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 I Am Always Right
Posts: 4264
  
Location: stray dump capital of the world | I took in this horse to help a friend. Said friend paid the first two months for the care of the horse and then went into hiding. There was a thread a couple months back where I discussed this situation so I won't drag up that mess. At any rate, this fella got really sick tonight. To the point that I think we may lose him. I contacted said friend and asked if she wanted me to contact a vet for her horse. She responded that at his age, mid 30s, what would be the point and added "sorry." Well for one, I wouldn't have to watch this horse die. He needed more meds than the banamine I had on hand. So, the husband contacted a vet to come out and if need be, put the horse down. He also contacted a grave digger to come out tomorrow and bury the horse if he needed to be put down. Husband is taking tomorrow off of work to monitor the horse and meet vet or grave digger if need be. Still nothing from said friend and owner of horse. This person doesn't even bother to inquire after original "sorry" text message to check on the horse, or come out to see him. Vet felt that horse may be saved and gave him some fluids, tubed him and hit him hard with some pain medication. I naturally will be up all night in and out in freezing temperatures to monitor the horse and I have a full time job to go to tomorrow. If the vet has to come back out it will be to put the horse down. Still nada from said friend and apparently, we are stuck with the vet bill. My heart hurts for this horse. He is such a sweet boy and for her to dump him like garbage just rubs me in such a way that I cannot comprehend the contempt I feel. I hope he makes it. I have grown to love this old man and I'm not ready for him to cross the bridge. I have added pictures of when we brought him out here in June, (2nd picture) nothing but skin and bones, to what he looks like now. Clearly some people should not own animals. Vent over...for now. Please pray for this old guy.
Edited to add that I couldn't get the "before" to load, so added it in a response below. Fat and eating on the round was taken this past weekend.
 This was taken last weekend. Don't you love his "meals on wheels." haha.
Edited by sophiebelle 2014-01-29 5:42 AM
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
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You are a good person and this horse is lucky to have you. As for his owner, karma is coming her way. |
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I Am Always Right
Posts: 4264
Location: stray dump capital of the world | Hopefully the before picture will load now. Just checked him again. He's down in his stall, but head up, ears perked. Thinking just tired. If this picture loads, you can see the change. This is from the end of May.
I don't know why the "before" won't load. Can I email it to someone to post? I really would like y'all to see how far he has come.
Edited by sophiebelle 2014-01-29 9:55 PM
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 Dog Resuce Agent
Posts: 3459
Location: southeast Texas | He came to you for a reason. His previous owner did not respect him. Just enought to send him to you.
You made his final time on this earth, comfortable.
The previous owner is NOT a friend.......
what ever his outcome, he is at peace..... |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| What a sweet looking boy.
He certainly came to you for a reason, to make his last days on Earth comfortable and well loved. There are people who own horses and then there are horse people. I strive to be the latter and encourage the former to try another hobby.
Bless you for making this sweet old man comfortable and for doing right by the animal, not the owner (who's friendship I would truly question). |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| We read way to many stories on here of people doing kindness for others and end up being taken advantge of. I don't know how these people sleep at night. Your kind heart is now doing it for him and not her. I only hope the generosity and kindness that our world needs is not outweighed by the selfish acts of others. Hugs, he is lucky to have you. |
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  More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | Call her instead of texting her. If it were me I'd go talk to her face to face and let her know of her stupidity in case she doesn't know. If she still doesn't give a rip then your going to have to deal with the situation at hand. Yes its going to cost you lots of lost time, money and energy. But you can rest easy knowing you did everything right. Then your next step is letting as many people as possible in the area where this POS lives know what an idiot she is so she doesn't do this to any more horses and so called friends. |
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I Am Always Right
Posts: 4264
Location: stray dump capital of the world | He is doing well this morning. The vet said it isn't colic and is a bit perplexed. Perhaps the extreme hot to cold weather was hard on him. The fluids and pain medication helped. He has been moving a bit slower this week, but again, it could be the weather and he has arthritis. The episode last night, whatever it was, was sooo scary. We lost one the day before Thanksgiving to colic and I knew I couldn't handle another death so soon. But, as you can see on the round bale, he is still a happy guy.
I have written this person off and will have no more dealings with her
or her family. You guys are right. God sent him here for a reason. He is much loved and his last hours, days, weeks, or years, whatever they may be, will be comfortable.
I appreciate the ability to vent. I'll update later. Got to get to work. I don't know the cost of the vet bill yet, so gotta earn some moolah. lol
thanks for letting me vent. |
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 Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | He looks like a sweet, sweet boy. I'm glad you took him in. It's pathetic how people can be sometimes. |
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More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | If he's in his 30's he needs to be put down. Wait until it gets warmer and set up a time when it works for you and your husband. He deserves to go out with respect. He actually looks pretty good for his age. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 407
| Why does he need to be put down just because he is in his 30's? |
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I Am Always Right
Posts: 4264
Location: stray dump capital of the world | Exactly... Why put him down? He is fat and sassy. The only health problem he has displayed in the last 8 months was last night. I agree, he is in his 30s, and if the time arises that he is suffering (or we have another episode like last night) then certainly we will do the right thing by this guy.
So far so good for the day. The husband says the horse is doing well which is more than I can say for me. lol. I am soooo sleepy. It's almost time to go home.
Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughts. |
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 Water Weight Barbie
Posts: 6829
Location: Oz, Kansas | Prayers for your old man. I hope he feels better soon. Being the spiteful person that I am, I would keep track of all of your expenses & after he crosses over the rainbow file a small claims suit against your ex-friend. She deserves some responsibility for this horse. You may never get a dime but at least she will know that she didn't get away with abandoning her horse. |
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Love the Worn and Ugly (Saddles)
Posts: 1937
| lookout hill - 2014-01-29 3:50 PM Prayers for your old man. I hope he feels better soon. Being the spiteful person that I am, I would keep track of all of your expenses & after he crosses over the rainbow file a small claims suit against your ex-friend. She deserves some responsibility for this horse. You may never get a dime but at least she will know that she didn't get away with abandoning her horse.
I agree with this. I would not put him down if he is healthy. We all have bad days when we get old but until the bad outweigh the good there's no reason if you can take care of him like you have. Bless you for doing what you can for him. What is the reason for the above poster to say that he needs to be put down? |
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 Born not Made
Posts: 2931
Location: North Dakota | Text messages are nice because you have written proof for a court of law. A phone conversation can be "made up". If money is an issue, then I would sue your "friend" for the vet bills.
If not, then do what you need to do for the horse.
God bless you for taking such good care of him.  |
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 Expert
Posts: 1218
Location: Great NW | Age does not determine when you need to put them down. They will tell you. Yes the older they are the more care they take - but do we not owe it to them for everything they give us. I am sorry she dumped him on you. It sounds like you needed him as much as he needed you. I wish you the best. |
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 Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | He's a pretty boy! Glad he is feeling better. I guess I would chalk this up to another life lesson, delete your contacts from this person and give up on her-some people just aren't worth it! Had a very intelligient man give me some great advice once, "education is never free, whether a piece of paper or the realization about people and their actions either good or bad" |
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 Expert
Posts: 2154
Location: USA | I have a retired halter champion mare who is in her mid 30's. She is the most bullheaded yet loving horse. She has arthritis, 4 teeth, and cushings. We manage her diet. We tried the cushings supplements but she quit eating if they were in her food. We tried making her a mash and she ate it for awhile but then quit eating. So she gets dry senior feed. She was given to me several years ago in fair condition and I wasn't sure if she would make it through the winter. However, she gained weight and is doing great. She will tell me when she's ready to go and I assure you, as of today, she isn't ready. If she needs emergency vet care for a colic or what have you, she would get it. We owe that to her. She has been great for kids who are new to horses and shown me to appreciate the oldies.
Many prayers for your horse. Glad to hear he is doing better and bless you for taking care of him in his time of need. |
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 Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | My old mare, well my dad's old mare is going to be 33 this June. She looks about 16. My husband's old gelding is going to be 29 or so and looks pretty good. Both horses get only mush, but they are some of the few that have earned their right to retirement. |
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Go Get Em!
Posts: 13502
Location: OH. IO | I would jut count my loses with said "friend" and call him my own.you wont get anything from her,but ,you will get a thank you from that beautiful old guy,and ,you will have peace in your heart. |
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