A Tough Job

[Oldtimer]

Carla and Punky as a 4 year old


I had a tough job today- I had to call my daughter and tell her that the colt she raised and used for 5 years in 4-H had had to be put down...She sold him to a neighbor that had him two years and said he was the best horse he ever owned...She hadn't wanted to sell him- but needed college money- and as usual I was horse poor ...

And the neighbor beside using him on the ranch had used him every week at the Sale Barn penning cattle... Saw him today at the Sale and he had tears in his eyes as he told the story- Ole Punky had got wire cut in the hock- not too bad, but he doctored it and thought it was healing plumb fine- then apparently got infected-- had him in Chinook at the vets for a month getting antibiotics and IV's- but finally the vet said the fever had apparently foundered him or infected the bone to the point the horse wouldn't even put weight on that hind leg...Said he couldn't stand to see him suffering so put him down....

It always seems to happen to the good ones....

[Faster horses]

I remember when you posted a picture of that horse before you sold
him OT and you said how much you liked him then. That sure is too
bad. Bone infections are awful.

And you are so right, these things only happens to the good ones.

Wish the outcome had been different.

[the_jersey_lilly_2000]

So sorry to hear the outcome of this story. And your right, it's the good ones that things happen to.
Our thoughts are with you and your daughter, and the present owner at this time. We do the best that we can for em, but sometimes things just don't work out the way we'd like.

[Jinglebob]

Yup, it's sad that a horse and a person can't live the same lifetime.

She had him at his best, and she will always remember that.

[RoperAB]

You know this might be hard for some to believe but sometimes its better not to doctor.
About two years ago this ranch horse on another outfit got wire cut really bad. Cut one hell bulb right off and her whole ankle was cut really deep. The owner turned her loose on good pasture and forgot about her. I would go ride back and check on her every now and then. The Mare always looked quite pathetic that summer. Bleeding/puss/swollen/full of flies and maggots on the open wound. Sometimes it would even be all full of mud where she would cross creeks.
Anyway I was sure some tempted to shoot her but she wasnt my horse. Honestly she was cut so bad that I wouldnt have even taken her to a vet because I doubt if I vet could have helped. If she would have been my horse I would have shot her in an instant.
Well now for the good news. By fall the wound started to look good. By the following spring she was sound again!
You know its funny how tough some horses are that arent worth much.
Its always the best horses that get stuff wrong with them. Always running them to the vet. The better they are the more troubles!
Lots of horses around here live to be thirty and were never dewormed/teeth floated or taken to a vet. Haha Doesnt seem right.
Sounds crazy but I think the flys and maggots helped her recover.

[Faster horses]

It's a wonder she didn't get proud flesh in a cut like that.
I think it was a chicken thing to do to just turn her out with
no care at all. Some people think it is being kind, but I call
it being a chicken s**t.

[RoperAB]

[kolanuraven]

not niceholes are rich and poor Roper!

And this man you mention is a Grade A not nicehole in my book!!


This will put " not nice" holes....but THAT IS NOT WHAT I TYPED!!!


I'm sure you can translate!!!

[peg4x4]

Some fly maggots eat dead flesh,so they keep the wound clean..however,the human should be shot..