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Post by zebradreams07 on Sept 14, 2009 22:51:39 GMT -5
I would definitely have a chiropractor out if possible. Even if she's not terribly reactive you know there is something going on back there, and having weight on could make it much worse. Between the hips might make it hard for her to bring her hind end forward.
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Post by schwung on Sept 14, 2009 23:11:54 GMT -5
She's had countless adjustments and while there was an issue initially there hasn't been much the last few adjustments so I don't think its a chiropractic issue at this point.
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Post by Whitewolf821 on Sept 14, 2009 23:39:31 GMT -5
Does Hannah suspect ulcers also? I can check my local feed store and see if I can find a supplement to try putting her on to see if it improves her. I did a quick internet search, and this is what I pulled. If it sounds good, I'll try to find something and get it shipped off tomorrow.
Corta-Flx U-Gard Powder Digestive Supplement
Highly effective on gastric ulcers. Coats and soothes gastrointestinal tract. Supplement contains calcium carbonate, magnesium silicate, methylcellulose, silicon dioxide, kaolin and pectin.
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myhorsefaith
Junior BB Member
Run, baby, run... I miss you.
Posts: 71
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Post by myhorsefaith on Sept 15, 2009 9:58:27 GMT -5
you can also try equioxx, which is a pain reliever that should not hurt her stomach if its tender.
but, i'd probably explore the ulcer thing first...
then pain test...
then "mare" problems...
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Post by schwung on Sept 15, 2009 10:15:20 GMT -5
We already explored mare problems and had a hormone panel done on her but she was normal. I haven't had a chance to talk to Dr. Hannah yet but I suspect she'll probably just give me a month's supply of Ranitidine to try if she agrees its worth a try.
But giving her bute and seeing if that changes her attitude about riding is also a good suggestion.
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Post by schwung on Sept 17, 2009 12:49:42 GMT -5
I spoke with Dr. Hannah this morning and she agrees that its worth a try to do 30 days of Raniditine to see if that helps her at all. She'll have to have it 3 times a day which is going to be difficult but not impossible to manage, but it is a much more reasonable and less expensive way to go than having her scoped at Pilchuck and/or 30 days of Gastroguard which alone costs about $1000. If this makes no change in her behavior about being ridden at all after 30 days, we will try the bute route.
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myhorsefaith
Junior BB Member
Run, baby, run... I miss you.
Posts: 71
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Post by myhorsefaith on Sept 17, 2009 14:04:06 GMT -5
best of luck to Little Miss! I hope the ranitidine helps!
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Post by Angel62197 on Dec 1, 2009 7:53:56 GMT -5
How have things been going for the Little Miss lately?
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lyn51
Junior BB Member
SAFE Volunteer
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Post by lyn51 on Dec 1, 2009 20:53:02 GMT -5
Would it be possible for the volunteers to give her the middle of the day dose if you had it set up in the morning?
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Post by schwung on Dec 1, 2009 21:52:34 GMT -5
We actually found the Ulcergard on sale which is the once a day paste formula and she finished up her monthly regime last week. We haven't had time to work her under saddle yet, but behavior-wise on the ground she seems about the same - really sweet most of the time but occasionally unpleasant if she's not happy about what you are doing. She's also still pinning her ears when you put her blanket on (same as she did with the saddle), so I am not holding out a lot of hope that it made a big difference, but we will try to get her under saddle this weekend.
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abby
New BB Member
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Post by abby on May 21, 2010 16:14:04 GMT -5
In the 7 months or so I've been coming out to do the Friday shift, Lil Miss has been one of the few constants. Good for me: she keeps a clean turnout, loves attention and being scratched, doesn't try to eat the stable fork - and I have a soft spot for TB mares. Not so great for her, of course, as it means she hasn't found an adoptive home yet. During that time I've found that despite her shortcomings she's great at a lot of things: Sun naps Keeping certain young, non-rescue horses in line Keeping any other horse from getting too uppity Ear pinning Getting groomed and attention So today we took advantage of a brief spot of sun to do some grooming, which she seemed to like. I wish I had better pictures, but the weather pulled a classic western Washington move and started hailing and I had to hustle to get her blanket back on. I got one quick snap which I've attached (or, at least tried to - if it doesn't show up, you can see it here:
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Post by schwung on Jun 22, 2010 12:31:53 GMT -5
As you know, we have had numerous issues with Lil Miss in the past two and a half years which include both physical issues and behavioral problems. Her physical issues include severe hoof pathology that requires her to have front shoes and a very stubborn case of white line disease that has now necessitated front pads as well, none of which have improved despite constant treatment and hoof supplements. She has arthritic knees that don't lock causing her to fall when she sleeps standing up, resulting in chronic wounds on her front fetlocks and knees. Her weight fluctuates wildly as she stresses very easily and spends a lot of time weaving or pacing fencelines. She cannot be stalled or even turned out in certain pastures with other horses...if she feels uncomfortable she will stand in the corner and weave despite lush pasture to graze on and horses all around her. She can be very mareish and aggressive with other horses.
Her behavior issues went from being mildly grouchy about being saddled to bucking, ear pinning, and refusing to go forward when ridden or even lunged. She can be very sweet and happy to have attention until she decides she is done and then her behavior can get very nasty very quickly and she has both bitten and kicked out while being groomed or handled. She is very difficult to shoe and trim and has been bad enough to require a lip chain in the past.
We have investigated every possible physical cause with chiropractic, massage, joint supplements, ulcer medications, hormone panels and Regumate. No one has tried to ride her in over a year, and her behavior even on the ground has continued to worsen. In 2009, a volunteer was grooming her in a stall when suddenly Lil Miss somehow threw her across the stall (either hit her with her head/neck or kicked her - we don't know for sure) and the volunteer hit her head so badly (WITH a helmet!) that she had to go to the ER and ended up with a concussion and neck injuries. On Sunday, a volunteer was cleaning her paddock and Lil Miss was following her around wanting attention and getting in her way as she cleaned up her manure. The volunteer then put her hand on her side and asked her to move over and Lil Miss, without any warning, attacked her and bit her twice on the collarbone. She did not break the skin but the bites were hard enough to cause severe bruising and swelling.
Unfortunately, Lil Miss's physical issues preclude her from being a riding horse or even a good companion horse, and her behavioral issues have become a liability concern for SAFE and our volunteers. Because of this, we have made the very difficult decision to euthanise Lil Miss . We are posting this here as we feel that it is important for our donors and supporters to understand why this decision is being made and to know that it is not a decision that we are making lightly. We feel that we have done everything in our power to set this horse up for a successful future, but sometimes horses come to us that are beyond rehabilitation. This will be the first time SAFE has put down a horse that wasn't due to a medical necessity, but with all the time that we have spent observing and working with this horse in the past two and a half years, we believe that it is the right thing to do. This is not a happy horse, but one that lives in constant discomfort - both physical and mental.
Officially, the below represents SAFE's Euthanasia Policy:
SAFE will consider euthanasia as an option when one or more of the following is apparant:
1. The quality of life is poor 2. The horse has a severe injury, the only alternative to euthanasia is some type of medical treatment that is not 100% going to work and is beyond our financial means or ability to fundraise for 3. The horse's problem is chronic/unfixable and cannot be reasonably managed 4. The horse is a danger to itself, training has been attempted and failed 5. The horse is a danger to others, training has been attempted and failed
As many of the above are subjective criteria, euthanasia will always be considered on a case-by-case basis.
I hope that even if you disagree with our decision, that you can understand the reasons behind it and be able to accept it. We want everyone to know that we want nothing more than the best for every horse that comes into our care and this decision has been a very difficult one for the Board of Directors to make. However, this latest incident made it apparant that the decision can wait no longer, there are no other options or avenues left to try for her and we cannot allow another volunteer to be injured by her.
As always, we welcome anyone to contact us with questions, concerns or feedback. Our goal in posting this publicly is to ensure that there is complete transparency as to the decisions that are made at SAFE and our reasons behind them. No date has been set yet for the euthanasia but it will likely be in the next 1-2 weeks.
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Post by tarac83 on Jun 22, 2010 13:02:12 GMT -5
I hope she finds peace and comfort. Thank you for giving her care, love, a chance, and ultimately the gift of rest.
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shekaberry
SAFE Volunteer
SAFE Volunteer Coordinator
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Post by shekaberry on Jun 22, 2010 13:08:36 GMT -5
You can tell by watching her that she is only content about 10% of the time. It is disappointing, but I support SAFE's decision. I've known Little Miss since she and Cedar arrived and had big hopes for her, but her happiness has deteriorated over the years.
The constant weaving is probably wreaking havoc on her already arthritic knees, add in the White Line disease and her already bad feet with thin soles/walls an you have a recipe for a very uncomfortable horse. Top her discomfort off with hurting people, I think you ladies are making the best choice for her. She has lobbed kicks and teeth at me, but thankfully missed, it would be only a matter of time before she could really hurt someone.
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Post by Sara on Jun 22, 2010 15:53:53 GMT -5
As terribly sad as this news is- I know it was not made lightly and trust the BOD implicitly with making the right decisions for each and every one of their charges. One of the reasons I feel confident in supporting SAFE is that they/you are willing to make the right call- even when it's difficult.
Thank you for giving Little Miss the highest quality of life, and the best chance possible to overcome her past. Honestly, I wondered if this would ultimately be the outcome for this little mare.
Thank you for doing the good work you do.
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