Posted 2007-05-21 2:58 PM (#61080) Subject: Desperately looking for a home for a EIA horse within 24 hrs!
Member
Posts: 17
Location: Ann Arbor Michigan
This is a very unusual request - but does anyone in the Michigan area know of someone who would like a been-there-done-that 28 year old QH who needs a home with no other horses within 1/4 mile?? This poor guy came back positive on a Coggins, but is completely asymptomatic. He hasn't been tested for years (private farm) and could like have been a carrier for years but none of the other 30+ horses on the properties nearby are positive. However, since he's positive of course the state wants him either put down or isolated. This is a friend's horse and they are literally down to the last 24 hours here. He'd make a great backyard horse for someone who just wants something to have their kids or grandkids have fun on, extremely easy keeper, bomb-proof, and oblivious to his pending fate. The owners would even put up a stall and fencing and provide hay and grain. Help!!!
Posted 2007-05-21 3:08 PM (#61081 - in reply to #61080) Subject: RE: Desperately looking for a home for a EIA horse within 24 hrs!
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 544 Location: Claxton, Ga.
At 28 he has had a good life. In my opinion it is to risky for everyone else's horses to have one that tested postive with Coggins. I know if I was within 2 miles of said horse I would have a problem with it. This is very unfortunate and I am glad I don't have to make that decision.
Hopefully, he was tested more than once to ensure he was truely positive on Coggins.
Posted 2007-05-21 3:53 PM (#61085 - in reply to #61080) Subject: RE: Desperately looking for a home for a EIA horse within 24 hrs!
Member
Posts: 17
Location: Ann Arbor Michigan
You're right - 28 years is great and he has had a wonderful life. And yes, the state tested him three times. It's just so hard to put a horse down who in no way appears ill - even his stablemate of forever is negative. It's just one of those bits of bad luck. The owners definitely don't want to put anyone else at risk - but are just trying to see if there's any other way!
Posted 2007-05-21 5:35 PM (#61095 - in reply to #61080) Subject: RE: Desperately looking for a home for a EIA horse within 24 hrs!
Elite Veteran
Posts: 792 Location: East Tennessee, USA, Planet Earth
Originally written by cully on 2007-05-21 2:58 PM
This is a very unusual request - but does anyone in the Michigan area know of someone who would like a been-there-done-that 28 year old QH who needs a home with no other horses within 1/4 mile??
Did they "retest" to make sure it's not a false positive? This place takes EIA positive horses http://www.eiahorses.org/GOOD LUCK!! Please keep us updated!!!
Posted 2007-05-21 7:45 PM (#61107 - in reply to #61080) Subject: RE: Desperately looking for a home for a EIA horse within 24 hrs!
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
Please, please put him down. It's not OK to put other healthy, valuable animals at risk because the owners can't bring themselves to do the right thing. (IMHO, the 1/2 mile thing is total BS...look at how west nile travelled.)
In Texas it's illegal to transport a EIA+ horse, I do think they have special exceptions but they are rare.
If you can't "do the right thing" then don't own ANY animal! Lots of folks here have made a tough call but we'd all do it again. Most vets I know will put a horse down for free, then you'll need to have/rent a backhoe to finish the job.
Posted 2007-05-21 9:57 PM (#61119 - in reply to #61080) Subject: RE: Desperately looking for a home for a EIA horse within 24 hrs!
Veteran
Posts: 294 Location: Fort Worth, Tx
Just clarifying--he was tested with both the ELISA and AGID (sp) tests? If for sure positive then really he should be put down to prevent any spread of this scary disease. Having said that, there are a few vet colleges that might take him-Texas A&M maintains a herd of EIA horses. But really euthanizing him is the right thing to do, no matter how hard. As a reminder to all, this is why it's imporant to get your horse tested every year, even if they don't go anywhere.
Posted 2007-05-21 10:31 PM (#61120 - in reply to #61080) Subject: RE: Desperately looking for a home for a EIA horse within 24 hrs!
Member
Posts: 17
Location: Ann Arbor Michigan
I do not know the specifics of the tests used - but I have to assume that the state did the necessary tests (conducted on three separate occasions). I believe that the owners at this point have resigned themselves to the fact that putting him down is unfortunately their only option given the timeframe they have to work with. Very tough night tonight - but the vet will be out in the morning to walk the old guy "over the hill." He's had a good life and received the best of care . . . still very hard.
Thanks for all your comments and suggestions. Give your equines an extra hug today!
Posted 2007-05-21 11:01 PM (#61121 - in reply to #61120) Subject: RE: Desperately looking for a home for a EIA horse within 24 hrs!
Elite Veteran
Posts: 792 Location: East Tennessee, USA, Planet Earth
"Somewhere. . . Somewhere in time's own space. There must be some sweet pastured place. Where creeks sing on and tall trees grow. Some Paradise where horses go. For by the love that guides my pen, I know great horses live again." Stanley Harrison
Posted 2007-05-22 9:49 AM (#61135 - in reply to #61080) Subject: RE: Desperately looking for a home for a EIA horse within 24 hrs!
Veteran
Posts: 219 Location: Mt. Clemens, MI 48043
Did you try MSU (Michigan State University) they might use him like they use other horses that have certain health problems. They live their life as subjects that help other equine live better lives. My sister knows a few horses there and they are not mistreated just test subjects. Many great things happen there maybe they will find a cure for this. Good Luck and God Bless.
Posted 2007-05-23 10:38 PM (#61202 - in reply to #61135) Subject: RE: Desperately looking for a home for a EIA horse within 24 hrs!
Expert
Posts: 1885 Location: NY
Can you move a horse with postative coggin to any place and what about the quelity of live for the horse he could not be with any other horse that is just not right I would put him down and learm the lesson about having a coggins test done
Posted 2007-05-27 9:05 AM (#61299 - in reply to #61080) Subject: RE: Desperately looking for a home for a EIA horse within 24 hrs!
New User
Posts: 1
LoveDuffy- what lesson? Don't ever do a coggins, or have a a coggins done ealier in his life?
Doing a coggins at an earlier date would have been useless.Then he would have been euthanised earlier, at least this way he has had more years. OR, he could have been negative, and then contracted EIA the very next day and no one would have been the wiser.
Poor fellow, I wish a home could have been found, more for the distraught owners sake. The horse won't know what what happens, no worries there.
Desperately looking for a home for a EIA horse within 24 hrs!
