Bad Health- bad luck or what?

[duckles]

The vet was out last week and confirmed that growth on JB's back leg is indeed a scaroid and very aggressive. He ringed it as the first step in the proceedure. I can't ride him for the moment - obvioulsy. I asked him about the parafin and he said it worked but no one knew why! This year is not even 4 months old and JB has been off work for over 2 of them. In January it was his back (6 weeks) and then another 2 weeks off with an abcess in his foot and now this. I just felt so sorry for the poor fellow - he is the sweetest nicest horse you can meet, he has lovely paces and a great jump and loads and hacks like a dream. He gets on with every horse he meets- even the awkward ones and all mares are crazy about him (I'm not exaggerating). He is the leader in his little herd but is always quiet and laid back with the others. But in the last 4 years, the longest he has been ridden without injury or sickness is 5 months! His early life was tough and I know a lot of his problems have stemmed from that but I thought that he should be ok by now. I did email an animal psychologist a while back but unfortunately she is ill at the moment but will contact me when she is better. ANyway if anyone has any suggestions, advice, similiar experiences (especially with happy endings), I would be really really grateful.

[flash7]

I've had a similar experience of constant problems with my horse and it's been 3.5 years so you are not alone. My horse went down with colic in the first few weeks I got him and ended up in the vet hospital. The vet said he had worm damage in his gut that every now and then will flare up. We managed to do our first show. I then had a motorbike accident so couldn't ride him. He's had a nasty sarcoid removed and we did our first dressage show. He then got problems with annular ligament and his tendon sheath...more time off...we did quite well for a bit then he got a bout of colic and a virus... we moved yards last september and he got a neck injury and another virus...We just got going over christmas when I had another non-fault motorbike accident....
Duckles I understand how frustrating it is.

[only1wu]

My friends horse (who shares a field with mine) has had sarcoids, with 2 lots of treatment from Professor Knottenbelt, colic twice, COPD (or whatever it is called now), a sprained tendon and a skin complaint that made him go all scabby and his hair fall out. Never actually got a diagnosis for that one ...

At one point he was turned out 24/7 for the COPD, then he got the sprained tendon and the vet (same vet) said he had to come in 24/7 for 6 weeks, but have much ventilation in his box.

Recently he came back into work and we got him shod. 3 days later he pulled a shoe off in the field. All bent and twisted, it was. My friend put an Old Mac boot on the unshod foot, took him out for a short ride and he went lame. Old Mac Boot, properly fitted, had rubbed his pastern raw.

He is 8 now, a grey Arab of Polish breeding and with paces that take your breath away. But with his frequent ailments we cannot get him into regular work.

We think that he may have been cursed.

Any advice most welcome

[kateflashy]

where do i start
my masha (sig pic) in the 15 years she was with me had 3 torn tendons, grass sickness, touching spines, put her back out twice, strangles, lost an eye , and had huge sarcoids in between her back legs
she finally sucomb to twisted gut 2 years ago though even then she hung on for 4 days and still bit my colt when he went over to her
i was never sure to call her the luckyist or unluckyist horse
cos even though she had a lot go wrong , she always made a fulll recovery

[brigadier]

Blimey there's some really heart rending stories and I thought Id had an unlucky horse! I lost a lovely horse last year who never really had time to be a proper horse- he was only five and had raced and been in training since two years. He had been the trainers wifes 'baby' so he came to me and within three weeks he went fatally lame. I am still gutted and mourn his loss- not because of his huge potential but because he didnt deserve it and he never had the chance to recover and show what he was.

I think the reason Im saying this and putting myself through the hell of typing it- all your horses- despite their ailments are really lucky to have you as owners who care and will try and sort their problems out. There are some really unlucky desperate horses out there who dont have people who care.
brig
x

[duckles]

Thank you all for responding: I now realise I am lucky- a lot of horses have it tougher
Brig: you are so right- there are too many horses (and people too) who have no one to love them - that is really really sad about your horse- the poor thing
Kateflashy: its amazing how some horses have that great spirit to fights through so many problems - gives me hope though-
Only1wu: poor horse he sounds very unlucky
Flash 7: You poor thing- to have 2 motorbike accidents as well as everything else- Are you ok?

[flash7]

Hi duckles!! Thanks hun, I'm recovering slowly from my neck and back injuries. Not able to do my horse yet let alone ride but I have progressed to grooming him a little that's good progress as I could hardly move before. A lot of people have said I don't have much luck. Tey are probably right but me and my horse are still here and have not given up!!
Keep strong, you will get the highs and when they happen you will appreciate them even more. Give JB a cuddle from me.

[duckles]

Thanks Flash7 I will. Your store of good luck is just accumulating and you will be innudated with it soon! You are right of course, the main thing is to keep going and just get a little better each day and I'm going out to your horse helps a lot even if you can't do much. I hope you have good doctors and physios and things will improve. Hopefully it won't be that long before you and your horse are strong again. take care:-)

[flash7]

Thanks Duckles, I hope your right about the goodluck bit!

[only1wu]

Taizzie (see message of 29th April) is dead.
My friend's beautiful Arab had another bad attack of colic on the night of 13th May. The vet came at 7.00 and said that we had to take him to Liverpool for urgent colic surgery. In the 10 minutes that it took us to prepare the trailer he went down. The vet gave him a massive dose of painkillers, some stuff to re-hydrate him and a large dose of steroids. He got up, staggered round and then fell over again. His mucous membranes were pale, his breathing was pitiful gasps and his ears were like a clammy washcloth.
To save him any more suffering he was put to sleep at 10.30. He died very quickly and peacefully. We have buried him in the field where he died and where he spent many happy hours with his pal. It is a peaceful spot with many trees.
His pal is grieving and I spent the day with him in a nearby field. I sat on a camp stool and read the newspaper, did some Su Doku, ate lunch and comforted him every time he shouted for Taizzie. He has survived the day, as we all have.

Rest in Peace, Taizzie. You were a lovely boy, but had no luck.

[chellebean]

I am so sorry for your loss! Hugs to you and his owner xxx

[only1wu]

Thanks, Chellebean. You are really kind.
Wu

[trojanwarrior]

Oh Wu, that's such sad news Big hug to all involved & I really hope that your horse comes to terms with his grief quickly.