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Discussion on Need HA members advice!
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Member:
Choney
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Posted on Monday, Jan 9, 2006 - 9:42 pm:
Hi All,
I am looking for guidance from HA members on this one. My horse was injured when kicked about 2 weeks ago. A fantastic lay-up boarding facility is available and I am strongly considering moving her there temporarily. It would mean a move from a 30 plus horse farm to a ~4-5 horse dream barn. It's a facility where she'll have the best chance of healing fully, and will not be at risk of being attacked again.
Do you all think that she will be able to easily adjust to a different place? I have no experience with needing to move a horse to a new spot
and just don't know what to expect or how to help.
Is there anything that can be done to reduce a horses stress during the transition phase? She is already under duress because of the injury and forced stall rest, so my usually mild mannered old girl is already "on the edge." I would love to read your experiences, good or bad.
Thank you,
Cher Mc.
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Monday, Jan 9, 2006 - 10:15 pm:
If you feel the lay-up facility is better for her, I'd go ahead and move her. What makes you think she would recover better there than where she is now? Would you see her at the new facility? I've moved horses from place to place at times and never had a problems with them settling in after a day or two, as long as food come regularly and they have their own stall.
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Member:
Choney
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Posted on Monday, Jan 9, 2006 - 10:51 pm:
At the lay-up facility she would be in a huge (and I mean huge!) stall. Beautiful, clean, bright and airy! Her current stall situation is unacceptable, and she has already started to physically deteriorate. I could be certain she was receiving her pain medicine as prescribed, and that she would have a clean stall and water at all times.
She would be in a private paddock when off stall rest, and there are no horses at this facility with a chronic history of attacking and injuring other horses. Her initial injury came from a horse who was known for this, and when I went to the barn early the other morning, this same horse was out roaming around free again, so nothing has been done to contain this horse. One more attack from this horse and it would surely be the end of my girl. If it happened again, I would only have myself to blame for not moving her.
The person running this lay-up facility has an excellent grasp of managing recovery in animals- meaning good pain management, the best feed for the situation, good working relationship with local vets, has an equine management student working with her and is studying equine PT. Who could ask for more? Kinda like having a nurse for my old girl.
I don't mean to diss larger facilities, but in this particular case, two people caring for 4-5 horses versus one for about 30 makes for a heck of a lot more time and energy for TLC. As I have sure learned over the last couple of weeks, it is a lot more time consuming when all is not quite right with your horse! (Never mind how the $$$ fly out of your wallet and the worry is never-ending!) . I am more than willing to help out with all the work, but am unable to be around all the time and need to be assured she is being well-managed, otherwise all is for naught!
Cher Mc.
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Member:
Paul303
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 10, 2006 - 2:50 am:
What is the nature of her injury, Cher? How severe is it?
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Member:
Gwen
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 10, 2006 - 7:53 am:
I had to lay my gelding up about a year and a half ago when he was kicked by a horse in his paddock and broke his leg. Keeping them confined when they are already stressed from injury makes the situation even tougher on them. Also, at least in my case, you need to handle them quite a bit to tend to their injury. So their well being is kind of the utmost priority. When my guy was injured, he was in the hospital for two weeks, then went to the boarding stable he was at when the injury occurred, then I brought him home for the remaining recovery period. He handled all the transitions fine, but he was clearly the most uncomfortable at the larger facility, in which he had no windows to look out, all of the other horses went outside all day and left him alone, and he was not able to get free choice hay. So, based on my super long and rambling story, I would say from experience that your horse would definitely be better off at the smaller facility where the people are prepared for laying a horse up. I would say that the transition is worth it. Keep in mind though, that every horse is sooo different!! Good luck!
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Member:
Canter
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 10, 2006 - 7:58 am:
Cher,
The new facility sounds ideal.
When I bought my first horse and brought him to the barn where I boarded, he settled down within a couple of weeks. When I then moved him to a new facility, he settled down even faster, I think because at that point he and I had bonded over 2 years and I was the one reassuring constant in the move. When I bought my second horse, she initially stayed at the barn where I found her. When I moved her 1 1/2 years later, again, she settled in very quickly. Each move, I made sure that I was able to spend nearly 100% of my time with the horse for the first 2-3 days. Not riding, just hanging around, grooming, sitting in the pasture, etc.
The only concern I would have with your horse is the nature of her injury. If she is supposed to be kept quiet, she may prolong healing or sustain more damage if she starts pacing or moving around too much because of the unfamiliar surroundings.
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Member:
Choney
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 10, 2006 - 8:06 am:
She was kicked in the right chest/point of shoulder. Currently the working diagnosis is severe soft tissue injury. The wound from the impact has healed fine. XRays have shown no fracture, but when her leg is adducted she is in great distress and due to existing arthritis in her back legs, has a heck of a time staying upright during exam, and the cold mornings have been hard on her, twice she has nearly fallen over when attempting to take a step. She at times also drags that right front hoof, and stiffens and holds that leg off the ground. Since I called the vet back (again) for this, her pain management has changed a bit, she got a an IM dose of Adequan and seems to be somewhat improved. Mornings are more of a nightmare for her, coming out of a very cramped stall with uneven flooring. I only take her out a few steps for grooming, and so she may stretch her legs. I firmly believe that a change in the size of her stall and improved flooring will make a tremendous difference during her recovery period.
Meanwhile, the vets are more concerned now because she seems to be getting worse, not better. The injury is now ~17 days out. She is still in great pain with palpation of the injured site- though it does not appear infected, just painful. The vet is thinking that she may have a septic joint cooking, they took a CBC the other day. No temp spike.
I think that perhaps if she wasn't an older horse with other medical issues, that this might have resolved itself, but this old girl has been a bit of a juggling act.
Thanks for your interest,
Cher Mc.
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Member:
Choney
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 10, 2006 - 8:10 am:
I just finished putting in my post, and I read all the new replies. Thanks so much for the advice and support! Most likely she will be moved before the week is out, and will keep you all posted.
Thanks again,
Cher Mc.
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Member:
36541
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 10, 2006 - 12:54 pm:
My only question is - Is it financially and geographically doable to make it a permanent move?! I think she'll settle in fine, and a quieter barn with an easier atmosphere might do her a world of good in lots of ways. Good luck and keep us posted. Stacy
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New Member:
Mjmouw
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 10, 2006 - 1:38 pm:
Hi,
I need some help if someone can. My husband tried to strangle me and I am in the process of getting as gone as I can. I have two horses that I need to board for 2 weeks to a month while I get their new home ready for them. Northern California would be a good location for me to get them later. If anyone can help with phone numbers I would appreciate it. Thank you, MJ
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Member:
Shirl
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 10, 2006 - 1:57 pm:
Mary Jane, My God, get friends to take care of your horses and get thee to a shelter immediately, until you can get away from the monster. Your life is in danger also. I am in AZ or would help, even if I had to board them.
Shirl
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Member:
Green007
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 10, 2006 - 3:02 pm:
Mary Jane,
I strongly urge you to contact your local domestic violence hotline and listen carefully to what they have to say. They will have many options available for you. Please take care of yourself.
The national hotline number is 1-800-799-SAFE.
www.ndvh.org
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 10, 2006 - 3:47 pm:
DITTO!!
I would also advise you to RUN to the police and get a restraining order out on your husband.
And, if you are fearful that your husband might also try and harm your horses, I would contact the local sherriff/police dept. and humane society and put them on notice that if something happens to your horses, your husband probably did it.
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Member:
Dres
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 10, 2006 - 4:11 pm:
What part of N. Ca are you talking...?
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with SPOTS..
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Member:
Shanson
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 11, 2006 - 3:23 pm:
MJ: Maybe there's a local horse rescue that can take your horses for a few weeks. This may be an unusual situation for them, but rescue organizations are certainly set up to take in horses on an emergency basis. Good luck!
Cher: I have a mare who is about 6 months into a year-long layup. I moved her to a facility that is set up for this sort of thing because my regular boarding facility wasn't staffed to handle a feisty, stall-bound, alpha mare. I have never regretted it. It was worth extra $ to give her the best chance to recover.
She did take a long time to settle in...maybe longer than average. She was frantic without another horse nearby, even several weeks later. The barn owner went out of her way to make sure she had company. Then, an injured gelding came in who also needed a lay up. Problem solved...they keep each other company in side-by-side stalls. You should probably discuss with barn owner how he/she handles this adjustment period.
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Member:
Choney
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 11, 2006 - 9:59 pm:
Thanks again for all your great stories and advice. I feel much more prepared and calmer now! Will keep you all posted. Tomorrow's the big moving day.
Cher Mc.
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Member:
Paul303
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 12, 2006 - 2:06 am:
Mary Jane: Sara and Debbie are right - Get the police involved. Make a report so that you have a paper trail. Go for a restraining order. The law today actually requires police to arrest the husband if they even suspect something has occurred - it does not require the wife to file charges. DO NOT attempt to handle this on your own. DO NOT be embarrassed or ashamed of your plight. DO NOT think that involving authorities will make your husband more angry. Everything you do angers him equally.
If you haven't already done so, GET OUT. Forget the horses until you're safe. If he gets you, you won't be able to help the horses.
Go to the police. You need the paper trail for your case. They also should be able to provide you with advice, phone numbers and printed information. Do not think your case is rare. And do not be afraid of making it public. Whether this man truly intended to harm you or to just scare you does not matter. It is against the law now for him to do either.
Begin the paper trail on him now, not just for yourself, but for any woman he may hook up with in the future.
You don't have to face this alone, Mary Jane. There is unlimited aid available if you just take the first step. There are people who's job it is to help you. Let them do their job.
I'm sure you'll find help for your horses. On the slim chance that you don't, call your local ASPCA for advice. Let them know that you're afraid for them.
Hope you're not on a computer that the abuser has access to. Now you Go , start your paper trail and God Bless!
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New Member:
Mjmouw
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 12, 2006 - 8:50 am:
Hi All,
Thank you so much for all of the advice. I have done all of this. And I have to tell you, it is just that...a paper trail. The night it happened they gave me a emergency protective order which expires tomorrow at 5:00 pm. I went yesterday to court and got a temporary restraining order good until the end of the month, at which time I have to go back to court to make it permanent. "The System" is so concerned about my safety, that you cannot find a process server that works after 5:00 pm on a weekday to serve the SOB the new order, so I am left to find my own help. I have been to all the agencies that are in place to help women in this position, and I have to tell you it is a joke. I may be a "victim" of a crime, but I am no victim. I am a survivor and I know what is best for me to do. I have known this man for 20 years and I know him better than any so called expert. Some of their advice will get you killed. I have found two great big guys to stay with me while I finish packing and they will serve him his new restraining order and see to it that I am not harmed again. Oh believe me I have told everyone what happened! And believe me there are those that are understanding and compassionate, and there are those that make excuses for his behavior. I called him a liar and that is when he choked me. He called me worse, so using his logic, I guess I should have picked up a gun and shot him for what he called me. Any man that would lay a hand on a woman or child to cause harm is nothing more than a coward. This man always seemed larger than life to me. Now he seems small and weak. He messed with the wrong woman! I am pissed off and not likely to get over it.
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Member:
Sctamaus
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 12, 2006 - 10:59 am:
Hi Mary Jane,
I know what you mean. I was assaulted not that long ago and went to the police for help. In the end they had me as the assaulter and the assaulter as the victim. I don't think I will ever go to the police for any kind of help again.
I hope everything works out well for you and your horses.
Cheryl
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Member:
Cpacer
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 12, 2006 - 11:08 am:
You go MJ!
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Member:
Paul303
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 12, 2006 - 12:41 pm:
Mary Jane, Thank you so much for your answer, I was worried sick. I, myself went through this more than 35 years ago - when there was no term for battered and you were reminded..."you made your bed.."
Your anger warms my heart - it's true that this stage of the game is paperwork. Perhaps, if you genera ough, the jerk will smother under the weight of it.
I live on the east coast, so will have to resign myself to the cheering section of H.A. so....
YeeeHAW!!!!, Mary Jane, git 'im good!!
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Member:
Magulas
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 12, 2006 - 1:01 pm:
We are in Southern Ca, but have space available for short term email is fmagu@earthlink.net.....
If help still needed
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 12, 2006 - 3:30 pm:
MJ, you sound like a very strong woman...good for you!!! Do you still need space for your horses?
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