Vluggeninstitute.com. I tried to copy the website but failed.
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Hi. I did contact Dr LuAnn Groves at the Vluggen Institute and her response was that Jasper needs an osteopathic rectal and osteopathic exam and treatment. I would have to take him to their facility. She didn’t indicate if she had seen anything like this, just encouraged me to bring him in to see if they could help.
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I had one in my barn with a stifle problem that veterinarians couldn’t sort out. Turned out he had a folded meniscus. The woman who works in our area (who graduated from the program) found it and fixed it. I’m glad you were able to reach them. Best of luck with whatever you choose. Jasper is very lucky to have landed with you.
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I don’t believe that an osteopath will be able to help this horse. His symptoms IMHO are quite beyond the scope of osteopathy/ manipulation/ chiropractic.
I am not a vet, but I believe if you make it clear to your Vet that you are not chasing rainbows at this point, they will give you the same opinion (as I believe will the experienced horse people here.)
If you wanted to spare no expense to get to the bottom of Jasper’s issues and after an evaluation by an equine specialist, with all the latest diagnostics, were willing to consider that this issue could be solved by a manipulation of his joints or muscles ( I doubt anyone that has seen his presentation believes this is true) then perhaps…
I just don’t think Jasper’s symptoms will be cured by an osteopathic manipulation, massage, or exercise, no matter how expert.
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Thank you. Your response was very helpful after a very sleepless night. It gives me some comfort. I am reminded that the 3rd chiropractor (though not an osteopath) who saw him, who was also a behaviorist, tried for 20 minutes to get to a place where he allow her to work on him (it was her 3rd visit) and finally she said, I think you need to spend your money on a vet. So I tend to agree with you that an osteopath isn’t going cure him. He also had deep tissue massage and the therapist was quite puzzled by him. They both still check in with me as they felt bad for him and want to see how he is doing. Jasper and I have met some really kind people along the way.
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I agree. This horse is way beyond woo woo magic and various basic therapies.
I think your two choices are (1) pursue additional diagnostics (perhaps ultrasound which doesn’t sound that expensive): or (2) consider what is most fair to this horse without additional treatment. Euthanasia might be the fairest option and you should not feel bad about having to do that if you cannot undertake additional diagnostics and he’s not comfortable as-is.
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I’m not advocating for any specific choice…,I am simply trying to share what I know. I believe the osteopathic rectal exam is done with a vet present. My osteopath shared that w me, which may be the reason Jasper would need to go there. Texas is a big state- maybe that isn’t even a reasonable option.
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It’s 4-4.5 hours away and getting him in a trailer is not easy. If I knew it would help, I would definitely consider it.
Thank you for sharing what you know. It is appreciated.
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That’s a long way. My very best to you both.
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If you make the decision to put him down, you might also ask any nearby veterinary schools if they would accept him as a donation (because of his rather strange symptoms) and they would euthanize him for further study. Some people I know have done something along these lines.
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I have successfully rehomed 2 horses to companion homes. It takes time & patience to find the right situation. Both horses had to be retired at relatively young ages due to injury. They now both have happy, safe homes for the rest of their lives (and no, I’m not being naive or wishful, I’m still in contact with both owners, they are excellent).
Good companion horses ARE needed in the world & companions also age out & need replacing. While you can’t expect to make money off the deal (I know you don’t) & it’s not usually quick nor guaranteed (nothing with horses is though), it is possible.
My philosophy going in both times was that I had good kind horses who were easy to handle on the ground, friendly/ submissive in a herd, didn’t need intensive management & were pasture sound. It was worth trying. If it didn’t work out, I would have considered other options, but it was worth it to me to know I gave all possibilities a fair shot.
That is my personal experience with this situation.
ETA - you are welcome to pm if you have questions.
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Comparing rehoming a horse without a possibly degenerative neurological condition that could risk harm to other horses and humans around him and rehoming a horse with such a condition is apples and oranges. I from time to time have taken a companion horse. But never in a million years would I pick one that I knew stood a serious chance of going down and not being able to get up or falling on me.
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Please, please, don’t rehome this horse. Euthanasia is a far better and fairer option.
I’ve sort of been sitting on my hands re this thread, although I did comment awhile back, but you need to do something. I don’t see that any or much progress has been made aside from “reaching out” to various vets or other individuals. If you can’t afford it, then fine, but this is one of those situations where I’d rather see my horse go (euthanized) a day early rather than a day too late.
Horses can be very stoic, and having this condition might not be as comfortable as it outwardly appears.
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To clarify, I had no intention of comparing anything nor of attempting to influence the OP in any way. OP asked for personal experiences with rehoming companions. I shared mine. That’s all.
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Thank you for sharing your story and experience.
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Thank you all for your comments, suggestions, well wishes and prayers. I read each and every comment and have considered all the advice I have received. I initially posted here because I know my knowledge is limited and I am thankful I did. You have all been helpful and truly kind.
Please know that I do have Jasper’s best interests at heart. It can be hard to convey that sometimes in written posts. For those concerned about rehoming, please know I never intended to post an ad saying 'free companion horse to good home." If it happened, it would have to be someone I knew and a situation where I could check on him. I am glad I posted that it was a consideration because many of you have given some honest (sometimes brutally honest) feedback and I needed to hear it and truly consider what could happen, even in the best circumstances. Those who shared made some really good points that I had not thought about and I want you to know I heard you and appreciate your wisdom.
This is my first go at this and I am trying to do the right thing and give him every chance I can afford.
Thank you for being part of our journey. I will let you all know what I decide to do.
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Understood. But the OP is looking for advice for what to do in HER situation. Not stories about what other people did in totally different situations. So while well intentioned, your story wasn’t terribly germane and felt to me like a little salt rubbing in a wound. You were lucky to TWICE have that reasonable option. OP doesn’t really have that option here. I am sure you didn’t intend it to feel that way, but that’s how I read your anecdote at first read.
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I think it is abundantly clear you are doing the very best (and searching for information) for him that you humanly can do. My hat is off to you and my heart goes out to you both. Jasper is a lucky pony to have landed with you.
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I struggled with a horse in the past that made medical journals twice ending sadly the second time and hoping to have solved an issue now with my current horse. It is so very difficult. You were the right choice for your horse. It was Jasper’s lucky day to find you. You are a horsewoman. Big hug for decisions facing you now.
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Look, the thing about science and research is you TRY something and see what happens. Then you can try to figure out why what happened happened… Put the horse on an inexpensive bute trial and see what he does. It won’t kill him, it probably won’t fix him, but you’ll have DATA that can potentially/perhaps point you in a direction.
I do know how hard it can be to pull a trigger, any trigger, but maybe just give him something for some relief and see what he does???
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