skint1
Well-Known Member
We are in a situation with our horse where we can't see things clearly any longer.
He is a 14yo Tb, raced as a youngster and has advanced arthritis of the hocks, fetlocks, cannon bones. Back in the summer, we didn't realise how bad things were and we had his hocks injected as we had done the year before, he had responded well to it, but this year he was very stiff and in our heads we made the decision that we would not put him through another winter but as he was reasonably happy in himself we would give him the summer with his buddies out in the field and if no improvement, we would put him to sleep about now. He has been on 2 bute a day to keep him comfortable. The vet has seen him every month, and today was the day to decide whether he was viable for a slightly extended retirement or make the dreaded appointment.
Thing is, the water is cloudy, he's gone from fairly stiff to fairly normal, running and playing with his friends, he is dealing well with being stabled overnight. The vets are saying that it isn't so bad to keep a horse like him comfortable on bute , even still this isn't a long term solution, but as of now, he has a good quality of life and so why not let him live it? They have also today decided to test him for Cushings, they felt that he was showing some signs. If he has it, the medication could make a huge improvement to him. (they tell me)
First thing to know about me is that I am not one that believes that all horses NEED a job, I believe they need food, friends and care, so it doesn't bother me that he is retired. If he were looking longingly after the horses heading out for hacks it would be easier, but he's not, he's golden actually.
A couple of fellow liveries have told us how they feel in a constructive way, some feel we should have him pts, some don't. One has been pretty nasty and personal so I will say this, we aren't "keeping him alive for our own selfish purposes" We have NOTHING to gain from it and could buy another horse tomorrow that could be ridden.
We are ambivalent, hopefully not because we are selfish but because we're not sure if its right to prolong the life of horse needing 2 bute a day to be pasture sound, but on the other hand, if he is enjoying the life he has, and it is no trouble to keep him, why shouldn't he have a bit more time? We aren't talking years here, but if the time he has is good quality time....
So, if this were your horse, what would you do? If we still decide to have him pts we would be going against the vet I guess.
He is a 14yo Tb, raced as a youngster and has advanced arthritis of the hocks, fetlocks, cannon bones. Back in the summer, we didn't realise how bad things were and we had his hocks injected as we had done the year before, he had responded well to it, but this year he was very stiff and in our heads we made the decision that we would not put him through another winter but as he was reasonably happy in himself we would give him the summer with his buddies out in the field and if no improvement, we would put him to sleep about now. He has been on 2 bute a day to keep him comfortable. The vet has seen him every month, and today was the day to decide whether he was viable for a slightly extended retirement or make the dreaded appointment.
Thing is, the water is cloudy, he's gone from fairly stiff to fairly normal, running and playing with his friends, he is dealing well with being stabled overnight. The vets are saying that it isn't so bad to keep a horse like him comfortable on bute , even still this isn't a long term solution, but as of now, he has a good quality of life and so why not let him live it? They have also today decided to test him for Cushings, they felt that he was showing some signs. If he has it, the medication could make a huge improvement to him. (they tell me)
First thing to know about me is that I am not one that believes that all horses NEED a job, I believe they need food, friends and care, so it doesn't bother me that he is retired. If he were looking longingly after the horses heading out for hacks it would be easier, but he's not, he's golden actually.
A couple of fellow liveries have told us how they feel in a constructive way, some feel we should have him pts, some don't. One has been pretty nasty and personal so I will say this, we aren't "keeping him alive for our own selfish purposes" We have NOTHING to gain from it and could buy another horse tomorrow that could be ridden.
We are ambivalent, hopefully not because we are selfish but because we're not sure if its right to prolong the life of horse needing 2 bute a day to be pasture sound, but on the other hand, if he is enjoying the life he has, and it is no trouble to keep him, why shouldn't he have a bit more time? We aren't talking years here, but if the time he has is good quality time....
So, if this were your horse, what would you do? If we still decide to have him pts we would be going against the vet I guess.