Is it time to call off the lease?

Question

I need some help from all you horse ppl out there. I am free leasing a horse. The owners let me take him to my barn, the lease is for 6 months, it ends in november. (btw before you answer, I have talked to ppl at his old barn about these problems and they say he was never like this) This horse has been lame twice, both from shoeing even though I tried two different farriers. He has been lazy for riding ever since he came to my barn, and I dont know why because when I would try him out before I got him, he was a little ball of fire. In any case, he started tripping when I would ride him. One time at the canter and we went down. So then we thought maybe he just wasnt engaging his hind end so we were working on him engaging his hind even though he does have arthritus in his hocks. He seemed to be doing better with the tripping, but now he is sore in his back to the point where he throws his head whenever he is asked for the trot on the lunge, and doesn't even want to be curried on his back. And his left hock is swollen with fluid. I'm going out of my mind here, I know my parents cant afford to put out money for vet visits... Is it time to call of the lease and start over with a different horse?

heres a video of us just before the most recent problems if it helps any: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZ43ug8sB2w

Answer 1

you need to talk to a vet. especially for the swollen hock. there could be something really wrong. talk to the owner and call the vet.

Answer 2

Personally, I would get a vet to see him. It may be nothing too serious, but if it is, the longer you put it off the worse it will get.

Also, make sure you tell the owner of this horse about his problems!

Good luck. (:

Answer 3

Your right, he doesn't seem like he has that much impulsion.

Hmm.. Is there anything wrong with his tack? like does his saddle still fit him properly etc. I would maybe look into it a bit because there may be a reason for this, but if your getting frustrated and can't afford vet visits (I understand) then I would call off the lease if you have another horse in mind. But first, investigate a bit more and find out.

Answer 4

Call it off.

Answer 5

He appears pretty stiff through the hock on his right hind....you say, though that it is the left hock that is swollen?  I wonder if he has an active inflammatory process going on in both hocks?  His back is also sensitive, and this is all new since he came to your place. He could be favoring the hocks and that has led to back soreness as he tries to brace against pain.  I think he has quite a bit of pain in those hocks, and stiffness as well.  Asking him to engage the hindquarter might be something he just can't handle if his hocks are hurting. At this point he should be evaluated to see if whatever is going on can be improved, and to determine his limitations.  I'd talk to the owner and see if there is more to know, like if x rays have ever been done on his hocks, etc.

I find it hard to believe that this just came out of nowhere all of a sudden.  Somehow, something needs to be done before he is ridden any more.

Answer 6

Firt check your saddle. It might not fit him quite right. I know horses will act different depending on their surroundings. My mare use to be great for a 6 yr old to ride and then I moved her and now she's only good for someone that has alot of experience. Just the difference in surroundings. Second off, if it's not the tack I would get him checked by a vet. He looks like he's sore when you ask him to go into a canter, it's hard to tell as you only canter a few feet, but it seems like something is bothering him.

Good Luck

Answer 7

Well, despite what you say about his ailments, which should be checked out, one thing I observed is that you are not assertive enough.  Your not pushing him at all..your not engaging him and he looks lazy just kinda plodding along.  When he went into the canter which was for about three strides you went right back into a trot..did he break and you just let him go back into a trot?  You didn't even push him on at all.

If the purpose of the video was to show soundness or slowness, at one time he looked a little off to me, it was his right hock area..but if it was to show his lack luster way of going then I'm sorry to say but it seemed to me that you weren't pushing him enough.  Perhaps he has changed since he has been with you because that is the way you ride

and he has been allowed to be that way.

I don't think it is responsible for you to have medical problems and now because you don't want to lay out the money for care, you want to turn him in.  You leased him for nothing..the least you could do is provide adequate care while he is your responsibility.  Unfortunately that is a part of owning, leasing and caring for any living or breathing thing whether human, equine, feline or dog.  It's not a car that you turn in, and just because you don't own him doesn't mean that what happened didn't happen while he was with you.

Even changing horses doesn't mean that the next one might not require medical attention at some point.  Maybe you should reconsider leasing and just take lessons where you don't have to worry about any extraordinary expenses that are a part of being a responsible owner or lessee.

  

Answer 8

If you can't afford money for a vet, then I really don't think you should be leasing a horse at all. Vets are an essential part of owning a horse and having one go lame because you can't get a vet out is dumb. Before you lease a different horse, figure out what's going own with the current one.

Answer 9

Congratluations, you may have just ruined a horse!

Don't be stupid next time. If you can't afford vetting, don't get a horse.

Hopefully then no more horses will suffer.

Answer 10

That is so rude to make comments about peoples financial status. Her family may not be Bill Gates, but that doesn't mean that she doesn't love and care about that horse. If she didn't care then why would she be asking for help on what to do in this situation?

Anyways:

I would give him a little more time. Check his body for swelling and heat. And try stretching him out before you ride. Here are some stretches to try. http://www.horsefixer.com/stretches.html

Another stretch is to run your fingers across the underside of a horses belly, it may take a while but you'll find a spot that will make him stretch and lift up his back. It might feel good to hose his back off with cold water or try putting something like vetrolin liniment, try putting the liniment in a spray bottle and spraying it on his back. If nothing works, then i would suggest ending the lease if her doesn't get better withing a week or two of trying these things. P.s great riding in your video! its a shame about him. Wish you the best of luck!

~Shaina