|
Post by schwung on May 23, 2007 16:15:30 GMT -5
Thank you Bonnie for this excellent explanation. It is a frustrating situation indeed, because it is quite clear that had the heart murmur not been an issue, the adopter would clearly have been responsible for the vet bill as she had signed an adoption contract, paid the adoption fee, and loaded the horse into her trailer.
We will never know what set Shante off initially in the trailer. What we do know is that when he was unloaded, there was a sharp piece of metal about knee height that was clearly the cause for his injuries. This metal had been "covered" by a piece of foam and duct tape, but that had come off during Shante's struggle.
|
|
|
Post by averyacres on May 23, 2007 16:16:26 GMT -5
Also, technically, it is up to the purchaser of any horse to do a vet check before they make a final decision of buying a horse. My goodness, he is 27 years old, how long did they think they were going to be able to ride him??
|
|
|
Post by huskiesnhorses on May 23, 2007 16:27:37 GMT -5
I say - if it wasn't meant to be - it wasn't meant to be. He's going to be ok, the adopter's will no doubt find a more suitable horse that makes them comfortable. Shante will be ok and if we all pitch in - we can relieve Bonnie and SAFE of this $ set back.
If this is the worst thing that ever happens - then hip hip hooray. Animals,emotions, people, emotions, money, emotions, shake well and there you have it.
I am willing to put $50 toward the bill in addition to the additional $50 I am already planning on sending to sponsor another class.
Come on folks.... We only have 2 more months till the show to get that thing going! This is our one big shot to make some $$ to help these horses! 2 months will fly by! Ask your family, your neighbors, your realtor, your local businesses.
And don't forget that Whiskey is costing big bucks still to get her where she needs to be.
Who's in??? ;D ;D ;D
SAFE has received a donation in the amount of $50.00 from REDMOND! for to help with Shante's care.
Donation received 5/25/2007 Thanks for your contribution![/b]
|
|
|
Post by cat67 on May 23, 2007 16:27:47 GMT -5
I have a mare in my backyard who has played polo the past four years with a known grade 3 murmur. It started to test a little bit worse which is why she was finally retired, but she could still be ridden...it was just decided that polo might be a bit too much for her.
My 27 year old Harmony was diagnosed with a heart murmur at age 8. She played polo until age 15 and is still doing just fine.
I'm sorry to hear all of this. Personally I'd sue her in small claims for the vet bill. She took possession of the horse and the horse got hurt while in her possession and under her direct control. Why should SAFE pick up the tab?
|
|
|
Post by huskiesnhorses on May 23, 2007 16:30:17 GMT -5
I think we should let it go and move on. It would only get ugly and shed a bad light on everyone.
|
|
|
Post by cat67 on May 23, 2007 16:32:13 GMT -5
The problem with letting things like this go is it allows JERKS to win. Then they continue to be jerks and make the entire horse industry look bad.
People like this who will not take responsibility for their actions need to be forced to do so by the courts.
Just my 2 cents, obviously. It's up to the BOD to do as they think best. I just hate to see someone stuck with a $500 vet bill that is totally someone ELSE'S fault.
|
|
|
Post by huskiesnhorses on May 23, 2007 16:35:49 GMT -5
I know that if it were me - I would have minimally split the bill - but I just think in the grand scheme of things - it was a cheap lesson.
Could have been much much worse and this is how we learn to tighten the ship.
|
|
|
Post by Gingersmom-Tate on May 23, 2007 16:40:07 GMT -5
Shante will find the perfect home and be loved heart murmur and all. I'll be sending a small donation toward his bill also.
SAFE has received a donation in the amount of $11.00 from Gingersmom for to help with Shante's care.
Donation received 5/24/2007 Net amount after paypal fees: $10.38 Thanks so much for your contribution, Tina![/b]
|
|
|
Post by averyacres on May 23, 2007 16:42:51 GMT -5
Unfortunately, not only at SAFE's expense, but at poor Shante's expense who has already been at through enough... but, you are right, about tightening the ship. Good point. I know that if it were me - I would have minimally split the bill - but I just think in the grand scheme of things - it was a cheap lesson. Could have been much much worse and this is how we learn to tighten the ship.
|
|
|
Post by kahluacowgirl on May 23, 2007 16:57:27 GMT -5
I too will be making a donation to chip in on the vet bill aside from taking care of anything else I can. I have purchased most of the bandage changing supplies and Bonnie and I will be taking care of that. All-in-all I am not thrilled about it, of course, but I think it would be PR hell for SAFE to go after her for it. I also called my old vet (the one I truely listen to) just now after reading Mara's comment and yes it is very true that horses (and people) that are not in good shape and even otherwise healthy can commonly develop heart murmurs and unless it symptomizes itself in other ways is generally nothing to worry about. I know the right home is out there for Shante and if this was just his way of saying this one wasn't right then so be it. He is a good, stong, loving boy and anyone who gets him should be so deserving.
|
|
|
Post by jaybird on May 23, 2007 17:03:34 GMT -5
these are all really good points, everyone. I agree that her reaction to the heart murmur was extreme...when I mentioned it to my vet later that evening, his comment was "What 27 year old horse doesn't have a heart murmur?" (Seriously, he said that about a third of all horses Shante's age have heart murmurs.) He also said that heart disease in horses is pretty rare, and the chance that Shante would have a blow out was pretty unlikely. I find great comfort in your assessment, Valerie...this was a very good lesson to learn. In the future, I think we should have potential adopters sign off on any known medical conditions as part of the adoption contract. thanks for always being so supportive, you guys. It means so much, you have no idea!
|
|
|
Post by jaybird on May 23, 2007 17:05:06 GMT -5
well and look at Mara's comment specifically: she said Storme was underweight when he was diagnosed....EXACTLY like Shante.
|
|
|
Post by cardicorgi on May 23, 2007 17:08:14 GMT -5
My thoughts were small claims court too, Cat, but it's more complicated than we think, IMO, and not *really* worth the time/effort/chance of recovering potentially only a part of the vet costs. To me, this is a $500 lesson... which could have been a far worse and more expensive one. Jerks abound, everywhere, sadly, but fortunately there are some great people too to balance them out.
|
|
|
Post by jaybird on May 23, 2007 17:11:56 GMT -5
to be fair, the adopted did give us a $48 donation to help with the vet bill. I should have mentioned that earlier.
|
|
|
Post by schwung on May 23, 2007 17:24:21 GMT -5
We have had a lot of discussion internally about this as well. I think that as a non-profit organization that supports our efforts primarily by donations, we cannot in good conscience use those funds for legal fees, unless of course Shante were in danger and we needed to take her to court to enforce our contract and get the horse back - clearly not the case here. There is an interesting case being discussed on COTH in which a rescue did exactly that - spent thousands of dollars on legal fees to get a horse back (who did not appear to be in any danger - the horse had been sold into a good home), and then ask for donations to cover those legal expenses. I don't think that is a good use of funds either. At some point you have to cut your losses.
I do think a firmly written letter, with a copy of the email sent on the Thursday prior to the adoption by kahluacowgirl showing that we did in good faith attempt to notify her of the heart murmur, is in order. Perhaps the woman will have a change of heart and do the right thing, you never know.
|
|