Comments on Behind the Bit: Riley digs: Which facility is best?

A comment from Big Sis who is actually my big sis!...

2009-07-08T07:48:26.435-04:00

A comment from Big Sis who is actually my big sis!!

Stacey, I am worried about you with so much on you...

2009-07-07T23:48:40.760-04:00

Stacey,
I am worried about you with so much on your plate. You are leaning toward the best options in my opinion too. And time and gas is money also, so factoring that in on your current place for Riley and they may come out closer to the same number anyway. It may save you $ for therapy too! :)

It's a tough call - I'd go for full care w...

2009-07-07T19:05:36.948-04:00

It's a tough call - I'd go for full care while out of town, then C when you are home. I can't imagine how you deal with them in two different places!

Horses. They make us crazy. Crazy happy and crazy worried, and just plain crazy.

:)

Stacey, You have an award waiting for pick up on m...

2009-07-07T14:36:33.211-04:00

Stacey, You have an award waiting for pick up on my blog, congratulations!
Jane

Poor Stacey. This scares me for you! I know that I...

2009-07-07T14:35:33.227-04:00

Poor Stacey. This scares me for you! I know that I am one disaster away from being broke and losing my horse and I often wonder if I should be taking the risk of owning horses while finishing grad school... but thats for another story (equine major medical insurance-- worth the price?)

I would opt for B or C. Is leasing Harv out while you are focusing on Riley an option? I know you don

I really hope he gets better soon!! Poor boy!! I ...

2009-07-07T13:22:29.014-04:00

I really hope he gets better soon!! Poor boy!!

I would think that Option C would work best if you can swing the extra $150 for a short time. Hand walking twice a day will be really great when he gets to that point in his recovery.

Thanks all -- it's looking like C or D right n...

2009-07-07T12:12:50.179-04:00

Thanks all -- it's looking like C or D right now, depending on whether he goes in for surgical treatment. The lady from barn D seemed appalled that we didn't go straight into surgery, but then she only had my description of the problem. If he does have surgery, and the post-op care requires super-sanitary conditions, he'll go to a fancy layup center--I'm sure the facility will

If it were 1 of my 2 horses I would go for option ...

2009-07-07T12:01:53.930-04:00

If it were 1 of my 2 horses I would go for option C or D. I personally would feel better about having a vet keeping an eye on him. I worked at a speciality clinic (small animals) in Michigan that did longer term care for animals with orthopedic problems, post-op surgery and ongoing illness. We would sometimes pickup on things previously missed or find alternate ways to help a pet because we saw

I think I agree with most of the comments already ...

2009-07-07T11:48:10.465-04:00

I think I agree with most of the comments already - I would personally go with Option C at least for the short term and then re-evaluate as needed depending on Riley's rehab progress. I'm so very thankful that we are able to have our horses right here with us and I only have to toddle on down the hill a bit to care for them and can see them from the house at all times. You and Riley are

If you absolutely can't move Riley to Harvey&#...

2009-07-07T11:42:20.776-04:00

If you absolutely can't move Riley to Harvey's barn, I would go with Option C. Your time is incredibly valuable, and there's no point in having posh digs for Riley if he never sees you. As others have mentioned, it might be worth it to pony up a bit more per month and get Riley the best possible care and eventually move him to Harvey's barn if something opens up. Good luck!

Ok, here's the thing, you have two major conce...

2009-07-07T11:11:02.390-04:00

Ok, here's the thing, you have two major concerns to care about. Riley needs to be taken care of, or you risk serious complications. You need to be taken care of by getting your Harvey time.
A is not longer feasible, too far away, and remember, your travel time and time doing basic care, is money lost. Riley doesn't care who wraps his feet or walks him, as long as he gets it. You he

So sorry to hear about Riley. I unfortunately have...

2009-07-07T11:09:19.576-04:00

So sorry to hear about Riley. I unfortunately have had LOTS of experience with layups and injuries, and I would say ensure that he gets the best proper care possible so he can recover and get better. I moved my horse to a layup facility against my trainers wishes, so that she could be handwalked and treated, it was less convenient to get there, but they did everything and she recovered 100%. At

Well, I work with seniors and their families, and ...

2009-07-07T09:25:47.045-04:00

Well, I work with seniors and their families, and sometimes the older family member has to go to a nursing home. (Not that either of your horses needs that!)

But I always recommend that the family choose a place that is quite close. There may be nicer, more glitzy homes around with a bed available, but it is clear that people get much better care from the staff when the family is

I just recently made the decision to move Bodhi an...

2009-07-07T08:28:49.077-04:00

I just recently made the decision to move Bodhi and Google Maps helped me do it. Option C and D seem like the best options to me. Try and calculate how much money on gas you would be saving by moving him to either one of those barns and you will be surprised. I saved 100 dollars a month by moving Bodhi closer so it made up for the 100 dollars more in board. Also as the always say time is money

Leslie, you and Bob sound very much alike! His com...

2009-07-07T06:13:00.145-04:00

Leslie, you and Bob sound very much alike! His comment is that money is to make life easier, and "I never saw a hearse with a luggage rack."

I'd go with option D. As young as he is with s...

2009-07-07T00:42:12.174-04:00

I'd go with option D. As young as he is with such a substantial issue with his hoof, I would probably hand him over to a place that specializes in recovering horses. From those pictures I saw a couple of post before I think he needs someone *very* experienced with packing. A screw-up over a couple days (ie well intentioned friends taking care of him while you go out of town) and you are going

I would definitely lean towards Option C or D. If...

2009-07-06T23:59:00.865-04:00

I would definitely lean towards Option C or D. If you are willing to tap into your savings for option D, why not do it for option C in order to save time and money and make your life easier? I guess the question (for me) boils down to whether Riley's medical needs are so intensive as to make it worth having to cut down your visits if he is at option D.

Another benefit of Option

Harv is not getting any younger and so it makes me...

2009-07-06T20:51:52.032-04:00

Harv is not getting any younger and so it makes me nervous to think that if you just get through Riley's injury you will have more time. Since my horse was retired young (he was 15 at the time) I admit that I am a bit of nut when it comes to giving up riding time. When I look back at all the days I missed because I was...too busy, tired, etc...to ride, I really regret it. Not saying that will

Ack! This is hard. Option B, if it were possible, ...

2009-07-06T20:39:59.315-04:00

Ack! This is hard. Option B, if it were possible, certainly sounds good. If they were both so close you could spend more time with each of them. If you cannot do B then what about C? As that way they will still be close by. Plus it sounds like the vet would be around and that's always a nice thing.

I vote for Option C. I know, it is not the best c...

2009-07-06T20:05:00.919-04:00

I vote for Option C. I know, it is not the best choice for the pocketbook but a stall could open up in Harv's barn in the meantime. Commuting time and agravation are big turn offs for me. Good luck and God bless!

C for a short time (not forever) would be my choic...

2009-07-06T19:59:21.175-04:00

C for a short time (not forever) would be my choice - time over money - but that might not be right for you.
Sorry things are so complicated.

Hate to say it, but at this point, it just may wel...

2009-07-06T19:47:00.692-04:00

Hate to say it, but at this point, it just may well come down to the money. I'd opt out for the expensive option if I had a choice. Someone else doing the work in the layup is certainly the best. That way if you can't get there, someone is caring for him.

The Harv/Riley swap is the most economical option. Advantages are that you do not lose your place at Riley's barn and

What an awful predicament! Money is important, b...

2009-07-06T19:01:03.261-04:00

What an awful predicament!

Money is important, but so is your time. In this case, like most horse owners who board, time also includes some gas and thus more money.

I don't know what you pay at Riley's current location, but Option C sounds like a good deal since the price includes board AND the care he needs. Help caring for Riley and the shorter distance

Sorry to hear about Riley's hoof problems. I&#...

2009-07-06T19:00:30.582-04:00

Sorry to hear about Riley's hoof problems. I'm just getting caught up on the details today.

I just wanted to note how good he was for the farrier in the video you posted of how his hoof has to be wrapped... At least that is something positive...

Sounds like you have a tough decision ahead of you regarding his short-term care. Working off board is always a good

I guess it's not an option to move Harv to joi...

2009-07-06T18:33:18.369-04:00

I guess it's not an option to move Harv to join Riley at his current barn, huh?

Given this situation, I think that maybe moving Riley for the next couple weeks to be at the short-term facility might be best. Once you've got the second opinion and a better sense of what are the possible options for treatment, you can know if you'll need to move him longer term or not.
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