Short story - Went with a friend a few months ago to see a horse some BYB had for sale, saw this mare out with his stud, asked about her, he said $150 if you take her today. 16.2hh TB, never raced, prettier than hell. 20 years old.
Since I needed a babysitter/companion horse, I took her. That. Day.
So. Flash forward to today. Vet was out to u/s another mare and pull some coggins on the two show horses. Out of curiousity, I asked if he'd palp her to preg check. He did, said no, and asked if he could u/s her for himself, as he didn't like what he felt and wanted to double check.
Turns out she is full of tumors in the left horn of her uterus and her right ovary is double the size (probably cancerous as well.)
Vet says this type is pain free, but due to the location it needs monitoring as it may put pressure on the bowel if they get larger. So we're going to do a u/s every 8-10 weeks, and I'll be monitoring her - Vet said she could have years left, but if she starts showing signs of physical distress it'll be that call we all hate to make.
I'm keeping her as a paddock buddy, treating her like the huge pocket horse she is... And giving her as much GOOD time as she's got left with me.
So if you have a few kind thoughts for an old girl, just fire them her way... I'll appreciate it, as I'm sure she will.
Since I needed a babysitter/companion horse, I took her. That. Day.
So. Flash forward to today. Vet was out to u/s another mare and pull some coggins on the two show horses. Out of curiousity, I asked if he'd palp her to preg check. He did, said no, and asked if he could u/s her for himself, as he didn't like what he felt and wanted to double check.
Turns out she is full of tumors in the left horn of her uterus and her right ovary is double the size (probably cancerous as well.)
Vet says this type is pain free, but due to the location it needs monitoring as it may put pressure on the bowel if they get larger. So we're going to do a u/s every 8-10 weeks, and I'll be monitoring her - Vet said she could have years left, but if she starts showing signs of physical distress it'll be that call we all hate to make.
I'm keeping her as a paddock buddy, treating her like the huge pocket horse she is... And giving her as much GOOD time as she's got left with me.
So if you have a few kind thoughts for an old girl, just fire them her way... I'll appreciate it, as I'm sure she will.
