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Am I making a mountain out of a mole hill?

4K views 22 replies 12 participants last post by  Saddlebag 
#1 ·
We were out at the barn this morning where my daughter rides a wonderful senior citizen horse (21 year old Arabian gelding). Since she started riding him, she's only 6 so it's a light workout in the arena, he seems to be so happy to have a purpose again. Before she started riding him, he was more of a pasture ornament. Now he even started doing his "Arabian trot" with his head and tail held high again. But this morning, it was quite a bit cooler than it has been, and I noticed when she was helping with some barn chores after her ride that his back leg was swollen, and he had a snotty nose.
He doesn't seem in pain, and he wasn't acting like anything was wrong. He does get joint supplements in his food, and in the weather we're having, he has his blanket on him. He isn't our horse, but I found out today that the vet was out last year when he was kicked by another horse. His leg (the same leg) was x-rayed and it was determined that he gets a build up of fluid around his joint. I'm assuming it's like people who have had past injuries that act up when the weather changes. Other than that, he has good weight, and a beautiful thick winter coat. I'm worried about him though because of his age. Am I over reacting? I plan on heading back over there this afternoon to check on him. He is an amazing gentleman, and he and my daughter have a true bond. I could use some advice.
 
#2 ·
Who owns him, and are you leasing him or is your daughter just lessoning on him?

It's commendable that you're concerned for this older gent, but unless you're personally responsible for his health and well being, you'd do best to advise his owner or the BO of your concerns and not get involved yourself.

I know it's difficult not to be concerned for and care about him, just don't overstep any boundaries with his owner.
 
#3 ·
Yeah, before you mess with him clear it with the owner. And 21 is not that old for an Arab, my boy is 18 and no one will believe me that he is more than eight till I show them his teeth :P I wouldn't be too worried if he is not in pain.
 
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#4 ·
A friend of the family owns the horse, a retired trainer. My daughter gets lessons once or twice a week on the horse. In return I pay $10 a week, and do some of the barn chores, liking feeding him and mucking his stall. My daughter adores this horse, and there have been multiple occasions where the owner said she could have him. He's well taken care of, but I've balked at the idea because the horse is 21. My concern is that my daughter has such a bond with the horse that if something would happen, she would be devastated. I guess to answer your question it's like a lease without paying the money.
 
#7 ·
If the owner is willing to give him to you and you have the resources to care for him, I would take him. He probably has another 6-10 years of riding left, if he is in decent health. They look adorable together, and he is the same color as mine :P
 
#8 ·
Yeah, the 2 of them are peas in a pod. My daughter is 6, and he has a 6 year old mentality. :) I appreciate the advice about taking him, and I've seriously thought about it. I mean, let's face it, the "up-front" price is pretty great. I'm thinking of talking with his owner some more about it and getting more of the horse's health history, etc.
 
#10 ·
My 6 year old mare got kicked in the leg, after 8 months of treatment and rest, she will still get swelling in her leg. She has arthritis so without her supplements, and even with supplements in cold weather...she can get some moderate swelling.

With old injuries, its very common to have swelling/fluid retention.

If the horse acts okay and feels okay, There should be no cause for concern.

As for the snotty nose...Horses can get colds too. ;-)

Babysitter horses are amazing, enjoy him while you can.
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#14 ·
Adorable team!!!! I can't imagine a better deal for an older horse than a little girl to be taken for a ride and to be loved by.
I would have a vet check him over just to make you more comfortable. The vet can give you instructions as to how to care for the swelling in the leg and what you may expect. I'm sure he won't be expected to be a barrel racer but should do well being a wonderful saddle companion.
The reality of an older horse is that you don't have so many years left. But then no horse comes with guarantees. Same with any pet. You love them, share your life and take it as it comes.
 
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#15 · (Edited)
Like the other posters, the OP warmed my heart! You have a very sweet heart, Lwoodruff! This 'old' guy is lucky you and your daughter have taken an interest in him. :)

I also have an older Arabian. She's about to turn 29 in February, actually! Owning an older horse is certainly different than owning a younger horse, but I wouldn't trade the perspective my girl has given me for anything. I got her when she was 23 [and I was 17, going on 18] and we've been 'together' for about 5.5 years.
I think I've learned more about being understanding, about appreciating the "slow lane", and about simply honoring age than I would have any other way.
I do dread the day I have to say goodbye to my other half, but I know that she will forever be a part of me. It'll be painful, without a doubt, but I firmly believe that heaven includes the animals we know in life so I'm convinced that this first goodbye is really a "see you soon" in disguise...even though it'll feel like the most painful, permanent, goodbye ever.

I could go on but I don't want to go all off topic on you. :) In any case, if you have the financial means to take care of this guy for the rest of his days, there is really nothing better than an old horse for a little girl. Especially an old Arabian, in my most humble [and TOTALLY unbiased] opinion. :wink: :lol:

And here's a little picture of my old girl.




Your guy is lucky to have you!!
 
#17 ·
Sounds like you've already decided to do what I was going to suggest, take him on. A 21 year old Arab can and should be ridden til he tells you he isn't enjoying it anymore. He's already told you he's enjoying it, the spring came back in his step. When he's done, he'll let you know just as clearly. There is absolutely nothing like the bond an older horse can develop with a young kid. And she's far better to have been owned and loved by a kindly, old gentleman horse than to not have had that opportunity at all. To love an animal is to open yourself to the pain of losing them one day but the loss of never having loved one like that is far worse than the pain of losing an oldster.

Here's a pic of a quarter horse my little sis and I bought when he was 2 years old. I had him until he was 32 and rode him in his last Christmas parade at 30.



Lucky taught many a beginner the joys of riding.
 
#19 ·
Update: checked on him today, and no more snotty nose. He seems to be doing fine, I was just being an over protective "mom". Thanks for all the kind words of encouragement. I think in my heart of hearts, I was thinking the same thing about taking him, but just needed to hear it from others. :D
 

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#21 ·
OP, please don't leave his halter on when he's at pasture or even when he's stalled: you can look at archives on this forum for incidents where horses got either a hind or a front hoof caught in a halter, with usually disastrous consequences, as you can imagine. Then, too, if it's not a hoof, they can get hung up on a tree branch or any projectile in pasture or stall.

Recently, there was a thread here which shared that a horse got FRONT hoof caught in halter, so now we know it's possible. Horses are amazingly agile, (they scratch their ears/faces with a hind hoof) thus their ability to get hung up in a halter.;)

I know that you were unaware of this, no need to apologize/beat yourself up. Bill Dorrance, a master horseman now deceased, advises "halters off" also in his book, "True Horsemanship Through Feel".
 
#22 ·
Your daughter and him look adorable together. Finding a good babysitter horse, is worth their weight in gold.

For the stocking up, you can speak to your vet about what you can do to keep him comfortable. Is he on a senior joint supplement?

When he swells, you can do cold hose treatment or poultice treatment to help draw down the swelling. Keeping him in a paddock/pasture instead of a stall, will also help with the swelling if he is allowed to move around.

Senior horses do require a little bit extra care, but if they are a good match with your child, they are worth it.
 
#23 ·
Applying Absorbine for horse and giving his leg a good massage won't do any harm and may help disburse the fluid. Thin with a little water and apply to the hock and using the heels of your hands work about a 6" area, applying pressure on the down stroke. Do this half a dozen times, gradually working your way down the leg, periodically adding the liniment. The friction from your hands generates heat so which increases circulation. Do not wrap the leg if you massage or the skin will overheat and blister.
 
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