Hip Tag 74 update! Adopted! at end

[enjoytheride]

Thanks Guts N Glory! I have been busy with work and did not get time to post today!

Malcolm is at the vet being observed for the next few days. The vet FOF uses likes to take her time and go thoroughly over the horses at intake to get a really good idea of what the need and what their future might hold.

I’m certainly not judging his trot or canter based on the video. I took video to analyze his condition and lameness at this stage to have a record for the future. We should know more soon about his injuries and potential.

[retreadeventer]

Hoping he is fixable. You are just great, Enjoytheride. Just GREAT. No better horsemanship in the whole world than fixing and saving a good one. If he isn’t, I know too that you will find a way to ease his pain.
Oh how the shitstorm of the internet needs to come down on the prior connections…

[trubandloki]

@Sticky Situation;7866806

Can we not turn this into a slaughter/no slaughter debate, and just be glad that “Malcolm” found someone kind and caring to take him in?

Yes please. Start your own thread if you want to debate who should and should not own horses and how that relates to the evil of slaughter.

I am glad to here Malcolm is comfy at the vets. Looking forward to hearing the update.

[Simkie]

[QUOTE=retreadeventer;7867470]

Oh how the shitstorm of the internet needs to come down on the prior connections…[/QUOTE]

But “the shitstorm of the internet” accomplishes nothing What do you think that will change? My guess one of the reasons this horse was dropped off with no papers and no info is because the connections have already been vilified at some point for this behavior when someone tracked them down with the horse’s papers in hand. Next time someone comes out of the wood work to harangue them, they’ll just sell directly to the kill buyer, skip the auction, and the horse will have NO chance.

So much better to EDUCATE about options…places for the horse to go when the owner or trainer is ready to give up. Work to CHANGE this issue instead of just vilifying the people involved, and you’ll save the lives of horses. But just screaming at the horse’s people serves no purpose, and likely condemns more horses in their barn to the same fate.

[merrygoround]

It is a TB, from the track, he is tattooed, so a determined person can find them.

[Lady_Eboshi]

I’m not seeing how any good could come of tracking down the people who dumped the horse; for what purpose? They wanted to be quit of him, they managed it, they’re gone. If they’d wanted to take responsibility, they would have.

As the discussion has gone on, it sounds like this horse may have a soundness problem that precludes any ridden use. Which begs the question, do TB rescues in general bid on horses that are obviously crippled? Do you buy them to euthanize? I have to admit that had I been at that auction and seen a horse with substantial muscle wastage and falling down at 3 years old, I would have assumed EPM or permanent injury.

I’d have bid instead on something with a likelier chance at a normal life and usability–which would greatly raise the probability of a competent, permanent home. I have long thought that “rescue” outfits spending donors’ money should make their decisions not sentimentally, but for the greater good for the most horses (take home 5 sound Premarin babies in lieu of one rotated founder) who have the best shot at a VIABLE future. Unfortunately the analogy of a million starfish on the beach is quite apt, and money is always in short supply.

My fingers are crossed for this guy, and I appreciate the effort you’re making God knows.

[enjoytheride]

Take a minute and think about what you do to keep your horse sound. Custom fitted and comstantly flocked saddles. Pentosan. Ice boots. Expensive shoes. Chiro. Massage.

Then realize that Malcolm has been racing for his owners on a BROKEN PELVIS for ag least 6 months. Until he couldnt do it anymore. Maybe I should have left him, but didnt someone owe him a better end after he was used up and thrown away?

He will be turned out for the next six months and then be revaluated. The vet thinks he will at least be trail riding sound.

[beowulf]

[QUOTE=enjoytheride;7867923]
Take a minute and think about what you do to keep your horse sound. Custom fitted and comstantly flocked saddles. Pentosan. Ice boots. Expensive shoes. Chiro. Massage.

Then realize that Malcolm has been racing for his owners on a BROKEN PELVIS for ag least 6 months. Until he couldnt do it anymore. Maybe I should have left him, but didnt someone owe him a better end after he was used up and thrown away?

He will be turned out for the next six months and then be revaluated. The vet thinks he will at least be trail riding sound.[/QUOTE]

Did I miss the vet verdict somewhere? It is a broken pelvis??!

[vineyridge]

So it is a broken pelvis? For sure?

His former owners really were dirtbags, and where in the hell was the track vet?

[redalter]

[QUOTE=Simkie;7867537]
But “the shitstorm of the internet” accomplishes nothing What do you think that will change? My guess one of the reasons this horse was dropped off with no papers and no info is because the connections have already been vilified at some point for this behavior when someone tracked them down with the horse’s papers in hand. Next time someone comes out of the wood work to harangue them, they’ll just sell directly to the kill buyer, skip the auction, and the horse will have NO chance.

So much better to EDUCATE about options…places for the horse to go when the owner or trainer is ready to give up. Work to CHANGE this issue instead of just vilifying the people involved, and you’ll save the lives of horses. But just screaming at the horse’s people serves no purpose, and likely condemns more horses in their barn to the same fate.[/QUOTE]

YES!!!

Exactly this. Not excusing bad behavior, but offering options.
Judybigredpony’s post.

[enjoytheride]

Broken pelvis for sure. The wing.

[beowulf]

How did vet DDX? BFNE, you were right! Jingling for Malcolm…

[FatCatFarm]

Good god! I just read your blog WeanieEventer where this poor guy is only 3. I don’t know why, but I expected him to be a campaigner and not a colt already that messed up and still racing. I know this is not the experience of all horses at the track, but considering this guy and the two TB mares I have at home (the big grey mare who is just 5 and crippled, and likely from a broken pelvis too; and the three year old filly who arrived so very painfully thin), it does make me feel guilty for wanting to even watch The Triple Crown. Kinda feels like I’m condoning this sort of thing. He’s a beautiful boy. Jingles that the down time will heal his hurts in the best possible way. Again, bravo for going to bat for and saving this guy.

[bambam]

[QUOTE=enjoytheride;7867923]

Then realize that Malcolm has been racing for his owners on a BROKEN PELVIS for ag least 6 months.[/QUOTE] That is atrocious. Good on you OP

[Fred]

[QUOTE=enjoytheride;7867923]
Take a minute and think about what you do to keep your horse sound. Custom fitted and comstantly flocked saddles. Pentosan. Ice boots. Expensive shoes. Chiro. Massage.

Then realize that Malcolm has been racing for his owners on a BROKEN PELVIS for ag least 6 months. Until he couldnt do it anymore. Maybe I should have left him, but didnt someone owe him a better end after he was used up and thrown away?

He will be turned out for the next six months and then be revaluated. The vet thinks he will at least be trail riding sound.[/QUOTE]

You did the right thing by him, when others didn’t.
Thank you again.

ETA: I had a broodmare who had a broken pelvis. She did recover from it and lived to the age of 23 when cancer finally took her.

[Appsolute]

Horrendous.

Raced in PAIN, and then thrown away. I know there are many many good race trainers and owners out there. But hey racing industry - if you want to clean up your image in the public - you need to run owners and trainers like the ones that were racing Malcolm OUT OF THE SPORT!! This NOT OKAY! Not for any reason. Not because the trainer is broke. Not because they are rewarded with cash for running dead last place horses. THIS is horrendous!

Malcolm is SO lucky you saved him!! If he was having issues staying upright at the sale - I can’t imagine how he would have fared a trip in a packed cattle trailer.

Question - regarding “track vets” - how is soundness to race determined? Upper level eventers have to trot up in front of a jury. I am pretty sure race horses do not have to do this. And my question is why not? And what soundness checks do the horses go through before they are allowed to race?

[Appsolute]

Horrendous.

Raced in PAIN, and then thrown away. I know there are many many good race trainers and owners out there. But hey racing industry - if you want to clean up your image in the public - you need to run owners and trainers like the ones that were racing Malcolm OUT OF THE SPORT!! This NOT OKAY! Not for any reason. Not because the trainer is broke. Not because they are rewarded with cash for running dead last place horses. THIS is horrendous!

Malcolm is SO lucky you saved him!! If he was having issues staying upright at the sale - I can’t imagine how he would have fared a trip in a packed cattle trailer.

Question - regarding “track vets” - how is soundness to race determined? Upper level eventers have to trot up in front of a jury. I am pretty sure race horses do not have to do this. And my question is why not? And what soundness checks do the horses go through before they are allowed to race?

[GutsNGlory]

[QUOTE=enjoytheride;7867923]
Take a minute and think about what you do to keep your horse sound. Custom fitted and comstantly flocked saddles. Pentosan. Ice boots. Expensive shoes. Chiro. Massage.

Then realize that Malcolm has been racing for his owners on a BROKEN PELVIS for ag least 6 months. Until he couldnt do it anymore. Maybe I should have left him, but didnt someone owe him a better end after he was used up and thrown away?

He will be turned out for the next six months and then be revaluated. The vet thinks he will at least be trail riding sound.[/QUOTE]

You truly are his angel enjoytheride! Malcolm must be quite the horse to have raced and tried for so long with such an awful injury. He is lucky that fate stepped in and you were there to facilitate this. He certainly deserves time off, treatment, and a good home for the rest of his life - whether that be as a trail horse or not. Hasn’t even hit his 4th birthday yet… :sigh::no: Thank you so much and also thanks to Friends of Ferdinand, which is an amazing organization and often overlooked due to being smaller than CANTER and other OTTB organizations. You all rock!

[wcporter]

I would HAPPILY donate to a rescue that bid on and “rescued” crippled/broken/useless horses at auction, even (especially) if their only intention was to humanely euthanize. I am not a crazy anti-slaughter person, but certainly feel there are better, more dignified ways to end a life.

[frugalannie]

Delighted that Malcolm has been given a warm stall, lots of hay and most important a chance to heal with a gentle farewell if healing doesn’t prove to be possible.

FWIW, years ago the farm I worked at had a layup Argentine polo pony shipped in. We were told she’d done a “split” during a game and fractured her pelvis with lots of torn muscles (maybe like the Maltese Cat?). She arrived midsummer and we gave her individual turnout, lots of grass and a bit of grain. We noticed over time that she was moving better, and were gratified to see her getting a belly, but the muscles on her quarters were still rather absent making her look thinner than all other parameters indicated. On January 3, morning chore person arrived to find a bright eyed little filly standing next to the mare. Well, that explained the belly! The mare became more active keeping up with her foal and after weaning went to work. She became a much loved children’s hunter.

Sometimes a broken pelvis can heal, and the horse can have a range of options. Hoping for the best for Malcolm. And that this thread becomes a “no contentious discussion” zone.