Lameness

Buckskin · 08-27-08, 07:52 AM

I've been working in the equine hospital this week (12 hour shifts plus on-call during the night is a hard slog) and it seems that most of the cases that are in are because of some degree of lameness, especially younger horses.

In your experience how lame can a horse be and at the same time stil have a career doing something other than eating grass? A few of these hroses are never going to race, and I'd like to know there's something they can be put to.

Cadri4n · 08-27-08, 02:18 PM

I always thought lameness was only temporary for most horses. But it seems it is sometimes chronic and there isn't much to do but to euthanized the horse.

iHorse · 08-27-08, 07:30 PM

I think alot of times it depends on how lame, and where its at. I used to lease a horse with a barbed wire injury on her back lag. Cut right through the tendons when she was a wee filly. She never got to do much as after one ride she'd be lame (and we're talking not much trotting). We worked with her though and eventually she was donated as a therapeutic riding horse for little kiddies. They were light enough that even three hours of walking kept her sound.

Plenty of pasture ornaments would be ok toting the grandkids about if you let them. They can also be used for educational purposes, to show kids what happened when big breeder pushes them too fast. Nothing speaks to a child like a live horse.

Jewel · 08-28-08, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iHorse

I think alot of times it depends on how lame, and where its at. I used to lease a horse with a barbed wire injury on her back lag. Cut right through the tendons when she was a wee filly. She never got to do much as after one ride she'd be lame (and we're talking not much trotting). We worked with her though and eventually she was donated as a therapeutic riding horse for little kiddies. They were light enough that even three hours of walking kept her sound.

Plenty of pasture ornaments would be ok toting the grandkids about if you let them. They can also be used for educational purposes, to show kids what happened when big breeder pushes them too fast. Nothing speaks to a child like a live horse.

I couldn't agree more, iHorse, racing isn't everything to a horse. A few "pasture ornaments" ought to be around every farm. Euthanization is not the answer. It is a last resort.

Buckskin · 08-28-08, 11:42 PM

The one horse in particular I'm thinking of is a 6 year old racer who has had three gallops and pulled up severely lame after each one. Then had a rest in the paddock for at least 6 months, only to gallop and pull up lame again.

He's a good looking geling, but the personality isn't that great. Any chance for him?

apples-n-oats · 08-30-08, 03:01 PM

Depending on his build and ability he might make a nice eventer if he can jump. Often an ex-racer enjoys running, but just isn't that great at it. His personality could be a result of how well he's being treated while sucking up money but not earning any. At six he's still on the line between green and competent in the regular riding world so he's got time to be retrained for something else.

08-27-08, 07:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
Buckskin Member Join Date: 11-05-07 Location: Australia Posts: 125	Lameness I've been working in the equine hospital this week (12 hour shifts plus on-call during the night is a hard slog) and it seems that most of the cases that are in are because of some degree of lameness, especially younger horses. In your experience how lame can a horse be and at the same time stil have a career doing something other than eating grass? A few of these hroses are never going to race, and I'd like to know there's something they can be put to. __________________ Got carrots?

08-28-08, 11:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
Buckskin Member Join Date: 11-05-07 Location: Australia Posts: 125	The one horse in particular I'm thinking of is a 6 year old racer who has had three gallops and pulled up severely lame after each one. Then had a rest in the paddock for at least 6 months, only to gallop and pull up lame again. He's a good looking geling, but the personality isn't that great. Any chance for him? __________________ Got carrots?

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08-27-08, 02:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
Cadri4n Member Join Date: 04-26-08 Location: Illinois Posts: 50	I always thought lameness was only temporary for most horses. But it seems it is sometimes chronic and there isn't much to do but to euthanized the horse.

08-27-08, 07:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
iHorse Member Join Date: 08-01-08 Posts: 25	I think alot of times it depends on how lame, and where its at. I used to lease a horse with a barbed wire injury on her back lag. Cut right through the tendons when she was a wee filly. She never got to do much as after one ride she'd be lame (and we're talking not much trotting). We worked with her though and eventually she was donated as a therapeutic riding horse for little kiddies. They were light enough that even three hours of walking kept her sound. Plenty of pasture ornaments would be ok toting the grandkids about if you let them. They can also be used for educational purposes, to show kids what happened when big breeder pushes them too fast. Nothing speaks to a child like a live horse.

08-30-08, 03:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
apples-n-oats Member Join Date: 08-13-08 Posts: 25	Depending on his build and ability he might make a nice eventer if he can jump. Often an ex-racer enjoys running, but just isn't that great at it. His personality could be a result of how well he's being treated while sucking up money but not earning any. At six he's still on the line between green and competent in the regular riding world so he's got time to be retrained for something else.