35 yr old pony not getting up

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baz_zy

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Hi there,

I have a 35 year old pony who has been sprightly for as long as I have known him.

However, today, we found him lieing in the field and he won't get up. I think he wants to get up but somehow he can't. He still seems happy enough, whinnies when you come over, and eats and drinks as usual, but he just doesn't seem to be able to get up. We have tried helping him up but and he tries but then he gives up. We have supported him with some bales of hay so he is propped up as we found him lieing flat out.

The vet couldn't find anything wrong with him and has put it down to old age. He is still in the field now which is upsetting as he always comes in at night these days. We are hoping that tomorrow he might be able to get up.

I was wondering if anyone might know what may have caused this or why he can't get up...? He is old and a bit stiff but he still loves going for walks, in fact he usually takes me for a walk which is why I find it so hard to understand why he can't get up or even why he went down in the first place.

He had a wobbly patch after christmas, we didn't know what happened but his symptoms suggested he went a bit colicky but the vet found nothing wrong, then came round fine a few days later but since then we have noticed he has not been lieing down at night.

Basically, I don't why he has gone down when this morning he was just as sprightly as ever, and why he doesn't seem to be able to get up again... I know he is very old but it is very out of the blue and unexpected. Any help appreciated as I am fearing the worst but I don't want to even think about that until I have explored all avenues.

Thanks...
 
I am so sorry, I do not know really what to say.
I have never had such an elderly horse.
What did the vet think? I know you said vet said he could not find anything but he is just old i suppose and this is why he cannot get up.
I hope he gets up but you know your pony best, you really do and its hard to say. It sounds like he is struggling and age is just taking its toll on his body.

Its a sad and hard fact that the body gives up before the mind sometimes, it makes it very difficult to understand.
 
i don't want to depress you but don't you think it is time. our 33 year old horse was always very sprightly but we found him down one morning and he couldn't get up, he wanted to, he ate his breakfast, but . their body gives up, he may have had a mild heart attack. be brave don't let him suffer, they don't like to be in the position where they can't get up he will get more and more stressed.
 
Oh i'm sorry to hear about your pony. I have no advice but have hugs for you. I hope he gets up and was maybe having a bad day. Old beings do have bad days. Did you manage to get a rug on him or anthing?
 
we had an old mare at our yard who was 30 and was fine until one day she just gave up and lay down , several people kept dragging her up but she just lay down again , sounds like his time is up and he knows it . better to let him go peacefully without pain or struggle , not easy though , thoughts with you x
 
I'm so sorry to say this but yes I've seen this happen before. I used to work at a horse sanctuary and this happened to 3 of the oldies while I was there. I'm afraid each one was PTS. We tried for a long time to get them up but they just didn't have the strength. Apparently if a horse/donkey is down for a long time then they collect fluid on the lungs. This is so difficult for me to say, but I really think this is his time. My horse is 31 and I have a feeling this could be how she goes too. I would certainly be trying to get her up, as you have been, but would know deep down the time had come to let her go. 35 is a fantastic age. I hope and pray you post a happy message tomorrow saying he is up.
 
I have sadly seen this before, it is what they would do in the wild, lie down and give up, it sounds as though it is sadly his time. The mind is willing but the body is unable.

Sorry not what you want to hear at all (((((hugs))))))) to you both.
 
My old lady of 32 got stuck in the field and couldn't get up. The vet said it was important to get her up as horses are not designed to lie down for long periods. We got her up by pushing (hard work as she is 15.2 and a lightweight cob) it turned out that her arthritic knees hadn't helped the problem, anyway to cut a long story short, she is now on 2 bute a day and back to her usual self, so fingers crossed that you manage to get your pony up and I would certainally discuss the bute option with the vet. If the issue is stiffness/arthritis it may help.
 
I wouldn't leave a pony down for long, let alone overnight, outdoors and of that sort of age
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Sorry, but I can't think what the vet is doing
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If the pony can't get up, then there are some serious decisions to be made - if they haven't already. Poor pony.
 
I am shocked that your vet thinks it is acceptable to leave your poor old pony down. Its time to stop thinking of yourself and do what is right for the pony.
 
Fourlegs hun, I'm sorry but I think your 35 yr old is trying to tell you something. His body is just giving out and trying to hold onto him is not what he needs from you now. He needs you to be strong and brave and recognise that the best and most loving gift we can ever ever give our beloved horses is a quiet and dignified death when the time is right. Horses don't worry about the future lke we do hun - they live in the moment. All that will be worrying your ned is he can't get up and move and run around. Soon his body will start shutting down and you don't want him to go through that. Be strong hun and give him this last gift, from your heart to his.

Just wanted to add - the truest thing I will ever hear about old, sick animals, when difficult decisions have to be made is "better a week too early than a day too late". Please think of that and help your boy. Everyone who has ever gone through this is thinking of you xxxxx
 
I think you have to face the fact that this pony's time has come, always a sad and difficult thing to come to terms with, but we have to do what is best for them.

I too am a little shocked that your vet has left him down tbh.
 
I hate to say it but I think the time has come for your pony. I had my 34 year old mare pts because she was having trouble getting to her feet and I didn't want her to get to the stage where she couldn't get up. I too am really shocked the vet has left him down. Hard as it is to make the decision you really do have to put your pony first. (hugs).
 
hum i hade my 41 year old pts in aug 09,its was because he was looseing weight and i couldnt get it back he use to get stuck laying down but i always hade him on bute for many years and my pony use to nip his hocks to get him up,its a very brave desision to have him pts but you have to consider the horse is old and he wont get any younger i couldnt see my old man going down hill but when reality came to me i was keeping himfor my own selfish feelings not wanting to let go of him ,but i made a desision and called the vet its wasnt a bad day i fed him whatever he wanted bisuits chocalate every think a horse shouldnt have ,the vet gave him a local before the overdose so it didnt hurt him and he just relaxed on the lead rope and layed down i left him in field for a wile so my other horses accepted it and they never called as they knew he was gone ,they sniffed his nostrils and that tells them .
 
How is the pony this morning??

I'm shocked a vet suggested leaving a very old pony lying in a field when temps are dropping below minus, knowing full well it cant get up.
 
I do believe his time has come Im afraid.
However, in many counties the fire brigades have now been trained to "rescue2 horses - this includes raising a horse who cannot get up. We successfully got an old horse (much like your by the sounds of it) to her feet last week with the aid of the fire brigade and shes doing well - you should suggest it to your vet. Personally I think PTS is probably the right option though.
Do not want to comment on your vet - leaving horse down one night is not as bad as many of the people above are saying, but it is true that the longer they stay down the more damage to their muscles etc meaning they are less likely to get up again.
 
It is unacceptable to leave a horse down
As Glenruby has said fire brigades have the necessary equipment
In fact many farmers have got a sling for a ''downer'' cow and a local farmer used to lift his arthritic pony with his tractor when it got stuck lying down
Horses get lung congestion very quickly if left down
As others have said the situation is not going to get better--the forecast for the week is more snow for many of us--a decision needs to be made.
 
Glenruby - This is an old pony who is used coming in at night, thus not used to being out it the cold temps. Additionally as it can't get up it will be extra cold as its body heat is sucked away by the cold ground. IMO leaving down is cruel. Whilst I appreciate the pain the OP is obviously feeling, I feel more sorry for her poor old pony.
 
Sorry what I meant is more that the vet unfortunately hasnt got the final decision as to horses future as from what OP said horse is eating and generally in fairly good form (espite situation ) so isnt quite a welfare situation yet (but most certainly will be). Without OPs permission, Im afraid the situation has not quite reached the point where vet can step in and insist on PTS.
BUT, fire brigade is very definately an option as is PTS and OP I think it is time you made that difficult decision for the welfare of your pony.

ETS - from what I can determine by OP saying propped up - horse is in sternal so lung consolidation/rectal prolapse etc is less of an immediate issue.
 
Any news, did he manage to get back up?? I really feel for you as i have a 34yr who has found this particularly cold winter pretty hard. He has arthritis in both his hocks and when he goes down for a roll, he stays down for around 20 mins or so before getting back up in his "bambi" like way. He is happy otherwise and eats well etc but i know that if he manages to get to the summer i will not put him through another winter as he is already on the max dose of danilon now. We have been a team together for almost 30 yrs since i was a child and i don't much remember life before him but i know i do not want him to suffer. Thinking of you and your horse xx.
 
Oh glenruby - FGS please try to get your friend to understand that - whether or not the horse was resting on his sternum when last viewed - he is dying. She has to do something to help him rather than wait until one by one his organs shut down. Ask her if that's the last memory she wants of her beloved horse. Poor, poor pony.
 
BoF I don't think GlenRuby actually knows the OP, but totally agree with the rest of your comments.

Came on to see if there was any news, as can't stop thinking about this poor pony. TBH I suspect it may have died over night (being as it is currently so cold and wet), but if it did what a horrendous way to go, and if it didn't what a horrendous night to go through. Please god don't let it still be down and suffering.
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i really hope this post was a wind-up.
if it is true that a vet left an old pony who could not get up out in the field overnight, i am almost speechless.
if it wasn't trolling... as for it being "out of the blue" OP... he's a VERY old pony. unfortunately he is unable to verbalise "i am really old and decrepit and will probably die very soon and might need some kind help so that it doesn't take a day or two."
really hope it was a wind-up, and if not, that he's gone by now.
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poor old fella.
 
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