THE HORSE GAZETTE
equine health
the way of the horse
Welcome ADA Dressage
if you can’t feed them...sell!
Show Exhibitors!
By Eleanor Blazer © 2009
“ H o w d o y o u
want the responsibility of being
inevitable to spare our own
know?”
constantly available to help the
feelings?
A friend asked, “How
horse stand.
If the horse owner is
can I know if I should put her
A horse that is down
willing to assist the older horse
down?”
and can’t get up risks complica-
when needed, administer sup-
Any animal experi-
tions or death. If the incum-
portive medications, provide
encing intense pain with little
bent horse is not aided quickly
feed which can be utilized and
hope of recovery should be
dehydration sets in, internal
a safe area, then one last thing
euthanized. It is the humane
organs cannot function prop-
must be considered—the will
thing to do.
erly, the digestive system shuts
to live.
Many pet owners
down, muscles become hard and
Observation is the
Phone: 210-698-7802
believe animals are not aware
nerves can be damaged. If the
key to recognizing the “will to
Fax: 210-698-8370
of the future – only the present.
horse is struggling he can injure
live”. The first sign is usually
If this is true, animals in intense
himself.
showing no interest in feed.
pain, with only some hope of
Wanting to stand and
Store Hours:
The favorite treat is refused;
recovery, may also need to be
be mobile is a horse’s instinct.
Monday - Friday: 10 am - 6 pm
the nicker in the morning
euthanized. Owners need to be
The inability to stand is a detri-
Saturday: 9 am - 6 pm • Sunday: 12 Noon - 4 pm
is absent. There is a loss in
prepared to make the decision
ment to the quality of life.
interest of what is going on
based on how long the animal
An older horse with
around the barn. The horse will
Located at IH-10 and Boerne
will be in pain, if quality of life
poor or no teeth and a compro-
sometimes stand off by himself Stage Road in the HEB Shopping
after recovery will be comfort-
mised digestive system should
in a depressed state. Despite
able and if they can afford the
not be allowed to slowly starve
medical treatment, special Website:
www.boernestagesaddlery.com
cost of treatment and future
to death. Horses are designed
feeds and constant care, it may
care.
to eat forage. Dental problems
be “time”.
We are all different in
which do not allow a horse to
Selling an old horse,
regard to how much suffering
chew hay and an aging digestive
giving him away or sending the
we can handle.
system will lead to decreased
horse to a rescue center may
Watching a horse
intake of nutrients.
be options to euthanasia, of a
deal with intense pain for hours
The inability to move
refusal to face responsibility.
(or days) is very difficult. If
due to pain or other physical
The question should
pain killers are giving the horse
problems can lead to starvation
be, “What is best for the
some relief, and it is known the
and dehydration. The horse
horse?”
pain will subside soon, then
cannot move to eat or drink. He
Every situation is
euthanasia may be avoided.
may not be able to compete with
different.
You must determine
other horses for feed offered to
Because of worsen-
how long to let the horse suffer,
a group.
ing arthritic pain, trouble eat-
especially if the pain killers are
If the horse’s care-
ing, maintaining weight and
not providing relief.
giver does not have the money
other health related issues,
Quality of life must
to buy special feed, have the
my friend decided to have her
be considered.
time to feed multiple meals or
horse humanely put down.
Once the pain is
have room to keep the horse
It is hard, but our ani-
controlled the question must be
separate from others, then the
mal companions deserve to be
asked, “What kind of life will
horse’s quality of life is being
treated with love and dignity.
the horse enjoy?” This ques-
compromised.
tion also applies to horses that
Reoccurring illnesses
* Earn a Bachelor
are not in pain, but may lead a
such as pneumonia, colic and
of Science degree in equine
compromised life.
laminitis need to be addressed.
studies or certification as a
Horses that must be
Are the illnesses reoccurring
Professional Horse Trainer
assisted up after lying down
quicker than normal? Is the
or Riding Instructor. Start
may be candidates for eutha-
horse recovering fully before the
your new career as a riding
nasia. Arthritis, weakness or a
next onset? Is the quality of life
instructor, horse trainer, or
neurologic disease are some of
decreasing?
stable manager. All courses
the causes for losing the ability
With advances in
are online. Start anytime and
to stand unaided. It is up to the
equine medical care we can
work at your own pace. Visit
horse’s care givers to decide if
prolong life. But is it humane?
www.horsecoursesonline.com
the horse is in pain and if they
Are we only putting off the
for information.
WE
830-257-3312 or
SERVICE
866-330-8058
WHAT WE
SELL!
Indoor Stalls - Outdoor Pens (30’x30’) - Covered
Stalls with Runs - 150’x300’ Lighted Arena
Dressage Arena - Jumping Area - Two Round Pens
Two Hot Walkers - Full Care - Feeding Twice Daily
Daily Turnout (Except Weekends) Lighted Wash Area
Lighted BBQ & Picnic Area - 24-Hr Surveillance
Riding Lessons - Horse Training
Located approx. 5 minutes from Loop 410 at 13901 Hwy 90 West - just
outside San Antonio. Visit us at:
www.t-slash-barranch.com.
Call 210-677-0502
3120 Memorial Blvd. • Kerrville, Texas
Store Hours
Monday - Friday: 7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Saturday: 7:30am - 2Noon
Full Shop for Truck Bed Installation,
GN Hitches, Brake Controls,
Web:
www.back40supply.com Repairs, etc.
Visit us at:
www.HorseGazette.com Page 5
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20