May/June 2024 Issue

Page 42 May/June 2024 EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN Go ahead... Ask da Mare See page 50 for details. Not a print subscriber? Join the ongoing mailing list for just $20. FREE Classifieds for print subscribers! By Malorie de la Mare Dear Mal… At what age should a horse retire? A friend of mine has a 25-year-old horse and she still rides him several times a week. It kind of freaks me out. The poor horse doesn’t seem to have any zip left in his tank. He just looks sad to me. My friend is in her forties, and I think she has a rather distorted view of her own fitness. It’s not as if she works out a whole lot. We work for the same company, and she seems to be the center of attention at com- pany gatherings because she tells stories about her “adventures” with this horse. I don’t have a horse, and only rode a couple of times many years ago. But I have asked several other friends about this situation, and a couple of them looked up information on the internet and it’s pretty clear that my riding friend is hurting her horse. I’ve tried to discuss this with her a couple of times— steering clear of accusing her of abusing her horse. She insists her horse is fit and capable of work- ing. In addition, she says that her vet has told her that her horse is fit and healthy. I’m thinking the vet doesn’t want to lose a customer. What do you think I should do to protect my friend and her horse? I’m just worried that someone is going to report her to the animal welfare people and then she would be humiliat- ed. What do you think I should say to her? -Dismayed Friend Dear Dismayed… To begin, I think your friend has every right to ride her horse, and if I were you, I would accept her statement about her horse’s physical condition. If you don’t mind, though, I think there are some things you may wish to think about. For one, are you jeal- ous of your friend who “seems to be the center of attention at company gatherings,” or are you sincerely concerned about her welfare? For another, you dismiss your friend’s assertion that the veterinarian has vouched for her horse’s health and fitness. “I’m thinking the vet doesn’t want to lose a customer.” And at what point does “information on the in- ternet” outweigh the observations and judgment of a veterinarian who actually knows and routinely sees the horse in question? Fur- ther, exactly who would report your friend to animal welfare? Dr. Internet is a suspicious and often utterly unreliable source, and many internet and social me- dia forums thrive on the absence of critical thinking. So sad! From your letter it seems that you and Itching for Controversy? your internet-sleuthing friends are itching for a controversy, which, as we know, is a snap to create on the internet and social media. Or maybe I’m wrong. Perhaps it would ease your mind if you could step back from your emo- tions and re-read your letter. And then ask yourself if your “con- cern” for this horse is genuine. Or are you envious of your friend’s life? The picture you’ve painted of yourself here is not very flat- tering and seems to reveal a very sad person. But that doesn’t have to be a life sentence, as there are literally thousands of ways to address sadness. Just don’t try finding answers on social media. There is no shame in asking your doctor to help you unravel the threads that are tangled up in your heart and making it hard for you to enjoy your life, instead of carping about someone else’s. Good luck. Dear Mal… My horse and I just moved here from Montana, and I want to make sure that he is vacci- nated appropriately. Also, I’m concerned about any health issues that might be unique to this region. Our vet in Montana routinely vaccinated my horse for rabies, tetanus, Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis, Western Equine Encephalomyelitis and West Nile Virus. Are there other things I should be worried about in this area? My horse is 12 years old and is very sound and healthy. I want to keep him that way! -Newcomer Dear Newcomer… Welcome to the East! And congratulations on being a conscientious equestrian. I’m sure you and your horse will find lots of horsey friends in the area. If you’re going to board your horse at a barn, you might ask the barn manager about a good vet, farrier, equine dentist, etc. And make sure you’ve got your horse’s health records up to date. The vet will likely tell you that the vaccine protocol will depend on whether you plan to take your horse to shows or other equine events where he’ll be exposed to lots of other horses. The core vaccines you have been getting for your horse are no different here in the East. However, the timing may be a bit different. And, if you’re going to be going to shows, your vet will probably recommend additional vaccines, against strangles, Equine Influen- za, botulism, etc. Good luck, and happy trails! Have a question for Mal? Email her at PAEquest@aol. com.