to live out > whatever time he has left, as a beloved pet. I have to tell you that there > is a wonderful look in his eyes…..and that makes up for the raft of shit > that "everyone", including my husband, has given me. Actually my husband has > been wonderful…he’s down there helping clean Soldier’s stall and feeding > him carrots, right along with the rest of us. Soldier has been adopted as my > boy;s 4-H club mascot , so he gets lots of carrots and loving pats and is > he soaking it up! He must believe he already died and is in horse heaven. > He’s been out of quaranteen for the last week, and unbelievably seems to > have suffered no lasting affects of the pneumonia. He’s a red chestnut > Morgan gelding with a stawberry blonde main and tail and once upon a time > must have been a sight to behold. > Anyway, that’s what I’ve been doing with my time….and contrary to rumors, > I am NOT opening up an old-age home for horses. I just never should have > watched him gumming those frickin oats!! > Lois E
Response:
Wow! What an exciting narrative! You have beem well occupied and are forgiven for deserting us. Good on you.
Response:
>Hi everybody
Nice story Lois, and give a hug to Old Soldierfor me. Paulette~
Response:
> This is a wonderful thing that you are doing for the poor old guy. I have seen > one to many older equines die as a result of innadequate care and feeding. Did > you finally get an age on him? My fathers old Arabian show horse died at 33 > after having lived a wonderful long life. I hope your guy has a great time for > the rest of his days. > Tammy
Well, his age, looking at his teeth and confirming it with the vet, is somewhere between 25-27 and death. I’d say a lot closer to 30 and maybe then some. Completely unflappable and willing to do, or at least try to do, whatever I ask him…..and that included pulling down his penis and cleaning all his "undergear"…it was a yucky job, but somebody had to do it Because of the edema in his legs, I was really worried about renal failure, but once we got enough water down him, he started peeing like a…..well, like a racehorse. Lois E
Response:
After eating straw and chewing dirt for so long a wouldn’t go by the teeth. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> This is a wonderful thing that you are doing for the poor old guy. I > have seen > one to many older equines die as a result of innadequate care and > feeding. Did > you finally get an age on him? My fathers old Arabian show horse > died at 33 > after having lived a wonderful long life. I hope your guy has a > great time for > the rest of his days. > Tammy > Well, his age, looking at his teeth and confirming it with the vet, is > somewhere between 25-27 and death. I’d say a lot closer to 30 and maybe > then some. Completely unflappable and willing to do, or at least try to > do, whatever I ask him…..and that included pulling down his penis and > cleaning all his "undergear"…it was a yucky job, but somebody had to > do it Because of the edema in his legs, I was really worried about > renal failure, but once we got enough water down him, he started peeing > like a…..well, like a racehorse. > Lois E
Response:
>Anyway, that’s what I’ve been doing with my time….and contrary to rumors, >I am NOT opening up an old-age home for horses. I just never should have >watched him gumming those frickin oats!!
Darn it, Lois, do you know how hard it is to read what is on the screen when your eyes get wet? Thanks for taking the old guy in- he HAS died and gone to horse heaven! — Ruth Mays Beautiful Downtown Cinnaminson It’s important to keep an open mind, But not so open that your brains fall out.
Response:
>I was really worried about >renal failure, but once we got enough water down him, he started peeing >like a…..well, like a racehorse.
From what I can tell, racehorses piss no more than regular horses. It’s just that racehorse piss is frequently a different color. :>( — Dogman http://www.i1.net/~dogman "I really dislike – thats (sic) too harsh but the best I can state it – the entire sporting group and cannot imagine being forced to live with one – not my types at all!" Nancy Holmes
Response:
Bless you Lois, those old Morgans ARE tough characters- enjoy him! Keep us posted. Laura Behning Brookridge Morgans http://www.mindspring.com/~morgans/Laura.htm
Response:
Congrats to Soldier who hung on long enough to find a haven in this life instead of the next. Nancy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi everybody….it’s been a two or three weeks since I’ve been able to log > on….and I’m still not getting all the posts. But I’ve also been a tad > busy. Let me tell you all about it. > Well….I rescued myself a horse. Or I should say, a bag of bones held > together by skin. I answered an ad in the paper for a companion horse for my > mare, and in hope for light riding mount so I could accompany my son…I was > already tipped off by the price that I wasn’t going to look at the > reincarnation of Man O War….after all, a $500.00 horse is a….well, > usually a $500.00 horse. So my expectations were reasonably low, but when I > got there!!! There was this poor old feller, stuck in a yard. A bare YARD, > not a pasture, and this old guy was pitiful. Skin and bone…about 400 lbs > underweight, a blown knee…….and it literally looked like he was standing > on four stovepipes instead of legs. Now I know that horses get old, and they > get sick, and I was fully prepared to walk away, but the old guy came right > over to me and started begging for something to eat, so I asked them if they > had some hay they could throw him. The woman quite airily told me that he > had plenty of hay…..it was lying right over there, but when I looked it > was clear to see that the "hay" they had been feeding him was actually > straw. Yup….straw….the kind of stuff you and I use as bedding. So I > asked where their oats were and what kind of supplements they had given this > old guy to try to help him maintain his weight. Supplements??? I take a > deep breath and try to control my anger/annoyance, and since the old guy was > pestering me for food, I took a look in his mouth……. he has no upper > teeth! No cusp, no cup, they’re even with the gums….and if he’s a mere 15 > then I’m a Rockette. So they bring a bucket of grain….whole, hard, > grain….and he tries to eat it and more is falling out of his mouth than > going in. While he’s got his head in the bucket, I go look at his poop. > Surprise, surprise….what little he’s getting down is not even stopping in > his gut long enough to break down, it’s going straight through. He’s > starving to death on the hoof….and then there is the matter of the big > open sores on both shoulders. When I questioned her about them, she told me > that last fall she put a blanket on him and "sort of" forgot to take it > off….or even check it. Seems that he finally got it wrapped around his > front legs and went down before they got around to taking it off. Okay, I > admit it…I’m pissed. So I ask where is his water. Seems that they (when > they remember to) carry out a five gallon bucket once a day….that should > be enough huh? AND I should know that he can be real dangerous. I look at > the old horse, who hardly has enough energy to move, and say "Dangerous, > how?" Well, they put their little girl on his poor old sway back and were > leading him, when he stumbled on that bad knee and swollen legs and went > down to his knees and their little darling fell off. Now I’m no longer > pissed and well into furious, so I tell them they have a choice…..they can > call the vet and have the old feller put down right now, they can give him > to me and let me take him to my barn and call the vet to see if I can either > save him or have him put down…….OR I could call the HS and they could > put the old boy down and give them a big fine for mistreatment of an animal, > but one way or another, I wasn’t leaving the old horse there to starve to > death slowly. After a little blustering, ( she actually had the audacity to > tell me that they were big time animal breeders….they sold puppies to > stores as far away as Portland…I was "REALLY" impressed, I tell you) they > decided that it would be cheaper to let me have him for a dollar. So I > loaded him up and brought him home. He went right into quarantene….a good > thing, because he had pneumonia….and it was really touch and go for the > first week. Neither the vet nor I thought he would live, but for all the > abuse his body has taken, his bloodwork came back amazingly good. He was so > sick that he stopped eating at all, so we used a syringe and pushed oatmeal > mush and mollasses and water with electolites and every vitamin we could > think of, down his throat, and be damned if the old boy didn’t start to come > around. Because he is an old trouper his name is now Soldier….and because > he can’t eat hay, he is getting alphalfa pellets and Equine senior. After > getting enough water down him, the swelling started going down in his legs > and you can actually see that he has ankles now. The sores on his shoulders > are healed and the hair is starting to come back. We have an appointment > with the farrier to get his overgrown feet trimmed here next week. He’s > probably gained 75lbs in the last three weeks, and is now my son’s 4-H > project, complete with pictures. He may never be sound enough for an adult > to ride, but that’s okay…in fact he may never make it through the next > winter, but that’s okay too. At least I know that he’s going to live out > whatever time he has left, as a beloved pet. I have to tell you that there > is a wonderful look in his eyes…..and that makes up for the raft of shit > that "everyone", including my husband, has given me. Actually my husband has > been wonderful…he’s down there helping clean Soldier’s stall and feeding > him carrots, right along with the rest of us. Soldier has been adopted as my > boy;s 4-H club mascot , so he gets lots of carrots and loving pats and is > he soaking it up! He must believe he already died and is in horse heaven. > He’s been out of quaranteen for the last week, and unbelievably seems to > have suffered no lasting affects of the pneumonia. He’s a red chestnut > Morgan gelding with a stawberry blonde main and tail and once upon a time > must have been a sight to behold. > Anyway, that’s what I’ve been doing with my time….and contrary to rumors, > I am NOT opening up an old-age home for horses. I just never should have > watched him gumming those frickin oats!! > Lois E
Response:
Lois, You’ve brought tears to my eyes. I betcha didn’t know you’re an angel, but just ask Soldier. Beth
Response:
> Lois, > You’ve brought tears to my eyes. I betcha didn’t know you’re an angel, but > just ask Soldier.
Beth? Lois IS an angel. And not just because of Soldier. Just ask her boys, her husband, dogs, or friends. sniff.. My Lois! Terri
Response:
Wow, well done I take care of horses for a living, and have seen & heard of quite a few bad cases, fortunately all of them have been saved – so they’re not suffering at least. You should’ve reported them anyway. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi everybody….it’s been a two or three weeks since I’ve been able to log > on….and I’m still not getting all the posts. But I’ve also been a tad > busy. Let me tell you all about it. > Well….I rescued myself a horse. Or I should say, a bag of bones held > together by skin. I answered an ad in the paper for a companion horse for my > mare, and in hope for light riding mount so I could accompany my son…I was > already tipped off by the price that I wasn’t going to look at the > reincarnation of Man O War….after all, a $500.00 horse is a….well, > usually a $500.00 horse. So my expectations were reasonably low, but when I > got there!!! There was this poor old feller, stuck in a yard. A bare YARD, > not a pasture, and this old guy was pitiful. Skin and bone…about 400 lbs > underweight, a blown knee…….and it literally looked like he was standing > on four stovepipes instead of legs. Now I know that horses get old, and they > get sick, and I was fully prepared to walk away, but the old guy came right > over to me and started begging for something to eat, so I asked them if they > had some hay they could throw him. The woman quite airily told me that he > had plenty of hay…..it was lying right over there, but when I looked it > was clear to see that the "hay" they had been feeding him was actually > straw. Yup….straw….the kind of stuff you and I use as bedding. So I > asked where their oats were and what kind of supplements they had given this > old guy to try to help him maintain his weight. Supplements??? I take a > deep breath and try to control my anger/annoyance, and since the old guy was > pestering me for food, I took a look in his mouth……. he has no upper > teeth! No cusp, no cup, they’re even with the gums….and if he’s a mere 15 > then I’m a Rockette. So they bring a bucket of grain….whole, hard, > grain….and he tries to eat it and more is falling out of his mouth than > going in. While he’s got his head in the bucket, I go look at his poop. > Surprise, surprise….what little he’s getting down is not even stopping in > his gut long enough to break down, it’s going straight through. He’s > starving to death on the hoof….and then there is the matter of the big > open sores on both shoulders. When I questioned her about them, she told me > that last fall she put a blanket on him and "sort of" forgot to take it > off….or even check it. Seems that he finally got it wrapped around his > front legs and went down before they got around to taking it off. Okay, I > admit it…I’m pissed. So I ask where is his water. Seems that they (when > they remember to) carry out a five gallon bucket once a day….that should > be enough huh? AND I should know that he can be real dangerous. I look at > the old horse, who hardly has enough energy to move, and say "Dangerous, > how?" Well, they put their little girl on his poor old sway back and were > leading him, when he stumbled on that bad knee and swollen legs and went > down to his knees and their little darling fell off. Now I’m no longer > pissed and well into furious, so I tell them they have a choice…..they can > call the vet and have the old feller put down right now, they can give him > to me and let me take him to my barn and call the vet to see if I can either > save him or have him put down…….OR I could call the HS and they could > put the old boy down and give them a big fine for mistreatment of an animal, > but one way or another, I wasn’t leaving the old horse there to starve to > death slowly. After a little blustering, ( she actually had the audacity to > tell me that they were big time animal breeders….they sold puppies to > stores as far away as Portland…I was "REALLY" impressed, I tell you) they > decided that it would be cheaper to let me have him for a dollar. So I > loaded him up and brought him home. He went right into quarantene….a good > thing, because he had pneumonia….and it was really touch and go for the > first week. Neither the vet nor I thought he would live, but for all the > abuse his body has taken, his bloodwork came back amazingly good. He was so > sick that he stopped eating at all, so we used a syringe and pushed oatmeal > mush and mollasses and water with electolites and every vitamin we could > think of, down his throat, and be damned if the old boy didn’t start to come > around. Because he is an old trouper his name is now Soldier….and because > he can’t eat hay, he is getting alphalfa pellets and Equine senior. After > getting enough water down him, the swelling started going down in his legs > and you can actually see that he has ankles now. The sores on his shoulders > are healed and the hair is starting to come back. We have an appointment > with the farrier to get his overgrown feet trimmed here next week. He’s > probably gained 75lbs in the last three weeks, and is now my son’s 4-H > project, complete with pictures. He may never be sound enough for an adult > to ride, but that’s okay…in fact he may never make it through the next > winter, but that’s okay too. At least I know that he’s going to live out > whatever time he has left, as a beloved pet. I have to tell you that there > is a wonderful look in his eyes…..and that makes up for the raft of shit > that "everyone", including my husband, has given me. Actually my husband has > been wonderful…he’s down there helping clean Soldier’s stall and feeding > him carrots, right along with the rest of us. Soldier has been adopted as my > boy;s 4-H club mascot , so he gets lots of carrots and loving pats and is > he soaking it up! He must believe he already died and is in horse heaven. > He’s been out of quaranteen for the last week, and unbelievably seems to > have suffered no lasting affects of the pneumonia. He’s a red chestnut > Morgan gelding with a stawberry blonde main and tail and once upon a time > must have been a sight to behold. > Anyway, that’s what I’ve been doing with my time….and contrary to rumors, > I am NOT opening up an old-age home for horses. I just never should have > watched him gumming those frickin oats!! > Lois E
Response:
Good luck with it, Lois. JohnR Pit Bull Libertarian Never sneer at the power of a little pink squeaky toy!
Response:
I asked at the Vet school where that came from. In the old days (1920’s) they gave several enhancing medicine that caused great elimination often at the gate and down the stretch. Leading to several colorful expressions in those days. dw – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I was really worried about >renal failure, but once we got enough water down him, he started peeing >like a…..well, like a racehorse. > From what I can tell, racehorses piss no more than regular horses. > It’s just that racehorse piss is frequently a different color. > :>( > — > Dogman > http://www.i1.net/~dogman > "I really dislike – thats (sic) too harsh but the best I can state it – the entire > sporting group and cannot imagine being forced to live with one – not my types at all!" > Nancy Holmes
Response:
Interesting enough an cree saying is that giving someone a month in heaven on earth gives a little bit of heaven* to all. dw * they didn’t have a hell after death – except for a joke about not being able to escape your mother in laws . . . Native humor is vastly under exposed – waiting for the first big time native comedian. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Congrats to Soldier who hung on long enough to find a haven in this life > instead of the next. > Nancy > Hi everybody….it’s been a two or three weeks since I’ve been able to log > on….and I’m still not getting all the posts. But I’ve also been a tad > busy. Let me tell you all about it. > Well….I rescued myself a horse. Or I should say, a bag of bones held > together by skin. I answered an ad in the paper for a companion horse for > my > mare, and in hope for light riding mount so I could accompany my son…I > was > already tipped off by the price that I wasn’t going to look at the > reincarnation of Man O War….after all, a $500.00 horse is a….well, > usually a $500.00 horse. So my expectations were reasonably low, but when > I > got there!!! There was this poor old feller, stuck in a yard. A bare YARD, > not a pasture, and this old guy was pitiful. Skin and bone…about 400 lbs > underweight, a blown knee…….and it literally looked like he was > standing > on four stovepipes instead of legs. Now I know that horses get old, and > they > get sick, and I was fully prepared to walk away, but the old guy came > right > over to me and started begging for something to eat, so I asked them if > they > had some hay they could throw him. The woman quite airily told me that he > had plenty of hay…..it was lying right over there, but when I looked it > was clear to see that the "hay" they had been feeding him was actually > straw. Yup….straw….the kind of stuff you and I use as bedding. So I > asked where their oats were and what kind of supplements they had given > this > old guy to try to help him maintain his weight. Supplements??? I take a > deep breath and try to control my anger/annoyance, and since the old guy > was > pestering me for food, I took a look in his mouth……. he has no upper > teeth! No cusp, no cup, they’re even with the gums….and if he’s a mere > 15 > then I’m a Rockette. So they bring a bucket of grain….whole, hard, > grain….and he tries to eat it and more is falling out of his mouth than > going in. While he’s got his head in the bucket, I go look at his poop. > Surprise, surprise….what little he’s getting down is not even stopping > in > his gut long enough to break down, it’s going straight through. He’s > starving to death on the hoof….and then there is the matter of the big > open sores on both shoulders. When I questioned her about them, she told > me > that last fall she put a blanket on him and "sort of" forgot to take it > off….or even check it. Seems that he finally got it wrapped around his > front legs and went down before they got around to taking it off. Okay, I > admit it…I’m pissed. So I ask where is his water. Seems that they (when > they remember to) carry out a five gallon bucket once a day….that should > be enough huh? AND I should know that he can be real dangerous. I look at > the old horse, who hardly has enough energy to move, and say "Dangerous, > how?" Well, they put their little girl on his poor old sway back and were > leading him, when he stumbled on that bad knee and swollen legs and went > down to his knees and their little darling fell off. Now I’m no longer > pissed and well into furious, so I tell them they have a choice…..they > can > call the vet and have the old feller put down right now, they can give him > to me and let me take him to my barn and call the vet to see if I can > either > save him or have him put down…….OR I could call the HS and they could > put the old boy down and give them a big fine for mistreatment of an > animal, > but one way or another, I wasn’t leaving the old horse there to starve to > death slowly. After a little blustering, ( she actually had the audacity > to > tell me that they were big time animal breeders….they sold puppies to > stores as far away as Portland…I was "REALLY" impressed, I tell you) > they > decided that it would be cheaper to let me have him for a dollar. So I > loaded him up and brought him home. He went right into quarantene….a > good > thing, because he had pneumonia….and it was really touch and go for the > first week. Neither the vet nor I thought he would live, but for all the > abuse his body has taken, his bloodwork came back amazingly good. He was > so > sick that he stopped eating at all, so we used a syringe and pushed > oatmeal > mush and mollasses and water with electolites and every vitamin we could > think of, down his throat, and be damned if the old boy didn’t start to > come > around. Because he is an old trouper his name is now Soldier….and > because > he can’t eat hay, he is getting alphalfa pellets and Equine senior. After > getting enough water down him, the swelling started going down in his legs > and you can actually see that he has ankles now. The sores on his > shoulders > are healed and the hair is starting to come back. We have an appointment > with the farrier to get his overgrown feet trimmed here next week. He’s > probably gained 75lbs in the last three weeks, and is now my son’s 4-H > project, complete with pictures. He may never be sound enough for an adult > to ride, but that’s okay…in fact he may never make it through the next > winter, but that’s okay too. At least I know that he’s going to live out > whatever time he has left, as a beloved pet. I have to tell you that there > is a wonderful look in his eyes…..and that makes up for the raft of shit > that "everyone", including my husband, has given me. Actually my husband > has > been wonderful…he’s down there helping clean Soldier’s stall and feeding > him carrots, right along with the rest of us. Soldier has been adopted as > my > boy;s 4-H club mascot , so he gets lots of carrots and loving pats and > is > he soaking it up! He must believe he already died and is in horse heaven. > He’s been out of quaranteen for the last week, and unbelievably seems to > have suffered no lasting affects of the pneumonia. He’s a red chestnut > Morgan gelding with a stawberry blonde main and tail and once upon a time > must have been a sight to behold. > Anyway, that’s what I’ve been doing with my time….and contrary to > rumors, > I am NOT opening up an old-age home for horses. I just never should have > watched him gumming those frickin oats!! > Lois E
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10 minutes down the road and driven the horse by (the spca) on the way out of town. However I understand the feeling to just get home and take care of him. They have the Vet report and hopefully pictures so maybe a call today would still be a good idea. They will repeat this crime. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Wow, well done I take care of horses for a living, and have seen & heard > of quite a few bad cases, fortunately all of them have been saved – so > they’re not suffering at least. You should’ve reported them anyway.
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>> Hi everybody….it’s been a two or three weeks since I’ve been able to log > on….and I’m still not getting all the posts. But I’ve also been a tad > busy. Let me tell you all about it. > Well….I rescued myself a horse. Or I should say, a bag of bones held
<snip> Wow, what a story. Poor old guy to be owned by such idiots. Thankfully he’s now found the good life. I think you certainly earned some bonus points on your karma. ;-) Give old Soldier a scritch on the withers and a carrot for me. Chris and her smoothies Zeffie and Pablo
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > 10 minutes down the road and driven the horse by (the spca) on the way out of > town. However I understand the feeling to just get home and take care of > him. They have the Vet report and hopefully pictures so maybe a call today > would still be a good idea. They will repeat this crime. > Wow, well done I take care of horses for a living, and have seen & heard > of quite a few bad cases, fortunately all of them have been saved – so > they’re not suffering at least. You should’ve reported them anyway.
Well I did that….and reported what looked like an illegal, although small scale, dog breeding business too. Thought it might be something that the IRS would want to check into…after all, people make money selling those puppies to pet stores, and sometimes they forget to report that income. The only tricky thing is that they live across the state line in Oregon and Oregon requires a State income tax as well….So I had to drop my pictures and paperwork off at the Sheriffs office in Milton…we’ll just have to see how much longer they stay in the animal business, now won’t we? Yes..I am a vindictive bitch when it comes to abused animals. Soldier is shedding that ton of hair he had….I swear I brushed about twenty pounds of hair out tonight, and ten pounds last night. I’m a little afraid to keep brushing. Maybe instead of a Morgan under all that hair, he could just turn out to be a shetland pony I’m going to take another set of pictures tomorrow, I’ll see if I can get them to Dogman. Thanks everyone for all the caring emails I’ve gotten. I’m glad old Soldier touched your heart as much as he does mine. Lois E
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Sounds like Soldier is going to have a good life now. Its a shame that he went through Hell before finding someone who will treat him well. Good luck to you and soldier. Rose
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snip The only tricky thing is that they live across the > state line in Oregon and Oregon requires a State income tax as > well…
.So I had to drop my pictures and paperwork off at the Sheriffs > office in Milton…we’ll just have to see how much longer they stay in > the animal business, now won’t we?
Ah yes, the joys of living close to an ajacent state! It can be a nightmare at times. Console yourself with the knowledge that Oregonians are paying 5 times the property tax than we are! (Of course, their roads are to die for). Yes..I am a vindictive bitch when it > comes to abused animals.
Good! So am I! That’s just one reason I love you so much! BG! > Soldier is shedding that ton of hair he had….I swear I brushed about > twenty pounds of hair out tonight, and ten pounds last night. I’m a > little afraid to keep brushing. Maybe instead of a Morgan under all > that hair, he could just turn out to be a shetland pony I’m going to > take another set of pictures tomorrow, I’ll see if I can get them to > Dogman.
I’d LOVE to see the before and after photos! You could also send me the photos, and I’d put it up on my website. Or, send them to me snail-mail, (you have my addy), and I’ll scan them for you. BTW, the Sheps are shedding BIG time right now. I think spring is coming soon, even though it’s snowing right now. Terri Gotta go to see Lois this year. It’s not that far… ?
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Pssst! Think Lasix…
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I asked at the Vet school where that came from. > In the old days (1920’s) they gave several enhancing medicine that caused > great elimination often at the gate and down the stretch. Leading to several > colorful expressions in those days. > dw > >I was really worried about > >renal failure, but once we got enough water down him, he started peeing > >like a…..well, like a racehorse. > From what I can tell, racehorses piss no more than regular horses. > It’s just that racehorse piss is frequently a different color. > :>( > — > Dogman > http://www.i1.net/~dogman > "I really dislike – thats (sic) too harsh but the best I can state it – the entire > sporting group and cannot imagine being forced to live with one – not my types at all!" Nancy Holmes
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