Conference noted::equitation

816.0. "It's time to find a solution, any ideas?" by FRAGLE::PELUSO () Wed Jan 04 1989 11:46

    	
    
	Well it is time for me to make a major decision.  I have owned 
	Cocoa since July.  He was great for 3 months and then we had 
	an accident which has left him lame since (off and on).  I wrote 
	several notes regarding his condition so I won't go into much 
	detail here (notes 772 and 798).  

	An update:

	After 6 weeks of recuperation type work, I took him out on the 
	trail for a change of pace.  It was mostly streets and dirt roads, 
	and we were gone about an hour.  He stiffened up later on that 
	evening.  He has been charging up and down his pasture with our 
	new mare for the past month and has looked great, so I can't 
	figure out why a hour walk would hurt him.  I walked him out Sunday 
	and Monday (15 min or so), and each time he seemed to get better,
	then worse as the day progressed.  He looks as if he is in a lot 
	of pain and I am really feeling terrible about this whole thing.


	As his owner, I want to help him get better, in fact, I have been 
	told he will come back sound, with time.  I am taking him back to 
	the vet Friday, and am thinking about getting a third opinion 
	soon (any suggestions on a good vet W/ lamenesses?).  


	The problem:

	I love riding, and want to ride.  I can't ride Cocoa.  My 
	boyfriends new mare is a one owner type horse (we suspected this 
	and confirmed it with the owners who registered her last night), 
	so I can't really ride her either.

	A solution:

	I can lease a horse, I have one in mind, however, he was offered to 
	me for such a low price, I can buy him for what it would cost me 
	to lease him for 3 months.  The owner is in a bind and needs to 
	sell him fast (she just purchased a reg. QH mare - cant afford to 
	board two horses).  So I can help her and myself out, and let Cocoa 
	have a couple of months off out to pasture.


	The BIG Problem:

	What do I do W/ Cocoa?


	Possible solutions:

	* Sell him at the Auction (to mr. Meat?)		

	NO WAY, I just don't have it in me.  Besides I took on a 
	responsibility when I bought him and I have to face the good with 
	the bad.  so it leaves me with...

	* Put him out to pasture where I currently board (I don't have my 
	own place.  If I did, this wouldn't even be a problem.....to me it 
	would cost just as much to feed 2 as it would to feed 3...)

	Sounds good.  And I was offered a deal, along with boarding my 
	other horse ( $175/MO)  I can put Cocoa out to pasture for $50/mo.  
	Sounds like a reasonable solution, however there is a catch (there 
	always is).

	We have been offered 2 stalls at a friends for a rate we'd be 
	stupid to pass up.  They will only take two horses.  So we are 
	moving, probably by February 1st.  If we leave, I lose my deal where 
	I currently am ($50/mo.) and I have to find a place for Cocoa. 
	Or I could leave him there for the $175/mo.  [note:  I was working 
	there nights to reduce my board, however they are losing money and 
	told all their help that we are laid off till spring.]  So I can't 
	afford to board him @$175.

	
	I guess what I am looking for is a place, nearby (Westboro area)
	where I could put him out to pasture for a few months, and let him 
	heal up.  It would have to be reasonable, because he has vet bills 
	too. (Hopefully looking for something like I was offered  at the 
	place where I currently board now). 

	Does anyone have/or know of some extra paddock (he is used to being 
	out all the time) space where I could put him for a few months?  
	He is a real easy keeper and gets along with all horses. 

	When he healed, I could find him a home, where his future would not 
	be so dark, or donate him to 4H or something.  Or if things work out 
	the way my boyfriend and I plan, we'll have our own place, and I can 
	keep him there for a companion to the others. 

	My only other thought would be to stay where I am, and run myself 
	deeper into debt (I think I have this horse thing in me, because 
	that's where ALL my extra money goes, and I don't seem to care, however 
	there are other things and bills to consider).


	I love Cocoa, and am real attached to him, especially since the 
	progress in the trust department has been going real well.  I want 
	what is best for him, but I am running out of time and money.

	Thanks for listening, and letting me ramble,

	Michele
	(& Cocoa)
        

    If anyone would like to talk about working out a deal, you can call
    me @ DTN 234-4678, or write to FRAGLE::PELUSO
    
    Thanks!
    
    M

    
    
    Hi Michele,
    
    If you are looking for a "deal" such as leasing Cocoa, pasturing
    him somewhere, or even giving him away with the stipulation that
    you get him back you might want to advertise this so that it will
    reach people outside this notesfile that might be interested.
    Try putting ads in DTW (Digital this Week), The WantADvertiser,
    local newspapers, and horse publications such as Equine Exchange
    and the Horsemen's Yankee Pedlar.  You could also contact a
    regional 4-H office in your county to find out names of 4-H
    leaders that lead 4-H groups connected with livestock and horses.
    
    As for turning Cocoa out to pasture without putting him in a
    stall at night, I'm not so sure this would help his leg any,
    espescially with the cold weather we have been getting lately.
    If worse comes to worse, and you can't afford full board for him,
    look around for "rough" board arrangements.  You pay for the stall
    only but buy your own feed and do the work.  Many times someone
    is looking for a "companion"horse for their own horse and you
    might be able to swing the stall for free as well as the care.
    Or, if Cocoa recovers by spring/summer, some of his upkeep would
    be paid by someone interested in using him as a second riding
    horse for friends and family.
    
    Goodluck.  I hope you find someone who would like to work with
    Cocoa and help him recover.  Just be agressive and try any means
    to spread the word.  Somewhere out there someone has an extra
    stall and would appreciate taking care of a horse.
    
    Linda
    
    

    re: .2
    
    you are correct in assuming I have not been real specific about
    his recovery work.  When I took him to the vet, he felt that the
    cold weather was somewhat of a setback, however, the more walking
    I/we do the better.   If he stands around, he'll stiffen up and
    get worse.  So we walked around a lot.  thanks for thinking of us! ;^)
    
    re: .3
    
    I was able to find a place to keep him for awhile thru notes.  He
    is kept with a few ponies who share a 2 1/2 acre parture and a large
    walkin shelter.  I have been visiting about twice a week and he
    really looks good.  He does have a promiminant limp, however, it
    is healing  (hopefully).  The vet felt that this was a good location,
    because he'll have a lot of space to move around in and the ponies
    will keep him moving about, so he does not stiffen up.
    
    So for now, things are looking great.  Thanks for thinking of us
    too.  ;^)
     
    
    Michele