Patchesnposies
Chillin' with the herd
Hello Folks,
Recently I came across an advert for an old gelding that had been a therapy horse for disabled kids. I had previously done volunteer work with a therapeutic horseback riding group and knew how wonderful these horses can be.
My children have been clamoring to learn how to ride for a while and I figured an old ex-therapy horse would be ideal for (and very forgiving of) new riders.
I knew when I went to see him that he looked like he had Cushing's disease. I am not an incredibly experienced horse person, but I could tell by the photos that she sent me that he had a terribly long coat of hair for the end of summer, even for living up in the mountains.
So, being the information junkie that I am I researched diseases of older horses and saw that he appeared to have a lot of the symptoms for CD.
When I went to see him I felt that at least from outward appearances it looked like he definitely had CD. Of course, when I asked the owner she denied it and acted like she had never heard of the disease, even though she told me she was a vet tech.
I really did not want to buy a horse with Cushing's and totally convinced myself not to.....but he was so sweet.....and so wonderful with the kids.....and so obviously neglected......that I did.
I know that the medicine that he will need will be expensive and I also plan to use chaste tree berry powder along with dietary changes.
I am wondering if anyone out there would be willing to share with me how they are treating their horse with this disease.
I know that I am absolutely crazy and there is no need to tell me so. I wrote this out stream-of-consciousness so don't read too much of anything into it one way or another.
I just want to give this old guy a good life for the rest of his.
I also wanted to add that we had 3 horses up until about 10 years ago when I developed rheumatoid arthritis. I didn't know if I'd ever be able to ride again because the onset was quick and severe....now that my meds are stable and doing me no end of good, I felt able to indulge in an old love.
I guess, I feel a little simpatico to Briscoe because I know I have a lot of love to give even being an old cripple. LOL
ETA: I will be having the vet run whatever tests are necessary to determine if he truly does have CD or IR.
Recently I came across an advert for an old gelding that had been a therapy horse for disabled kids. I had previously done volunteer work with a therapeutic horseback riding group and knew how wonderful these horses can be.
My children have been clamoring to learn how to ride for a while and I figured an old ex-therapy horse would be ideal for (and very forgiving of) new riders.
I knew when I went to see him that he looked like he had Cushing's disease. I am not an incredibly experienced horse person, but I could tell by the photos that she sent me that he had a terribly long coat of hair for the end of summer, even for living up in the mountains.
So, being the information junkie that I am I researched diseases of older horses and saw that he appeared to have a lot of the symptoms for CD.
When I went to see him I felt that at least from outward appearances it looked like he definitely had CD. Of course, when I asked the owner she denied it and acted like she had never heard of the disease, even though she told me she was a vet tech.
I really did not want to buy a horse with Cushing's and totally convinced myself not to.....but he was so sweet.....and so wonderful with the kids.....and so obviously neglected......that I did.
I know that the medicine that he will need will be expensive and I also plan to use chaste tree berry powder along with dietary changes.
I am wondering if anyone out there would be willing to share with me how they are treating their horse with this disease.
I know that I am absolutely crazy and there is no need to tell me so. I wrote this out stream-of-consciousness so don't read too much of anything into it one way or another.
I just want to give this old guy a good life for the rest of his.
I also wanted to add that we had 3 horses up until about 10 years ago when I developed rheumatoid arthritis. I didn't know if I'd ever be able to ride again because the onset was quick and severe....now that my meds are stable and doing me no end of good, I felt able to indulge in an old love.
I guess, I feel a little simpatico to Briscoe because I know I have a lot of love to give even being an old cripple. LOL
ETA: I will be having the vet run whatever tests are necessary to determine if he truly does have CD or IR.
