Advice please - should I have my horse PTS?

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rescuearacehorse

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Hi all,

I am just wondering if I could have your thoughts on my situation, and if you could tell me what YOU would do if you were me?

My horse is 17.2hh and suitable for light work due to unsoundness and back problem. He is 10 but my problem is, I can only keep one horse and he is not up to what I want to keep a horse for ie competition.

He also will not load safely and has to be intraveneously sedated to be shod, which costs me a fortune = vet + farrier every time!

BUT I do love him to bits and just because he has 'issues' I am finding it hard to justify having him PTS, just because he can't do what I want him to.

I dont want to pass him on because I fear he will fall in to the wrong hands/go for meat/passed through sales etc which I know would he would hate. He's a real worrier.

At what point do you make a selfish decision and put money & your own wants, above keeping an otherwise healthy horse alive????
 
OK, seems a bit extreme if I'm honest although I know there are others on here who won't agree with me :o Is hard though I know as our neddies aren't cheap!
Are there other options you could explore first? Could he be a happy hacker for someone who could take him on loan? Is he sane and relatively sensible other then the bits you mentioned? If you could get someone to loan him or part share then at least you retain some control and share some of the costs.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
could you not loan him out to someone, but he has to stay at present yard, someone who just wants to do light work a few times a week and you pay for the sedation? personally that is what i would do, as like you say you dont want to pass him on and he's still healthy enough to have a life
 
I would feel the same about passing him on to someone else too because I would feel responsible if anything happened. I don't think your being selfish if you did decide this. Your horse is clearly well looked after and has had the luxury of a good home which I'm sure he would appreciate greatly.

I would take on board what everyone else has said though, and explore every other option before you make a final decision. Putting him out on loan as a companion or a light hack will give you piece of mind that no harm will come to him.

Good luck!
 
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Is he safe for the light work he does? Would you consider letting someone share him - there are often people looking for something to hack out now and again.

Might not help out much with the costs as you couldn't really ask them for much, but something at least?

Does he need shoes on if not in work? (I know, TB, so probably, but worth asking!)

To be perfectly honest, if you've already been through all of the above then yes, I would consider it. Harsh as it sounds, some horses are too expensive to live as field ornaments and there are many sound, genuine horses needing homes to go to.

It may sound harsh but think of it like this: There may be a perfectly suitable horse coming out of racing that's facing the bullet, but you couldn't offer it a good home because you're keeping something that costs you a fortune and can do nothing with.
 
I think if your struggling it may be best to sell him with a clause saying he can't go for meat etc. Or possibly put him on loan, then you can keep an eye on him and make sure he is well looked after. It's a shame to pts when he's still able to be lightly worked, or even keep him/sell him as a companion. Does he need to be shod? If not for just being in the field a companion may be better and lower the bills. Hope you find a solution soon.
 
Sorry but I think the worst thing you can do is sell him. Once he is out of your hands you are powerless to follow things up. He can and may well be sold again against your wishes. Loans are great if you can find someone who will share realistic costs - and I would be surprised if many people wanted a 10yo 17hh with issues and costs of shoeing etc as you say he has.

I have no doubt you love him but to be honest I think it is better he is PTS than sold - no harm can come to him that way. Sometimes we owe them the bravest decision. Sounds like you have thought long and hard. As a TB he is unlikely to be a good bet to live out year round as a companion which is the only other option. He is 10 and could live another 10 years with good care. I love my horses to pieces and believe firmly if I cannot offer them safe, secure retirement when they can no longer be ridden then they are best PTS. They have no concept or fear of the future like you do.... See how things go but don't let others talk you into keeping a horse that they would not want themselves. If they say they would love him then give him to them for a year to keep at their own time and expense and then see how they feel....

Before anyone shoots me down in flames my daughter and I have 3 unrideable horses between us - so I am a fluffy bunny too sometimes!
 
i agree with misst.



horses are too expensive to have as pets for most people. if you have your own land mabey, but even then id question it.

only way to safeguard a horses future it pts. and if you cant afford it and sell him/loan him on i think sometimes thats the easy way out.
 
Hmmm thanks guys.

I am really at a loss with what to do. Horses take a lot of time and expense, and whilst I fully accept this, we - as owners - should be able to get something back from that, and in my case, it is enjoyment from competing and being able to transport my horse (e.g I would LOVE to discover the local bridle ways etc but can't because I can't load and travel him safely).

Barefoot has been an option and I have kept him barefoot on and off, but this further limits what we are able to do!

If I was less than dishonest, I could put him through the sales (he is sound at the moment but I know with work he will be lame again) and get £1000 or at least meat money BUT i refuse to do that! As I said, I couldnt bear the thought of him suffering. He looks and goes fantastically but who is going to have the patience with a horse they don't know that won't stand for the farrier for instance!

It's so hard...... :(
 
Wow, hes a big horse. If it were me, I'd be thinking PTS, its a peice of mind thing, and as selfish as it sounds it does seem like an option.
Sorry for your situation.
 
I think honestly, selling/loaning or passing him on elsewhere is not a good idea.

If people think the worst a horse can have done is PTS, they haven't thought about it that much in my opinion.

I don't envy what is a very tough decision, but I similarly wouldn't criticise in the slightest if you were to PTS.

I'm sorry, but if he's unsound, he is not a healthy horse, and I personally don't believe in keeping a lame horse alive with no hope of soundness, unless the horse is definitely not uncomfortable- only a small portion of 'mechanical' lamenesses I think, though I cannot clearly say whether your boy is or not obviously.

Good luck, and don't beat yourself up if you make the tough decision to PTS.
 
He would be buried at home on the farm, where he's been for the past 8 years.

As some of you have said, he is a big horse to be a pet. He can live out but needs a lot of feed. He's definitely not safe enough to share him, I know him well but I'd hate for someone to get hurt on him. He's massive and not reliable to ride - bless him!! (I'm making him sound awful! He's a lovely boy for me, but very much a one person horse!)
 
It's a horrible decision but I would consider putting your horse to sleep.

With the amount of horses offered for loan I think you might struggle with one that needs a vet every 6-8 weeks just to shoe.

I wouldn't consider selling as you will wonder what has happened to them.

I am in a similar situation as I have a KWPN mare that has been used as a broodmare and can be ridden, though she is very sensitive.
I have had little interest in her this year for sale/loan as a broodmare and the only ones that did show interest have been timewasters.

I have made the decision to have her PTS at the end of summer.

I could sell her cheaply to be ridden but I know that she would just be passed from home to home as she has been previously.

I have had friends tell me that I am mean but despite having my own farm I cannot see a future for her.

If I thought that there might be interest in her next year I would be prepared to keep her but with the recession I cannot see things picking up.
 
You can only put him to sleep if you think you can live with your conscience. If you have any doubt that you can live with it then don't do it.

I am in a similar situation. I have two fairly useless horses, one is a light hack and the other is retired and they are both on DIY, but I could never bring myself to put one of them down just so that I can get something I can take to competitions.

I could never live with the guilt, but some people can and do justify it to themselves.

Rather a clean conscience for me than guilt ridden nights forever more.......
 
One thing I like about H&H forum is the honest and realistic responses people give. Its so easy for people to criticise you thinking of having your horse PTS - but you don't see people offering to pay for a 17hh horse for the next 10 years!

I would be very surprised if you found someone who wanted such a big horse as a companion - most people want cheap as chips to keep, good doer ponies.

Good luck whatever you decide to do
 
Rueysmum said:
You can only put him to sleep if you think you can live with your conscience. If you have any doubt that you can live with it then don't do it.

I am in a similar situation. I have two fairly useless horses, one is a light hack and the other is retired and they are both on DIY, but I could never bring myself to put one of them down just so that I can get something I can take to competitions.

I could never live with the guilt, but some people can and do justify it to themselves.

Rather a clean conscience for me than guilt ridden nights forever more.......
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To be fair I do not think the OP is doing this soley to get another horse. I think it is easy to say what you personally would or would not feel guilty about but I don't think we should judge other people. I feel people should feel far more guilty selling horses like this on, or loaning them dishonestly.
As I said before if people think the OP should feel guilty then maybe they would be happy to pay costs and time for this horse. Nothing in life is straightforward and I got the impression that this horse is not sound, is difficult, costly and high maintainance. He has a loved and safe existence at the moment. If he is PTS he will end his life with someone who cares for him in a place he knows, peacefully and pain free. I only wish every horse could have this luxury.
 
misst said:
To be fair I do not think the OP is doing this soley to get another horse. I think it is easy to say what you personally would or would not feel guilty about but I don't think we should judge other people. I feel people should feel far more guilty selling horses like this on, or loaning them dishonestly.
As I said before if people think the OP should feel guilty then maybe they would be happy to pay costs and time for this horse. Nothing in life is straightforward and I got the impression that this horse is not sound, is difficult, costly and high maintainance. He has a loved and safe existence at the moment. If he is PTS he will end his life with someone who cares for him in a place he knows, peacefully and pain free. I only wish every horse could have this luxury.
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I am not disagreeing that the OP could have valid grounds to have the horse put to sleep. Rather I am pointing out that she needs to be absolutely sure that she is going to be able to live with this decision if it is the one she ultimately makes.

In her post she states that she really loves the horse etc..... and that makes me doubt that she would be able to come to terms with it after the event. I am not judging, merely advising caution.
 
Well it's a decision I have been battling with for a long time. He has always been difficult so I have always known I was 'stuck with him' BUT for the past 2.5 years, he has been injured. he had 18 months off, brought back into work (the vets had written him off but I wanted to persevere) but is clearly not going to be able to stand any real work. He is paddock sound enough for me to potter about on once or twice a week, but nothing more than that. He would fail a vetting every day of the week!

So it's not a new decision...its been griding me down for years. I've not been able to enjoy riding for probably about 4/5 years now and it is really getting me down. It is my life and has been for my past 34 years!

As I said - I do love him dearly but he is SUCH a burden. So you can see, I have put the decision off for years :(
 
I agree with everything Misst has said - you are being very sensible. If it was me in the situation no I probably wouldn't but my pony is 13.2hh - costs next to nothing to keep - is easy to handle and it wouldn't be the end of the world for me if I couldn't compete.

It's very easy for people to say find him a loving home or loan him out - who would want him really? You would never find anyone honest to do it. (I'm not salgging him off I know you love him but you've hinted towards this yourself). Horses are expensive and time consuming and you should get something back. If it was an old horse that you had had years of enjoyment out of then that's different - they deserve a home for life but he's too young.

I have seen people give horses to 'rescue homes' because that's easy to do - and seen them have to cut fences down to get them back when they are being neglected! He would end his days somewhere he feels safe and loved.
 
Rueysmum said:
In her post she states that she really loves the horse etc..... .
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And her love is strong enough to let her beloved horse go.

I would fully support your decisionOP if you PTS, you have considered the options and made one of, if not the best, decision.
 
Fullu understand and sympathise with your situation as am in exaclty same one but with 13yr old 16.1hB TB. Retired a year ago due to lameness issues, no one thing identified but a whole lot of things contributing - but vet said he would be ok as a very light hack. Tried to bring him back into work with the view that I could share or loan him out but he cant cope mentally or physically - was freaking out when I tried to get him off the yard, clearly was very uncomfortable being ridden - headshaking, snatching etc and lashing out when saddled. I could just about cope with it but couldnt trust other people on him for fear of endangering their lives. Light hack he clearly isnt!!! He is also a terrible worrier, drops weight at the first sign of cold/wet/stress, costs a fortune to feed even in summer and althoguh he happily grazes in field 24/7 he takes every opportunity to make mischief including suddenly charging at/ from you when in field so not even a great companion.

I think I have settled my demons and will be putting him to sleep in the next few months, comforted by the fact he will be safe and free from pain and worry and will not be taken advanatge of by unscrupulous people, and that during his last few years I did my best to make him comfortable and have an idylic horsey life!
 
I had to have a horse put down a couple off weeks ago and my world fell apart and I wanted to give up horses for good but when it came down to it I couldn't. Just make sure you are doing the right thing and stick to it. I had no choice with my mare I had owned her for 3 yrs and was a ex racer I loved dearly but was kicked by one off my geldings who was the only horse in with her and caught her on her elbow. I held her in my arms while he injected her. The one thing that I have learnt about this forum in the last couple off days is people on her judge you when they don't know you at all so please make your decision yourself. X
 
Completely understand where you are coming from, and yes - have to say Im in the same position with one of my horses. Hes out on loan at the moment, but if the lad who has him cant keep him for any reason, then he will be PTS without any hesitation - I love him more than an awful lot of things, but that just makes me more certain that my decision is the correct one for him.

Horrible place for you to be in - but I think you wont be happy if you loaned yours out even as a companion - you will be worried all the time. At least with the final thing you can do for them, you know exactly where and what is going on with them. Sometimes the best thing to do is the hardest.

good luck with whatever you decide

x
 
It's the hardest part of being caring for horses. My friends may be in a similar situation in a couple of months if her lovely 4yr old TB doesn't recover from his injury :(

Trying to narrow down your choices for you: he cannot be rehomed responsibily, either by selling or loan. He is difficult to shoe, far too big and expensive to keep as a companion and not safe enough to be a light hack. There is sadly a high chance he will be dishonestly sold on to a proper riding home where he will either do himself or someone else an injury and possibly spend years being passed from pillar to post :( The only reason anyone would even consider the option would be to get out the much harder option of having him PTS. :mad:

So either he stays with you for the next 15yrs, and you have an expensive horse to care that you can't ride OR you have him to PTS. They are the only two realistic choices you have.

I personally would have him PTS: I have horse so I can ride and I dont have the time or money or facilities for a very expensive field ornament. There is no stress or pain or uncertainty involved with having him PTS (for him anyways). One injection (or shot) and he goes to sleep peacefully and never wakes up. He has no idea what's going to happen and once he's gone he's gone.

It's YOU who will suffer over it and like someone else said, you have to be able to live with your decision. I could ( as I have a practical attitude to animals being PTS) but there are those who couldn't.

Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
misst said:
Sorry but I think the worst thing you can do is sell him. Once he is out of your hands you are powerless to follow things up. He can and may well be sold again against your wishes. Loans are great if you can find someone who will share realistic costs - and I would be surprised if many people wanted a 10yo 17hh with issues and costs of shoeing etc as you say he has.

I have no doubt you love him but to be honest I think it is better he is PTS than sold - no harm can come to him that way. Sometimes we owe them the bravest decision. Sounds like you have thought long and hard. As a TB he is unlikely to be a good bet to live out year round as a companion which is the only other option. He is 10 and could live another 10 years with good care. I love my horses to pieces and believe firmly if I cannot offer them safe, secure retirement when they can no longer be ridden then they are best PTS. They have no concept or fear of the future like you do.... See how things go but don't let others talk you into keeping a horse that they would not want themselves. If they say they would love him then give him to them for a year to keep at their own time and expense and then see how they feel....

Before anyone shoots me down in flames my daughter and I have 3 unrideable horses between us - so I am a fluffy bunny too sometimes!
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I think this is a sensible answer and agree.
 
try putting him on loan, as a companion, or light hack to stay on current yard, does he really need shoes?, i have 2 tbs without shoes as they are in light work. They were a bit sore to start with, but after a while they are fine. I personaly wouldn't pts.
 
Just another thought - as I have no personal experience or knowledge to draw on, but would a horse like this be able to go an equine blood bank? all I know is they have to be under a certain age, and live in herds - it might be worth looking into and exploring.

Otherwise I think you are being very brave to be realistic about yours and his options. Good luck in whatever you choose to do.
 
If you can loan him to stay on your current yard as a light hack - great, go for it. I think at the very least it's worth putting the word out and asking around / putting an ad up. He could be just right for someone and I think it is worth a try.

If that doesn't pan out, then being PTS is by no means the worst thing that could happen to him.
 
OP I think from what you have said that it would not be unreasonable to at least consider PTS.

As others have said there are worse things that could happen to him.

Your rationale is extremely sensible and caring IMO.
 
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