Neuro Horse, Maybe?

[vxf111]

Then your issue seems to be more of a “how do I tell my trainer I’m taking my horse for a workup at a clinic and I am not interested in using her recommended vet anymore” and “logistically how do I book someone to take my horse there” which are totally valid questions but different ones than where this thread started. And I’m an assertive type with my own rig so maybe not the best person to answer THESE questions.

Your horse, your bills, your decisions. You don’t need to be rude but you do need to be firm. “Hey trainer, I called Tufts and I have an appointment to take Middleton there on 3/25. I’ll be here to put his shipping wraps on at 9am and I’d appreciate if he can be left in his stall that morning so I don’t have to catch him. Thanks and I’ll update you after the visit.” Not sure you need to get into it more than that. I mean, she’s scared to ride your horse now so why would she be opposed to you drilling down more on the issues? And it’s totally normal for people to haul to a clinic after trying things in the field and finding they didn’t work. If broaching this with her is some sort of groundbreaking development or major problem-- that says a LOT about her (and none of it good). What’s your proposing to do is completely typical horse ownership stuff. Even a really controlling trainer is going to understand that at some point the client wants to take the horse to the clinic. And at the point at which she’s afraid to ride it… what does she gain by OPPOSING this? She didn’t even sell you the horse. If he’s got a problem, it’s not on her. I don’t even understand why she’d balk, even theoretically.

And as for a shipper, does anyone in the barn have a truck/trailer? Who do other people in the barn use when they have to ship places?

[Gardenhorse]

I understand that if you don’t have a trailer, it can be a bit harder to be independent. But perhaps someone here can suggest a professional hauler in your area that you can pay to take him to Tufts. Or perhaps there is another boarder at your barn who would be willing to trailer him when you get an appointment.

[hoopoe]

many pro haulers have short haul services for vet school runs. If you do not have / know a trusted local professional, l would contact the vet school and ask if they have references . This is a situation they are likely to face often and may have an easy referral for you

[173north]

@middleton.the.grey

Now, I will be louder about going to tufts and if it hurts their feelings at this point I really don’t care, they can get over it.

I realize that in many programs there is a dynamic where the trainer entirely dictates what happens with client horses, but I wanted to back up the posters saying that this is YOUR horse and you can opt out of that. Hauling your horse to a vet clinic is perfectly normal. You don’t need your trainer’s permission and you don’t need to consider their feelings. All you need to do is make the clinic appointment and then arrange a local shipper - the clinic, local horse friends, this forum, local equestrian FB groups, and your tack shop can all help you find someone to transport your horse.

Please feel empowered to do this, because you absolutely can. Your trainer may have made you feel you cannot manage the logistics or aren’t allowed to do this without her permission, but you can and there’s lots of folks happy to help.

[middleton.the.grey]

I think having this conversation now she will be far more receptive, if I had done this back in January I think she would have thought it to be over the top and not necessary for what was presenting originally as SI stiffness.

[supershorty628]

I really don’t understand why you think your trainer would “take it” in a particular way.

The horse, currently, is unsafe and not usable for you or for her.
You are seeking more advanced specialty care from experts in veterinary medicine with access to the best tools around. This really isn’t a big deal. Make an appointment for the horse, and contact some shippers in your area. Done.

If your trainer has an issue with that, don’t walk - run.

[blue_heron]

This is why people on the forum are assuming OP is naive or unexperienced about the horse’s needs. Why would your trainer have any say in you calling a vet out or trailing your horse to the large animal clinic? If this has already been an issue once where a trainer pushed back against OP pursuing a diagnosis, OP should leave. If you’re near Tufts, there is no shortage of good H/J trainers around.

[Spud_amp_Saf]

Any trainer that doesn’t support you getting to the bottom of possible neuro issues is not a trainer anyone should be working with.

It is your horse and your money and, to put it a bit bluntly, if your horse is, in fact, neuro, it is unlikely you are going to be using many of this trainer’s services, so I wouldn’t be too concerned about what he/she thinks about how you go about this.

Your horse, your money, your decisions. Full stop.

[mfglickman]

What general area are you in? I could name 4-5 shippers in CT/Eastern NY who regularly haul people for short trips like vet, horse show, offsite lessons, etc. You don’t need the trainer for this - agree with the poster who said you just need to make the appointment, set up your transport, and inform the barn owner (politely but clearly and with a reasonable lead time, a week is more than fair).

[lenapesadie]

Any trainer worth their fees would at least offer suggestions on shipping arrangements.

Don’t ask, tell. “ I’ve made an appointment for Middleton for XYZ date at ABC clinic. Any suggestions on shipping”

Easy peasy. You’re the horse’s owner. You call the shots.

[fordtraktor]

OP, I think taking your horse to New Bolton is a great idea if you can afford it.

The FB group “Hitch my horse a ride” can be a good resource. Make sure the shipper is reliable, though! I had a need to ship a horse from FL to the Midwest suddenly last spring, and got a great guy to add my boy to his trip in basically 24 hours!

I think right now you’ll have plenty of options because NE people will soon be coming back from FL and shippers would like to fill some of those return spots. New Bolton is practically on the way.

[173north]

I understand and agree. The naive or inexperienced are the most likely to get sucked in by shady or controlling trainers, and when they then come on these forums asking for help, it is up to those of us who see the red flags to point them out and offer suggestions on how to handle the situation and, in this case, get the horse the diagnosis and care he needs. I grew up in Mass, “going to Tufts” was just part of life — because I was always with trainers who were happy to bring a horse in and emphasized how lucky we were to be near that clinic.

[punchy]

Call Tufts. Make appointment. Ask them about shipping.

Then tell your trainer. Because it sound like you’re still seeking her approval before taking action you seem to agree you need to take. And a month from now there will still be no appointment and we’ll still be having this conversation. Not criticizing. Just trying to get you to see how waiting for someone else’s approval is no way to live.

[blue_heron]

No one in our area takes having Tufts or NEE so close for granted. I know so many people whose horses were saved by having a large animal clinic just an hour or so away. There is no doubt in my mind those horses would not be with us without those resources.

[middleton.the.grey]

UPDATE: ok, so I spoke with my trainer, she did not react the way I would have liked. I made it clear that I wanted to look to the Tufts option. She wasn’t thrilled and I think feels a bad that her vet didn’t fix/help the issue and so we are looking elsewhere for vet care. I re checked how my trainers saddle fits and it is VERY tight in the gullet on him. I just dont want to come across as pretentious as she has much more experience in the industry.

[Pepsy]

Well…perhaps at this point…YOU DO KNOW MORE!!!
Find another barn. Move your horse. YOUR horse!!!
Empower yourself and do this

[fivestrideline]

“Hey trainer, I really appreciate you and your vet’s help, but I am going to take him to Tufts and nail down a specific diagnosis with their specialist equipment instead of riding him or anything else. I realize this might be the expensive way, but I would rather know exactly what’s going on, it will just help me feel better! I have an appointment and am arranging transport. In the meantime, I am going to stick to hand walking and letting him be a horse.”

Then, start looking for a new barn. Not even a program, but a new place. I’ve been in your shoes - horse was ouchy, I wanted to call the vet. Trainer said no need, and usually she did all the contact for the professionals. I was a minor, my mom called the vet herself and he came out. “I’ll pay whatever your fees are for you to tell me he’s fine, but I need you to come look at him.” Horse was indeed fine, but the relationship with trainer was soured (which is NOT HOW ITS SUPPOSED TO BE). We moved the next month and it was 100% the right call.

[knic]

Make the appointment at tufts, line up an outside hauler and walk the horse out the door without saying a word.

[fivestrideline]

Don’t bad mouth this barn or trainer or vet though - AT ALL. If anyone asks why you’re looking for a new place it’s “just wasn’t a good fit for me” “needed something closer” “horse wasn’t a good fit for their program” etc etc. I’d be looking at regular boarding barns as well as programs, realizing you may need to move him and THEN find a new trainer.
This trainer doesn’t have your best interests in mind. Or your horse’s. You don’t know everything, but you know YOUR horse, and you have to be his first and last line of defense. You will walk away from this with answers from Tufts and new skills in advocating for your horse and yourself.

[StB.YM]

If you’re having a hard time discussing these issues in person, just send her an email or a text detailing what you want and don’t want. There is nothing wrong with written communication and you may actually benefit from having it in writing. If you find yourself having a hard time drafting an email, ask others around you to help, or just write down what you have written here, polish it a little and send it off. Don’t say things like “I’d prefer not to” or “maybe don’t” - be firm and don’t leave room for doubt - “I don’t want you to ride him on Tuesday”, “I don’t want X vet in charge of his care”, “he is going to Tufts”. This is YOUR horse and YOU are responsible for his care.