WWYD - my horse nearly nailed his eye

[awaywego]

Friday night I received a call from the barn manager that on night check my horse was discovered to have a cut above his eye. I asked if the vet needed to be called, did he need stitches, etc. As I live about at least an hour away, I trusted their judgment that it wasn't *that bad* once the blood (eek!) was washed off.

Saturday morning I get there and OMG THE VET SHOULDA BEEN CALLED the night before. Which is basically what the vet said when she arrived - too late to stitch now - he has a 3/4 inch puncture that is ALMOST all the way through to his eye. It was really, really terrible looking. Upon inspection of his stall, I discovered TWO nails protruding from the blood-covered wall, including one that is out about 3/4 inch. I moved my horse within the past few months and the only notation I"d had re: his stall was a hole in the wood to the adjacent stall I'd requested by covered in case he found a way to fit his foot in there (still there). Recently a mare moved in next to him - a big draft x - who kicks the wall. My *guess* is that the mare's kicking kicked previously flush nails out.

Without even getting into my serious doubts regarding the ability to care for my horse's injury properly (in the few months I've been there, there have been several incidents - including getting turned out in standing wraps - that have left me extremely skeptical), is it crazy to suggest the barn is responsible for at least part of my horse's vet care? In my opinion, this is not a freak accident, but a matter of negligence.

Before this happened, I was already having a bad month financially, and now I am going to have a big vet bill (plus a horse that is going to require LOTS of special care that I don't know that they are prepared to handle - he was JUST listed for sale b/c of my financial problems - looks like that won't be happening anytime soon!) I'm trying not to think about what happens if this does not heal well altogether.... I'd like to just move him to a lay-up/rehab facility to make sure he IS treated properly but I can't afford 2 boards (esp one at the lay-up rate).

I should probably add that this is a professional show barn - by no means a small private facility. I'm about to head out now and am already sick over what I"m going to see when I get there...

[Paddys Mom]

I would probably just tell the BO that you would have preferred the vet be called for that situation so they can be aware of your standards for future reference.

I might also ask to be moved to a different stall because of the mare. Finally, I would bring my hammer and whack those nails back in myself. Better yet - remove the nails and replace them with screws. But then, I am a "handle problems myself" kind of girl. ;) I mean, if the barn is otherwise a good fit, you can ask that they do it and fret that its not being done, or you can handle it. :)

[philosoraptor]

You should have a sit-down with the BO to share your concerns. Explain what criteria you'd like the vet called on. And if you think it was a problem with the stall, explain that to her.

If I understand it right, it's a puncture wound? It's been my experience vets don't stitch punctures. You do want to keep it clean to guard against infection. Make sure the BO is going to call you and/or vet, if the wound is showing signs of infection.

Check also to make sure you horse us UTD on tetanus, since an old nail may have been involved.

[awaywego]

It's kinda a moot point now.

I did as was suggested on here - moved my horse to a different stall, explained I wished things had been handled differently and to eliminate any further confusion, wrote down his care instructions and stressed how important it was to follow them exactly.

An hour after I left, I got a phone call telling me that since it seems I do not trust them to care for my horse, it is best if we "part ways."

Wondering if they really thought that one out - I'm supposed to move my injured horse now mid-month - with an injury he received from a nail in the wall of his stall. How's that going to look for them? Not good. Not very professional at all.

[pines4equines]

Also, while this probably doesn't relate I would NOT trim those long hairs around a horse's eyes. If you're not showing, leave those hairs long. It is the horse's protection against getting too close to something. While it may not have stopped this particular incident, but you'd be surprised at how handy those long hairs are for the horse to keep his eyes safe.

[caryledee]

It's kinda a moot point now.

I did as was suggested on here - moved my horse to a different stall, explained I wished things had been handled differently and to eliminate any further confusion, wrote down his care instructions and stressed how important it was to follow them exactly.

An hour after I left, I got a phone call telling me that since it seems I do not trust them to care for my horse, it is best if we "part ways."

Wondering if they really thought that one out - I'm supposed to move my injured horse now mid-month - with an injury he received from a nail in the wall of his stall. How's that going to look for them? Not good. Not very professional at all.

I agree with you...it sounds like your BO is not very accomodating. If she can't take that type of input from a horse owner, I think you will be better off in the long run finding another barn.

Do you have another place to go?

[trubandloki]

You say all these reasons why you are not comfortable with the care they give your horse and then you are upset that they say it is obvious you are not comfortable with the care they give your horse?
Talk about a loose loose situation for them.

I think the only way they would responsible for your vet bills is if you could show that the nails were sticking out and they knew it and did nothing about it.

The mare could have kicked the nails out and your horse could have injured himself minutes later.