How can i get her to call the vet?

Question

someone at the yard where my ponies are stabled went on a hack with her new horse yesterday. she had to cut it short because the girl who was out with her noticed that the horse (Poppy) was lame. She didn't even call the vet and i can tell that Poppy is lame in walk. but she isn't calling the vet. i think it may be because either 1) she thinks it won't do much harm (she thinks that she knows it all because her mum used to be a national show jumper) or 2) because she didn't get Poppy vetted. also, i am wondering how to fond out whether or not Poppy has been stolen, as Poppy was bought from a dealer and she didn't have a name. she was bought for a really low price, too, and she is impeccable in all ways. if anyone can answer both questions, i will be grateful.

Answer 1

I know many horses that go lame for a few days. shannon  had it right when she said call the vet for lameness is like going to the doctor for a stubbed toe. poppy might of steped on a rock and should just be given a rest.

As for the stolen thing goes a lot of horses are sold without names from deallers.

I think you should just let this girl be unless the horse does not start to get better or get worse in a week.

Answer 2

I think you should be concerned about your own horse and not worry whether you are 'right' in this situation regarding somebody elses problem. Why get involved when it can do more harm than good?

Answer 3

I think you need to tread very carefully in this situation, it's nothing for YOU to worry about as it is there horse not yours! It's best to just keep out of it really. She may have just bruised her foot or already have an ailment that they are aware of. The horse isn't necessarily stolen many breeders and dealers don't name them.

Answer 4

Explain to her the problem while you two are doing something around Poppy, show her the problem and incist it will get worse if she doesn't call the vet. Maybe do some research? Showing evidence is a good way to make her realise it is bad. If this fails, tell her that if she doesn't call the vet then you will.

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

However you look at it, this is simply not your problem and you will have to get on with looking after your own ponies. It is primarily up to the owners to sort out the problem and then up to the yard owners who have to make sure that welfare is not compromised on their yard.

There are a billion causes of lameness and sometimes a few days rest will do the job. My own elderly horse was quite lame after the ground went from very soft to very hard in a few days. There was nothing to be done other than to let the feet harden up a bit and after a few days he was fine again.

If you stay with horses for the rest of your life, especially in livery yards you will often come across circumstances with other horses that will make you uncomfortable, it's not nice but you have to learn to live with it.

Remember too, that there is probably someone else who is thinking that there is something wrong with the way you look after your ponies - everyone always thinks that what they do is perfect.

Answer 6

Agree with the others, a horse being lame does not always need a vet straight away, if the mother is as experienced as you say then I would imagine she know what she is doing.

As for the pony being stolen surely that is up to her new owners to establish, being sold by a dealer and not having a name does not mean the horse is stolen!

Answer 7

You have to realize that this girl may already be aware of a previous injury and that is why she isn't calling the vet...I'd becareful assuming something so far out as what you are saying...maybe she is already treating the horse and you just aren't there 24/7 to see it.

Just because a horse is bought from a dealer aka horse trader, doesn't make it a stolen animal.

edit...it's nosey people like you who just can't let other people because you think YOU are always right...people like yourself is why I am so thankful that my horses live at home with me and not in a boarding situation. It sounds like you are that little miss know it all.

Edit...everything you said is based on assumption.

1. i think it may be because either 1) she thinks it won't do much harm (she thinks that she knows it all because her mum used to be a national show jumper) or 2) because she didn't get Poppy vetted. (this is a assumption because you are saying "You Think." Which means, you are not even bothering to talk to these people. Although they are in no way obligated to say what they are doing with THEIR horse.

2. also, i am wondering how to fond out whether or not Poppy has been stolen, as Poppy was bought from a dealer and she didn't have a name. she was bought for a really low price, too, (again...another assumption. You are wondering.) They aren't. So leave it be.

I got a good deal on my gelding and if someone came up to me and wondered if he was stolen just because he was cheap...I'd pop them in the mouth.

My goodness , if you aren't even talking to these people and make all these assumptions, you are doing nothing but causing trouble. You are a nosey little bugger who sounds really jealous about something.

Oh and things are that much different every where else in the world...there are pesky little buggers like you everywhere!

Answer 8

I never call the vet right away for lameness, they can go lame from stepping on a rock and bruising their frog, thats like going to the hospital for a stubbed toe. It is really ridiculous to call the vet actually. she should cold hose it and wait a few days. if you think its a stolen horse call the police and report your suspicions, they wont like come out and arrest them but they will deal with it and figure out if poppy was stolen or not. just because its a low price and unnamed it doesnt mean anything. There are plenty of places that breed and go over their limit and sell the horses they bred for really cheap and dont take the time to name them. i think you are really really over reacting to both aspects.

Answer 9

When i was 11 and had my first horses i saw one of my friends horses was lame but my friend didn't care, so i called the vet myself and it turnerd out her feet were shod wrong so lucky i called the vet, he also fixed it for free because it wasn't my horse and i was so caring!

Answer 10

talk to an adult or yard manager or even the mother , they will be more life experienced that n you . you sound young, dont mean this as an insult, but yard manager is the bet bet.

Answer 11

I certainly would not call my vet just because after a ride my horse was gimpy...could have a stone bruise, or something...if this girls mom was a show jumping champ I am sure she knows what to look for and what to do if the horse needs vet care.  I have bought horses also that did not have a name of any sort, they were not stolen either.  I think maybe you are getting too involved in someone elses horse business.

Answer 12

Poppy might be a retired racehorse that was sold cheap (happens all the time).  Some of those horses are beautiful!!!  They just can't run.  My friend had a racehorse that was so beautiful, during the whole race, the camera was on her, even though she was running dead last.  They eventually sold her as a jumper.

If the horse is showing signs of lameness, it might just be sore and need to rest.

If her mother used to be a jumper and knows how to care for horses, they may not need a vet right now.

Answer 13

Unless there was an obvious injury eg. cuts, puncture to sole, heat in leg, swelling in leg etc.  I wouldn't call the vet out straight away, instead I would assess the situation and see how it goes.  If after a few days the lameness persisted then I would ring the vet just to get some general advice.

You do not mention if Poppy is older, susceptible to arthritis, laminitis etc.  There could be many underlying causes to lameness, some of which the owner knows about and that is maybe why she isn't calling the vet.

My older horse had arthritis in his hocks and would often be lame with some days his lameness being worse than other days.  There were days that I used bute to assist him and there were other days where gentle exercise helped him.  It was only on his "bad days" where I would ring the vet or get him to come over and check him.  Other than that I managed his lameness myself.  To an outsider, someone who didn't know my horse they could of thought the same thing.

I'd maybe speak to this owner or the yard owner and voice your worries but other than that there's nothing you can do.

With regards to you thinking that her horse is stolen just because she came from a dealer, you need to realise that not all dealers are bad so rest your mind there, it does seem a pretty way out there thought!