Would you buy a horse with melanomas?

[Alex_and_Bodie_s_Mom]

@ratchet

When we went to see this Arabian mare yesterday, she said “hello” with a soft blow into my face and then held her head quietly to my chest so I could stroke her ears. I’ve never had a new-to-me horse greet me this way.

This is almost exactly how my first Arabian mare responded to me, the first time I saw her - I was 14, and the last thing I needed was a 3-year old, abused, pregnant, green-broke Arabian, but a local trader had her. She ignored everyone, but when I walked up to her, she didn’t even look at me, but she just pushed her forehead against my chest and sighed. Mom wrote the check about two minutes later. I didn’t even ride her that night.

I read through to the end - jingles for you and Rani. She could have ovarian cysts that are causing both pain and for her heat cycle to continue, but the stumbling is concerning. I’m sure you’ll do the best thing for her - she couldn’t have found a better home.

[ratchet]

I appreciate everyone reading/commenting, it’s nice to have a bit of a journal for this ongoing journey.

I am cautiously optimistic today. She eats all of her meds in her grain, and is easy with the UlcerGuard syringe. I have moved her into a paddock full time and haven’t seen her pace since. Perhaps she is not a horse who can be stalled…she was ok with it in the beginning, but I think that with everything else going on it got to her.

She seemed…well…back to normal this afternoon, let me touch and tickle her belly and flanks without any weirdness. We took a long walk, which she enjoyed, then a hose down. I even braided her tail, a definite Oh Heck No last week as she was so on edge even touching her dock was met with a reaction.

Currently I am out there to walk her daily, and in another week we may start doing light stuff i.e getting used to blanketing, ground manner stuff, addressing the needle fear, maybe some trick training as she seems very in to that (already kind of inadvertently taught her how to “smile”). Ultrasound will probably be done in October, and Oncept either October or November (confirmed with vet today). If she has a tumor on her ovary, I was quoted $1500 for removal at UC Davis (that is with a three day stay), which is doable.

With the regumate and ulcer meds, the change has been big in a very short time.

Pics from today, all purtied up and finally acting like a normal horse again.

[B_and_B]

Lovely girl. I wish more horses could have what you are giving. Big hugs and thanks from a total, virtual stranger, what you are willing to commit to is hard but so very worth it. She looks very happy in those pictures.

[ChestnutArabianMare]

She’s a beautiful girl. Look like she’s feeling better in the photos you posted today. She’s so lucky to have you. I hope you get to the bottom of all that she has going on!

When you get to the point of addressing the needle fear, I highly recommend reviewing this article from the University of Pennsylvania: https://www.vet.upenn.edu/docs/default-source/research/equine-behavior-laboratory/how-to-injection-shyness.pdf?sfvrsn=fa27e0ba_0

My Arabian mare was NOT a fan of needles when I first got her. I’ve used this method for both IM and IV shots. She now stands like a rock for all of her shots (although she only has needed yearly vaccines and a Coggins, lucky girl). I found that trying traditional methods like oral sedation and twitching only made her worse.

[ratchet]

thank you, going to read this tonight!

[ChestnutArabianMare]

You’re welcome! It’s basically positive reinforcement training broken down into a really good step-by-step guide. I will say that I used a regular halter/lead and hand fed treats for reinforcement (instead of grain in a bucket). Just make sure that your horse doesn’t get the treat while reaching for it or otherwise begging.

Also, use a verbal cue other than “Good girl,” or your horse will be looking for a treat whenever you say it! I learned that the hard way and eventually had to switch to saying “Braaav.” Doesn’t matter what the cue is as long as you won’t say it in any other instance.

When your horse is familiar with the concept, it also becomes very easy to teach tricks. We’ve mastered touch, smile and bowing so far.

[ratchet]

Popping in here for a moment! Rani is getting her ultrasound on Friday, with drop off on Thursday. We would appreciate jingles for our sweet mare.

She remains her old self on the regumate. I’m also giving her a magnesium supplement, and she is honestly acting a fair bit less anxious. Today I introduced her to a pool noodle that was randomly in the arena and it was a non issue for her (but half an alfalfa bail in an open stall was DEFINITELY up to something).

Oncept continues to be a back and forth thing with the area vets, and a much bigger headache than I anticipated.

[rubygirl1968]

Jingles for Rani! I hope the news is good!

[Fiesta01]

Sending more jingles for you both.

[ratchet]

With great difficulty. In briefest terms, the ultrasound did not go well and extensive internal masses are suspected. After a long conversation with the vet this evening and thoroughly considering all factors and symptoms we are letting her go before her condition worsens.

I hope that people wont see this as a cautionary tale. I don’t regret it one bit. Rani’s melanomas are unusually aggressive and many grey horses live long and full lives despite them.

This is the last photo I took of her. Rani, I wish I could have helped you.

[Brown_Derby]

Heartbreaking. I am so sorry. That gorgeous mare.

You gave Rani her own person at last. Arabs love having their own person. Hugs to you, it will be a long night.

[Ceffyl_Dwr]

What a lucky horse to have found such a caring human. I’m truly sorry.

[Lunabear1988]

I’m so sorry.

[Zonderpaard]

So sorry you’ve lost your friend.

[Bluey]

Sorry, you did your best, can’t ask for more.

[StormyDay]

Aww I’m sorry. That’s so hard.

[Jackie_Cochran]

I am so sorry Ratchet.

Rani needed help, she “called out” to the Universe for help, you responded, and when she first saw you she KNEW that you were the one person who would give her a dignified death.

I know you are sad. She was so beautiful and I am sure inspired some wonderful day dreams.

The gauchos of the Argentine pampas call their heaven where all horses go after they die “Trapalanda”, where she now can run free in wide open spaces, healthy again and sound.

[Laurierace]

I am so sorry for your loss. She was lucky to have found you. When I was researching pedigrees for a sire for my potential foal I kept running into gray stallions that I loved but I just couldn’t do it. I feel like horses are a crap shoot medically as it is and if I could prevent one potential problem by avoiding gray it made sense to do so.

[PamnReba]

I’m so sorry, I didn’t comment on this thread but did read and keep up with it. I know the last few months you have given her the best life possible and sometimes the best life means the kindest release. Just think where she might be if you hadn’t taken her! I adopted a rescued mare that was supposed to be my riding horse, but after battling multiple health and soundness issues I had to let her go this past summer. I take comfort in knowing that at least with me, she was well taken care of until the end, and that I did my very best to address her issues. And then let her go when that was the most humane option I had. Even if that wasn’t how I wanted it to end. It felt like we never had a chance.

[KBC]

@ratchet

I wish I could have helped you

Oh but you did help her, in every way, you cared, you tried, you loved her, and when the odds were impossible you let her go, rather than trying to fight a battle that everyone would have ended being a loser.

RIP to a beautiful mare, she was lucky to have you in her life.