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Just need to vent...

2K views 10 replies 6 participants last post by  horseluver2435 
#1 ·
Ahh, I can't believe I'm posting this but nobody in my family is interested or understands horses.

I feel like everything with my horse is just going downhill. It all started last month when the saddle started rubbing my mares back and giving her terrible saddle sores. (it literally looked like somebody took a knife and just sliced her open.) I had the saddle fitter come and fix my saddle. I rode again and the saddle still rubbed. So I basically got ripped off with the saddle because the saddle fitter told me there was nothing more he could do. I didn't want to just go out and buy a brand new saddle without trying other options first. So I decided to go out and by a sheep wool pad. (lots of money. I paid euros so it ended up being around $100) It worked! I was ecstatic. I was able to ride, life was good.
The day after I am done riding my horse comes up lame. I call the vet and give her a week off as I'm trying to be as patient as possible. Finally after a week I get to ride her again. Every thing goes great; she's sound and smooth, but the next day she comes up lame again! I took her down to the vets office to get her properly checked out (he specializes in lameness issues). We get x-rays and other random tests done. It turns out she has an infection in her leg. So currently I am treating that. (she's a lot better and I can't ride her for the next four weeks.) But while we were at the vets office the vet discovered she became very angry when he touched her back. We had x-rays done and found that her bones are too close together and it causes her to have back problems (just to explain in a nutshell). She will be rideable (sp??) but I have to train her like she is a baby first starting out. This is my first horse and I have never trained a baby before. (I'll have lots of help but its still not the same as knowing what to do on your own.) And to top everything off she has lost a lot of weight. She was skinny before but since she has been on stall rest they took away her oats for a week and she refused to eat any beet pulp. This is when she lost all of her weight. She is back on oats and I am giving her a third meal a day that is designed specifically to help her gain weight.

I'm just so overwelmed! I feel like I'm failing her. She trusts me to take care of her and every thing is just going wrong.
I'm trying to fix everything but it is going to be a long process. So expect many posts on how to train a 12 year old horse.

Thanks for reading. If you had the guts to make it threw (I know its spelled wrong but I can't think of the right spelling now. Sorry!):-(

Aly
 
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#2 ·
I'm really sorry to hear that. It must be very frustrating. :-(
Make sure you take her for walks or let her walk around in the arena while she can't be ridden. It'll make getting back into shape easier and it'll help her to not get stocked up or cramp or anything like that. I hope things get better for you.
 
#3 ·
I have been there! Very similar situations to what your in right now, more then once. I know it seems like there is no way out of the hole that your in but trust me, things will get better and it sounds like your doing everything possible to get her back on her feet again. Your not failing her.

(only knowing the nutshell version) I would talk to your vet about long term care of her back and ask if a chiropractor would help her at all. My horse is a klutz and slipped on the ice a few years ago and now every spring i have the chiropractor come out to just readjust his back because of how he walks on ice enow to protect himself from falling again it strains his back. I know lots of people that swear by a chiropractor. Maybe routine apts with a chiropractor will help her in the long term.

On the saddle thing, Im sorry you got ripped off, i know the feeling but if you now know she has back issues i would recommend getting a new saddle to avoid this happening again, sometimes a pad just isnt enough.

Keep us posted, im sorry your having a rough time. I hope i helped alittle. But remember, your not failing her and there is a light at the end.
 
#4 ·
Oh no! Sounds like Murphy's Law, whatever can go wrong, will go wrong. I'm so sorry to hear that! I would try to get her out for walks around the arena or grazing along the property. Did the vet say how immoble she should stay for now? If she is allowed, try setting up some obstacle courses in the ring with cones, poles, etc that you can hand walk her through. Ground work always pays off!
 
#5 ·
Thank you. I appreciate your response. She will definitely get longer walks but currently she can only be walked on a hard surface for 5 minutes twice a day.

Thank you again.:)
Aly
 
#6 ·
Alycat , take a deep breath and make yourself a strong cup of tea (does it for me) and take a moment. We've probably all been where you are, at least emotionally , and it is okay. :wink:

<<Hugs to you>> and yes there are many people here that are ready and waiting to offer any insight , encouragement, advice ect....that you ask for and need.

Good luck to both you and your horse.
 
#7 ·
Thank you all for responding.

ilovestitch-I'm definitely selling my old saddle because of her back. I have been told only a Prestige saddle will work with her. She has high withers and barely any muscle on the shoulder.

luvmyperch-That sounds like a great idea! I will definitely try some of your suggestions when she is able to walk more. Currently she can only walk for 5 minutes twice a day.

Walkamile-Thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate it. Sometimes it's nice to hear from other people (especially experienced horse people) that things can and will get better. lol:)

Aly
 
#10 ·
lol Sounds like a good idea. I'm only 18 but I live in Germany so its legal if I go off post! :-p
 
#11 ·
Aww, poor horsey! :( And poor you! Well, I hope she gets better soon, and that everything feels a little more controllable. Take lots of deep breaths, and feel free to ask questions! I wish I could help more, but it sounds like you just need time for everything to slow down. :( sounds like everything hit the fan at one, huh? :P
 
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