The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread 11

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

One thing that was said by the vet in this program was the horse did seem to do the right thing at the right time for himself. H laid down when he needed to but got up when he needed to. Things like that...so maybe he could have been turned loose some, and things would have been better.

You know, part of me is glad they tried too...and I’m not saying they ended it to late or to soon. I don’t know, because I have only the media to help me judge that, and well ...that says it all:)

But now having tried...I just hope if this situation arises again, they don’t try again. At least not now. I’d say if it should happen again now, they will have only “theories” to base changes in treatment on. IMO, they need to know a whole lot more before trying this again.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

This exact thing will never happen again. A horse may have a break happen that is similar, but with it’s own distinct issues. I’m sure it has happened before and since, and they’ve tried, sometimes with success and sometimes not. I think they only learn more by trying.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

A break as severe as this, is more then likely going to bring on founder. Unless they can learn to control founder, they don’t need to keep trying, on cases with this severe of trauma. They can learn that under less serious circumstances.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

I guess I’m happy that it’s not my decision. Neither of us is ever going to do that kind of rehab... but I’m not going to tell someone else they shouldn’t (unless they just don’t have the money to do it right). It’s their horse, their money.

[FrogInABlender]

...I wonder if he’d have survived, if they’d risked the repair and turned him out. With the cast on if they feared the repair wouldn’t hold. Give him lots of quiet pony powder so he doesn’t run and buck, but get him walking and grazing. Yes, I know they hand walked him, but that’s not enough...

Yeah, I wonder that too. This is exactly the reason I put the muzzle on my ol' IR, founder-prone buddy Tennessee. I could hand walk him for 30 minutes or so a day, but I'm sure he gets much more than that by just walking around on his own all day following the others around the pasture, even if he can't graze.

I'm sure they couldn't have turned Barbaro out just immediately after his surgery (or could they, I don't know), but after some reasonable time for the screws and plates to heal somewhat, they could've turned Barbaro out in a small pasture with another quite horse and let him pal around with them, just to get his circulation going. I understand that he was a stallion and not used to being out much, but like you say, give him some QuitePonyPowder and give it a try.

I'm no Vet, and I didn't even stay at a Holiday Inn last night, but it sounds plausible to me. ;o)

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Well you’re right that we don’t have to make those types of decisions.

I would tell someone they shouldn’t even if they have the money, and even if it is their horse and their money, especially when they are broadcasting all over the TV. Closing your eyes to things that you believe are wrong, or always letting someone else make decisions with no feedback when they are putting their opinions out there is not right IMO.

Passing judgement on them for what they do is what we are not suppose to do. I don’t fault them, I don’t think they should be shunned or harrassed or have fingers pointed at them, but I can say and will say, I believe they made some wrong decisions. I believe the decisions were made with the best intentions, but that doesn’t make them right, IMO.

On a less controversial topic:), I just got back from riding. Harley was perfect tied and riding, so I cut it short to just an hour. Now I’m going to work on getting some fence around the front yard so he can graze there a bit. I hate to just keep mowing all this wonderful grass down.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

On another less controversial subject, Bob will be bringing over the guest monster in a bit.

We’ll be puppy sitting till July 1 :~)

[Beaker]

Did the vets, owners, give all the info and the media edited it, or did the media report honestly....who knows.

Half the time the media doesn't know what the heck they're talking about. Perhaps in this case they meant well, but I'd say that the edited it so that it was a heartwarming feel good story for the general public. Most of the time, I find, when the media gives a report, they give general mickey-mouse information, especially when it comes to the "hard stuff" like science or medicine. Is that harsh to say? Probably. But it's because of that that that we get half truths. "Half truths and whole lies" is what a friend of mine used to say. That leaves the rest of us who know more (or know better) to fill in the blanks and speculate.

Was I surprised that the owners of Barbaro went through all that they did to try to save him? You bet. Do I criticize them for it? No, not really, but at the same time, I don't know if I would have, simply because of all the complications that could have (and did) arise. Would I be completely devastated to have to put my horse down? Oh, you bet. Perhaps they kept going because of all of the media attention that he got. But that's just speculation on my part.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

IMO, your post rings with common sense. Thanks:)

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Geez it’s hot and humid out there. I got most of the fencing up. I’m fixing the fence out back where I put Rocky to graze, didn’t quit get that done.

So, what kind of puppy is it, I can’t remember? It’s Bob’s right? By July 1 the puppy is going to be more your then his, poor thing is going to have to several readjustments.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

It’s “Jessie’s” really, so they say... I don’t know if it was Jessie’s or Kay’s idea ;~)

It’s a miniature Schnauzer. He looks like a little bridge troll.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

My brothers family use to have one of those. They can be live wires:)...good luck. Is he house broke? crate trained?

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

Well, they’ve only had him a week he’s only about 9-10 weeks old, so he’s not all the way housebroke yet... I think we get to work on that :~)

They do have a crate, and a little playpen he can be in. I’m thinking of staking him on a long line in the front when he goes out, where he can play but not end up out with the horses.

[Beaker]

He looks like a little bridge troll.

lol! At least he won't ask you about the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow!

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Oh boy:),,, what fun you are going to have. I’ll bet you’ll miss him when he goes back tho. Puppies like that grow on you quick.

Can’t wait to see pictures.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

I think there will be pictures :~)

He does have a very cute little personality. Very carefree. The kittens aren’t going to know what to think of him, he’s only about half their weight right now :~)

[2Jedismom]

I gotta say...my men look great! All three got haircuts this past week and look fantastic!

Your daughter does a great job.

[HairOfTheDog]

Monster pictures :~)

Gidget getting between ;~)

Wee!

Woah!

Wee!

Here's the little playpen we set up inside for now, when we aren't watching. Gidget would mostly like to know why 'it' now has her toys.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

WEll good. Thanks.

Do you think it’s ever going to stop raining...this is getting to be a bit much.

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

He’s so cute, you’re going to have fun:)

What’s his name?

Becky