Advice needed about what to do with my lovely horse

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Southerngirl

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Long story but basically I have bought a horse that we have since found has rotations on both front pedal bones and we are 70% certain has a collateral ligment damage. We rode him for 30 mins before he went lame and has been so for nearly 5 months. As we bought him to jump, we are pretty certain he will never be able to do what we bought him for. Ignoring the complicated issue behind his purchase, which is now being dealt with by the Solicitor, I am looking for advice on what everybody thinks I should do with him. He is a 15.2 15 yr old Warmblood and a very sweet and handsome looking horse - it seems a crime to put him to sleep as he has some quality of life - any suggestions? As he has the rotation, so cannot be slung out in a field 24/7 am I likely to find him a companions home?
 
As he can't live out 24/7 or do any work then I doubt you will be able to find him a companion home, if you can't keep him yourself then unfortunately I think it might be kindest to pts.
 
Unless you can find someone you completely trust that you know ie loan him to them so you retain ownership as if you need to have him PTS rather than end up in a bad situation. That would be my only concern. Just from what I have read if its a no hoper at all really no hope?? PTS.

I dont know re the condition but it doesnt sound good unless its very early days, am sure you will get someone on here with lots of experience of this situation. Sorry.
 
Does anybody know anything about Charities? Would a Charity take him as I can not keep him (under no circumstances would my husband let me pay for and keep a horse for potentially the next 15 years that I cannot ride - even if I would!)?
 
I think you really need to seriously look at PTS, he is really not an ideal companion as he needs more than basic care.
And most charities would look at taking on horses they can rehome.
Sorry but i think you need to deal with this yourself and do what is best by the horse and not try and pass the problem onto someone else
 
miss_bird said:
I think you really need to seriously look at PTS, he is really not an ideal companion as he needs more than basic care.
And most charities would look at taking on horses they can rehome.
Sorry but i think you need to deal with this yourself and do what is best by the horse and not try and pass the problem onto someone else
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Same here. His prognosis doesn't sound good, and i think he would be likely to meet a bad end if you passed him on. I know it's a hard decision but PTS may be the only option if he can't even hack and can't live out. A horrible situation all round though, really feel for you. Did you not get him vetted though? Unsure how they could have missed that.
 
And so it begins again?? I had my boy pts after trying everyone that would listen. he had pedal degenerative disease, and was in serios pain, but up until he was diagnosed, he was show jumping when he was ok!!! I was susidal after the diagnosois, i loved him toooooo much!!! It realy depends on whats wrong, and how much money you have to make it better. sad fact, but thats the way it goes. really hope you get sorted!!!!
 
The question perhaps you need to ask yourself "is the horse living the life of a horse"? No

Can they live the life of a normal horse somewhere else or in the future?No

If not from reading these posts and on advice from your vet of course, sounds like better to PTS.

You sound like you have really done the best for the horse from the start, unfortunate things happen, easy to give advice though. Poor you.
 
Sorry to agree with above , I would advise PTS . Charities have their hands full with starving , neglected beasties , I feel it would be a lot to ask a Charity to take on this sort of case , as it will be alot of cash outgoing for alot of years ....and they are dependant of donations . I lost my mare a week ago having only had her for 2weeks and she was only 9yo , so I do know what you are going through . Her pedal bone had dropped 2cm and was rotating .... she was never going to be sound and would need constant strict hoof care and attention ( not that I dont do that but you know what I mean ) but it also effects the rest of the body and joints . She had a lovely 2weeks with me ( I hope) as painfree as I could make it , food in her tummy , groomed , warm dry comfy stable ,carrots , scratched in that special place and loved . Difficult to know what to do .....Good Luck
 
Hate to say it but I agree with the above. I hate to think of horses being put to sleep if they have a happy future, but in your boys case I cant see it to be honest. He will need alot of regular remedial farrier work and vet attention and I cant see anyone taking him on as he will be very expensive to keep. I had a old mare with very rotated pedal bones. I cant for the life of me remember how many degrees it was I think it was 45 degree rotation, but the top of the bone was almost vertical and they were a few degrees from going through the sole of her foot. she was on bute and had her feet done every 4 weeks and had heart bar shoes to give her support, which are expensive also. We kept her going for 4 years and she was mainly sound and had a good life. she was laminitic and had cushings, but she was my sisters first pony part of the family so we would do anything for her and to keep her happy and comfortable. Unfortunately we lost her xmas 09 at the age of 25.

Once a pedal bone starts rotating it doesnt tend to stop unless its a very minor movement then it can be caught and corrected by a good farrier.

If you were prepared to keep the horse yourself then it is very do able and yes he could have years ahead of him like our girl did relaxing in the field. Yes its costly but if you love your neddy then money doesnt come into it in my eyes.

But I dont think any one else would take on a horse with this pre existing illness. If you cant keep him happy and comfortable then I think the answer will become obvious. But at the end of the day hes your horse. you can take or leave other peoples opinions.

good luck.
 
The only way you could possibly find him a companion home is if you were prepared to do some funding for him for the rest of his life.

I would suspect that anyone would want any veterinary fees, farrier paid for by you, the PTS bill as and when it happens and maybe a bit towards keep.

If it was me, I might try and find him a loan home on the above basis for a couple of years and give him a bit of retirement time and put aside a budget for those years. It will then make it easier on both of you when the time comes?
 
You can try to find him a home whilst he is still pain free, but it would be an unusual person wishing to take on a horse thant will need stabling & very careful management as a companion. Realistically at some point this is going to become painful for him, there is no avoiding that. Personally I would PTS to know that he had a good life, well cared for, loved & free from pain.
 
Thank you for your kind advice and in my heart I know PTS is really the only option, but as he is my first horse and I have a 14 yr old daughter that loves him too, it is almost unbearable to think of doing it. At the moment he is relatively pain free and on a small limited turnout and has a lovely stable and is groomed and spoilt daily, so he is happy but I know we cannot carry on like this forever more.
Sadly I did pay a vet £300 for a five stage vetting and even more sadly he did not pick it up - the vet is now being investigated as is the yard I bought him from.
 
Sadly I don't think you could re-home him as companion if he can only go out in a small paddock for a short time as most people looking for a companion will want your horse to keep their horse company for more than a couple of hours in the field.

The BHS run a re-homing scheme you could try contacting them for advice but I think you would need to consider paying for any medication he needs long term even if he is out on loan.
 
Look at it from the other side. Would you take on & give this horse a home? What would your objective advice be to A N Other person? Death of a loved one is something we all have to deal with at some time even 14 yr old children. Wouldn't you prefer to know when, where & how horse is euthanased & be able to make it as stress free as possible for the horse or would you prefer to send him away to an unknown end?
I agree with what others have said about the charities scenario, they can't cope with the cruelty/neglected cases as it is! You have a responsibility to this horse, if you can't afford to keep as a pet then give him a final act of kindness.
 
I'm really sorry to hear about your poor horse and understand your dilemma. Having said that, if he isn;t really in any pain I persoanlly couldn't consider PTS. While he's got a decent quality of life I would keep him alive, I know your can't ride him but I wouldn't consider that a reason for ending his life.
Sorry - I know my reply isn't much help and it is just my persoanl opinion.

I had a beautiful TB a few years ago and when she had an accident and didn't come sound again people advised me to PTS. I didn't understand their thinking and didn't agree so I kept her until she became ill then I did make sure she didn't suffer. I couldn't ride her but her life carried on as previously without being ridden.

Good luck whatever you decide.
 
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