>>> Carol Fisher <cfisher@sonic.net> 08/09/96 02:49pm >>>
I just had my two mares -- full sisters aged 4 & 7 -- spayed because
they had very bad PMS (you could see them cramping!) and I wasn't
interested in going thru yet another nerve-wracking spring. Also, hoped
it would help reduce the possibilities of tie-up. They just had their
stitches out and are doing fine. UC Davis did it via laproscope, involving
3 small incisions on each side, operation done with horses standing,
under local anesthesia. Three days in the hospital, 2 weeks R&R.
What surprised me was how many people were surprised that I actually
DID THAT because these are good horses who are well-bred
themselves. All the what-ifs, and the accusation that I was reducing
their value.
Well, in my humble opinion their value goes UP if they are ridable
year-round! And we'll make better teams if they are not in pain or in
total distraction. so, we'll see...