MAGIC, RAZ and DIXIE. (DORY)
Late last year Nov 04), Carol had to put down one of her 30 year old Arabs. Magic was 30, we had him for 28 years. He was our daughter's horse until she was 18. He did the OD100 at Leesburg VA in 1980 at 6 yrs old with only 500 miles of ECTRA and a few slow 50 milers. Leah was 17 when they did this. Carol rode him for many years in ECTRA, AERC and NATRC.
He had some sort of a neurological problem with both hind legs. It was decided the cause was not EPM not WNV. He would fall over at a missed step.
Best we can determine Magic had about 2800 miles of ECTRA AERC and NATRC. He was never pulled from any rides. I think he was about one of the best moving horses we ever had. A solid tough small Arab. He was from the old 'double R cross' by Bazy Tankersely.
This June Carol lost her good Arab RAZ. He was 17. Based on what we could determine, my mare must have kicked him in the belly quite a few times. She had him trapped in the barn. When he escaped he ran around the field and just dropped and rolled and rolled. Got up and ran, repeating the drop rolling for many times. We got him out and could tell he was in pain. The vet arrived worked on him for about 3 hours, then we went off to the clinic at Univ Of TN. Examination showed an large section of small bowel to be cut off. He twisted it quite bad. We let him go. We felt the quality of life and the pain he would endure after the surgery was not the best for him. He had over 8 ft of damages intestine. His chances of a full useful recovery were very slim.
In addition to our physical and emotional loss, we had him insured for accidents. Since we failed to follow ALL the rules of the insurance company, our claim was rejected initially by the under-writer. The surgeon at UT said she wanted to operate and we said no. Cannot do that, have to call the insurance company and let them call the shots. They nor the surgeon really gave a damn about the horse. The surgeon wanted the case for use as teaching project for 3 students who were on the shift. Sure added to our misery. I no longer carry any insurance on my horses. I spent more in premiums then it cost me to buy another horse. There is no real need to insure low cost endurance horses. If you miss one point they will not pay. I had Hallmark Equine.
Carol was not sure what she wanted to do the week after we lost him. I was having a real problem with guilt. I felt bad we just did not have the funds to pay for surgery. Estimates were from $4000 to $6500. The major decision was based on the probability of success (very low like 30%) and the pain and suffering he would have to endure.
As follow up, in Mid August, I spoke with the insurance underwriter and the agents, they indicated the decision was based on the surgeons statements, who placed all the blame on us. I told them my vet who was here, advised us IF we had to perform SI surgery the outcome would be bleak. The attending vet at UT also told us he would most likely NOT survive. As it turned out he would have lost 8 to 10 ft of SI, not a good situation. I asked the insurance underwriter to speak with my vet and the attending vet at UT. They BOTH confirmed what they told us and their opinion was to support our decision to put him down. After re-review the insurance company will pay the policy. I still will not go through this again. It is not worth the hassle and the added emotional stress. I guess if I ever had a horse valued over 10K (HA) I would insure him – or sell him ;).
Carol bounced back in July and began riding my old mare FAME. She rode this little mare many times and at a few rides. They got along great. But, Fame was NOT her horse. She was at least back riding and dealing with the loss of RAZ. She began the search to find another horse. She did not find any Arabians she really liked at a price we felt we could afford.
She began looking at MULES. We had a small pony mule for about 24 years. She was not rideable but was our 'baby sitter' for the 2 foals we breed and raised. Carol thought, maybe a riding mule would be nice, something different. She began a search that came full circle. She found a nice medium build 15h, 7 yr old ARAB molly mule-DIXIE DARLIN. Based on conversations with other mule riders we passed on her and looked at a number by the Internet and went to the mule show in middle TN. We learned allot about working mules. Went to look at 2 in Alabama. They were both about 12 to 14 yrs old. One was very nice but had very bad feet (white line), Carol would not ride it. The other was OK but not right. The first mule (Dixie) she called about was 20 miles from where we were. So, off we went to look. Two hrs later we bought her. Now I did make my major error and buy her without a vet check. I did not see anything major wrong. I could pick up all 4 feet, she was shod, had some white line damage, appeared sound, but did move different. I thought it was just a mule thing. We went back July 23 and brought her home. Carol rode her a few times. She sure was not use to the small hills we have at the farm but she worked well. Very easy to ride no problems on the ground or under saddle. I noted one hock cap was filled a few days later. Off to the vet. Sure enough she sticks the stifle a bit and the hill work just caused some filling. She is a bit out behind and in at hocks. At this time we are not sure she will be OK. Vets said to work her on the flat, and push up hills then get off to walk her down. She was not really ridden much and was a flat lander, never saw a hill. Carol is working her on the ground doing a training program and hand walking up-down the hills. She is riding in the pasture at a walk/trot as much as she can. We hope to strengthen the stifles and fix the problem with more work. Time will tell. Sure hope I did not make another mistake. Vet thinks with work she will be OK for basic trail work. She was priced right based on prices we were seeing for good well broke and trained trail mules. No her name is not DORY, that was just for the story.
Follow up -late Aug, after many trips around the pasture and working her up hill as well as taking some toe off behind she is doing much better. We put shoes on the front. The hind had the left over wall damage from the white line. We have it under control now but need to grow more hoof before we can shoe behind. No matter how she does, Carol will deal with it and she will just keep working her up hills and take it easy on the downhills. She has been working Dixie with the Clinton Anderson methods and mule trainer Brad Cameron. This mule is one of the best I have ever seen. She learns fast – works well with Carol. She has never shied bucked or bulked – Once she understands the request and trusts Carol she goes on down the trail. They really are doing great as a bonded pair. There is no way Carol will part with her. MANY pictures on the imageevent site