Proudly Owned and Loved
Sheri, Leo and Mom

Murdered at the P... Vet Clinic, P... TX

Yesterday morning after I left my job at 1AM, my husband asked if I wanted to check on my best friend Thunder. I have to tell you all that Thunder was my first horse. I got him in June 1980. It took us years to get to know each other. He loved children, people and being the center of all attention.

Two days ago he got sick. This was NOT, I repeat not really serious. He was given a drug called Atropine and this caused Colic. I have since learned that this drug should never be given to horses, because IT DOES CAUSE COLIC. The vet gave me this drug after testing and told me this would help Thunder’s breathing problems. I asked if it was OK and would their be any problems with the drug and he said no, it was ok. Had the vet told me that this drug could cause colic in horses I would never have used it on my Thunder at all. Again I trusted! Thunder was over the Colic about 6PM the night before he died. I should and I repeat I should have picked him up at that time. Again I was trusting this vet to take care of my best friend! I also better add at this time that the medical Journals State ATROPINE is NOT, I repeat, NOT to be used in Horses, ever. After Thunder died, the vet said yes, he knew that, BUT he thought they were wrong because it was working in A FEW cases, but not many.

I had a vet come out, that I am not real fond of but Thunder liked him. His name is Lee G..., note Dr. should not be listed at the front of this name. He abused my Thunder in front of my daughter and husband by putting a stud lip chain above his teeth and yanked 6 times the first time, 6 or 7 times the next time, and the last time at least 8 times. Finally my Thunder could fight no more. I forgot to add he also had a “humane” twitch on his lip. Thunder was bleeding from the nose and mouth for an hour after this (expletive) left my home. I have recently learned that this vet has been kicked off one of the LARGEST horse breeding farms in S... Texas. I don’t know why yet, but I can bet you from abuse he dishes out. Mr. G... told me that the P... Clinic should never have given me Atropine. It causes Colic in Horses.

After he left, Thunder got worst, and I called the vet who originally gave me the ATROPINE. He came right out and said, I am quoting, “Why don’t you let me take him to the clinic where I can watch him”? I will check on him every 15 minutes. I said ok, I had to go to work. I felt deep in my heart, everything was going to be ok. I left my job at 1AM and I arrived at the vet clinic at almost 2AM. I ran to the stall, because I could not see him, and I found him dead. Still warm, covered in sweat, eyes open, mouth open. I tried to get him up, but he did not respond. He was put into a 10x10 stall, which was too small because the vet said he didn’t want him moving around. The vet had no fan running and the stall door to the outside was closed. Also the latch on the front door required that you use a hatch hanging in the next stall to remove the piece of pipe. In case of fire, this is NOT acceptable. Thunder’s nose was under the stall door trying to get air. He died, suffering, 5-7 minutes at least because the stall was so small and not protected from a horse to cast themselves. The vet said he suffocated.

My daughter went to visit Thunder at about 6:00 p.m. that night before he died and she said that he was breathing hard and that his nose was to the stall door, like he was trying to get air. He was sweating and she then called the vet on her mobile phone. After about six rings Mr. H... answered. I said, Mr. H... are you inside the office here at the clinic, he said no, I am at home. I said, well I do not think Thunder is doing so well. Thunder is breathing hard and sweating like he has been running for miles. His reply to this was “ Thunder is sweating and breathing hard because his stomach is hurting”. I said but Mr. H... Are you sure? Mr. H... then said, “It is like you having a stomach ache”. I said, ok I just wanted to make sure he was all right. Mr. H... said, “he will be ok”. My daughter said she then told Thunder he would be home the next day and that she loved him and will see him tomorrow. Not knowing that would be the last time to see her beloved horse alive.

The only thing they can say is sorry, with no feeling at all. They do not mean, sorry, as in compassion. The head receptionist hung up the phone on me. Can you all imagine how this woman can sleep at night? ... Is that negligent or I’m sorry? Sorry is throwing catsup on a white shirt and saying I will fix it. This cold, callous, insensitive woman should not be allowed on the phones! BTW P... VET CLINIC in P..., TX should be avoided by every one who reads this. The vet on call is a Mr. H..., notice, Dr, should not be used here. Further investigation has reveled Phil H... is known as Quick Kill Phil. Had I known that, I would have never given them my Thunder. My daughter is so upset and hating me. I don’t blame her. I hate me too. If I hadn’t been hurting for money, I would have called in sick BUT MR H... said he would take care of Thunder, DO NOT WORRY, GET SOME REST! I am using his exact words because I do not want him to ever forget what he did.

This was PREVENTABLE!!! This should not have happened! There were other stalls to put my horse in and the door could have been left open to allow airflow.

I will agree with anybody who says accidents happen, sure they do. BUT NOT when common sense is used and precautions are taken. Especially with horses. The last 20 years have brought on several wonder inventions for horses. All they had to do was INSTALL some sheet boards on the sides of the stall, so when the horse got to close he could get his legs out from under him and get up OR leave the door open so air could be available. This vet knew my horse had Asthma and they still put him in sawdust because that is easier to clean!

I am so sick and tired of vets screwing with my beloved pets! Folks I want to die, I have not been happy in years. Now, my beloved Thunder is gone. We buried him last night, under the tree in my back yard. Thunder did not have to die. This vet was negligent in his care of my horse. At home he could lay down and not have to worry about fencing. My horses have 4 acres. There were OTHER stalls that were larger!

I wish I were dead! I would be better off.

Marcia M

Grieving in TX

Today is Sunday July 25. Thunder’s mate Joy continues to stand in one spot. She will not allow Leo, Sheri or myself to touch her. I try to walk up to her and she walks away. She is unresponsive to touch or brushing which she loves. We are very worried about her. She is eating lightly but she has lost her position in the picking order and I don’t want to lose her too. She just stands and hangs her head.

July 26, 1999 I still have not heard from Mr. H.... The (expletive) at the reception desk ... told me she would tell him to call me LAST WEEK. How can they sleep at night? Leo and I went to the clinic and took pictures of the stall that Thunder died in. You could still see the hole Thunder kept trying to get up! The (expletive)!

Aug 13,1999 at about 2p today I received a phone call from the insurance company representing Mr. H.... She insisted that I put a price on the value of Thunderhead. I asked her if she had any kids and she said no. You cannot put a price on a family member, especially when this member was relying on me to take care of him. Thunder not only was a member of my family, but he had been helping the Girl Scouts for the last several years earn there merit badges. Thunder was also a very active horse for the youngsters in 4-H. I loaned Thunder to many a family who could not afford a horse so there children could experience the joy of riding and taking care of a wonderful friend. There is not a price on a bombproof horse. As young as my daughter and Thunder were back in 1984, I allowed my daughter to ride Thunder alone with little or no supervision. Thunder could be trusted to bring ANY rider I put on him home alive. When people visited our house, it was always Thunder who gave the rides. He was safe and reliable. The youngest riders to the oldest it did not matter. He was safe. He was smart enough to know the difference between those who needed security and those who wanted to play rodeo rider.

Thunder was a major campaigner as an endurance horse back in Wichita, Ks before we moved here. He also loved to play in Rodeos and he was very good in the Poles and Barrel Racing. He was in several local parades in Haysville, Ks. He would always put on a great show. He loved being the center of all the attention.

I was greeted EVERY MORNING with a Hello from Thunder and the rest of the herd. Now there is silence. Thunder was the head of the herd (we have 3 others). The other 3 horses remain distant and quiet.

Update Dec 8, 1999: I have also made 3 telephone calls to the Vet Board in Austin. Today I spoke with I.F.(name edited) and she stated she would give R.A. the message to return my call. I have called P.H. two times since receiving these two form letters from the Mr. H... and he has not returned my calls. R.A. has not returned my call either.

Update: I received a letter from the Insurance company, denying my claim. Problem here is, I never filed a claim with them. As of Feb. 9th 2000 R.A. has not called back either.

Update Dec 2 1999: After I received word that the Vet Board feels it is OK to suffocate horses I was informed that Mr. H... has left the P... Practice. ...

(names and addresses of vets involved, clinics and Board followed)