Equine blood bank

[waffles]

Hey - can anyone tell me more about them?

I've never heard of them before today!

Here's what i've heard - could you tell me if these are true or not?

- Horses live in a herd enviroment
- Horses over 15 aren't accepted, and once a horse becomes over 15 he/she is sold to slaughter?


Thankyou xx

[rebanna]

I think there blood is used in lab's for growing bactiria thats all i know sorry

[waffles]

Ah right! thanks! i thought it was used to give blood transfusions (to other horses)
thanks

[bonnyben]

I know of two horses that were sent to the blood bank.

Yes you are right, their blood is used primarily for transfusions for other horses but I suppose it is possible that any spare is used for experiments as well.

They are said to be very well treated; fed properly, turned out in decent fields etc and properly looked after. There is no merit in taking blood from unwell horses after all. No point in that.

I also heard that you can visit your horse and, if you want take it away again after two years but that might not be right.

Don't know anything about age restricitions, both the ones I knew were sent there because they were lame and not fixable...

Is this something you are thinking about? If so I am sure you would be allowed to pay a visit , have a look round and ask all the questions concerning you.

Mind you I don't believe they'd be sold for slaughter at the end of their useful life. I really don't..but perhaps I am being niaive.

[waffles]

there's a pony at my RC, who is lame, and will never get better - she is however sound in the field. she hates people, but loves horse, and is a great companion to them, the YO was thinking about sending her to one, but i didnt know what they were tbh.

i've tried googling it, but nothing comes up tbh :/

thanks for the help though ;D
xx

[joandlad]

A friend of mine in the RAF sent his horse to the one in Scotland when he got a 2 year overseas posting. When he got back he collected it and it was in very good condition and seemed none the worse for the experience. I think there's a lot of scaremongering about the blood banks but would definitely look into it as an option for this horse. Although you say it's a pony and the blood bank only takes horses over 15.2hh.

Website for Scottish one:
www.eolabs.com/facilities.htm

Another friend's horse has just come home from Liphook after receiving 8 blood transfusions for a ruptured spleen. So whether you agree with the ethics of it or not it certainly saved her horse's life.

[scattymare]

From what I have heard they are kept in herds outside from March - October and in big barns (in the same herd) from Oct - March. They are very well cared for and have blood taken once a month. But yes the max age is 15 and at this age the owner is offered them back but if not wanted they are pts.
there are far worse fates than the blood bank and I think it's something I'd consider if I had another 'broken' animal that still had quality of life.

[waffles]

thanks, that website is quite interesting,

i agree, i think it is far better for a horse to enjoy living life in a herd enviroment, than being passed on to many different owners. the pony at my yard is 14.3, so it looks like this isnt an option for her - which in a way i am thankful for.

thankyou xx

[fleabitten]

I didnt even know there was blood banks.

[maximum]

I was going to post about the scottish one - not aware of any others but there may be after all the blood from transfusions has to come from somewhere.

[zara]

I'd never heard of them - just goes to show that you learn something new everyday! Zx

[waffles]

I've heard there's one in wales too, but i havent found any info on that one!

i hadn't heard of them either, till the YO mentioned it

x

[Jane380]

Where are these blood banks .
X

[brigadier]

www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=equine%20and%20sheep%20blood%20laboratory

[auds]

I am in the process of buying a pony, to cut along story short the owner has disputed my offer for her and said that if we can not agree a price (its very young and not what the owner has advertised)then she will send the pony to the blood bank...I've fell in love with the pony and going to pay the money anyways as I cant bare the mare to go anywhere else other than the five star home I know I can provide her...altho feeling cornered I was wondering if anyone else could share their thoughts about blood banks, ive read that they are really well looked after...however my questions are out of curiosity having not heard of such and where more regards to the health and well being of the horses/ponies and the what if's e.g like humans if we give so much and suffer as a result health issues like anaemia...what happens to horses/ponies if they are not suitable for such homes like the blood banks?

[brigadier]

In a word auds they go for slaughter, there are plenty of horses out there that are unfit for use, whether that is for riding or breeding or otherwise and unfortunately unless in a proper structured retirement then they are put destroyed. I do think the blood banks are a good idea, if you can bear to think of your horse being used as such. Once you have made that decision and got some 'distance' from the issue then I would think it is a good solution especially if they get to live a few years of a 'natural' stress free life.

[Jenncy]

I was out in Buckinghamshire yesterday. There are about 200 horses running free in copious green pastures. They are in super condition and all look very happy. If I'd known about the company and what they did I'd have given serious consideration for my old boy. I would still be able to see him, still love him and he would be well looked after in exchange for his samples. Unfortunately he was over the 15 year limit so I kept him until his quality of life was diminished and my promise to him, given that he wasn't able to be ridden, was the day I give you more than 1 bute a day is the day I have a serious talk with my vet. One Saturday I gave him three in his evening feed. On the following Tuesday, by arrangement, he was dispatched with love and care to horse heaven.

[pboy]

Sorry for your loss Jenncy It sounds like you are a very responsible horse owner and did the right thing for your old boy xx

[mel]

Jun 1, 2015 12:24:10 GMT pboy said:

Sorry for your loss Jenncy It sounds like you are a very responsible horse owner and did the right thing for your old boy xx

[m]

Jun 1, 2015 12:24:10 GMT pboy said:

Sorry for your loss Jenncy It sounds like you are a very responsible horse owner and did the right thing for your old boy xx

[m]

does anyone have the numbe rof the aylesbury blood bank i cannot get hold of it anywhere??