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Posted by WindmillHills Cheryl
on 9/17/2009, 12:12 pm, in reply to "Re: #4 or #5"
75.35.111.25
I took her in when she was 18 (supposedly - probably more like 20 which makes her actually probably 30 instead of 28 - LOL). She had bone chips then and that is why they needed to find her a home without super steep hills that aggrivated her pain. So I took her in to semi-retire her (light occassional riding). She was fine for light riding for about 5 more years, but then an injury to another leg caused her knee with the bone chips to really blow out and be painful. So we haven't ridden her for the last 5 years or so. Her light gimping didn't seem to slow her down and she would run around pasture with the rest of the herd. But the last year I've had to keep her out of pasture with another old mare so she wouldn't get picked on by the herd. Maybe that is why her knee is worse? Or it is just old age catching up with her. Or being fat since she isn't getting the constant exercise from pasture life? Maybe I will risk putting her back in pasture to see if more exercise actually helps??? She is in awesome shape for her age (still nice flat back, great body). It is just that darn blown out knee that makes her life painful - ugh. The vets didn't recommend surgery years ago due to her age, so doubt that would be a wise option now due to her age (not that I could afford surgery now anyway).
But yes - your decision is far harder because it is a younger horse. But none of us like to have to make the choice no matter what the age of the horse.
Essential Oils - bring health to yourself and your horses.
http://www.WMHCheryl.com
http://www.youngliving.org/WMHCheryl
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